Best Winter Gear for Kids
No Bad Weather
There is a common Scandinavian maxim that says “There is no such thing as bad weather, just bad clothing”. Having grown up in a family where we spent our winters snowmobiling and skiing I can wholeheartedly agree that outdoor play is not just a summer activity.
But for parents, it can sometimes feel daunting knowing how to get kids outdoors when the weather turns wet and cold.
Today I want to share with you some tips on how to dress your kids for winter adventures, along with some recommendations if you are trying to do it on a tight budget. We all know that kids are expensive, luckily outdoor gear doesn’t have to break the bank!
How to Dress Kids for Cold Weather Adventures
Dressing kids for winter adventures is actually pretty straightforward. It really comes down to using the right material for the following three layers:
Base Layer: Wool or Synthetic
Mid-layer: Fleece
Outer Layer: Waterproof
Below are what products I and my outdoorsy mom friends use and love, along with some tips on where to pick them up for cheap.
This post contains some affiliate links which means I receive a small commission, at no extra cost to you, if you make a purchase using the link.
Base Layer
For the base layer, you want to use a moisture-wicking material. Wool is the ideal material for this because it’s super warm and does a great job of keeping moisture away from the skin. Unfortunately, wool can get a bit pricey, so let’s talk about how to get by on a tight budget.
Socks
If you want your kids to be able to adventure comfortably outside during the winter then at minimum your kids should have wool socks! Why? Because the first place your kids are going to sweat are their feet. Cotton socks are not your friend. They will absorb water and hold it next to your kid’s skin. Cotton is the fastest way to cold feet!
Below are two great brands of wool socks for kids. We use and like the brand Smartwool. They cost about $13-$17 a pair. If you need something a little more affordable then I would recommend Eocom Wool Socks. They are about $14 for six pairs.
Tip: Some parents think they should layer socks, but that is a big no no. The second pair of socks compress the foot and reduces circulation, which will make your kids’ feet cold! One pair of wool socks is all you need.
If your kids are going to be playing outside all day and you are worried about their feet staying warm you can always put on a fresh pair of wool socks around mid-day. But honestly your kids should be fine in one pair for an extended period of time!
Long Johns
For the rest of your base layer you have three options. I will list them in order of good, better, best.
GOOD: Cotton
Okay, okay I know I just said cotton is not your friend, but when you have a super tight budget you have to work with what you’ve got. If you can’t afford to buy synthetic or wool long johns then use some of your kid’s tight-fitting cotton pjs (without footies) as a base layer. Yes cotton absorbs water, yes cotton is definitely not as warm as synthetic or wool but in a pinch it is better than having no base layer at all!
BETTER: Synthetic
For parents that have limited funds, synthetic long johns are a great alternative to wool long johns. The material is designed to whisk away moisture so it will help keep your kids warm and dry. Below are some brands I would recommend checking out:
BEST: Merino Wool
If you have the funds then wool long johns are the way to go. Since they are a bit pricy here are some ideas on how to get the most bang for your buck:
Buy a gender-neutral color so they can be passed down to younger siblings.
When buying bottoms get the flat front kind, not the kind made for boys (you know the ones that have a little flap for peeing).
Keep in mind that there are multiple uses for a good pair of wool long johns. They are great for keeping kids warm while camping, hiking in the late fall, or snowshoeing.
While synthetic long johns are great, one of the main benefits of going with wool is its anti-bacterial properties. This makes it naturally odor-resistant. Synthetic material is going to get stinker faster and getting odors out of synthetic material can be challenging. Below are some brands that you are sure to love:
Another great place to pick up cheap wool long johns is H&M.
Mid-Layer
Once you have outfitted your kids in their base layer you will want to add a mid-layer. The best fabric for mid-layer is fleece. You can use fleece pants or sometimes you can find track pants that are fleece lined. Then pair that with a fleece pullover or a fleece jacket insert. Generic fleece works great but Reima has awesome union suits made out of fleece you might want to check out.
Outer Layer
For your kids’ outer layer you want to make sure you are buying snow pants, coats, gloves, and boots that are waterproof. Sadly a lot of generic snow clothes for kids are not waterproof. Mind-boggling, I know! Below are some brands to check out, as well as some tips to keep in mind.
Boots
When buying snow boots you want to make sure the boots are large enough that your kids can comfortably wear wool socks while still having room for their toes to move. If the boots are too tight it will cut off circulation to your kids’ toes and their feet will get cold.
Tip: Before taking the tags off your kids’ new boots, have your kids wear them around the house with wool socks. This will give you an idea of how they fit. You obviously don’t want them to be too small, but you also don’t want them to be so big that they come off easily when your kids walk.
Below are some brands of boots I would recommend checking out:
Snow clothes
When buying snow clothes I would recommend steering clear of the one-piece snowsuit. One-piece snowsuits don’t stay down well over boots when kids start playing in the snow; this results quickly in kids getting snow on their calves or down their boots. If you really want a one-piece snowsuit then check out the brand Reima.
Below are some brands I would recommend checking out:
Gloves
One of the biggest battles you will fight when taking kids out to play in the snow is trying to keep their gloves in place. I can’t even begin to count the number of times I have dug snow out of coat sleeves and off of red wrist while playing in the snow with kids. The brands below are awesome! The first two brands (Veyo Kids shown above) make gloves without thumbs, which is super nice because trying to get your kid to find the little hole for their thumb is also a serious challenge.
Hat
Winter hats for your kids don’t have to be waterproof but you want something that is going to cover their ears. Below are two great brands to check out. I would recommend getting a trapper hat (style shown above).
Wet vs. Snow
If you live in a climate that gets a lot of rain vs. snow in the winter, below are some recommendations for outdoor gear. These are also great for spring and fall play!
Boots
For rain boots, I am a big fan of the brand Lonecone. What I like about Lonecone is they create their product with busy kids in mind and test their boots for 100 hours of activity. They are also cheaper than most competing companies.
There are two different kinds of rain boots you can get. Neoprene or rubber. The neoprene boots are a bit more expensive than the rubber boots but they are also warmer.
Rain Gear
Even if you don’t live in a rainy climate waterproof gear is awesome for outdoor adventuring. As your kids explore streams or ponds and as they dig, crawl and explore it helps keep them dry.
Below are three brands we have used and loved:
Jan & Jul
Jan & Jul focuses on making outdoor clothing for kids to help them get outside despite the weather, hence the name Jan & Jul (January and July). All of their clothing is designed & tested in famously beautiful and rainy Vancouver, BC, Canada.
If you want to check out what other products they sell you can visit their website HERE or they have an Amazon Store you can check out HERE. Just be prepared that you might want to buy everything. All their stuff is super cute!
OAKIwear Rain Suit
The OAKIwear Rain Suit is awesome because it cinches at the wrists and ankles which allows your kids to be active and still stay dry. It is a little more expensive at $70 but if you follow them on Facebook they often have awesome sales (like 60% off).
Tuffo Muddy Buddy Overalls
The Tuffo is also a great option for any parent that wants to keep their kids dry. The other bonus is it’s half the cost of the OAKIwear. If you decide to get one for your kids you will want to buy it on Amazon (link above). On Amazon they are only $29.95. If you buy them directly from their site they are $36.95 + shipping.
Tip: To ensure your kids stay dry pull the suits down over your kids’ rainboots vs. sinching at the ankles and putting the rainboots over.
Where to Pick Up Gear for Cheap
Okay, now the question of the day, where can you find all this awesome gear for cheap? There are a couple of options.
Second-Hand
Since kids grow so fast it is often easy to find lightly used snow/rain gear second-hand. Here are some places I would recommend checking out:
Tip: If you end up having to buy gear new keep in mind that you can try and sell it on one of the above sites when your kid outgrows it and recoup some of your cost.
Discount
Columbia Outlet Store
Lands End Outlet Store
REI Outlet Store
REI Garage Sale
End of Season Sales
Black Friday Sales
Almost every single one of the above-mentioned brands has Black Friday sales. They range anywhere from 25-60% off, so if you have been eyeing a certain item for your kid or want something in particular new vs. used then Black Friday is a great day to pick it up.
Outdoor Adventures
I love, love, love being outside, especially in the winter months. Hopefully, these clothing recommendations will help you and your kids get outdoors even as the weather turns cold and wet! And if you are looking for some fun ways to get your kids outside as the weather turns cold check out my post 19 Affordable Outdoor Winter Activities for Kids.
Please comment below if you have any outdoor gear that you absolutely love. I am always looking for great gear to make our outdoor adventures easy and warm!