My Kids Go to an Outdoor School—Here Are the 9 Winter Gear Essentials I Swear By

Here’s something I didn’t know before my kids started their outdoor adventuring—cotton is actually not recommended as a base layer because it holds moisture (i.e., makes you sweat), which in turn makes you cold. Instead, the best material for a base layer is moisture-wicking wool. And Woolino makes some of the softest wool goods around (the clue is in the name!). I like that there are separate tops and bottoms for big kids (my kids tend to spill lunch on their tops more frequently than their bottoms so this gives me the option to mix-and-match), my only qualm is that I wish the baby bodysuits ($35) had long legs to go with it.

Yes, wool is great for its moisture-wicking properties, but some kids (like my daughter) find it itchy. For those kids, opt for man-made materials (or in the case of the reima Lampo number above, recycled oyster shells!) that still work to transfer moisture away from the skin so that they stay comfortable, minus any scratching. 

The mid layer is your kid’s cozy layer—warm, comfortable and easy to move in. Materials matter here, but so does sizing. My daughter, for example, can’t stand anything too tight, and since outdoor time basically equals nonstop running, climbing and rolling, freedom of movement is key. A fleece sweater like this one is soft, snuggly and reliably warm.

You probably have a rain jacket for your kids already but think about it—when kids are out in the rain, they get wet everywhere, not just up top. A rain set (meaning pants and a jacket) worn over their top and bottoms will keep them completely dry. Bonus points if it has boot straps like this one, which hook under their rain boots so socks and feet stay dry no matter how many puddles they cannonball into.

All layers matter, but this one is arguably the most important—it’s your kid’s first line of defense against cold and wet weather. If there’s one piece worth investing in, it’s a quality winter jacket. I love this one because my hard-to-please toddler actually likes wearing it (a miracle) and doesn’t fight me on putting it on. It’s comfortable, breathable and incredibly warm, rated for temps from 20 to –20°F. Plus, it’s made from recycled fibers.

For my youngest, I actually prefer to put him in a snow suit rather than a winter jacket—it guarantees that he stays warm and dry, and is often easier to just put one thing on instead of two. This one is designed for the coldest conditions and comes with hidden "grow" cuffs that can lengthen the suit by 1½ inches to accommodate growth spurts.

For days where it’s just rainy and not freezing, a good rainboot will do. But most of winter requires a sturdy winter boot that has excellent traction (no slipping on ice, thank you very much) and is easy-to-put-on. Infuriatingly, my daughter refuses to wear socks on most days so I like ones that are lined to keep her warm like this one.

You’re going to want one set of good gloves for really cold days (like these), plus several inexpensive pairs for milder weather or for the inevitable ones that go missing (we buy these in bulk). Don’t forget a warm hat that covers the whole head, like this one, to keep them cozy from top to bottom.

Yes, my kids need to be warm but so do I when doing the morning drop off and pick up! These stroller gloves are everywhere in the NYC area and for good reason. They attach to any stroller and keeps hands toasty and accessible.