Free Winter Gear List and 3 Tips to prepare your kid's closet for Cold Weather
- Reagan Fulton
- Oct 18, 2021
- 2 min read
Updated: Oct 30, 2021
You might not know it, but there are plenty of fun things you can do with your kids as we head into fall and winter. Growing up wild isn't all about spontaneous barefoot soccer games in the yard, hikes in the summer, and skipping stones on the lake. Find out here how to keep your kids warm and safe when they're playing outside in cold weather! Read on and find out how to get our free guide for outdoor play in cold weather!
Be prepared=More Fun!
When dressing for outdoor play as the weather turns colder, kids should wear layers of thin, loose clothing that will allow them to regulate their body temperature. Empowering them to assess their body temperature is a great risk assessment skill to teach from an early age! This can be achieved by wearing a light underlayer, like long underwear or tights, and adding an outer layer to provide warmth when needed. The key to staying warm when kids are playing outside in cold weather is to dress them in layers. This allows for easy removal of clothing as the day gets warmer. Super thin wool socks are also a good idea because they're very comfortable and do a great job at keeping feet warm.
A waterproof layer for rainy days and mud play is also easy to forget early on in the Fall! All the activities of Summer that kids enjoyed don't have to go away. Sure, we can't head to grandma's pool or swim in the lake. But we can still puddle jump, make mud pies, do outdoor sensory play, and explore creeks-yes even with snow on the ground! The key is being prepared. Proper boots, rain suit/snowsuit, gloves, and ensuring the right layers for the temperature, and encouraging children to listen to their bodies and shed or add layers as needed, can ensure a full day of fun play outside, no matter the season. I am SO looking forward to reading Rain or Shine Mama's book There's No Such Thing as Bad Weather: A Scandinavian Mom's Secrets for Raising Healthy, Resilient, and Confident Kids (from Friluftsliv to Hygge) and reviewing it for you all. It's in the mail as I type this! I'll come back and update this post with the review when I do!
The 3 Layers
The three key layers of clothing for cold weather play are:
Insulating underwear to keep warm.
Insulating base layer to keep the warmth in and to dry quickly, and finally a water-resistant outer layer.
Download the Freebie to learn more about each layer and what type of fabrics to choose!
No Need to Spend Hundreds of Dollars!
If you want your kids to play outdoors during the winter, don't spend a lot of money on gear. There is no need to buy new clothes when the likelihood of them getting soaked with mud is greater than 50%. Thrift stores, hand-me-downs, and stained clothes make the PERFECT wardrobe for Nature School activities. Always remember, just like when we're talking about fire safety, risky play, or any other outdoor activity with kids. The key is being prepared and having the right gear for the activity!
Don't forget to download the free guide, with extra tips and tricks for keeping warm during outdoor play!
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