On account of the warmish weather we’ve been having recently, our EC play yard can be summed up in one word: MUD! It’s hard to know sometimes how to dress your child(ren) when the weather is both wet and cold, and the solution is to send gear for both.
By dressing your child appropriately for all types of weather, their small bodies need not divert extra energy towards regulating their internal temperature, therefore, allowing them to grow and play with endurance. Small children are still developing their internal thermometer, which means their awareness of how warm or how cool they feel is often limited. If you are new to everyday play outside, especially in the PNW rain, have no fear—you’re not alone! With a few simple essentials, and a general idea of how to layer gear and at what temperatures, your child will be as warm (and dry) in no time!
Layering Basics
Base Layer: Long johns or long underwear made of wool or wool/silk blend are best. As this layer is next to your child’s skin, it must be soft, breathable, and not trap moisture (like cotton).
Mid Layer: This is everyday clothing: pants, dress/skirt with leggings, short-sleeved shirt, long-sleeved shirt, socks, etc. Natural fibers like linen, wool, hemp, bamboo, and cotton are good fabrics to look for.
Extra Layer: Light coat, sweater, or warm vest, usually something that needs to fit under a coat, so again, wool is best as it adds warmth without adding excessive bulk (thus restricting movement). Good quality fleece is an option, though it is not always breathable and can overheat children, causing them to sweat which, in many circumstances, will leave them feeling chilled. This also means a single pair of thick wool socks, a lightweight hat that covers the ears, a scarf or neck gaiter, and mittens. A wool/silk blend hood or balaclava is a great option as it fits under most hoods without much bulk and also covers the neck, ears, and cheeks.
Outer Layer (Rain/Wet): Waterproof boots that fit well (room for a thick pair of socks without squishing toes), rain pants or bibs, raincoat with hood, thicker wool mittens in damp conditions (which are still warm, even when damp), waterproof mittens in wet conditions, and a hat that fits under the hood. Rain gear isn’t just for rainy days; it’s also essential after rainy days when it is muddy and damp in the play yard. This layer will save you innumerable loads of laundry!
Outer Layer (Snow/Cold): Waterproof, insulated, snow boots that fit well with room for a thick wool sock. Waterproof snow pant bibs (at this age, too much snow/cold air can get up their backs with pull-on pant types) with a tight elastic cuff, cuff clips, or a bootstrap to prevent snow from getting in boots. Waterproof insulated mittens, a warm hat and scarf/ neck gaiter or wool hood, and a waterproof insulated coat with hood. Talk to some cold-weather experts if you’re unsure of what type of coat to look for. Often, the puffy coats we see from big-box retailers are filled with polyester and do very little for keeping warm. Look for natural downfill and Gore-Tex for a start.
Layers by Temperature
Above 60° — Mid Layer
60° to 50° — Base Layer + Mid Layer (or Mid Layer + Extra Layer)
50° to 40° — Base Layer + Mid Layer + Extra Layer
40° to 25° — Base Layer + Mid Layer + Outer Layer
Below 25° — Base Layer + Mid Layer + Extra Layer + Outer Layer
Keep in mind this is a basic guideline and all children are different. You know your child best: Do they run cold, warm, or in-between? My own kiddos love shorts, so starting in late October to about early April, they simply add leggings or pj pants underneath their shorts. As soon as the weather turns warmer, they strip off the underneath layer in the afternoons and stuff them in their backpacks. A simple guide of your child’s temperature is their neck and back, then hands. Another important consideration that takes some learning and leaning into is sensory issues or fabric sensitivities. Some children find certain fabrics itchy and uncomfortable and things like seams, tags, and fibers can irritate skin and be a barrier to play. I love natural fibers, but for my kiddos, a thin poly base layer was best.
Lastly, once you find your groove and understand the best way to keep your child(ren) supported for all kinds of weather, you can say the infamous Scandinavian saying, “There's no such thing as bad weather”!