When I was 7 years old, my dad got me a pair of snowshoes for Christmas. I had a blast floating on top of the snow that winter. Those snowshoes were made out of wood and had leather bindings. While those ones are still pretty cool, today’s snowshoes for kids have come a long way. There are now lots of features to make them more lightweight, shed snow better and provide better support for little ankles.

Here are my top picks for snowshoes for kids ages 2 to teens, plus some advice on how to get the right snowshoes for your kids and style of adventuring.

Quick Picks

Best overall: Yukon Charlie Sno-Bash 17″ (Amazon)
Runner up: Crescent Moon foam 17.5″ snowshoes (Amazon)
Best for really little kids: Tubbs Snowflake 14″ (Amazon, REI)
Best for mountain terrain: MSR Shift 19″ (Amazon, REI)
Best budget-friendly option: Tubbs Snowglow 16″ (Amazon)

Comparison Table

Product	Terrain	Length	Max Load	Material	Traction	Rotating toe?	Weight
Tubbs Snowflake	Flat	14"	50lbs	Plastic	Plastic teeth	No	1.3lbs
Sportsstuff monsta Trax	Flat	14"	80lbs	Plastic	Plastic teeth	No	1.25lbs
Yukon Charlie's SNO-Bash	Flat	16"	100lbs	Aluminum	Steel toe and heel crampons	Yes	2.2lbs
Tubbs Snowglow	Rolling	16"	50lbs	Plastic	Molded plastic side rails with steel toe crampon	Yes	1.76lbs
MSR Tyker	Flat	17"	80lbs	Plastic	Plastic side rails, steel toe crampons and braking bars	No	1.9lbs
Tubbs Flex Jr.	Rolling	17"	90lbs	Plastic	Steel side rails and toe crampon	Yes	2.4lbs
TSL Kidoo	Flat	17"	65lbs	Plastic	3 steel spikes	No	1.4lbs
Crescent Moon Kids	Rolling	17.5"	100lbs	Foam	Rubber lugs and optional ice cleats	No	1.75lbs
MSR Shift	Mountain	19"	125lbs	Plastic	Steel side rails and toe crampons and plastic braking bars	Yes	2.5lbs

Best Snowshoes for Kids

I’ve listed these picks for best kids snowshoes by size, starting from the smallest length to the largest, not necessarily from the “best.” If you aren’t sure which snowshoes for kids you need, keep scrolling to get to the buying guide.

1. Tubbs Snowflake Snowshoe

Best for: Quality snow shoes for very little kids

Key Features:

Terrain: Flat
Size: 14”
Closure Type: Nylon strap
Material: Plastic
Max Load: 50 lbs
Traction Type: Plastic bumps
Product Weight: 1.3lbs
Rotating toe closure? No

Of all the kids snowshoes available, few of them are as beginner-friendly as the Tubbs Kids’ Snowflake Snowshoe. They are designed for very little kids and supposedly good for up to 6 years old. Realistically, they are probably best for ages 3 to 4. But even 2-year-old kids can also use these snowshoes because they are lightweight.

The Flex RDG two-system binding system provides an excellent fit. It straps well on your kid’s boots so they don’t fall off even when they trip (which they will!). More importantly, they are pretty easy to adjust. Yes, they are nylon – which does get saturated – but it’s probably not an issue with snowshoes for kids this little. Easy adjustment is more important in this case.

There is some molded plastic traction on the snowshoes, but it isn’t sharp so you don’t have to worry about injuries. The bindings allow the heel to lift a bit, so your kid can have a more natural gait but without the learning curve that comes with pivoting toe closures.

While the base is pretty wide, these snowshoes are still best for packed snow. Expect some sinking on powder. There is no lift on the front, so they won’t shed snow well. But, again, your toddler probably isn’t leading the way on deep trails for this to be so important.

Pros

Very easy to get on/off
3-point straps for a good fit
Incredible performance
Toddler-safe traction

Cons

Included stickers will come off easily
Low weight limit

Get Here at Amazon

2. Sportsstuff Monsta Trax Kids Snowshoe

Best for: Cheap, cute snowshoe for very little kids

Key Features:

Terrain: Flat
Size: 14″
Closure Type: Hook and Loop
Material: Polymer
Max Load: 80lbs
Traction Type: Plastic teeth
Product Weight: 1.25 lbs
Rotating toe closure? No

The Sportsstuff Monsta snowshoes are made from high-impact polymer, and the construction is better than you’ll find on other cheap snowshoes for kids. The material should last long enough that you can use them for more than one season (or pass them down to a younger child).

Because they are made out of plastic, the snowshoes are really lightweight. The snowshoes have a weight capacity of 80-pounds, which is a good sign that they will hold up well.

Aside from the price, the biggest selling point on these snowshoes is the design, which a lot of little kids will love. They do not make monster tracks in the snow though!

As for functionality, the Sportsstuff Monsta is easy enough to get on. The adjustable fast-click buckles are fast to put on/off and fit most snow boots. I doubt most little kids could do it themselves though.

My only concern is the straps are a little crappy. They don’t hold well when adjusted and tend to slip, so you must stop periodically to tighten them. Knotting the strap behind the buckle helps keeps the strap from sliding back out. There’s no strap around the toe area though, so your kids feet might not be held in the toes very well (you get what you pay for).

There are plastic teeth for traction on the bottom, but obviously not good enough for serious ice or mountain trails. The traction is slightly sharper than that on the Tubbs Snowflake shoes, but not as deep or contoured.

Pros

Inexpensive
Lightweight
Cool monster design

Cons

Flimsy straps which often need retightening
No way to adjust toe area for better fit
Don’t make monster prints in the snow

Get Them Here on Amazon

3. Yukon Charlie’s SNO-Bash Snowshoe

Best for: All-around good snowshoes which don’t cost a fortune

Key Features:

Terrain: Flat
Size: 16″
Closure Type: Pull webbing plus heel buckle
Material: Aluminum frame with HDPE decking
Max Load: 100lbs
Traction Type: Steel toe and heel crampons
Product Weight: 2.2lbs
Rotating toe closure? Yes, but semi-rigid

If you are willing to pay a bit more for your kids’ snowshoes, the Yukon Charlie Sno-Bash are a good choice. They aren’t too expensive but still have a lot of “professional” features like proper toe and heel crampons. The front is lifted to keep snow off. And the 600 aluminum frame and HDPE decking is durable enough to last multiple seasons.

As for the binding closure, the Yukon system is a bit different than with other snowshoes. They have a drawcord system, which makes them easy to use and go on quickly, even with gloves on. There’s also a buckle heel strap, so you get a good fit.

These snowshoes technically have rotating bindings. But, instead of using a pivot bar, the bindings rotate on strap. This makes them more rigid than if they pivoted on a bar, so you get something in between a fixed and pivoting binding.

Regarding weight and size, Yukon shows are a good balance. They are light enough not to wear out your kid, yet big enough to support their weight on the snow.

Even though the weight capacity is up to 100lbs, the 16” length means the snowshoes are probably best for kids between the ages of 5 and 9 (the brand recommends them for ages 6 to 10 years old though).

Pros

Funky design
Easy to use
Low weight to size ratio
Decent traction
Semi-rotating bindings

Cons

Painted aluminum scratches easily
No side rails or braking bars

Get Them Here on Amazon

4. Tubbs Snowglow Snowshoes

Best for: A budget-friendly snowshoe which still has some serious features

Key Features:

Terrain: Flat and Rolling
Size: 16”
Closure Type: Ratcheting with buckle heel strap
Material: Plastic
Max Load: 50lbs
Traction Type: Molded plastic side rails with steel toe crampon
Product Weight: 1.76lbs
Rotating toe closure? Yes

These snowshoes by Tubbs have been around for a long time. Their main draw (for kids) is that they light up with each step. You need an SR44 battery for that. This is actually cool if you are worried about seeing your kid in the dark. Note that batteries need to be changed more often when in sub-zero temps!

As for performance, these snowshoes actually have some cool features. For starters, they have a rotating toe cord for shedding snow. There is a steel crampon in the toe area, so your kid gets good traction each time their feet rotate forward.

The main concern with these snowshoes is that they are a bit heavy and have a low weight limit of just 50lbs. The toe binding is also fairly small, so won’t fit larger boots. Even though the age recommendation is for 4-8, it’s probably better for kids 4-6 years old.

Pros:

Rotating toe binding
Decent traction
Light up with each step
Good for deep powder
Affordable

Cons:

Low weight limit
Batteries need replacement fairly often

Get It Here at Amazon

5. Tubbs Flex Jr. Snowshoes

Best for: Good snowshoes which can handle a variety of types of snow

Key Features:

Terrain: Rolling
Size: 17”
Closure Type: Ratcheting with heel strap
Material: Plastic
Max Load: 90lbs
Traction Type: Steel side rails and toe crampon
Product Weight: 2.4lbs
Rotating toe closure? Yes

Here’s another pair of kids snowshoes by Tubbs. Like the Snowglow snowshoes, they have rotating toe closures. But the Flex Jr. snowshoes actually have steel side rails as well as traction on the toe. The traction makes them better for slightly icy conditions and even some hilly terrain. There is a bit of a braking but not enough to consider it a real braking bar.

There’s a quick-lock ratcheting closure system, which works as advertised. Small feet might experience some slipping though and need occasional retightening.

The main draw of these snowshoes though is how well they handle various types of snow. They float well on powder but also do well on packed snow, even on slightly hilly conditions. If they were just a bit lighter, they would get a better rating.

Pros:

Float well on deep powder
Handles icy and hilly conditions fairly well

Cons:

Heavy

Get Them Here on Amazon

6. MSR Tyker Kids’ Snowshoes for Children

Best for A durable snowshoe for kids ages 5 to 9

Key Features:

Terrain: Flat
Size: 17″
Closure Type: Hook and loop
Material: Plastic
Max Load: 80 lbs
Traction Type: Plastic side rails, steel toe crampons and braking bars
Product Weight: 1.9lbs
Rotating toe closure? No

MSR makes good-quality gear, and their kids snowshoes are no exception. They have some really nice features like being made out of injection-molded plastic, so they are lightweight yet still sturdy. Because of the way they are shaped, your kid will definitely not sink in powder.

Unlike other kids snowshoes, the MSR Tyker can actually be used for many ages. It is 17 inches long, so will keep heavier kids afloat. But the light weight means that kids as young as 4 years old can use them (they are probably best for kids 5-9 though). So, if you want to buy just one pair of snowshoes which you kids can use for years, this is the one.

The traction on the MSR Tyker is also really good. There are plastic side rails, a steel toe crampon and braking bars (pretty much no kids snowshoes have braking bars!). Don’t expect them to work on mountain terrain: these snowshoes are still only meant for flat terrain but your kid could probably manage a hill or two.

My biggest issue with the MSR kids snowshoes are the bindings. They use a method similar to the one you’d find on watches. On the plus side, these bindings are highly adjustable and stay in place. But they are difficult to close with gloves on.

Pros

Very durable
Good traction, including braking bars
Lightweight
Good on powder

Cons

Bindings are hard to put on with gloves on

Get It Here On Amazon or Here at REI

7. TSL Kidoo Snowshoes

Best for: Introductory snowshoes with okay traction

Key Features:

Terrain: Flat
Size: 17”
Closure Type: Ratcheting with heel strap
Material: Plastic
Max Load: 65lbs
Traction Type: 3 steel spikes
Product Weight: 1.4lbs
Rotating toe closure? No

The TSL Kidoo snowshoes have also been available for years. They are mostly popular because of their cheap price. You definitely get what you pay for though. The closure system isn’t the most secure and is a bit of a pain to put on.

The reason these make the list of best kids snowshoes is because they have good traction: there’s a crampon in the toe area and three additional crampons. This isn’t a lot of traction, but more than you’ll find with other kids snowshoes.

The hourglass shape of the snowshoes is also nice. It helps with natural stride, despite the toe cord being fixed, as well as shedding snow. Considering that the weight limit is only 65lbs, I’m not sure how well the plastic will hold up. I wouldn’t count on passing these down to a younger child!

Pros:

Cheap
Decent enough traction
Shed snow well

Cons:

Low weight limit
Durability questionable
Not the best traction

Get Them Here on Amazon

8. Crescent Moon Kids Snowshoes

Best for: A snowshoe that will grow with your kid and can be used on lots of different terrain

Key Features:

Terrain: Rolling
Size: 5”
Closure Type: Velcro hook and loop
Material: Foam
Max Load: 100 lbs
Traction Type: Rubber lugs and ice cleats (removable)
Product Weight: 1.75lbs
Rotating toe closure? No

The snowshoes by Crescent Moon aren’t exactly cheap, but they are really good quality. They are also one of the only snowshoes for little kids which are suitable for hilly terrain. The rubber traction works surprisingly well. It’s cool that the ice cleats can be removed if you don’t need them.

I was a bit concerned that the foam wouldn’t hold up. But, according to a lot of users, the foam is actually really durable and the snowshoes will last for years. It’s the strap which might eventually fail on you. Luckily it’s not actually sewn into the snowshoe, so you can replace it – it’s just a Velcro strap so easy enough to find.

The main draw of using a foam snowshoe is that it is lightweight. This means even little kids can use the snowshoes (despite being long at 17.5 inches). As your kid grows, they will still be able to use the same snowshoes. The foam also provides some insulation against the snow to keep your kids’ feet warm, but this isn’t exactly the main selling point.

Pros:

Very lightweight for length
Good for wide range of ages
Surprisingly good traction
Ice cleats are optional
Velcro closure can easily be replaced
Durable
Toe and heel lift
Several colors to choose from

Cons:

Pricier option

Get Them Here on Amazon

9. MSR Shift Kids Snowshoes

Best for: Serious kids snowshoes for mountain terrain

Key Features:

Terrain: Mountain
Size: 19”
Closure Type: Rubber strap
Material: Plastic
Max Load: 125 lbs
Traction Type: Steel side rails and toe crampons and plastic braking bars
Product Weight: 2.5lbs
Rotating toe closure? Yes

The MSR Shift are one of the few “serious” snowshoes for kids. They have the same features you’d find on a good pair of adult snowshoes, like steel traction and braking bars for handling mountainous terrain. The tips are tapered and there is a pivoting toe closure. For some reason though, there is no lift on the back of the snowshoes.

These snowshoes are designed for kids ages 7-12 years old and will fit shoes sizes 1-7 US (Men’s). They are fairly heavy at 2.5lbs. So, even if they have big feet, don’t count on younger kids being able to use them. Just like with the MSR Tyker snowshoes, they are made out of a really durable injection molded plastic, so should last for many seasons.

The rubber strap closures are pretty annoying to use. But, if your kid can handle serious terrain, they can probably handle the straps too J. So, the only real downside to these snowshoes is their price: they definitely aren’t cheap but you get what you pay for.

Pros:

Suitable for mountain terrain
3-strap binding gives secure fit
Great traction, including braking bars
Very durable construction

Cons:

No rear lift
Fairly heavy
Pricy option

Get Them Here on Amazon or Here at REI

Best Snowshoes for Kids Buying Guide (Things to Consider)

1. Kids Snowshoes Size Chart

When looking at kids snowshoes, you actually want to look at your child’s weight (not their age, height or foot size). This is because a larger snowshoe is necessary to distribute heavier weights across the snow so the shoes don’t sink.

So long as the bindings are adjustable, they should fit your child’s feet fine. However, some brands do list what shoe sizes their snowshoes will fit.

Child's Weight	Snowshoe Size
<50 lbs	14”-16”
50-90 lbs	17”-19”
>90 lbs	20"-22"

2. Weight of the Snowshoes

The heavier the snowshoes are, the harder it is going to be for kids to use them. In order to make them lightweight without sacrificing quality, most manufacturers just shorten the snowshoes – but short snowshoes don’t float well. Your child will quickly outgrow them.

If you want a pair of snowshoes which will last your child several seasons, then look for ones which are longer yet still lightweight.

For example, the Crescent Moon snowshoes are 17.5” but weigh less than 2lbs. This means they can be used by little kids as well as older kids so you get more use out of them.

3. Snowshoe Weight Limit

Just because a pair of snowshoes has a weight limit of 100lbs, it doesn’t mean your kid will be able to use them when they reach 100lbs. You really need to be looking at the length of the snowshoes when determining the right size.

However, the snowshoes weight limit is a good indicator of their quality. For example, two pairs of plastic snowshoes can look exactly the same but one has a weight limit of 50lbs whereas the other has 75lbs. The 75lb-limit ones will likely last a lot longer before they crack!

Remember that the weight limit is for your child and anything they are carrying!

4. Closure Type

Every single kids snowshoes advertise that they are “easy” to put on. This is rarely the case. Most little kids won’t be able to get snowshoes on/off by themselves, especially with cold or mitten hands. Some bindings are definitely easier than others though.

The downside is that, the easier the snowshoes are to get on, the more likely the bindings are to slip.

If you kid spends a good amount of time snowshoeing, you’ll probably have to readjust/tighten the bindings at least once. Most little kids won’t last this long on the trail though, so you never end up needing to readjust.

The bottom line? Focus on easy on/off for little kids. For older kids, the security of the bindings matters more.

Don’t expect little kids to be able to get snowshoes on by themselves!

5. Snowshoe Traction and Safety

Most snowshoes for kids – especially little kids – aren’t going to have very good traction. It’s a matter of safety because you don’t want your kid getting hurt on sharp steel crampons.

But if you plan on taking your kid on icy or hilly terrain, you absolutely need some traction. Plastic traction does work better than you’d think, but is no match for steel crampons.

6. Rotating Toe Cords or Not?

Snowshoes can have either rotating or fixed toe cords. They are also sometimes called “rotating” or “fixed” bindings:

Rotating toe cords (also called pivoting toe cords) have binding which rotates on a rod with each step. The extra movement means the back of the snowshoe stays down and drags as you walk. You get more ankle movement. Your kid is also less likely to spray snow all over their backside. They are harder to maneuver around objects though, and have a bit of a learning curve.

Fixed toe cords keep your feet (mostly) in place. The binding stays close to the snowshoe as you walk. Your child is more likely to throw snow on their backside, but fixed bindings are easier to maneuver and more intuitive to use.

Which should you get for your child? It’s a matter of personal preference. However, most kids snowshoes are going to have fixed toe cords. They are cheaper to make and easier for newbies to use. If your kid has some experience with snowshoeing or will be going on deep powder, the rotating toe cords are probably better.

Best Snowshoes for Kids: As Chosen By an Outdoorsy Mom

Quick Picks

Comparison Table