Dressing for Cold Weather

Dressing as the season turns colder can be tricky. It's the time of year ALL of our outerwear ends up out and on hand. Here are some of our top tips for dressing in cold weather:

• Check the HOURLY forecast the night before and in the morning. Dress for the coldest part of the day in layers so children can adjust as things warm up. We go by Environment Canada and there's a good app. 

• Avoid drafts. Tucking layers in as you go and wearing a hat or toque goes a long way. Make sure arms and legs can be fully extended without gaps where skin shows around the tummy, or at wrists and ankles. Here is an excellent how-to video from a Winnipeg Forest School: Field and Forest Preschool's guide to winter outerwear

• If your child has cold feet, insoles in boots often help. Experiment with combining wool and cottons socks - layers help but too tight hinders circulation.

• If your child has cold hands, layering a pair of mini or fleece mittens underneath the big ones can help - so can switching from gloves to mittens. Remember that mini/magic mittens or gloves are not appropriate on their own in winter or wet weather.

• Base layers are important. If you don't have wool or polyester base layers, just start with pajamas or leggings/long sleeve shirts underneath clothes to see what works best for your child.

• For wet weather: Wet gear can't keep children warm. Consider rain mittens and a rainsuit big enough to fit over warm layers for fall and spring. If mittens aren't water proof, we usually ask children to play with bare hands and return to mittens for a warm, dry break.

• Consider an extra set of outerwear just for childcare/forest nursery. This makes it easier to get messy, and gives a buffer when days are cold AND wet so gear needs extra time to dry out. If your child has a locker, a designated set can be stored there, avoiding morning negotiations about outerwear all together!

• You likely have everything you need to dress your child for outdoor success, it's just finding the best way to layer it all together. If you think you'd like doubles or know there's essential gear you'd like, many parents have good luck on marketplace, kijiji or by asking other parents. Good winter gear is also an excellent item for holiday gift lists!