Gearing Up for the Weather

I am embarrassed to admit it, but ever since moving back to Minnesota from California eight years ago, the change in seasons catches me by surprise. Sometimes in the spring, I feel like the thaw has just begun, but I blink and it is swelteringly hot. In the fall, I’d be just coming to terms with summer passing when we’d dive into a cold snap and I'd be scrambling for winter gear.

With kids, it’s that much more frantic of a scramble, as they’ve always outgrown sizes and something inevitably is missing. In my family, we’ve been through a number of trials and tribulations regarding dressing for the outdoors. I’m happy to report that with one of my children now an All Seasons graduate, the other in his third year and final year here, and me becoming a teacher at All Seasons, I think I’m finally, slowly, getting ahead of the curve with the gear. Here are my top tips for cold-ish and winter dressing for small children!

Balaclava - More Than a Fun Word to Say

Neck and face warmth is a huge factor in keeping kids warm and happy outside. A scarf can be cumbersome, not only coming undone, but catching on things inadvertently. A balaclava or neck gaiter can provide the protection that allows children to play contentedly for many, many more minutes on a snowy, windy day. Some balaclavas are form-fitting and require that a hat be worn over it. This can be nice for layering or removing depending on the temperature, but if you have a child whose hat tends to go for its own hike outside, maybe one piece is more your speed. Give some consideration to how your child plays in the snow when considering this part of their gear. My kids have had success with the roomier hat/neck warmer combinations like this one. I have one too!

But First, Base Layers

I don’t see them on many of the kids at school, so I wanted to include this idea as something to consider if you have a child that chills easily or isn’t enjoying outside time as much as expected. Base layers can be quite thin, but make such a difference in maintaining your temperature. One of my children has some temperature challenges, so when we came to All Seasons, I made sure she had some good base layer tops and pants for those particularly chilly winter days. She adores them and continues to wear them not only on cold days but as pajamas.

Happy Feet, Happy Kid

Thanks to one particularly cold Halloween, I’ve seen and heard firsthand how miserable a child can be with cold toes. Thin socks and cotton socks are risky in Minnesota winter, even with the best boots. My go-to is thick wool socks. They are warm and they wick moisture. Sometimes I try to double up the socks and if two wool pairs are too thick, I’ll try a thick and a thin pair. Some children are very particular about how socks feel, so I would recommend a test run at home before a first outing.

Boots should be easy to get on and off, so stay away from laces and straps. There are plenty of pull-on options. Styles that include handles make it that much easier! Mid-calf is a good height - not too low, not so high that they are cumbersome.

Also, Happy Hands, Happy Kid

Finding the right pair of mittens can feel like finding a unicorn. Mittens are preferable to gloves. There is just so much going on with gear already, let’s keep it simple and not add navigating fingers and the five cloth tubes of gloves to the list of to-dos. Elongated mittens that go to at least the mid-forearm, if not the elbow, can help ensure that snow doesn’t creep inside the mitten. For those who intentionally or unintentionally slip out of their mittens, the elongated style is also helpful because they can be put on under the coat. Mittens with Velcro wrist straps also help in keeping mittens where they belong. Some mittens are quite stiff and can limit the children’s ability to use their hands the way they want outside. For this reason, consider your individual child’s hand strength and how they like to play, so that their mittens don’t become a source of frustration. I also recommend a light pair of mittens for cold fall days, while a heavier insulated pair that is truly waterproof is essential for winter play.

Materials Matter

A biting wind and wetness are the biggest enemies of joy on cold days. I tend to favor waterproof materials over water resistance, though sometimes I go with something that looks like a sturdier water-resistant fabric. And as much as I love a fluffy jacket, I know the wind can cut right through them. For the amount of time our kids are outside at All Seasons and to be prepared for the variability in weather, I look for at least a windproof and water-resistant layer.

Expensive Isn't Always Best

While there are certain pricier brands that really hold up over time, have great care policies and good resale value (i.e., REI, Patagonia), you may not be interested in buying new or at such a high price point. Consider sites like Steep and Cheap, Sierra, or REI Used and Outlet, or second-hand stores and sites like Once Upon a Child and Kidizen, or Facebook marketplace. Brands like Land's End and Arctix also keep kids warm, but at a lower price point than some of the bigger brands.

Label It

Especially in the early days of gearing up, there tends to be a swirling cauldron of snow pants, hats, mittens, and socks that forms in the middle of the cubby area, with stray items mysteriously showing up in the backpacks of other children. Labeling each and every piece of your child’s clothing helps the staff ensure that pieces get back on the right child and it helps you when you find one of those singletons in your child’s backpack and wonder if it’s yours or not.

“Bundling up” is undeniably part of the Minnesota experience. It’s something that the seniors in our communities grew up doing; it’s something we all participate in and it’s something that our children will do as long as they live in these northern latitudes. More often than not, the ideas I’ve offered here came about through mistakes I’ve made with my own family’s winter readiness. My hope is that sharing my experiences not only assists you in preparing your children to enter Minnesota’s long winters, but also in enjoying them with us. We’ll see you outside!

BONUS!

Take a look at All Seasons Gear Guide for specific suggestions of gear and recommended brands.