Best Cold Weather Kids Gear for Outdoor Play

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Research has proven that parents don’t need to keep their kids indoors during the Winter. Sure, there are extreme conditions in which kids are happier and better off playing indoors (check out these 25 activities for rainy days!), but, more often than not, and with the right clothing and accessories, a little fresh air is good for kids. Here are some of my tips and favorite pieces of cold weather kids gear, perfect for some outdoor Winter play!

Cold Weather Kids Gear

We all know the basics right? Jacket, hat, gloves and boots. But, with SO many options, it can be overwhelming to choose to say the least.

Let’s break it down.

Hats

 

Some of these are really so cute, and with attractive characters, a less than ideal hat can easily be chosen. There are 3 main criteria that a hat needs to meet for me if my kids will be wearing it to play outdoors in the cold: thickness, ear coverage, and a chin strap (for younger kids).  Bonus points if it has something furry on the inside with a waterproof shell. I also love these neck warmers for kids who like to rip hats off.

Check these out: 

AP&AS Unisex Baby Winter Warm Cap Hat Beanie Pilot Aviator Cartoon 

WATERFLY Kids Neck Warmer Fleece Hoods Ski Balaclava

NIce Caps Boys Sherpa Lined Micro Fleece Embroidered Hat and Mitten Set

Connectyle Kids Warm Winter Hats Thick Woolen Earflap Hood

NIce Caps Little Girls and Infants Sherpa Lined Knitted 3 PC Set

Pink Kids Neck Warmer

LuckyZ 2 in 1 Kids Warm Winter Hats Thick Woolen Earflap Hood

Mysuntown Unisex Winter Trooper Hat Hunting Hat Ushanka Ear Flap Chin Strap and Windproof Mask

 

Jackets

I’m a fan of the lightweight, but very warm, puffy jackets. Kids need to be able to move when playing, and these allow just that. Some jackets are so cumbersome and uncomfortable that it is actually tough to play. There are some really lightweight alternatives that provide just as much warmth with much more wearability.

Some of my favorites:

Molehill Kids Down Hooded Jacket 700 Down Fill

Columbia Youth Flash Forward Hooded Down Jacket

Canada Goose Youth Pbi Expedition Parka (pretty pricey for me…but I’ve heard they are incredible)

Take the jacket a step further and opt for a snow suit if your Winters are white. A good pair of snow pants with the overall under your childs jacket will keep them extra warm and dry (my son also likes to wear these ice skating because it pads some of the falls). Also, if you have a baby, the Columbia baby bunting is my absolute favorite (below).

Columbia Toddler Double Flake Reversible Set

Columbia Baby Boys Snuggly Bunny Bunting

 

Mittens

I’ve made two giant mistakes that I am going to share with you so that you can avoid similar issues. 1) fingered gloves. Fighting with multiple children to get little fingers inside gloves after bundling them up is just not my idea of a good time. Sure, mittens make it harder to use fingers with dexterity, but it’s a trade-off my kids (and I) are willing to make. 2) too thin. Knit gloves and mittens last all of about 3 minutes in the cold, and add snow to the equation to cut the time in half.

So what are you looking for? Waterproof, thick mittens with some kind of coverage up onto the arm. Bonus points for clips that attach them to jackets (otherwise they get lost almost as easily as socks) and straps that really keep them on little hands.

Here are some favorites: 

NIce Caps Kids Easy On Thinsulate Waterproof Velcro Wrap

SnowStoppers Kids Waterproof Stay On Winter Nylon Mittens

Gordini Easy On Mittens – Toddler

SnowStoppers Kids Nylon Waterproof Snow Colorful Mittens

 

Boots

If you are going to get one pair of Winter weather shoes for your kids, avoid the bright and super cute rain boots, and opt for a pair of snow boots instead. In a perfect world, you would have both, because let’s be honest, who can really resist a pair of adorable kiddie boots for jumping in muddy puddles. But, snow boots can be used in the cold and the rain, whereas rain boots don’t serve much protection from the elements or the snow. Wet, cold socks on little feet are no fun. (Speaking of which, don’t skip on the thick socks!)

My top picks: 

Bogs Boys Classic Polar Bear Winter Snow Boot

Bogs Baby Classic Polar Bear Winter Snow Boot Toddler

Kamik Kids Unisex Snowbug 

 

Ok, so now that your kiddos are geared up for outdoor fun with their cold weather kids gear, let them play!

There is no such thing as bad weather, only inappropriate clothing. – Ranulph Fiennes

 

Here are some really fun toys for outdoor Winter play, especially if you have snow!

Color My Worlds 14-Piece Eco-Friendly Sand and Snow Coloring Kit

Children Winter Toys [Pink Fortress] Inflatable Snow Castle with LED Light for Snowball Fights

Ideal Sno-Stompers Assorted Colors

GeoSpace Original Ski Skooter: Fold-up Snowboard Kick-Scooter for Use on Snow and Grass,Snow Sled,Winter Toys,Red

 Photo Credit: Child with Snow; deposit photos.com

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