Sledding Tips for Families

Are you ready to head outdoors with your family for a sledding adventure?

This season the snow is falling and there will be plenty of opportunities to take the kids out in the snow. Here are a few of our sledding tips to keep them safe and warm so they can maximize the fun.

1. Dress for Success

• Layers are always important when it comes to winter weather.
• Pay special attention the hands and feet. Warm socks and boots will make for happy piggies on a cold day.
• Snowpants and jackets a must for staying dry in snowy, wet, conditions
• Try to avoid scarfs and dangling laces – these can be a hazard if they are caught on a moving sled

2. Sleds

• Plastic sleds – make sure your sled isn’t brittle, broken edges can be sharp
• Inflatables – check to make sure the sled is inflated properly, store overnight in a garage or basement and add more air in the morning prior to heading out
• Toboggans – make sure that there are no loose ties or ropes

3. Safety

• Helmets – Especially if the kids are under 12 helmets make sense. Our kids wear them skiing and snowboarding and we’re seeing more of them on the hills when sledding. After all the helmets today are better looking than ever and they keep your head warm – bonus. I heard one dad call out, “Don’t forget to put on your brain bucket.” whatever you call it, they make sense.
• Where you sled – take a moment to talk with the kids about where the best places to sled are. Take the opportunity to tell them not to sled near cars, streets, or water. Understanding that there are some places that are just not safe for sledding.
• Have an adult with you –  make sure that the kids know that an adult will be there and where to find them. Some sledding hills can be packed with families, plan on a meeting place in case you get separated.
• On the hill – make sure the kids know to walk up the side of the hill and leave the center for sledding. All too often we see a little one walk right up the center and get knocked down
• Face forward – the safest position on a sled is facing forward and NOT face first, this can cause face and head injuries in an accident