Sledding and Winter Outdoor Safety for Kids: Hills, Ice, Snow Forts, Frostbite and Cold-Weather Play

Quick answer: Pick a sledding hill with a long flat runout and no trees, rocks, fences, roads or water at the bottom. Children should sit up facing forward or lie on their backs feet first, never go head first, and wear a helmet. Keep kids off frozen ponds and lakes unless the ice has been checked, keep snow forts and tunnels small and supervised away from roads, dress children in layers and bring them indoors at the first signs of frostbite or hypothermia.

Snow days are one of childhood’s simple pleasures. A good sledding hill, a snow fort and a snowball fight can fill an entire afternoon. Winter play also brings its own hazards, from collisions on crowded hills to thin ice and frostbitten fingers.

Most winter injuries are preventable with a little planning. This guide focuses on playing outdoors in snow and ice. For hazards inside the house, such as space heaters, fireplaces and carbon monoxide, see our winter home safety tips for families, and for an overview of safety at every season, our family safety guide.

Sources: American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and HealthyChildren.org winter safety tips; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidance on frostbite and hypothermia; Minnesota Department of Natural Resources ice thickness guidelines; World Health Organization (WHO) information on ultraviolet radiation and snow reflection; U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) consumer safety information. This is general safety information. For a serious injury, call 911.

Choosing a Safe Sledding Hill

The hill matters more than the sled. Before your children take the first run, walk the slope and look at where a sled will end up.

A safe sledding hill has:

• A clear path with no trees, rocks, poles, benches or fences in the way.
• A long, flat runout at the bottom so sleds can slow down naturally.
• No road, parking lot, pond, creek or drop-off at the bottom or sides.
• A gentle to moderate slope suited to your child’s age and skills.
• Snow, not ice. Icy hills make sleds much faster and harder to control and turn falls into harder impacts.
• Good visibility, with sledding done in daylight or on a well-lit hill.

The AAP recommends avoiding hills that end near a street or a body of water and staying away from obstacles such as trees and fences. Many communities designate public sledding hills, and some post rules or close hills when conditions are unsafe. Check local parks department pages before you go.

How Kids Should Ride

Body position makes a big difference in the type of injury a child gets if they crash.

• Sit up facing forward or lie on your back feet first. The AAP advises against sledding head first, because a collision then hits the head and neck.
• One rider per sled unless the sled is designed for more. Piling several children on a single sled makes it harder to steer and stop.
• Keep arms and legs inside the sled. Dragging a hand or foot to steer can lead to injuries.
• Roll off if the sled cannot stop. Teach children to roll off to the side if they are heading toward an obstacle.
• Walk up the side of the hill, not the middle, and move out of the way quickly after reaching the bottom.
• Never tow a sled behind a car, ATV, snowmobile or other vehicle.

Young children should be supervised closely and sled with an adult on gentle slopes.

Choosing and Checking a Sled

The AAP notes that sleds that can be steered are safer than snow disks and inner tubes, which spin and cannot be controlled. Look for a sled that is:

• In good condition, without cracks, sharp edges or broken handholds.
• Equipped with handholds the child can grip.
• Sized for the rider.

Avoid improvised sleds such as cafeteria trays, plastic sheets or cardboard on steep or crowded hills, since they offer no steering and little protection.

Should kids wear helmets for sledding?

Yes. Head injuries are among the most serious sledding injuries, and the AAP recommends that children wear a helmet while sledding. A ski or multi-sport helmet that fits well is a good choice. For guidance on fit, see our helmet fit guide, which uses the same basic checks.

Ice Safety: Ponds, Lakes and Creeks

Frozen water is tempting for sledding, skating and exploring, and it is one of the most dangerous places for children in winter. Ice that looks solid can be thin in spots, especially near inlets, outlets, docks, vegetation and moving water.

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, which publishes some of the most widely cited guidance, recommends at least 4 inches of new, clear ice for walking or ice fishing on foot. It also stresses that no ice is ever completely safe and that thickness can vary across the same pond. White or snow-covered ice is generally weaker than clear ice.

Family rules that help:

• Children never go on frozen water without an adult who has checked the ice or a supervised, approved skating area.
• Use designated rinks or areas that are tested and maintained by your town or park.
• Never sled onto or toward frozen water.
• Never go onto ice to rescue a pet or person. Call 911, and reach or throw something from shore.

Our water safety guide for kids covers more about supervision around water year-round.

Snow Forts, Tunnels and Snowbanks

Building with snow is great fun, but deep snow can collapse.

• Avoid tunnels and deep holes. Snow tunnels and caves can collapse and trap a child under heavy snow, where suffocation can happen quickly.
• Build forts with walls, not roofs.
• Stay away from plowed snowbanks along roads and driveways. Snowplow drivers may not see a child playing in a bank, and the next pass can bury or strike them.
• Keep watch. An adult should be nearby whenever children play in deep snow, and children should play in pairs.

Snowballs and Snow Play Rules

Snowball fights are a winter tradition. A few rules keep them fun:

• Throw only soft snow, never ice or snow packed around rocks.
• Aim below the head and never at faces.
• Do not throw at cars, people who are not playing or windows.
• Stop when someone says stop.

Snowmobiles, Skiing and Skating

Other winter sports carry their own risks.

• Snowmobiles. The AAP recommends that children younger than 16 not drive snowmobiles and that children younger than 6 never ride on them.
• Skiing and snowboarding. Children should take lessons, wear a helmet, ski on terrain matched to their ability and follow mountain rules.
• Ice skating. Skate on approved surfaces, in the same direction as others, and avoid skating alone.

Dressing for Cold Weather

Proper clothing prevents many cold injuries.

• Layers. Dress children in several thin layers they can remove if they get warm. The AAP suggests that infants and young children wear one more layer than an adult would in the same conditions.
• Waterproof outer layers. Wet clothes lose their insulation. Snow pants, waterproof boots and mittens keep children drier.
• Hats and mittens. Mittens keep fingers warmer than gloves.
• Neck protection without long scarves. A neck gaiter is safer than a long scarf that can catch or strangle.
• Change wet clothing promptly.

In the car, take off bulky coats before buckling children into car seats, because thick padding can keep the harness from fitting snugly. Our guide to car seat stages explains harness fit.

Snow also reflects sunlight. The WHO notes that fresh snow can reflect up to 80 percent of UV radiation, so sunscreen and sunglasses help on bright days.

Frostbite and Hypothermia: Warning Signs

Children lose body heat faster than adults. Watch for these signs, described by the CDC:

Frostbite usually affects fingers, toes, ears, nose and cheeks.

• Redness or pain in the skin first.
• Then white or grayish-yellow skin, skin that feels unusually firm or waxy, and numbness.

What to do: bring the child indoors, remove wet clothing and warm the affected area in warm, not hot, water or with body heat. Do not rub frostbitten skin or use a heating pad, fireplace or radiator, since numb skin burns easily. Seek medical care for anything more than mild frostbite.

Hypothermia is a dangerous drop in body temperature.

• In children: shivering, exhaustion, confusion, fumbling hands, slurred speech and drowsiness.
• In infants: bright red, cold skin and very low energy.

What to do: hypothermia is a medical emergency. Call 911, bring the child to a warm place, remove wet clothing and warm the center of the body first with blankets, skin-to-skin contact or warm drinks if the child is alert.

Matching Winter Play to Your Child's Age

Supervision and expectations change as children grow.

Toddlers and preschoolers have little control over a sled and get cold quickly. Keep them on very gentle slopes, let them ride with an adult in front of or beside them on a sled made for two, and plan short stretches outside with frequent warm-up breaks. Their small hands and feet need checking often.

Early elementary children can sled on their own on suitable hills but still need an adult watching from the top or bottom. This is a good age to practice the rules: feet first, one at a time, clear the runout, walk up the side.

Older children and preteens may want bigger hills and more independence. Agree on which hills are allowed, when to check in and the rules for ice and roadside snowbanks. Make sure they know how to recognize frostbite in themselves and friends.

Teens heading out with friends should know the hill rules, carry a charged phone and tell an adult where they are going and when they will be back. Remind them that towing sleds behind vehicles and sledding on frozen ponds are never safe, no matter who suggests it.

After a Sledding Crash

Most sledding spills end with snow down the back of a coat. Take any crash involving a tree, a pole, another sled or a hard landing seriously, though.

Call 911 if a child is unconscious, has trouble breathing, cannot move a limb or complains of neck or back pain. Do not move a child with a possible neck injury unless they are in danger where they are.

Seek medical care the same day if a child hit their head and has vomiting, worsening headache, confusion, unusual sleepiness, trouble walking or changes in behavior. Those can be signs of a concussion or more serious head injury. Watch for swelling, deformity or refusal to bear weight, which can mean a broken bone.

A Snow Day Checklist

Before children head outside:

1. Layers on, wet gear dry from last time.
2. Helmets for sledding and skiing.
3. Hill checked for obstacles, roads and water.
4. Ice rules repeated.
5. A plan for warm-up breaks every 20 to 30 minutes for younger children.
6. An adult outside or checking in regularly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is sledding safe for kids?

Sledding is generally safe with the right hill, a steerable sled, a helmet, a feet-first or sitting position and adult supervision. Collisions with trees, other sledders and objects cause many of the serious injuries.

Should kids sled head first?

No. The American Academy of Pediatrics advises children to sit up facing forward or lie on their backs feet first so the head is not the first thing to hit an obstacle.

How thick does ice need to be for kids to walk on it?

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources recommends at least 4 inches of new, clear ice for walking, while stressing that no ice is completely safe. Children should go on ice only in approved areas or with an adult who has checked it.

How long can kids play outside in the cold?

It depends on temperature, wind, clothing and the child. Bring younger children indoors regularly to warm up and check fingers, toes, ears and cheeks, and come inside right away if clothing gets wet.

What are the first signs of frostbite in a child?

The CDC lists redness or pain in the skin as the first signs, followed by white or grayish-yellow, firm or waxy skin and numbness.

The Bottom Line

Winter play is safest on a clear hill with a flat runout, a steerable sled, a helmet and a feet-first position. Keep children off untested ice, skip tunnels and roadside snowbanks, dress kids in waterproof layers and know the signs of frostbite and hypothermia. With those habits in place, a snow day can stay all about fun.