Let’s be honest; there’s nothing worse than having the kids cooped up indoors.
Just because it’s snowing doesn’t mean they can’t be outside sledding, building a snowman, having snowball fights, or building snow forts.
We have a lot of experience with kids and snow (too much, really!). So we’ve spent our fair share of time researching and testing a wide range of snow toys to keep our kids happy, healthy, and outdoors in the winter.
In this article, we’ll share our top picks for the best snow toys for kids and discuss how to keep your little snow angels safe when they’re out in the cold.
- Durable
- Long handle
- Easy to use
- Easy to steer
- Large sled size
- Holds up to 250 lbs
- Includes 2-piece mold
- Creates penguin in seconds
- Makes 11 inch tall creations
- Anti-skid vinyl seat
- Lightweight & compact
- Highly maneuverable
- High double-slat backrest
- Comes fully assembled
- Well built
- Heavy duty
- Flexible slick-coated plastic
- Accommodates 1-2 riders
- Adjustable-height handle
- Super-tough material
- 3-mode LED light
- Easy to clean
- Bio-degradable
- Easy-to-follow instructions
- High-quality material
- Sturdy handles
- Fast inflation & deflation valve
- Durable
- 16-piece kit
- Reusable
The Best Kids Snow Toys of 2024
Here are 15 great snow toys to consider.
Joyin Snowball Maker
Fun for All Ages
Pile up a stack of perfect snowballs with this easy-to-use tool from Joyin. Just open the handles, scoop the snow, and close — voila, a lovely round snowball. Your kids will be the envy of their friends during snowball fights.
These come in a pack of three in bright colors of blue, yellow and red. Plus it also includes a bonus tote for storage.
Flexible Flyer Metal Runner Sled
Best Wooden Sled
This steel and wood kids snow sled is good for young and old. Suitable for ages 5 years and up, it can hold up to 250 pounds — ideal for sledding down the slopes with your kids in tow.
It’s steerable with your hands if you’re lying down or your feet if you’re sitting up, so you can curve your way around other sledders. It also comes fully assembled. All you have to do is unbox it, and you’re ready to go.
Personal Perspective
Ideal SNO Toys SNO-Buddy Penguin
Best Snow Sculpting Toy For Kids
What kid doesn’t love a penguin? This snow mold will let you build your own colony of penguins in the snow. Fill each half of the mold with snow, close it, stand it up, open it again, and a cute penguin emerges.
This is suitable for kids ages 5 and over and makes a fun alternative to building snowmen. They can recreate the “Happy Feet” cast and direct their own movie.
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Zipfy Freestyle Luge Snow Sled
Fastest Snow Flyer
This luge-style snow sled will have your kids whizzing down the slopes in true Olympic style. Available in nine different colors, it only weighs 3.5 pounds and is suitable for kids ages 5 and over.
Race through turns by leaning into them using the handle to steer. An anti-slip vinyl seat makes it comfortable, while decals let you personalize the sled.
Flexible Flyer Baby Pull Sled
Favorite Toddler Sled
Little kids also love being out in the snow. This sled will let your toddlers (ages 18 months to 4 years) sit in style while you tow them along with the included rope.
It has a high double backrest, and the elevated seat position will keep them dry. Just make sure your little one holds on tight, as there’s no strap to hold them in.
User Experience
Slippery Racer Downhill Sprinter Sled
Simplest Sled Design
This flexible plastic sled is suitable for kids ages 4 and over. It’s lightweight and has a rope attached, making towing it back uphill a breeze. It also has a cold-resistant “IceVex” treatment to keep kids warmer for longer.
It’s available in four bright colors: red, blue, pink, or green, so your little ones will be easy to spot as they speed down the slopes.
Personal Perspective
GeoSpace Ski Skooter
Best Standing Sled
Snowboarding is made simple with this scooter for kids ages 6 and over. It will work on flat surfaces or slopes. They can even use it on grass or sand, which is good if you live in areas where kids want snow-style fun but don’t get much snow.
It has LED lights on the front, so your kids can easily be seen when visibility or light isn’t so good. And the non-skid platform helps with stability in the feet.
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Chameleon Colors Paint Snowman Kit
Best for Budding Artists
Who says your snowman has to look like everyone else’s? With this kit, you can paint your own multicolored snowman. It comes with four colors: black, yellow, red, and blue. You can mix the colors together, make beautiful designs, and spruce up your snowman. The paint doesn’t melt into the snow, either!
First-Hand Impression
GoFloats Winter Snow Tube
Best Snow Tube Sled for Kids
Snow tubes are great fun for kids, big and small. They’re inflatable and lightweight, and this one is no exception. Made from a thick 0.6 mm raft-grade material, it has sturdy handles to hold onto as you skim over the snow.
As snow tubes give less control than most sleds, don’t forget the safety helmet, knee pads, and all-important adult supervision. Also, don’t let kids under 6 years old sled on it.
User Experience
Evelots Snowman Kit
Best Snowman Kit
Building a snowman is fun for all the family. This kit is suitable for kids ages 5 and over and will ensure you have the best-dressed snowman in the neighborhood. You can choose to buy either one or two kits.
It contains 16 pieces to bring your snowman to life, including a top hat and scarf, a carrot nose, eyes, buttons, and a smile. All pieces have long prongs to ensure they stay in place — until the snow melts, that is!
Personal Perspective
Flexible Flyer Snow Block Mold
Most Affordable Kids Snow Toy
Let your budding builders create snow bricks and build their own snow fort, igloo, or whatever else you fancy. This single mold has non-toxic finishes, making them safe for kids aged 3 and over.
We love that these can be used to make snow bricks in the winter and then sand bricks in the summer — an ideal year-round toy at a terrific price point.
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Flexible Flyer Build a Snowman & Snow Art Markers Kit.
Best Snow Markers Kit
Kids love to draw — not only on paper but also on your walls. We’re taking art to the next level, this time on snow!
This product from Ideal comes with three snow markers in red, blue, and green. It also includes all the snowman parts you need. Let your kids express their creativity outdoors!
First-Hand Impression
Gpeng Snowshoes
Best Snowshoes for Kids
Going for a walk on a snowy day can be slippery and treacherous. Help your little ones keep their footing with these snowshoes. It has a metal plate with spikes to help keep kids stable.
The binding is an easy step fastening, and there’s a heel grip to keep feet in place. Choose from a wide selection of colors and sizes to fit family members weighing 30 pounds to 250 pounds.
User Experience
Back Bay Play Snow & Sand Molds
Best Multi-Season Toy
This molding kit is suitable for both snow and sand. It comes with four shaped molds, including rectangle, flat, round, and pointed top — everything you need to build your very own snow castle!
We especially like that these durable items are made to last a lifetime, unlike many other plastic molding toys. They are made in the U.S. and are suitable for kids ages 3 years and over.
Personal Perspective
SnowFun Indoor Snowballs
Best Indoor Snow Toy for Kids
Maybe you live somewhere that rarely, if ever, sees snow. We don’t want your kids to miss out, so these indoor snowballs mean you can also join in the fun.
Suitable for kids ages 3 and over, these soft “snowballs” can be played with any time and anywhere. They leave no mess or slush and can be machine washed and dried on a low setting in the dryer.
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Tips for Safe Snow Play
Here are some tips to keep your kids warm and safe during snow play.
Layer Up
The last thing you want is your child overheating or freezing their tush off. So, what’s the right amount of clothing?
Children and infants should dress warmly for outdoor fun. Wearing several thin layers of clothing will keep them dry and warm (1).
Pop them in thermal “long johns” if you have them. If not, use a moisture-wicking underlayer. You don’t want their sweat being trapped and getting their underlayers wet.
On top of that, ideally, you want a turtleneck with a couple of loose insulating layers, such as long-sleeved tops. Keeping them loose will trap an insulating layer of air. You could then use a sweater and coat — and remember warm socks, boots, mittens or gloves, a scarf, and a hat.
The general advice is to put one more layer on babies and children than adults would need in similar conditions.
Use Sunscreen
If it’s sunny, damaging UV rays are still about, even though it’s cold. The sun’s reflection on the snow can even cause sunburn, especially for delicate skin.
Put sunscreen on any exposed skin areas, and ensure it’s waterproof. Another consideration might be to pop on some sunglasses to protect their eyes.
Safe Sledding
Dashing through the snow at an exhilarating speed is fun for kids, young and old. However, there is the potential for injury. More than 20,000 people under the age of 19 are treated in the ER each year for sledding injuries (2).
Most of these are head injuries, so consider putting a helmet on your child. Alternatively, don’t let them sled down a slope head first, and avoid the slopes when they’re overcrowded.
Finally, make sure that the slopes are free of debris, trees, rocks, fences, or anything else that can hurt a child if they hit it.
Frostnip and Frostbite
One of the perils of outside play in cold conditions is the risk of frostnip or frostbite. These conditions usually affect the cheeks, ears, nose, fingers, and toes.
Make sure your little ones take regular breaks inside from the cold. When they take a break, inspect their extremities for blue, mottled patches or white and numb areas (3).
To help prevent “Jack Frost” from getting to them, you shouldn’t let them go out after a recent bath or shower.
Snow Toys FAQs
What Age Can Kids Play In the Snow?
Kids can play in the snow as soon as they can walk, usually around 1 year old, with proper supervision and warm clothing. Even babies can enjoy the snow for short periods if they are dressed appropriately and kept dry.
How Long Should Kids Play Out In the Snow?
The length of time kids should play out in the snow depends on the temperature, their age, and how well they’re dressed. Generally, 30 minutes to an hour is safe, but take frequent breaks to warm up and check for signs of discomfort or cold, like shivering or red skin.
At What Temperature Should Children Not Play Outside?
Children should not play outside if the temperature falls below -15°F (-26°C) or if the wind chill is severe. Always consider wind chill, wet conditions, and the child’s ability to stay dry and warm.
What Can Children Ride On In the Snow?
Children can ride on sleds, snow tubes, toboggans, and snow scooters. Ensure the equipment is safe and used in a suitable area away from traffic and dangerous obstacles.
How Does Fake Snow Work?
Fake snow usually works by absorbing water and expanding, often made from a polymer like sodium polyacrylate. When water is added, it creates a fluffy, snow-like substance that’s cool to the touch.
What is the Spoon Trick For a Snow Day?
The spoon trick is a superstition or tradition where children place a spoon under their pillow to hope for a snow day from school. It’s one of many fun rituals, like wearing pajamas inside out or flushing ice cubes down the toilet, that families might engage in for a bit of magic and whimsy.
