5 Best Kids Snowboards

One of the best ways to turn anyone into a lifelong lover of snowboarding is to get them started when they are young. If you have kids and love to snowboard, it’s time to get them on the snow so they can share the joy with you.

I’ve been teaching people how to snowboard for the last ten years. I’ve instructed many children over those years and have seen many different kids boards in that time. 

The Gnu Young Money is the best kids snowboard this year. 

Some types of kid’s boards will work for very tiny groms who have never been on the snow, while others are for more experienced riders who have already developed the basic skills. I’ll look at all of those options here. 

There’s something special about watching kids snowboard. Whether they are just learning the basics or are already ripping, the pure joy and excitement on display when a little one heads downhill reminds everyone why the sport is so amazing.

Time to get those kids started, so let’s go!

Who Should Get This

Kid’s snowboards are obviously for kids. The options listed below are small in size and easy to ride, two traits that make them a perfect choice for any small rider.

Whether they’re going out for the first time or already have a couple of seasons under their belt, the options listed here will meet the needs of kids of all sizes. Equipping your kids with one of these options will help them learn the basics quickly and progress to gain a lifelong skill.

If your kid is older or advanced in their abilities, you should consider getting a smaller-sized regular board over a kid’s specific option.

While the boards here are great for beginners and small children, they lack performance over standard design boards.

Some kids will pick up skills quite quickly and be ready for a regular board in no time at all. Keep that in mind as you show them the ropes.

Top Kids Snowboards

Kids don’t always need much to have fun. But if you want them to have a great time while they learn how to snowboard, you’ll want to get them set up with an awesome board. All of the snowboards below are recommended. 

1. Best Overall: Gnu Young Money 

• Best for: Overall
• Key features: Great board for little rippers, freestyle performance, all-mountain versatility, great profile for kids, magne-traction edge hold
• Skill level: Intermediate
• Shape: Twin
• Bindings: Not included

The best kid’s snowboard currently available is the Gnu Young Money. This is a top-quality high-end board for kids. It’s catered for park performance but is versatile enough to be used all over the mountain. 

The Young Money has a profile and shape that will allow kids to improve their abilities and grow right alongside them. The twin shape makes it easy to ride switch, which is good to learn when they are young. 

An easy-riding all-terrain profile also caters to little riders. This profile features a fantastic combination of rocker and camber that allows for easy turning while still letting heavier kids generate a little pop. 

The board also provides a superb blend of control and precision while also being floaty. This gives you all-mountain versatility so the kid can explore different areas of the mountain and discover what area of the mountain they like to ride the best. 

The Young Money doesn’t come with bindings and is not a good option for kids who have never snowboarded before. It’s best used for kids with a least a little bit of on-snow experience. 

==> You can also get it on Evo or Backcountry.

2. Best for Beginners: Emsco Group Graffiti

• Best for: Beginners
• Key features: Affordable, customizable graphics, quality construction, adjustable bindings, good for learning the basics
• Skill level: First time/beginners
• Shape: Twin
• Bindings: Cheap, step-in style included

The Emsco Group Graffiti is a top option for little riders who want to get on the snow for the first time. It’s a cheap snowboard that will make for a good birthday or Christmas present and used at the resort or the backyard. 

This board is suitable for first-timers because it’s light, easy to strap into, and doesn’t require much skill to control. You can quickly learn the basics of edge control, speed, and turning without investing too heavily in a more expensive option. 

Another neat feature of the Graffiti is that you can customize the graphics of the board. This will give little kids the ability to pick their favorite design or art to increase the fun and affection they feel for the board. 

The bindings are simple and easy to use with a step-in style design that will hold feet in place on mellow slopes. These will fit many different foot sizes, so it is a good feature for growing kids.

The board is also built of a strong poly material that will hold up for a few seasons of regular use. 

It’s a basic snowboard and won’t be adequate when kids are ready to charge down more challenging conditions.  

==> You can also get it on DICK’S or Scheels.

3. Best for Girls: Burton Chicklet

• Best for: Girls
• Key features: Good for progression, flat top bend, stable and balanced, easy bevel, twin flex
• Skill level: Basic Beginner 
• Shape: Twin
• Bindings: Step on pads

The Burton Chicklet is a solid option for any little girls out there who are just starting their snowboarding careers. It’s a simple board that isn’t built for high-performance but can still provide a lot of fun on the snow. 

The Chicklet can help a kid get from a complete newbie to a little shredder during a season. It has a twin shape that allows for a very balanced and stable ride to let the rider get a good feel for the snow. 

A flat-top bend further enhances stability and also increases safety with a continuous edge control that limits edge catch and the inevitable wipeout that comes with it. 

It also comes with an easy bevel that makes the board soft and very forgiving. The convex base also limits edge catch and performance at the basic level. 

The Chicklet only has step on bindings, so it is limited in its performance. It’s a great first-time board but might not last an entire season. 

==> You can also get it on Buckman’s.

4. Best for Kids with Skills: Rossignol Jibfluence

• Best for: Kids with Skills
• Key features: Easy turning, stable, 3S serrated edges, balanced ride, freestyle flex
• Skill level: Intermediate 
• Shape: Twin
• Bindings: Not included

The Rossignol Jibfluence is another good option for kids who have already mastered the basic skills of the sport and are ready to rip even harder on the snow. 

The board is easy to turn yet stable and aggressive enough to be taken into more challenging terrain. It has an Amptek Auto Turn rocker profile that helps promote a playful ride that is versatile and not limiting. 

It also comes with 3S serrated edges that increase edge grip and promote control at all times. The board also has a very balanced feel thanks to RadCut turn technology. And a twin freestyle flex is a lot of fun to ride on and control as well. 

This is another board that doesn’t come with bindings, and it’s also relatively expensive for a kid’s option. 

==> You can also get it on Rossignol or Moosejaw or Sun & Ski Sports.

5. Best Budget Option: SportsStuff Snow Ryder

• Best for: Budget Option
• Key features: Affordable, durable, hook and loop bindings, no metal edge
• Skill level: Beginners
• Shape: Twin
• Bindings: Step-in, adjustable

If you live somewhere that gets a lot of snow and want a way to keep your kids occupied in the backyard, the SportsStuff Snow Ryder is an excellent option to look into. 

This is a cheap board that can be a lot of fun for kids. It has a hardwood construction that is durable and strong for endless days in the snow. 

It also comes with hook and loop bindings that are easy to be stepped into, and they can be easily adjusted for a variety of foot sizes. 

The Snow Ryder doesn’t come with a metal edge, so you won’t want to use this board at a proper ski resort. It’s a basic board that only offers basic capabilities. 

==> You can also get it at Scheels or DICK’S or Bass Pro.

How to Choose a Snowboard for Kids

Keep the following consideration in mind when you are looking for a good kid’s snowboard. These factors will help you choose the best option. 

Size

Kids are small. That means that they should have a small snowboard. A smaller board is much easier to control and maneuver than a larger board. That’s a big part of what makes a snowboard designed explicitly for children.

As a general rule, a kid’s snowboard is usually 130cm (4 feet 3 inches) or less. Match the size of the board to the height of your child.

Binding Style

Kid’s snowboards come in different binding styles. You should consider these when making a purchase. Bindings play an essential role in both function and safety. It’s always good to match the style with a rider’s specific needs.

Regular bindings are an option, but they are not typical for kids who are pretty young and just learning. 

If your kid has already learned the basics or wants to get a feel for what it’s like on a regular board, regular bindings are a good option. These will be smaller in size but still utilize a strapping system that holds the feet down.

If your kids are tiny and just starting, it’s better to go with a simple strap binding attaching to the board with a single strap.

These bindings are easy to use and will allow your kids to get in and out of their board both quickly and safely. They are also pretty safe and will help avoid injury. They do come with a downside in that they won’t allow for great control or performance.

Cost

Cost is another important consideration with a kid’s snowboard. Kids are constantly growing, and that means they can outgrow their boarding gear almost every season.

Getting a somewhat affordable board can help you spend less in the long run while still getting your children the best gear for their situation.

Useful Tips & Resources

If you’ve ever boarded with a child, you know that it can be both amazing and challenging at the same time. They will need your support and encouragement at all times, even more so if they are just beginning.

Don’t get frustrated if they don’t pick things up quickly, throw fits, or struggle. It’s all part of the process. If you want them to develop a lifelong passion and enjoyment of the sport, you need to be positive and encouraging at all times.

If you aren’t a great teacher, you might want to consider putting your child in a snowboarding lesson so they can gain the tools they need to succeed. If you’re going to teach them yourself, read this article on how to teach someone to snowboard.

This video also has some great tips to help you out.

My Verdict

There are a lot of decent options for a good kid’s snowboard out there. The best board for kids currently available is the Gnu Young Money. It’s an option that will allow kids to learn how to rip and develop a passion for the sport. 

I’m very thankful that I learned to ride at a young age. It gave me lifelong skills that have provided a lot of fun, excitement, and adventure over the years. I always love teaching kids how to ride, and it’s a very memorable experience when they have a good day on the slopes. 

All of the boards you find here will provide plenty of fun while kids learn how to improve their abilities on the mountain.

About Lorraine