Updated
Over the last few seasons, kids’ snowboards have gone a long way. For starters, there is a lot of variety. Only a few of the big companies cared to make snowboards for kids not long ago, but as the initial generation of shredders has grown older and begun to spawn, demand has skyrocketed.
At the same time, public perceptions about the age at which children can begin learning to snowboard have evolved. It was formerly assumed that children should learn to ski first because it is reportedly safer and easier; nowadays, teachers teach youngsters as young as three how to stand sideways. Brands like Burton (who conduct yearly ‘Riglet’ events) have recognized the need of marketing snowboarding to the next generation in addition to catering to this market.
Many kids love snowboarding, whether it’s just for fun in a terrain park with friends or traversing powder-covered slopes. This sport can be learned at a young age, but when and how your children learn to shred is entirely up to you and your children. And, by all means, consider buying your kid an excellent snowboard so that he or she can learn and improve on a board that is sturdy, easy to transport, and fast enough to be enjoyable!
We’ve compiled a list of the top snowboards for kids to buy this season. The list below features the top contenders of the best snowboards for kids you can find online and each has different features and will be useful to different aged riders at varying levels. Some varieties of hyper economic snowboards for kids feature little more than a plastic board and notches for feet, and though these are fun to use, for this review we stuck to more conventional “learn to snowboard” type snowboards, which are close to or are in fact, “real” snowboards.
Contents
- The Best Snowboards for Kids 2022 – Factors considered
- Best Snowboards for Kids 2022 List
- 1. EMSCO Group Supra Hero Snowboard
- 2. Lucky Bums Kids Plastic Snowboard – Our fun pick
- 3. CAPiTA Scott Stevens Mini Kids Snowboard
- 4. K2 Vandal Snowboard Kids
- 5. Burton Chicklet Girls Snowboard – Best Kids Snowboards For Girls
- 6. BURTON Custom Smalls Kids Snowboard
- 7. Geospace The Original Sledsterz Kids’ Snowboard – Best for Speed
- 8. SPORTSSTUFF Snow Ryder Hardwood Snowboard – Value Pick
- 9. Rossignol Scan AmpTek Militia 4 Kids Complete Snowboard Package
- 10. Burton After School Special Kids Snowboard
- Snowboards for Kids Buying Guide
- Kids Snowboard Size Chart
- Snowboard Profile
- The flex of the Snowboard
- Sidecut Radius
- The base of the Snowboard
- Snowboard Shapes
- FAQ about Snowboards for Kids
The Best Snowboards for Kids 2022 – Factors considered
Pricing
The price range for one of the aforementioned “economical first snowboard”, will be around $30 but for this review, you will get a very good representation of the availability and pricing of a good starter snowboard for the avid beginner, that also has quality and rider form in mind. For around $200 you can have the complete set up of equipment necessary to have a good time snowboarding, and you can also most likely find it for cheaper than that elsewhere online, however, given the price of these products below and the quality they offer in return, we consider them to be superior.
Durability
Snowboards are multi-season use hand me down bowl items that stick with families sometimes four years relaxing and maintenance of your snowboard is easily done and with the boards, in this particular review you shouldn’t have to do that for a few seasons anyway they’re extremely durable and meant to shred the slopes for a few seasons.
Material
The materials used to make snowboards or fiberglass resin’s plastics aluminum and would all pancaked into one stiff or flexible board. These materials lend to the durability of the snowboards and help to decrease friction. These boards are not exceptions to that principle and neither is the equipment that comes with it. The materials in snowboarding are made to withstand a lot of wear and tear and a few seasons.
Construction
These snowboards for kids are durable and high quality in the way that they are made and they also look nice at the end of the day. As far as construction goes the boards below should fancy even the toughest critic. The boots and bindings included with some of the picks below are also pretty durable and great additions to a new border’s equipment setup.
Additional Features
Some of the snowboards for kids below have the option for extra equipment like boots and bindings and these are important for more experienced kids the first choice on the list, for example, comes with pre-attached universal bindings and will fit a lot of boots, so it’s not much of an issue if you are on a budget or have multiple kids!
Some other things to consider while buying snowboards are other expenses associated with snowboarding like snow clothing a helmet possibly and of course sadly the costs of the ski resort itself, for this reason, the boards below are economical, but still have a lot to offer in the form of features.
Best Snowboards for Kids 2022 List
1. EMSCO Group Supra Hero Snowboard
If you are looking for a good kids snowboard for your small one who is between the ages of 5 and 15, then the Supra Hero Snowboard from EMSCO Group is one of the top choices.
Equipped with easily adjustable step-in bindings, this board will give your kid(s) an excellent fit for them to ride in superior comfort.
Other appealing attributes of this board include its solid construction, brilliant workmanship, and trendy design.
With this user-friendly board in your kid’s possession, he or she is going to fall more and more in love with snowboarding while at the same time rapidly increasing his or her skill development.
Read our in-depth review of Supra Hero Snowboard.
>>> See Specifications & Read Customer Reviews on Amazon! <<<
2. Lucky Bums Kids Plastic Snowboard – Our fun pick
As far as snowboards for kids go, the Lucky Bums Kids Plastic Snowboard wooden board is a great way to get kids into the feel of snowboarding. With included bindings and super durable plastic construction, the board can take a beating and will help kids learn to wield a more powerful (More expensive.) board. For 45 bucks, the quality is not compromised and you have a fully functioning, radically stylish board at your feet that you can jump in and out of without needing o purchase those fancy boots.
Overall, this is a good example of a perfect board for the beginning rider and one whose construction and price are equal.
>>> See Specifications & Read Customer Reviews on Amazon! <<<
3. CAPiTA Scott Stevens Mini Kids Snowboard
Anther selection of the best snowboards for kids is the CAPiTA Scott Stevens Mini Kids Snowboard. Scott Stevens has gone from being a role model to being the ultimate role model. Getting your child this snowboard won’t convert them into a one-footing master, but it will provide a healthy dose of motivation.
This variant, based on Sleepy’s pro model, is great for folks who enjoy going to the park too.
>>> See Specifications & Read Customer Reviews on Amazon! <<<
4. K2 Vandal Snowboard Kids
Yes, it’s simple, but it’s incredibly effective. The K2 Vandal impressed our test team, demonstrating that cutting-edge technology isn’t always required to create a terrific board.
With its calculated twin design and flat camber profile, the K2 Vandal Snowboard is an excellent instrument for youth advancement. Less body slams = more enjoyment = kids who can’t wait to go back to the hill the next day.
It’s also beneficial for your budget, thanks to that pricing and the fact that our grom squad was able to get away with riding a larger size.
Specifications
Size (cm) | 132 | 137 | 142 | 145W | 148W |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Effective Edge (mm) | 1020 | 1070 | 1120 | 1140 | 1170 |
Tip Width (mm) | 271 | 275 | 280 | 291 | 294 |
Waist Width (mm) | 231 | 234 | 237 | 247 | 250 |
Tail Width (mm) | 271 | 275 | 280 | 291 | 294 |
Sidecut Radius (m) | 6.2 | 6.6 | 7 | 7.2 | 7.4 |
Stance Setback (in) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Stance Range (in) | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 20 |
Rider Weight (lbs) | <120 | <130 | <130 | <150 | <160 |
>>> See Specifications & Read Customer Reviews on Amazon! <<<
5. Burton Chicklet Girls Snowboard – Best Kids Snowboards For Girls
Start your kid shredder off on the right foot with gear designed to help her excel. The Burton Chicklet Snowboard has a predictable and stable Flat TopTM profile with Easy Bevel shaping for a beginner-friendly, catch-free ride that will help you advance your skills without the added pressure of a typically cambered board. The long-lasting extruded base is designed to withstand day after day of practice, allowing your child to swiftly learn how to turn.
The Burton Chicklet Girls Snowboard is the perfect entry-level board for girls who want to start and improve their snowboarding talents. The snowboard is ideal for soft and playful snowboarding in parks, sledding hills, and all-mountain terrain.
Specifications
Size (cm) | 80 | 90 | 100 | 110 | 115 | 120 | 125 | 130 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Effective Edge (mm) | 480 | 580 | 685 | 785 | 835 | 885 | 935 | 960 |
Tip Width (mm) | 194.7 | 199.5 | 212.6 | 231.5 | 243.4 | 254.2 | 263.4 | 266.4 |
Waist Width (mm) | 178 | 179 | 188 | 203 | 213 | 222 | 230 | 232 |
Tail Width (mm) | 194.7 | 199.5 | 212.6 | 231.5 | 243.4 | 254.2 | 263.4 | 266.4 |
Sidecut Radius (m) | 2.9 | 3.6 | 4.2 | 4.9 | 5.2 | 5.6 | 6 | 6.2 |
Stance Setback (mm) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Rider Weight (lbs) | 25-50 | 25-50 | 40-55 | 40-55 | 50-80 | 50-80 | 70-100 | 70-100 |
Width | Regular | Regular | Regular | Regular | Regular | Regular | Regular | Regular |
>>> See Specifications & Read Customer Reviews on Amazon! <<<
6. BURTON Custom Smalls Kids Snowboard
The Burton Custom Smalls Snowboard scales down the renowned Custom shape for smaller bodies while maintaining the fun factor. The Custom Smalls goes down with style and snap regardless of which direction you’re riding it, thanks to its PurePop Camber profile and Twin Shape.
Specifications
Size (cm) | 125 | 130 | 135 | 140 | 145 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Effective Edge (mm) | 910 | 940 | 990 | 1040 | 1090 |
Tip Width (mm) | 267.1 | 271.2 | 275.1 | 278.9 | 283.8 |
Waist Width (mm) | 230 | 231 | 233 | 235 | 243 |
Tail Width (mm) | 267.1 | 271.2 | 275.1 | 278.9 | 283.8 |
Sidecut Radius (m) | 59 | 6.1 | 6.4 | 6.8 | 7.1 |
Stance Setback (mm) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Stance Range (mm) | 430 | 455 | 455 | 455 | 480 |
Rider Weight (lbs) | 70-100 | 70-100 | 80-110 | 90-120 | 100-150 |
Width | Regular | Regular | Regular | Regular | Regular |
>>> See Specifications & Read Customer Reviews on Amazon! <<<
7. Geospace The Original Sledsterz Kids’ Snowboard – Best for Speed
Geospace is a term that refers to the physical space The Original Sledsterz Kids’ Snowboard is the finest board for little rippers who want to improve their snowboarding skills while having a good time. The board is available in a variety of colors and is a good choice for intermediate riders who want to enjoy the snowy hills.
>>> See Specifications & Read Customer Reviews on Amazon! <<<
8. SPORTSSTUFF Snow Ryder Hardwood Snowboard – Value Pick
The Snow Ryder Hardwood Snowboard by Airhead Sportsstuff is a great board for taller and older kids. The kid snowboard is designed to be as durable as an adult snowboard while remaining affordable for children just starting out on their snowboarding journey.
>>> See Specifications & Read Customer Reviews on Amazon! <<<
9. Rossignol Scan AmpTek Militia 4 Kids Complete Snowboard Package
The Rossignol Scan complete kit is a good example of what you might find in the low price range kit category in snowboards for kids. For about 250 bucks you get 5th Element Stealth Snowboard Bindings, to attach yourself to the board, Millennium 3 Militia 4 Snowboard boots, which will fit flawlessly, for an easy, comfortable ride. And of course, the board itself, Rossignol Scan AmpTek Snowboard, is a durable and inexpensive example of a snowboard that is great for kids or beginners!
There are lower-priced packages available, but for the quality, amount of components, and construction, it is a good fit for this list and your snowboarder!
>>> See Specifications & Read Customer Reviews on Amazon! <<<
10. Burton After School Special Kids Snowboard
This pick on this list of the best snowboards for kids is in our hearts because it is certainly a great starter board for kids and one that will last a long time. With a name like Burton backing it up, you can trust that this board is meant to carve the hills Slopes for more than a few seasons. Also for this reason you will most certainly be able to follow up with burton should you experience any issues. Included bindings will make using the board a breeze and kids will have a little bit more stability with the added width of the board.
Overall this is a great starter pick and a great piece of equipment that could even be in a family for generations due to its construction and quality.
>>> See Specifications & Read Customer Reviews on Amazon! <<<
Snowboards for Kids Buying Guide
When it comes to choosing the right size snowboard for kids, height and weight are crucial factors to consider. If you’re still undecided, consider the rider’s ability level and size up or down accordingly. Youth snowboards should come up between the child’s chest and chin, according to a solid rule of thumb.
Are you looking for a place to start? Use the chart below to determine your kid’s snowboard size.
How to Find the Right Size Snowboard For Kids:
- Take your child’s height and weight measurements.
- Look up that height on the snowboard size table for kids below.
- Match their height to the appropriate snowboard length.
Kids Snowboard Size Chart
Age (yrs) | Height (in) | Height (cm) | Weight (lbs) | Weight (kg) | Snowboard Length (cm) |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
3 | 37 | 94 | 34 | 14 | <80 |
4 | 40 | 102 | 37 | 16 | 80 – 90 |
5 | 43 | 109 | 42 | 18 | 85 – 95 |
6 | 45 | 114 | 46 | 21 | 90 – 100 |
7 | 47 | 119 | 50 | 23 | 95 – 105 |
8 | 50 | 127 | 57 | 26 | 100 – 110 |
9 | 53 | 135 | 63 | 29 | 115 – 125 |
10 | 55 | 140 | 70 | 32 | 105 – 120 |
11 | 57 | 145 | 79 | 36 | 110 – 125 |
12 | 59 | 149 | 89 | 41 | 125 – 135 |
13 | 61 | 156 | 100 | 46 | 130 – 145 |
14 | 65 | 164 | 112 | 51 | 140 – 150 |
Children’s snowboards should be sized shorter and closer to the chest for the following reasons:
- They are a beginner or cautious snowboarder.
- They are lighter in weight than the usual person of their height.
- They prefer to ride at lesser speeds and make short rapid turns.
Children’s snowboards should be sized longer and closer to the nose for the following reasons:
- They ride fast and aggressively.
- They weigh more than average for their height.
- You want to get a snowboard that will grow with them. Children grow quickly, and while there are boots and clothing to accommodate this, we don’t recommend sizing their snowboard much larger than the recommended range.
Snowboard Profile
Another important thing you should look out for in a board is its profile. Roughly there are three major types of snowboard profile, namely rocker, camber, and flat.
We hope the information below will assist you in choosing a profile that best suits your riding style and the conditions/terrains you intend to ride on.
Camber
Camber is considered to be the most traditional profile for a board. Any cambered board would come with a slight upward curve in its middle and have more edge contact with the snow when the board is weighted (when the rider steps on it with both feet).
These boards come with better edge hold and provide a lot of pop and power, thereby making them ideal for experienced riders who crave for speed. Cambered boards are also favored by experienced park riders. These boards don’t float very well in soft powder.
Rocker (Reverse Camber)
Rocker, which is also known as a reverse-camber, is basically an upturned/upside-down camber or the opposite of a camber. It, therefore, comes with a downward curvature and has less edge contact with the snow when it is weighted.
As a result of their shape, rockered boards float excellently and perform brilliantly in powder.
They are also good for jibbing. Many experienced riders prefer cambered boards to rockered ones. However, this doesn’t mean that if you are an experienced rider, you can’t make these boards work for you.
Flat
As the name suggests, a board with a Flat profile is flat from around its tip all the way to its tail region when unweighted. This board has no camber and can therefore be said to be neutral.
The advantages of a flat board include the fact that it enhances floatation and allows for quick and easy turns.
Other Profiles
Aside from the three major profiles above, there are other types of profiles on the market that employ the use of a combination of two or more of the three main types of snowboard profiles.
Here are some of the most common profiles that are produced when snowboard manufacturers combine Camber, Flat and Rocker profiles:
- Rocker/Camber/Rocker: This profile comes with several advantages, including a better edge hold during hard carving on hard snow thanks to its underfoot which is cambered.
Also, its tip and tail that are both rockered allow for better floatation in powder. Owing to the attributes that come with this profile, it is often incorporated in freeride boards for powder or soft snow.
- Camber/Rocker/Camber: This profile comes with two cambered areas that become flattened by the weight of the rider to produce, among other things, powerful carving areas right between the feet of the rider.
Another big attribute of this profile is that it is quite poppy at its tip and tail.
- Rocker/Flat/Rocker: Boards engineered with this profile come with elements of a flat board as well as a rockered board.
By their design, they are “poppier” and have more edge hold on hard snow than a fully rockered board while at the same time maintaining the Flat profile’s easy turnability.
The flex of the Snowboard
The flex of a board is basically how flexible the board is. Generally, a snowboard flexes in two major ways, namely longitudinal flex and torsional flex.
A longitudinal flex is one that occurs along the length of the board (from its nose to its tail), whereas a torsional flex takes place across the width of the board (from one edge to another).
Soft Flex
A board with a soft flex is one that is forgiving and quite easy to turn. Their forgiving turnability and maneuverability make them ideal for the following groups of people:
- Beginner riders
- Park riders
- Riders who don’t weigh too much
Stiff Flex
A board with a stiffer flex gives riders enhanced edge-hold and stability during high-speed rides. Stiffer flexing boards are good for the following groups:
- Riders who perform high speed turns
- Free-riders
Sidecut Radius
In the simplest terms, a sidecut radius can be defined as the curve of the edges of a snowboard.
- Deeper sidecut: Boards with deeper sidecuts have narrower waists, thereby making them easier to turn. These boards are therefore ideal for beginner riders.
- Shallow sidecut: A board that features a shallow sidecut is good for more experienced riders who love riding at high speeds. These boards float very well in soft snow because they come with wider waists.
The base of the Snowboard
Snowboards generally have two types of bases, namely the extruded base and the sintered base, both of which are made from polyethylene (also known as P-Tex).
- Extruded base: These bases are cheaper to make and easier to maintain and repair. They don’t need to be waxed very often and are not as fast as the sintered base. They are often found in beginner snowboards.
- Sintered base: These bases are often found in high-end snowboards and boards for more advanced riders. Sintered bases hold wax better than extruded bases. They are also faster, more durable, and lighter than extruded bases. When it comes to maintenance and repairs, these bases cost more than their extruded counterparts.
Snowboard Shapes
There are a lot of forms flying around these days in the snowboarding scene. While some snowboards may be used almost anyplace, there are a range of shapes that are optimized for specific situations.
True Twin Shape
This form may be characterized by an equal tip and tail with a silhouette, making it one of the most popular in the world of snowboarding. All-mountain riders, beginners, and those who want to ride switch will benefit from these boards.
Directional Shape
These profiles are most commonly found on freeride and powder boards, although they can also be used on all-mountain boards. They usually have a stronger tail and a wider, softer nose, which helps you remain afloat in powder and maintain stability while carving at fast speeds. Binding inserts are typically set back (closer to the tail) on these boards, sometimes up to an inch.
Directional Twin Shape
Directional twin snowboards are a cross of twin and directional snowboards. A symmetrical shape with a directional core (softer tip than tail) is frequent, as is the opposite: a directional shape with a symmetrical core. All-mountain and freestyle terrain suit directional twins the best.
Volume Shifted Shape
The short and wide profile of volume shifted boards can be distinguished. They receive their name from the fact that you keep your nose on top of the snow while putting your weight to the back of the board. These boards are a more maneuverable alternative to the lengthy powder boards for tree runs. These are made for deep powder days in the backcountry and come in a variety of interesting forms and sizes.
Asymmetrical Shape
Asymmetrical shaping is based on the premise that your body isn’t symmetrical from front to back, so neither should your snowboard. Riding is easier and more enjoyable on boards with shorter heel side and longer toe side sidecuts, as well as softer heel side cores.
Why asymmetry on a snowboard?
You may have noticed that asymmetrical snowboards are all the rage, and it’s not just because they’re unusual. So, what’s the deal? Snowboard designers have realized that, while people are symmetrical from left to right (for the most part), they are not symmetrical from front to back.
If you’ve ever snowboarded, you’ve probably observed that turning on your heel side is more difficult than turning on your toe side – asymmetrical snowboards help you overcome this physiological asymmetry in two ways, which typically work together:
Asymmetrical Sidecuts
Asymmetry can also be achieved by adjusting the sidecut of a snowboard. Asymmetric sidecuts having a shorter front side sidecut and a deeper, more noticeable heel side sidecut. This aids in tighter heel side turns and enhanced maneuverability once again. Asymmetric sidecuts also improve your balance by allowing you to manipulate the board’s heel side edge in a more natural and intuitive way.
Asymmetrical Cores
The core makeup of a snowboard can also be used to account for the human body’s toe-to-heel variances. Manufacturers have produced boards with softer cores beneath the heels since toe side turns are often more precise and have a tighter radius. This allows the rider to flex the board more on the heel side, resulting in a tighter, more precise, and more natural turn. Simply put, the heel side turns on the board behave more like toe side turns!
FAQ about Snowboards for Kids
How do I choose a snowboard for my child?
When it comes to choosing the right size snowboard for kids, height and weight are crucial factors to consider. If you’re still undecided, consider the rider’s ability level and size up or down accordingly. Youth snowboards should come up between the child’s chest and chin, according to a solid rule of thumb.
Is wood or plastic snowboard better?
For young riders, a beginning snowboard constructed of plastic is the ideal board. Adult snowboards have a wood core for improved performance and longevity, and a wood care board is ideal for children who are more experienced snowboarders.
What is the best age to start snowboarding?
Snowboarding demands a little more strength, balance, and stamina than skiing. The golden age is about the age of seven, when kids are physically and developmentally mature (with skiing, the average starting age is 4 to 6). It all boils down to motivation for younger children.
Is it easier for a child to ski or snowboard?
While technological developments have made snowboarding more accessible to children, it is still more difficult to learn than skiing. Regardless of age, the basic guideline for skiing and snowboarder is that skiing is easier to learn but more difficult to master, whereas snowboarding is more difficult to learn but easier to master.
Can a 3 year old snowboard?
A child can snowboard as long as their feet are large enough to fit into snowboard boots. When you watch a three-year-old sliding over fun boxes and jibbing in little halfpipes in a beginning terrain park, you’ll quickly realize that the myth that three-year-olds can’t learn to snowboard is quickly disproving.
Thanks for reading our guide on the best snowboard for kids and Good luck! Feel free to drop a question, or comment and let us know what you thought of our selections and yours.
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