I need to confess: this is an ironic blog for me to write, since I live in the Pacific Northwest. Not that the Pacific Northwest is never cold, but we certainly don’t experience the jaw-dropping lows that other parts of our country experience. However, I also work outside with small children and I have seen them plenty cold in our damp, cool winters, so consider this a public service announcement on how to keep your kids warm this winter.
My one-word solution to the cold is this: wool. That is all, really. It’s naturally water-repellent and very warm, and if you wear a few layers of it with a windbreak fabric like nylon, you’re set.
The more complex solution? Choose a warm winter jacket made from down or wool. Underneath this, place snow pants or layer wool long underwear under pants and top it off with some nylon rain pants. If you live in a place that is cold and you can’t afford a good down or wool jacket, look to thrift stores or children’s charities for help. We found my daughter’s down jacket in a thrift store for $6. Across the country, Catholic Charities, The Salvation Army, and other coats for kids programs like Keeping Kids Warm in Philadelphia provide free warm jackets for children who need them.
Most of the heat in the body leaves via the head, so your child will need a good hat. I am a great fan of hats that move down over the ears and neck as well, providing the coverage of a scarf. I find that toques tend to ride up over the ears on active kids. We use Pixie Hoodies – they make us look like little winter elves and they’re made out of recycled sweaters lined with fleece.
Your child will need snow boots. If you live in a place with intermittently cold temperatures and you don’t want to invest in snow boots every year, I’d recommend several thick layers of wool socks inside rain boots. I’m also a big proponent of Yaktrax for kids and adults. Slip these over normal shoes or boots and you’ll stop slipping on snow and ice.
You’ll need mittens, of course, preferably with waterproof covers. We put ours on strings – this drives my daughter a little crazy, but we keep the mittens together. The last item I take out in the cold is a little frou-frou, but it’s a sanity saver. We take reusable hand warmers that recharge in hot water. My daughter can click the button and they provide a few minutes of heat, just enough to take the edge off painfully cold hands after tobogganing.
What are your winter essentials?