Best Baby and Toddler Snow Sleds (with Seatbelts!)

Sledding can be a great way to introduce babies and toddlers to snow. And, if you live somewhere really snowy, a sled can be a good alternative to a stroller for taking your baby on walks.

Considering how dangerous sledding can be, it’s no surprise that there aren’t many sleds for babies or even toddlers. I’ll go over the options here and what you need to know about sledding safely with little ones.

Also read: Best Snow Suits and Best Base Layers for Babies and Toddlers

Is It Safe for Babies and Toddlers to Go Sledding?

Once a baby can sit up by themselves, it is safe to pull or push them on a sled. However, it is NOT safe for babies to go downhill sledding. Even toddlers shouldn’t go downhill sledding without an adult holding them.

Remember, the soft spot on the front of a child’s head doesn’t fully close until around 18 months. They can easily get injured if they fall off a sled.

A lot of experts say that children under five years old shouldn’t sled by themselves. The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) goes as far as saying that children ages 12 and under should wear helmets when sledding.

I admittedly have broken this rule. At two years old, my daughter liked sledding so much with me and her big sister that I let her go down by herself– but only after I saw she was capable of holding on. It was such a low slope that it barely could be considered “downhill.” I also made sure there weren’t any objects in the way, which is the most common cause of sledding injuries.

My toddler sledding by herself. It’s barely a hill and her big sister was waiting for her at the bottom.

Do Baby Sleds Need Seatbelts?

Babies and toddlers are squirmy and can easily wriggle out of a sled. For this reason, you may want to choose a sled with a seatbelt. However, it’s more important for the sled to have a backrest and sides. These are what ultimately will prevent your child from falling off the sled, especially if you accidentally jerk the sled too hard or hit a bump.

Which Type of Sled Should I Get for My Baby?

There are two types of baby/toddler sleds: runner sleds and plastic pull sleds.

Runner sleds: These are more expensive, but are more stable and easier to pull. They can also be used with older kids, so you’ll get more use out of them.
Plastic pull sleds: These are lightweight and easier to carry around. They aren’t as stable as runner sleds and your child will grow out of them sooner.

Best Sleds for Babies and Toddlers

1. BeaverSnow Runner Sled – Top Pick

There are a few reasons this sled is my top pick. First, it has a deep seat with a backrest and sides so your child isn’t likely to fall out even without the seatbelt on.

The classic toboggan design is not likely to fall over and does really well on powdery snow. Since the weight limit is 120lbs, so older children can use the sled. Or your child can still it as they grow.

Even though it looks like a classic sled, it’s made from heavy-duty plastic. The construction is very solid so you don’t have to worry about it breaking or cracking after one season. The cushion is included with the sled, so you don’t have to buy it separately.

Specs:

Weighs: 12lbs
Material: HDPE
Length: 30”
Seat width: 15.75″
Backrest height: 12”
Weight limit: 120lbs

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2. Pelican Baby Runner Sled

The brand Pelican mostly makes kayaks, boats and paddle boards. They also make this cool baby toboggan too. It does NOT have a seatbelt. However, you can easily add a cheap seatbelt to the slats, such as this one or this one.

The main reason to get this sled over the SnowBeaver is that it’s lighter weight: at under 7lbs, you won’t mind if you have to lug it around a bit. The brand doesn’t list the weight limit on the sled, but it’s fine for up to two years old.

Specs:

Weighs: 6.7lbs
Material: Wood with HDPE runners
Length: 30”
Seat width: 14.5”
Backrest height: 11.25”

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3. Flexible Flyer Baby Runner Sled

Flexible Flyer is one of the most popular brands of sled. This is their classic wooden baby sled. Like the Pelican sled, it doesn’t have a seat belt.

The weight limit on the FF pull sled is only 40lbs, so it’s not suitable for two children or older children. They do make a premium version of the sled which has metal bars on the runners for durability and a higher weight limit of 50lbs.

While both of these versions are good sleds, I like the SnowBeaver sled better. It has a higher weight limit and comes with a cushion. There’s an optional cushion that you can get for the Flexible Flyer baby sled, but it’s pricy.

Specs:

Weighs: 8.5lbs
Material: Wood
Length: 29”
Seat width: 14”
Backrest height: 11.5”
Weight limit: 40lbs

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4. Pelican Baby Plastic Pull Sled

Pelican also makes this baby sled. It is designed to be used as a snow stroller and even comes with a canopy to block the snow and wind. Unlike other small plastic baby sleds, this one is actually pretty stable. The canopy is somewhat difficult to unzip with cold, gloved hands. It’s possible to keep the canopy in down position until you need it though.

Specs:

Weighs: 4.8lbs
Material: Plastic
Length: 30”
Seat width: 19.5”
Backrest height: 10”
Canopy height: 25”
Age range: Up to 24 months

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5. Flexible Flyer Baby Plastic Pull Sled

This sled is really similar to the Pelican pull sled above. The main difference is that it doesn’t come with a canopy cover, which means it is cheaper.

The base on the sled is wide, so it won’t tip over. However, it’s a bit short: if you hold the pull rope close to the sled, it can make the front of the sled slant upwards and tilt your baby backwards.

Specs:

Weighs: 3.2lbs
Material: Plastic
Length: 26.5”
Seat width: 20”
Backrest height: 10.5”
Age range: Up to 3 years
Max weight: 40lbs

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6. Gizmo Riders Baby/Toddler Sled

The Gizmo sled is the longest of any here, so it can be used with taller toddlers and children so long as they aren’t over 55lbs. The seat design is pretty comfortable and there’s a 3-point harness.

A nice design feature is that there’s a bar in the back. This prevents the sled from tipping backwards as you pull. Unfortunately, it’s still pretty easy for the sled to topple over to the sides – especially when turning. The sled is also somewhat pricy compared to other plastic sleds and the handle needs to be longer.

Specs: