When the first proper snow falls, most children want to be out on a sledge. Light plastic sledges and snow sliders are the simplest way to get out on the hill: they weigh next to nothing, children can drag them back up the slope themselves, and they hang on a hook in the garage for the rest of the year.
These winter accessories are about fun rather than speed records, so the choice comes down to the age of the rider, the kind of slope you have nearby and how much control you want.
For steep, long runs or for older children who want to steer, a sledge with a steering wheel and brakes gives more control than a low slider.
| Question | Pick |
|---|---|
| Toddler who needs pulling on the flat | a high-sided sledge an adult can pull |
| School-age child on a gentle hill | a slider or plastic sledge they can carry themselves |
| Steeper, longer runs | a sledge with steering and brakes |
| Thin or wet snow | a wide plastic base that floats rather than digs in |
Bright colours are not just for looks: a red or green sledge is easy to spot on a white slope, and easy to find when it slides off on its own.
Walk the slope before the first run. Choose one with deep snow, a long flat run-out at the bottom and no trees, fences, rocks, roads or water in the way. Sit up facing forward – never stand on a sledge or go down head first – and keep young children supervised. A ski or cycle helmet and gloves are sensible, and loose scarves are best tucked in so they cannot catch.
Plastic sledges get very fast on hard-packed or icy snow, and a low slider gives little control. On icy mornings, pick a gentler slope or leave the sledge until the snow softens.
Let the sledge dry after use and store it out of direct sun, which makes plastic brittle over time. Check the pull cord and handles before each winter.
Sledge is the usual British word and sled the American one – they mean the same thing. A toboggan is a long sledge without runners, with a flat base that curls up at the front.
Toddlers can ride a high-sided sledge that an adult pulls on the flat. Riding down a slope alone suits children who can sit steadily and steer by leaning, usually from school age, always with an adult watching.
They can be, on the right slope and with an adult watching. Light plastic sledges pick up speed quickly and are hard to steer, so where and how a child rides matters most: a slope with no obstacles and a long run-out, sitting up and facing forward, never head first.
See more winter toys, and keep the drive clear with snow shovels and scrapers.
