Tips for Dressing Children in Winter

If you’ve been a parent for a long time, you know that dressing your kids in the winter can be a big deal. There are gloves to look for and boots to tie. But just like applying sunscreen from head to toe in the summer, dressing your child in the right cold weather gear is worth the effort because it will help them enjoy the outdoors and be protected from the elements.

At the same time, dressing your child in sub-zero temperatures can feel like a game of chance. If they wear too much, they will start sweating or end up taking off their extra clothes at school and they will be left in the lost and found office forever. There are so few layers of insulation that they almost go inside when you’re done zipping the last layer of zipper.

To help you crack the cold weather code and keep your kids comfortable all winter long, we’ve detailed winter essentials, as well as tips for dressing children, toddlers, and babies in sub-zero temperatures (below).

Types of Children’s Winter Clothing

First, the basics. There are countless options for winter gear for kids and toddlers, but they all fall into a few main categories.

They are:

• Breathable base layer (pants and tops)
• Middle layer (wool or sweater)
• Waterproof jacket and snow pants (or snow suits for babies and toddlers)
• Mittens or gloves
• A hat
• Scarves or shin guards
• Warm socks
• Waterproof snow boots

Here’s an overview of each.

Grass Roots

The bottom layer is located underneath all ski gear and its role is to draw moisture from the skin. The right bottom layer is breathable and comfortable, but not tight. If you’re just sending your kids to school or out playing in the snow, a long-sleeved cotton t-shirt and leggings or light sweatpants will suffice. However, if you plan to stay outdoors for an extended period of time (skiing, skiing, watching outdoor sporting events), consider using specialty polyester for a base layer or long underwear.

Interlayer

The middle layer is located behind the bottom layer and is designed to increase warmth. This is the easiest layer to customize for the weather, as you will have a lot of options. If the temperature is below freezing, opt for a chunky polyester wool or zip-up lightweight jacket down jacket, or a cotton or wool sweater. Warmer days (above 40 degrees Fahrenheit) can be worn with a lightweight cotton sweatshirt or quilted vest will do.

The middle layer you choose also depends on your child’s other outdoor clothing. For example, if your child is wearing a snow bib underneath a jacket or wearing a heavy winter coat, you may want to opt for a lighter middle layer.

Winter Coat

A child’s winter coat keeps them warm, but more importantly, it protects them from factors such as rain, snow, and wind. Depending on where you live and the type of winter activities your family prefers, you’ll want to look for something that is waterproof, or at least waterproof.

There are many options for children’s winter coats, from puffer fish parkas to multi-layered ski jackets, but you can’t go wrong with clothes that are waterproof, windproof, and well insulated.

Optional: Insulation or Housing

Most baby and toddler coats (and many children’s coats) combine insulation and shell into one. However, some special outerwear for skiing and outdoor recreation is sold as a separate shell and/or insulation.

For example, soft, foldable down jackets and down jackets are often just insulation. If this is the case, you need to make sure that you pair your jacket with a waterproof and windproof shell, as foldable down jackets can quickly soak through in rain and snow conditions. And vice versa, if your child’s jacket is a lightweight shell without much padding, you will need to add insulation for added warmth.

Mittens and Gloves

Mittens and gloves depend on your child’s preference, but mittens are often a better choice for the little ones because they are easier to wear and warmer, and you don’t have to worry about your child constantly complaining that their glove fingers are sticking out of their respective holes.

Just like jackets, the best gloves are waterproof and well insulated.

Children’s Winter Hats

After years of dressing your kids in winter clothes, we believe that the best winter hat is the one your child will wear all the time. Some children will wear whatever hat you wear on their heads, while others are more picky and will only wear a certain type of hat. If your child has sensitive skin, stay away from natural wool and anything that may be itchy, and instead choose soft but warm fabrics, such as wool or Sherpa wool.

If your child is prone to losing the hat, buy the version with a chin strap to hold it in place. The material is an important consideration for children’s winter hats for a number of reasons.

Leggings or Scarves

Leg guards or scarves may or may not be required, depending on the child’s jacket and the clothes worn underneath. If your child has a zippered cardigan that covers their neck, or their coat is hooded, then they may not need a collar to keep them warm. For younger children, we recommend using leggings instead of scarves as they won’t loosen, get lost, or get tangled.

Snow Boots and Socks

Children can seem to start getting cold on their toes, so warm socks and proper winter boots are key to spending long hours outdoors. If your child is going to play in the snow, waterproof boots and insulation are a must. If your child is just learning to wear their own shoes, do yourself a favor by opting for lace-free slip-on boots that will make it much easier to get dressed in the snow.

When choosing socks, look for warm socks or choose socks made of wool, wool or acrylic. Choosing high socks will also ensure that they don’t slip inside your snow boots.

Choose a Snowsuit for Your Toddler

The toddler’s winter gear is similar to the older kid’s, but with some tweaks. Fortunately, children’s clothing manufacturers often incorporate toddler-friendly designs into their clothing.

For example, when looking for mittens, you’ll often find styles with extra-long cuffs designed to cover your child’s coat, which helps to keep mittens on small hands while also keeping snow out. The built-in clip is also a handy feature worth noting.

If you’re buying a coat, cinched cuffs and a large zipper for toddlers are essential.

Choose a Snow Suit for Your Baby

If you’re buying a baby who can’t walk yet, skip the winter coat and opt for a snow suit. Snow suits are more durable than two-piece suits, and they often come with built-in gloves.

Planning to take your baby in the car? Dress them in warm base layers and bring a hat, gloves, a warm blanket or a cocoon car seat cover (if you want them to sit in a bucket seat). Or bring a snow suit so you can change it when you arrive at your destination.

Here are some things to look out for:

• Cinched wrists. A coat with cinched wristbands can help keep snow from getting into your child’s sleeves if you live where it snows a lot.
• Underarm vents: If your child is prone to heat, underarm vents (zippers in the armpit area of the coat) allow you to easily cool down without having to remove a layer of clothing. Ski suits tend to have this feature.
• A snow skirt: A snow skirt is attached to the inside of the jacket, usually at waist height, and is designed to prevent snow from climbing onto the skier’s jacket. But snow skirts can also come in handy when sledding, snowboarding, or playing in the snow.
• Built-in layer: The 3-in-1 jacket includes the base layer and shell, which can be zipped together to make a warm jacket, or used separately depending on the weather.
• A ‘zipper garage’: Yes, a zippered garage. This is a small piece of fabric that covers your child’s coat when the zipper is closed, preventing it from bruising the chin and neck.