The first month of 2021 has been a cold one for us! But we’ve taken on a new mantra, “there’s no bad weather, only bad clothes.” This means that we’re getting out into the fresh air regardless of the temperature or snow or rain or, in coming months, the heat.
All it takes is a little preparation, some high quality products and a commitment to living life to its fullest! We must admit, having two small boys who love the outdoors does make it easier to throw on our coats and boots, hats and gloves and maybe even snow pants and ski masks. In this post we’ve compiled our must have kid’s winter gear, but we haven’t forgotten all you mama’s out there, we have another version just for you, so stay tuned!
***Looking for more challenges? Check out our last post, Done & Done Home’s 12 Months of Challenges, to see what we have planned for the coming year – it’s never too late to join us!***
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Our Favorite Warm Weather Gear For Kids
Elastic Winter Mitten Clips
Mitten clips have been around for ages and for good reason. Warm hands and toes are essential for a successful outing and as we all know, kids aren’t great at holding on to gloves and mittens. Do yourself a favor and grab these if you don’t already have some!
North Face Youth Montana Gore-Tex Mitt
Speaking of mittens, these North Face mitts are amazing! They’re insulated, waterproof and breathable and they fit little hands like a dream. They’re on the expensive side so be sure you have your clips to keep them attached at all times.
6 Pairs of Warm Socks
Now that we have the hands and fingers taken care of, the feet are next. Nothing ruins a winter outing faster than freezing toes. Well-fitting, warm socks are essential to successful days that your kids will want to keep repeating. If they’re cold and miserable, getting them out into the fresh air will be a real battle. Make it easy on yourself and keep them warm from the bottom up!
Cable Sock/Boot Sock
When even the warmest of socks won’t do the trick, these boot socks will come to the rescue especially when wearing wellies instead of snowboots. An added layer of protection will ensure those toes stay toastie!
Snow Boots
Obviously boots are a necessity when it comes to gearing up for winter activities. I love these boots for James, they’re super easy to get on and off and they do a really great job of keeping his feet dry. Also, because the bottom is slip resistant, they’ve been great for all the trails we’ve been going on.
Rain Boots
When you don’t need a full-on snow boot and the day is just right for puddle jumping, these rain boots are the best! The handles are perfect for small hands so they can get them on themselves and they’re completely waterproof and free from any potential toxins. They come in the most adorable fun designs – you and your kids will have a hard time choosing your favorite. James is on his 4th pair since we keep choosing the same brand as he grows.
Thermal Underwear
You want to know the real secret to successful winter wear?! Layers! We can’t stress enough how important it is to have layers for warmth when starting out on your adventure and then the ability to take things off as the day goes on. Thermal, moisture-wicking long underwear is truly the key to having a great day when you’re out and about.
Baby Fleece Bunting
Thermal underwear is great for your kids that are big enough to run around to keep warm, but what about the little’s that are stuck in a stroller? I absolutely adore this bunting for Charlie. It keeps him super warm and happy when we’re running errands (aka getting coffee) in town. And the adorable ears are cute enough to melt the coldest heart on the coldest day 😉
Snow Pants
Remember when we said layering is the key? In addition to underwear, you’re gonna need overwear. Waterproof snow pants are a game changer if you want to stay outside for more than 5 minutes. Dry and warm are the goalposts and these pants are a touchdown! (The Super Bowl is happening soon, we couldn’t resist!)
Kids Waders
These waders may be responsible for our “no bad weather, only bad clothes” philosophy. They made such a huge impact on James and his ability to explore nature happily and comfortably. Whether it was a fall trip to the beach or a crashing dash through a freezing forest stream, staying dry made all the difference. If you have an adventurous child in your home, I can’t recommend these highly enough.
Borg Lined Zip-Up Hoodie
This is such a great hoodie! It’s completely lined with Borg fleece which is super warm and soft. I fully appreciate the lined hood which is a life saver when I forget the hat at home, not that I’ve done that…just in the event that I might someday 😉
Winter Coat
I love this coat so much that when James outgrew his, I bought the exact same one in a bigger size! It’s incredibly convenient because it folds down in to a tiny square and as James has a tendency to get super hot super fast, I can pop it into my bag or the back of the stroller without having to drag a full coat around.
Fleece Neck Warmer
Scarves can really be hard for kids. They don’t stay tight, they fly around and they need constant attention. That’s why I prefer this neck warmer. It’s stays put and prevents cold air from shooting into a coat and also keeps ears covered without any assistance from me. A win win!
Kids Fleece Beanie
Just like the neck warmer, I love this beanie. The material is practically itch- free, no scratchy wool to complain about! And one of the other things I really appreciate about this brand is their Project Warmth initiative. If you take a picture of your Turtle Fur product and tag them on social media, they’ll donate a hat to someone in need! How cool (warm?!?) is that?
Winter Balaclava Ski Mask
On really frigid winter days, having this ski mask will make you a hero-mom! With our commitment to get outside regardless of the weather, I need to be well fortified and this mask has saved the day on countless occasions. It doesn’t specifically come in children’s sizes, but James wears a women’s and it fits great!
It’s Worth The Effort!
I know that some dark, cold, winter days it may seem like too much trouble to get the kids bundled up just to go out and get some fresh air. But it has made such a dramatic difference in our lives this year! We’re all so much happier when we take the time to get out of our ruts, burn off some energy and notice the world around us. The pictures of James say it all, just look at joy in his face!
Now that you have everything you need to make this winter one to remember, where are you going to put all this stuff?!? If you need help organizing, check out our Love Your Home Again course. It has everything you need to know about how to keep your seasonal items in great shape year after year!
