The Best Winter Layers for Babies and Toddlers

Is there a secret to helping your kiddos enjoy the outdoors in the winter?

Besides making sure they get out in all types of weather, the key is providing them with winter layers that are non-restrictive and warm enough to regulate their body heat and keep out cold temperatures.

We’re going to cover our perfect layering system for outdoor and give you recommendations for the best winter clothes for toddlers and babies.

Living in Vermont, where we get six months of cold weather every year, we realized early on that the key to providing kids with fun and memorable outdoor experiences is starting with the right cold-weather clothes.

When our kids were wee babies, my husband and I decided that the only way to stay sane in the winter was to get everyone outside every single day. We did this rain or shine for years and years, and now that they are grown, they still make a habit to get outside regularly.

We are lucky to live in a time when there is an incredible array of choices for winter clothes for babies and toddlers.

After raising kids in Vermont for 20+ years, we’ve got a lot to share about the best cold-weather clothing, from toddler snow pants and mittens to cozy base layers for winter weather that won’t let you or your kids down. 

You’ve probably heard the saying — there is no such thing as bad weather, just inappropriate clothing. For our kids to truly enjoy being outside on cold days, they had to be warm.

We experimented for years until we found the right clothing system for winter. Our babies always had rosy cheeks in the winter, but we knew they were toasty under their extra layers.

First, a Few Cold-Weather Tips for Dressing Babies and Toddlers

What you dress your little one in for a few hours outside depends on several variables.

First, if you have a baby who isn’t walking yet, will you put him or her in a stroller or a baby carrier when you go out adventuring? Babies who will be hanging out next to your own body warmth won’t need as many layers as babies in a stroller.

The outdoor temperature and the wind chill are huge considerations, as is the distance from your home base. If you are heading away from home, being over-prepared is better — always pack an extra layer! If you’re hanging out in the backyard, you can adjust your winter baby clothes as needed.

Here are a few tips for keeping your babies and toddlers snug and warm in the winter.

• Keep their heads covered and their feet warm. Kids will stay out longer if they’re comfortable, and little feet and ears can get cold fast. Look for warm, wooly socks to help regulate their body temperature and hats that tie or velcro under the chin so they stay put.

• Keep mittens secured with clips or sew a long string between the two so that they can be secured to your child’s jacket. You can never have too many pairs of toddler mittens. They seem to always be getting lost!

• Instead of bulky scarves that can get lost or caught in things, try a fleece neck warmer (we love these from Turtle Fur). Even though they’re relatively lightweight, they offer plenty of warmth, plus they’re easy to wash and soft against your kids’ skin.

• Keep thermal layers snug and the top layers big. Your baby or toddler’s waterproof layer can be a size or two larger than what your child normally wears, but be sure the base layer (the layer of clothing next to your baby’s skin) and the insulating layer fit just right so that they trap heat in cold temperatures.

The Best Baby Base Layers for Winter

When choosing winter clothes for babies and toddlers, we work with three main layers for warmth —  the base layer, an insulating layer, and the waterproof layer.

Outstanding Base Layers for Babies and Toddlers

The base layer is the one that sits next to your baby or toddler’s skin. It should wick away moisture (either from sweat or from leaky diapers). We love both Capilene and Merino wool base layers.

Capilene is more affordable and easier to care for than Merio, making it a great option for new parents, but wool is warmer than Capilene; it’s naturally antimicrobial, is a breathable fabric, and doesn’t smell.

Wool often requires special handling when washing, so be sure you read the label to know what you’re getting into!

Here are our top picks for thermal base layers for toddlers and infants.

Winter Baby Clothes: Ecoable Thermal Footed Romper

Two wool rompers should do it for the whole winter — one to wear and one to wash. No matter what goes on top of this romper, it’s a perfect layer for every day in the winter.

---

Another Great Infant Merino Wool Layer Option: Merino Wool Onesie from Woolino

Our Favorite Base Layers for Toddlers: Merino Wool Wins Again!

---

Insulation Layers for Babies and Toddlers

While your child’s base layer will generally remain the same throughout the winter, what you choose for your baby’s insulation layer will depend greatly on the day’s weather and what you’re doing outdoors with your kids.

Fleece, wool, and down all work well as insulators — adding warmth without the bulk so your kids can still get around!

Many jackets for babies and toddlers include both an insulating layer and a waterproof layer. There is nothing wrong with this approach, but for more versatility, we usually opt for a waterproof jacket for kids that can be used in three seasons and a separate insulating layer.

Here’s what we recommend for an insulating layer for your baby or toddler.

Patagonia Furry Friends Hoody

---

Microfleece Bottoms for Babies from Patagonia

---

Columbia Snowtop Infant Bunting

---

Patagonia down sweater jacket for babies and toddlers

---

The Final Layer for Babies and Toddlers — A Waterproof Shell

For the last layer, you’re looking for a waterproof shell, otherwise known as a snowsuit. Most baby and toddler snowsuits are insulated for extra warmth, but if you look for a snowsuit with less insulation, you can layer it as you see fit. You can even use it as a rain shell in warm weather. 

The last thing you want is for your toddlers to be so overdressed that they can’t get out the door, so maximize warmth while minimizing weight. Here are some of our favorite snowsuits for babies and toddlers. 

Patagonia Snow Pile One-Piece Snowsuit for Toddlers – Hands-down our favorite snowsuit for toddlers. This awesome snowsuit is incredibly waterproof and windproof with taped seams, comes with non-bulky polyester insulation, a grow-fit feature that lets you add up to two inches to the cuffs, and includes elastic bootstraps so the pants don’t ride up. Sizing starts at 2T and goes up to 4T, and there are a few different colors and patterns to choose from. 

Columbia Infant Powder Lite™ II Reversible Bunting–  This reversible bunting for babies has an easy, lightly relaxed fit for a comfortable range of motion.  100% recycled polyester Thermarator™ insulation keeps your baby warm with lightweight synthetic fibers that retain heat even when wet, so babies stay comfy on cold, damp days.

The Best Socks and Mittens for Toddlers and Babies

Keeping little hands and feet warm is crucial for happy winter kids, but it’s also the hardest to do. Little socks and mittens are notorious for falling off and getting lost inside your kids’ boots or, worse, in the snow.

We have yet to find infant socks that stay on reliably. For the smallest babies, we’d recommend the baby wool socks mentioned below, but for older babies who aren’t crawling, go for the longer toddler socks and pull them up over their long underwear so they don’t fall off.

Wool Socks for Infants and Toddlers

Stretchy wool is the way to go with socks for babies and toddlers. You want socks to stay put and keep your kiddos warm. Unfortunately, most of my favorite sock brands don’t make socks in toddler or infant sizes. Here’s what I’d recommend:

Smartwool Wintersport Mountain Socks – For toddlers and older kids, these Merino wool socks feature light cushioning and extreme warmth. 25% nylon keeps them nice and stretchy, and kids will love the fun patterns and colors! Pair these with a sturdy waterproof snowboot, and they’ll be good for an afternoon of adventure!

Baby and Toddler Mittens

Mittens are tough because little ones just don’t seem to want to keep them on. Our kids were very different in their mitten-wearing philosophies. One would happily wear them, and the other would either rip them off or cry and scream if he couldn’t rip them off.

We tried the super long-sleeved mittens for both of them and loved them most of the time. They keep wrists warm and are practically impossible to get off, so if that appeals to you, give them a try. I don’t recommend gloves because they just don’t offer enough warmth for little fingers.

Patagonia Baby Puff Mittens – These guys are really easy to put on, and the best news is that they actually stay on! Elasticized cuffs seal in heat and 100 grams of Thermolite keep little fingers toasty. They come in a variety of sizes and colors, too!

Gordini Snugget Down Mittens for Toddlers – Some kids (and parents) prefer the zipper for easy on/off action. These Gordini mittens for toddlers include a leather-like polyurethane palm that is extremely rugged, a waterproof shell, and an insulating layer of goose down and waterfowl feathers. The micro denier lining is great for wicking away moisture from the hands, and palm and thumb reinforcements make them durable and rugged.

If You Want to Skip Insulation in the Outer Layer for your Kiddos in the Winter

Sometimes you just need a waterproof, windproof layer without any insulation at all. These rain pants and jackets can be used over a fleece for a superior range of movement. Perfect for kids who run hot — our kids almost always preferred rain gear when playing in the snow, except on the very coldest days. 

LL Bean Discovery Rain Pants for Infants and Toddlers – These babies are 100% waterproof with no insulation, so you can layer them depending on the weather. Our kids could stay out all day in the snow wearing these and then come in dry as can be. The other nice thing about these rainpants is that they’re under $20!

REI Co-op Toddler’s Rain Jacket – This toddler rain jacket makes the perfect shell for toddlers. With two colors to choose from  (navy and coral),  and sizes up to  4T,  this is a great, affordable, rugged option.

---

Want to learn more about getting outside with your kiddos in the winter? Check out these posts:

• The Best Cold-Weather Layers for Kids
• What You Need for Hiking with Kids in the Winter
• Awesome Winter Adventures for Families Who Don’t Ski
• Everything You Need to Know About Snowshoeing with Kids

---

Follow us on social media for more outdoor inspiration!

• Instagram
• Facebook
• Pinterest