Weekend Projects: 5 Ways to Make a Snow Sled
Mere days away from the official start of winter, we're eagerly anticipating some of the activities that only snowy weather affords. At the top of the list? Sledding. We've always loved the simple thrill of coasting down a hillside, and introducing children to the experience is magical. While sleds of all sorts are readily available for purchase, creating your own can be a test of ingenuity that's fun for all ages. Scroll down to see five favorite DIY sled designs now! 1. START WITH A STOOL
Can you believe this DIY sled used to be an IKEA stool? We've seen IKEA hacks before, but this one might take the cake. Perhaps most impressive is how it uses every piece of the IKEA stool—plus a few 3D-printer-generated plastic parts! Though it may not be a family-friendly project, it's certainly an inspiration to turn a creative eye to furniture you already have on hand. 2. ACHIEVE A PIPE DREAM
No fancy-pants parts needed here. PVC plumbing pipes, low-cost and readily available, combine (via nuts and bolts) with half-inch plywood to make a DIY sled that, at least according to its creator over on Instructables, steers better than the molded plastic variety you've likely seen on the slopes in the past. Give it a try! 3. KNOCK ON WOOD
Wood shipping pallets have so many great qualities. They're free of charge, ubiquitous, and endlessly versatile—and they also happen to come preassembled as sled-like platforms. Armed with basic tools, a competent DIYer needs to make only a few strategic modifications to complete the job. For best results, sand the contact points and add paint to reduce friction. 4. LEAVE A PAPER TRAIL
Ah, cardboard—a classic makeshift sled material, right up there with cafeteria lunch trays. With a sleek profile made possible and fortified by packing tape, this enclosed toboggan features extra layers of cardboard at its base, strategically positioned there to keep the sled from getting soggy too quickly. Smart. 5. TRY A 2-FOR-1 RIDE
Among the countless creative projects over on Built by Kids, we found this rather ingenious approach to a DIY sled. Incorporating scrap wood, hardware, a wheelbarrow bucket, and kid-length skis, the design seems destined to pick up speed, while the rope handle makes it easy to pull the sled behind you.
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