How to Choose a Snowboard for Kids: A Parent’s Guide

As a parent, choosing a snowboard for kids can feel like a daunting task, but the good news is that it's easier than it might seem. With Burton’s easy-to-follow guide (incorporating 30+ years of feedback from Burton moms and dads), you can find exactly what you need to get your kiddo out on the mountain in no time.

Our experts will walk you through the key factors that parents should consider when shopping for kids' snowboards, with recommendations on how to factor in experience level, body weight and height, riding preferences, and (of course) colors and graphics. So, regardless of whether your child is a complete beginner or progressing to more advanced terrain, this guide was made for you.

• Getting Started: Types of Snowboards for Kids
• Choosing a Snowboard For Kids: 3 Easy Steps
• Snowboard Boots and Bindings for Children
• A Note on Teaching Kids to Snowboard

Getting Started: Types of Snowboards for Kids

Choosing a snowboard for kids should be guided by their riding experience, i.e., whether they're a first timer, have had a few lessons, or can shred like a boss.

• Toddlers with no experience: Riglet is a great place to start their journey with standing sideways.
• Young children who are eager to join you at the resort: Grom snowboards are the perfect tool for their first lessons and early progression.
• Kids who've been riding for a couple seasons and can keep up with you: Smalls snowboards can do everything our adult snowboards can do.
• For kids who shred harder than you: Explore advanced options from Smalls and Family Tree.

Toddler Snowboards

For the youngest riders who are just getting started with snowboarding, the all plastic Burton Riglet Snowboard is an affordably-priced, beginner-friendly option that works well. These soft and playful snowboards come with a Riglet Reel pre-installed, which parents can use to tow their child around on flat surfaces. This opens up all sorts of great learning opportunities, like building your own backyard riglet park for quick, easy fun right at home. You can also toss a Hover Cover on the Riglet snowboard and use it indoors any time. Riglet snowboards are an excellent way to get kids familiar and comfortable with snowboarding before heading to the resort and handing them over to an instructor.

Kids’ Snowboards for Beginners

For kids who have had their fun in the back yard or local park on a plastic snowboard and who are ready to progress to the next level, youth-specific snowboards like the Kids' Burton After School Special or Kids’ Burton Mini Grom Flat Top are great options for progression. These kids’ snowboards come in a variety of sizes for small riders and cater to beginners, with a soft flex that makes them easier to turn and maneuver. These kids’ boards are great for riders who are working on the fundamentals of snowboarding as well as those who are ready to start exploring beyond the bunny hill.

Pro tip: A twin Flat Top snowboard is a great option for a child learning to ride. The twin tips allow them to easily ride goofy or regular while they're still figuring out what feels best, and the forgiving bend with Easy Bevel base reduces the chances of catching an edge.

Kids’ Snowboards for Big Kids and Kids with Experience

Snowboards for big kids and kids with a bit more experience (like the Burton Grom Snowboard and Burton Smalls Snowboard) typically feature a medium flex profile that encourages progression. The snowboards in this category are great for all mountain and freestyle riding, meaning that they will work equally well on groomed terrain as well as in the park. In terms of progressions, the Grom line is geared more towards learning while the Smalls line is ideal for riders who are a bit more experienced and confident.

Kids’ Snowboards for Advanced Kids

Kids who are a bit bigger or who have been riding for a few seasons may want a stiffer or more specialized board. With a medium-stiff flex profile, advanced kids' snowboards are designed for more experienced riders who are comfortable with speed or seek out specialized conditions and terrain, like powder and freeride areas. Our snowboard offerings change from season to season, so we recommend browsing intermediate and advanced kids' snowboards to see our most current models.

Pro tip: The Burton Family Tree Collection, which comes in a range of sizes for riders of all ages, are primarily freeride snowboards designed for confident riders with experience.

Choosing a Snowboard For Kids: 3 Easy Steps

When choosing a snowboard for your child, you will want to determine the appropriate size, flex, and of course, find some graphics that they like. We break this process down into three easy steps.

1. Determine the Best Snowboard Length
2. Select the Appropriate Snowboard Stiffness
3. Choose Snowboard Graphics or Colors That Your Kids Love

Step 1: Determine the Best Snowboard Length

Step one of choosing a snowboard for your child is to determine the snowboard length that will best suit their needs. To do this you’ll need to know their weight and boot size.

Weight: Most modern snowboards have a recommended weight range for any given size. If you are shopping Burton kids’ snowboards, review the Burton size charts or use the Burton Fit Finder tool which can be found on kid’s snowboard product pages (look for the black button that says, “Find My Size”). If your child has never snowboarded before, it is a good idea to stick within the manufacturer’s recommended snowboard length. However, if your little grom is already ripping, you can go longer to give them more stability at speed, or shorter to give them better maneuverability.

Boot Size: After considering weight, you’ll want to consider boot size. A snowboard that is too narrow can lead to heel drag or toe drag, so it is important to select a snowboard that is wide enough that boots don’t hang over the edges. If you are shopping at a local snowboard shop, a knowledgeable team member should be able to help you factor in boot size to your purchase decision. If you are shopping on Burton.com, the Fit Finder tool also takes boot size into account.

Pro tip: Remember that kids’ feet grow really fast so make sure to account for any changes that might occur over the next season or two, if possible.

Height: Historically, many riders have relied on height to determine appropriate snowboard sizing. This usually means selecting a snowboard that, when stood on its tail, comes up to between the chin and nose. While this may provide a good ballpark size, the experts at Burton recommend sticking with weight and boot size when choosing a snowboard for kids (and adults).

Pro tip: If your kids are growing so fast that you think they’ll only get one season before needing a larger snowboard, you might be able to save some money by shopping for sale kids' snowboards. Alternatively, if your child is an experienced rider, they may be able to comfortably ride a slightly oversized board, which they will eventually grow into, however, we don’t recommend this for new and novice riders.

Step 2: Choose the Appropriate Snowboard Flex

In general, choosing the flex of a snowboard for kids is best determined by their snowboarding experience level. The softer and more flexible a snowboard is, the easier it is for a beginner to ride. The stiffer a snowboard is, the better-suited it is for more advanced riders to maintain faster speeds and stability.

• Beginner: Choose a soft and flexible snowboard that’s forgiving and easy to maneuver.
• Intermediate: Choose a snowboard with moderate flex for balanced control and stability.
• Advanced: Choose a stiffer snowboard for stability at higher speeds and performance.

Pro tip: While Burton recommends that beginner snowboarders learn to ride on a soft-flexing snowboard, intermediate and advanced riders can also ride soft, moderate, or stiff snowboards, depending on their preferences.

Step 3: Choose Snowboard Graphics or Colors That Your Kids Love

When choosing snowboard graphics and colors, Burton parents suggest letting your kids take the lead. Some kids will be easier to please when it comes to graphics, but others may be very picky.

If you’re purchasing a kids’ snowboard as a gift, make sure to think about their design preferences, lest you need to return it for a different color. If your kids don’t see a design that they like, remind them that they can cover their snowboard in stickers or use paint markers to customize it, so it feels special to them.

Pro tip: Looking for sweet Burton stickers? Drop into one of our Burton retail shops and ask or get free Burton stickers mailed right to your door.

Snowboard Boots and Bindings for Children

After you choose a snowboard for your kids, the next step is choosing snowboard boots and snowboard bindings. Generally, the flexibility of your kids’ boots and bindings should align with the flexibility of their snowboard.

When choosing snowboard boots for your kids, keep comfort and warmth in mind. The boots should be snug and comfortable. Consider going up one size so your child has room to grow into the boot instead of the boot being too tight halfway through the season. Review our Parent’s Guide to Sizing Kids’ Snowboard Boots for more details about size, fit, and cost.

Pro tip: Any kids’ snowboard boots with Room-To-Grow footbeds can quickly accommodate larger feet; up to one full size larger by removing the primary footbed. This innovative technology helps kids remain in the same pair of boots longer, saving parents money.

For bindings, choose a size that aligns with your child’s boot size, and if they're a more experienced rider, a flex profile that’s appropriate for their ability. As with snowboards, soft-flexing bindings are great for beginners, medium flex is good for proficient riders, and stiffer kids’ bindings should be reserved for larger or more experienced riders.

Pro tip: Burton Step On® Boots and Bindings are a great option for kids, and in our experience with lots of little riders, make it easier for them to link turns due to direct response. This hands-free boot and bindings system is also easier to operate and gives young children more independence when learning to ride.

A Note on Teaching Kids to Snowboard

Choosing a snowboard for your kids is just the beginning. If they don’t already know how to ride, they will need some instruction. For parents who aren’t snowboarders themselves, deciding when and how to teach them to snowboard can be challenging. Here are a few tips to get you started.

When should you teach kids to snowboard?

If they’re old enough to stand, they’re old enough to stand sideways (and shred). Grab a Riglet snowboard for your youngest kids and start playing in the backyard or living room as soon as they can walk. At this stage all that matters is having fun, so don’t worry about drills or structure.

If you are looking to get your kiddos into formal snowboarding lessons, alone or with friends, most mountains have a minimum age requirement of four years old, however you may be able to find instructors willing to teach younger kids.

How do you teach kids to snowboard?

If you are teaching your own kids, remember to keep it simple and fun. Stick to playing around for short periods of time and make sure they stay dry and warm. Bring plenty of snacks, allow kids to choose the runs they want to take, and pause for lots of breaks. Play games, smile, and support them with endless positivity as they learn.

Alternatively, consider signing your little ones up for a professional snowboarding lesson. It’s a great way for them to learn with other kids their own age and feel independent on the slopes.

Pro tip: Review Getting Started: Teaching Kids to Snowboard for complete recommendations on how to raise a little ripper.

Final Thoughts on Burton Snowboards for Kids

Choosing the right size snowboard for kids is about helping them have as much fun as possible, and we know from nearly 50 years of experience that it’s easier to have fun when your snowboard equipment fits correctly, from the start. If you need help choosing a board to get your kid started with snowboarding or want a second opinion on what snowboard can help them level up their riding, the helpful Burton Guides are always a chat away.