Best kids' scarves: keep children warm this winter with a cosy extra layer

On chilly mornings or windy walks, an extra layer can make all the difference. A scarf or snood offers additional insulation, keeping kids happy, warm and able to be out in the fresh air for that much longer.

Snoods are getting more and more popular, particularly for younger children - not least because they’re a lot harder for kids to lose than scarves. But more traditional scarves are still a playground mainstay, providing protection from any draughts that might find their way into their winter coat.

We’ve trawled the Mumsnet forums to bring you tried-and-trusted recommendations for the best scarves and snoods to keep kids warm.

Here are the best kids’ scarves and snoods to buy this year.

1. Best overall scarf for kids: H&M Fleece Tube Scarf & Hat

Price: £10 (two-piece set) | Buy now from H&M

"H&M are always a good bet for kids clothes" - recommended by Mumsnet user, Theforest

"Definitely H&M. Download the app, become a member and you get free p&p. Their kids clothes are fab - rated by Mumsnet user, ItsmineAllmine

Compact, cosy and playground-friendly, this thermal fleece set from H&M is our pick for the best kids’ scarf. The snood is lined with great quality polyester fleece that’s smooth and comfortable next to the skin. Unlike many scarves, it comes in a variety of sizes, so there’s no worries about squeezing it over your little one’s head, and there’s no bulk to get in the way.

Key specs

• Material: Polyester and elastane

• Size: 2-14+ years

2. Best budget scarf for kids: Quechua Thermal Snood

Price: £6 | Buy now from Amazon

For a basic, cosy and bargainous snood, this one from Quechua ticks all the boxes. The fleece is nice and soft next to delicate skin, and it folds up small enough to fit in a school rucksack or coat pocket. It’s one size fits all, and reviewers give this snood the thumbs up for kids aged around five.

Key specs

• Material: Polyester

• Size: 24x22cm

3. Best snood for kids: Mountain Warehouse Sherpa Fleece Gaiter

Price: £13 | Buy now from Amazon

"Outdoorsy shops eg Mountain Warehouse are very good for clothes kids can do stuff in" - from the Mumsnet forums

For a fluffy, great looking snood that’ll keep the cold out and the snuggliness in, check out this Sherpa-style snood from Mountain Warehouse. Another one-size-fits-all snood, this one’s nice and stretchy so will fit up to around age seven. We love the bright colours - it’s available in berry red and fuchsia pink.

Key specs

• Material: Polyester

• Size: Not stated

4. Best fleece scarf for kids: Jojo Polarfleece Neck Cosy

Price: £9 | Buy now from JoJo Maman Bebe

"JoJo Maman Bebe do a fab one in a polar fleece" - recommended by Mumsnet user, TheHuffAndPuffAlot

More like a portable polo neck than a traditional scarf, Jojo Maman Bebe’s fleecy neck cosies are a hit with Mumsnetters. They fit snugly under any outfit, giving an extra layer of warmth and insulation. The fabric is lightweight, breathable, water repellent, and, as if that’s not enough, it’s also made out of recycled plastic bottles.

Key specs

• Material: Polyester

• Size: One size

5. Best kids’ scarf for extreme cold: Buff Lightweight Merino Tubular Scarf

Price: £17 | Buy now from Amazon

"A thin merino neck gaiter is useful if the snowsuit doesn't come right around neck, scarves are too bulky" - recommended by Mumsnet user, dressingfortv

Made from thermal super fabric merino wool, this scrunchy, cool tube scarf from Buff offers insulating warmth without bulk or itchiness. Perfect for skiing, it’s long and stretchy enough to be pulled up over the face or worn as a hat, hood or headband. This one isn’t machine washable, but the ultra thin fabric dries pretty quickly.

Key specs

• Material: Merino wool

• Size: One size

6. Best knitted kids’ scarf: Regatta Bitsie Scarf

Price: £12 | Buy now from Amazon

If you’re looking for something more traditional, this cute pom-pom trimmed knitted scarf from Regatta might float your boat. It comes in blue, red or pink mix and features a pretty zigzag and chevron pattern. Made from tough polyester Iceland yarn, the scarf is durable and will keep out the cold on blustery days.

Key specs

• Material: Polyester

• Size: One size

7. Best cotton scarf for kids: Meri Meri Alligator Scarf

Price: £24 | Buy now from Meri Meri

If you’re shopping for a cute kids' scarf, why not go for a fun design? This alligator scarf from Meri Meri is made from a soft organic cotton knit, with floppy legs and a sweet snoozing face. There are also kitten, puppy, unicorn, flamingo, llama and reindeer scarves in the collection, so animal-loving kids will be spoilt for choice.

Key specs

• Material: Cotton

• Size: One size

8. Warmest scarf for kids: Next Unicorn Hat Scarf

Price: £15 | Buy now from Next

"A unicorn hat with the scarf/gloves attached would be liked by a lot of 4 year olds" - recommended by Mumsnet user, NumberblockNo1

A scarf that’s also a hat, that’s also a pair of mittens? You’d better believe it. This unicorn “hat scarf” from Next covers all bases, and manages to look super cool at the same time. Made from soft acrylic faux fur, it’s snuggly and warm, and the all-in-one nature of a hat scarf makes it very difficult to lose.

Key specs

• Material: Polyester and acrylic

• Size: One size

9. Best Harry Potter kids’ scarf: Cinereplicas Gryffindor Scarf

Price: £23 | Buy now from Amazon

"I bought the Harry Potter Gryffindor scarf for my daughter 2 years ago and she is still wearing it!" - recommended by Mumsnet user, wilmingtonmum

Expecto patronum! This scarf works like a charm to protect your kids against the cold, and possibly any passing dementors. A perfect gift for Harry Potter fans, Cinereplicas has scarves for all four Hogwarts houses, made in the image of the ones worn in the films. A character scarf is a great choice if you have a reluctant scarf-wearer, as dressing up like their heroes is much more important to kids than avoiding frostbite.

Key specs

• Material: Polyacrylic

• Size: 5-18 years

10. Best scarf set: Trespass Hansel Hat, Scarf and Gloves Set

Price: £9 | Buy now from Amazon

This cosy fleece hat, scarf and gloves set from Trespass is a snip at under £10. A brilliant basic set from a trusted brand, it will keep your child snuggly warm during the colder months. Mumsnetters recommend putting gloves on a string to stop them getting lost the instant you leave the house.

Key specs

• Material: Polyester

• Size: 2-4 years

What to look for when buying a kids’ scarf

Finding a good-sized scarf for your child is key - too big and it’ll be bulky and get in the way, too small and it won’t keep them warm (or in the case of snoods, will be uncomfortable to put on and take off).

Snoods are fast becoming more popular and more widely available than scarves. They’re a great choice for kids because they don’t fall off and there’s no tricky knots to tie - just pop it over their head and you’re good to go.

What’s the best material for a kids’ scarf?

Scarves are designed to be worn next to the skin, so it’s important to choose a soft, non-itchy fabric. Polyester fleece is the most common fabric for kids’ scarves, but cotton and merino are also perfect for the job.

How long should a kids’ scarf be?

Kids’ scarves tend to be around 3ft in length - this is long enough to tie comfortably around a child’s neck, but not so long that it’ll drag along the ground.

What’s the best kids’ scarf to buy?

H&M’s Tube Scarf is the best kids’ scarf to buy. It’s extra cosy thanks to the thermal fleece lining, plus it’s compact and great looking.

How we chose our recommendations

Because we know that there’s nothing like a real recommendation from a real parent, we first headed to the Mumsnet forums to find out which scarves and snoods discerning Mumsnet users had bought for their children. We compiled a list of the scarves they recommended for being warm, practical and staying on.

We then did some research across the wider web, looking at which kids’ scarves and snoods had won accolades or been featured in ‘best buy’ lists across websites and print media, and what customers’ reviews said about them.

Having collated all that information, we picked the scarves and snoods we thought would make the best buys in several categories.

Why you should trust us

We work hard to provide unbiased, independent advice you can trust. We do sometimes earn revenue through affiliate (click-to-buy) links in our articles. This helps us fund more helpful articles like this one.