What age can a child go sledding alone?

The AAP says children under 12 should always be supervised. Dayton Children's says kids 5 and under should ride with an adult.

How steep is too steep for small kids?

The AAP describes a suitable slope as under 30 degrees with a flat runoff at the bottom.

Sledding With Little Kids: Rules and Gentle Hills

Toddlers and preschoolers can have a great time on a small hill, but the rules are different from the ones for a ten-year-old. Here's what pediatric groups say, followed by every hill on this site that a source describes as gentle.

What the pediatric groups say

Adults watch kids under 12, and ride with the youngest. The AAP says children under 12 should always be supervised. Dayton Children's adds that kids 5 and under should sled with an adult. AAP Dayton Children's
Keep the little ones apart from teenagers. The AAP suggests separating preschool-age children from adolescents and teens on the hill. AAP
Feet first, sitting up. Sledding feet first or sitting up, not lying head-first, may prevent head injuries, per the AAP. AAP
Pick the hill for the runout. The AAP describes a good slope as snow-covered rather than icy, under 30 degrees, clear of trees and fences, and ending in a flat runoff. Dayton Children's says to avoid hills that end near a street, parking lot or pond. AAP Dayton Children's
Teach the roll-off. UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh says to teach kids to roll off a sled that won't stop. UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh
Short sessions, frequent checks. Dayton Children's suggests checking on young kids every 15 to 20 minutes for cold or wet clothes. Dayton Children's

Why it matters: a study in Pediatrics estimated an average of about 20,800 sledding injuries a year among people 19 and under treated in U.S. emergency departments from 1997 to 2007, with the head the most commonly injured body part. Pediatrics, 2010