DIY Snow Sleds

Johann Jaritz/Wikimedia.com

There's no better way to spend a winter day than getting outside and enjoying the snow. Don't let a lack of winter toys stop you from getting out there. Improvise with items you already have lying around the house and make your own snow sled.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

Plastic trash can lid Rope (optional) Knife or scissors
Plastic trash can lid
Rope (optional)
Knife or scissors

Step 1

Find a round, plastic trash can lid. Make sure lid doesn't have handles protruding out of the top. Lids from 33-gallon trash cans tend to work best because they are large enough to sit in comfortably.

Step 2

Clean inside of trash can lid, as this is where you'll be sitting.

Step 3

Optional: Using a scissors, cut a pair of holes in the upper rim of trash can lid. The two adjacent holes should be cut approximately 12 inches apart. Cut a second pair of holes on the opposite side of the lid.

Step 4

Optional: String two pieces of rope through the holes (one piece of rope through each pair), leaving enough slack to make a comfortable handle. Tie knots in the ropes on the outside of the lid to secure.

Step 5

Bundle up in your warm winter clothing, locate a snowy hill, and go sledding.

Tips & Warnings

The best time for sledding is when there are 3-4 inches of snow on the ground. The snow should be packed (but not icy) for prime sledding conditions.

When choosing a sledding hill, be sure there is adequate room at the bottom of the hill to slow down. Hills at school playgrounds and on golf courses work well. Avoid high-traffic areas.

Resources

Homemade wood pallet sled

Article Written By Nicole Wolf

A Colorado native, Nicole Wolf is a freelance writer. She primarily writes health and fitness-related articles for online publications such as Trails.com. Wolf graduated from Whitman College in 2008 with a B.A. in psychology. Her education in this field has expanded the versatility and depth of her writing.

Editor's Pick

Backcountry Camping Tips

You've already tried car and RV camping. You've camped at commercial campsites that had a convenient restroom and water supply. Now, you want to explore the road less traveled. Backcountry camping, also known as primitive camping, is a wonderful way to explore the remote...
More Backcountry Camping...
Popular Article

Beach Camping Near Pismo Beach, California

Pismo State Beach, California, has many attractions and activities including camping, swimming, hiking and wildlife viewing. Birdwatching is one of the primary activities in the area. The park also has the largest over-wintering colony of monarch butterflies in the natio...
More Beach Camping...
Featured Video

Common Sense Hiking Tips

The first and most fundamental thing is never hike alone. There are too many situations, especially as an unexperienced hiker, where you may find yourself without anyone to help you. So the buddy system works and applies very much in hiking.
More Camping Basics...