DIY Duct Tape Sleds

When it comes to winter in the prairies, you can never have enough pairs of mitts. Or enough toques. You also cannot have enough sleds! Because, let's face it, when winter usually hangs around for about six months, you need to get out and enjoy the winter weather and snow. So even though we own a variety of different sleds, we have never made a homemade duct tape sled.

Since my kids enjoy crafts and sledding, I thought it would be fun to try making our own duct tape sleds.

Here's what you'll need:

• a large piece of cardboard
• duct tape — how much you needs depends on the size of the cardboard you are using
• scissors

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First, cut a handle into your piece of cardboard. Next, start covering both sides of the cardboard in duct tape, ensuring that you wrap the edges of the cardboard in tape as well. Make sure each strip of tape overlaps the previous strip to make sure the cardboard is well protected from the snow it will soon be racing down.

We used almost four full rolls of duct tape from the dollar store (not sure if non-dollar store duct tape comes in a larger roll or not) to cover the entire surface of the cardboard.

Peeling, pulling, flattening and cutting the duct tape is a great way for kids to work on their fine motor skills. However, depending on the age of your child, you may need to help them with the tape so that it doesn't stick to itself!

Another great thing about duct tape is that it now comes in a variety of colors and patterns! My boys each made a sled in the color of their choosing.

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Now, I have to admit that I wasn't entirely sure how well these homemade cardboard sleds would work on the snow hill. Even my husband was skeptical! But we carried our sleds to the hill for a test run and were pleasantly surprised with the results.

The duct tape sleds held up amazing during our first afternoon of sledding with them, but the highlight for the kids was the fact that these sleds were fast — so fast! As an added bonus, since the sleds are so light, the kids can easily carry them up the hill by themselves without complaints. However, if it's windy out, then make sure the kids have a good grip on the handle because it doesn't take much to blow these homemade sleds away!

As a fun alternative, you can use these homemade duct tape sleds as shields during an epic snowball fight! The space beneath the handle makes a perfect spot to peek out on your enemies.