Winter toddler outdoor essentials

[TiredMama8]

First winter with our DD as a toddler and feeling a bit lost now she’s out and about walking and running! We have the usual coat, hat, footmuff for the pram etc but what else do I need? Is a Jojo Maman Bebe fleece lined puddlesuit warm enough for wintery walks? Does she need lots of layers underneath? Do I need a snowsuit too? Snow boots or wellies? Are wellies comfy enough for walks? Apologies if this all sounds really obvious but don’t want to spend out lots of money when not needed! Let me know your essentials…. Thank you!

The fleece-lined puddle suits worked for us in the south of England will normal clothes underneath. We used them for two winters then switched to separate fleece lined trousers plus coat for potty training. If they are in the buggy with the cosytoes on just a coat is fine in milder weather if you aren't anywhere wet or muddy. We had normal boots in addition to wellies so wellies were reserved for mud or heavy rain.

Look at the TEVA wellies they are lightweight and easier to walk in. Nice warm socks too as wellies aren’t that insulating. If she wants to jump back into the pram and you’ve got the footmuff on pull wellies off and put under pram and have a spare pair of socks in cosy toes.

se had the ‘snowsuits’ from next which are padded waterproof all in one and they have been great from my adventurous boys. If you’re thinking about potty training (maybe not in the winter!) but a top and bottom combo is easier.

buff is easier than scarf too. Layers are always good as you can pop on and take off as needed

Waterproof mittens on a string. The type you wear for skiing. Ordinary gloves get wet in thirty seconds. Loads of kids are wearing balaclavas now.

We have dogs and live on a very muddy track - the waterproof “dungaree” type things are a lifesaver. Much easier to get on/off, we use ours every day in winter. We have the JoJo ones and at 3.5 she’s still in the ones we bought at 2 as the straps adjust.

Fab thanks all. Some great advice :) not thinking about potty training just yet but will be next year - once winter has gone! We have the all in one puddlesuit so hoping that will work for the time being.

More tips welcomed 🩷

forgot to say - DD did dog walks (1hr+) in wellies up until recently, we’ve only just bought her proper walking boots. She loved wellies (still does!) and we never had an issue. We got rid of the buggy at 2 as we had nowhere to store it and it drove me nuts - tiny terraced cottage, no hallway, unmade road 🫠 - so she either went in a toddler backpack or walked, i.e no footmuff and I don’t recall her ever complaining of being cold in normal clothes, decent coat, waterproofs, wellies and a hat. Gloves last 0.25 seconds in this house before one is lost and I include myself and DH in that…

I would go with light layers.

Avoid the lined puddle suit or snowsuit, instead get the thin, waterproof one (or a lined one that can be separated).

Lightweight down jacket is useful because it's warm but they can still move in it.

Boggs boots. Completely waterproof and warmer, more comfortable and easier to walk in than wellies.

Hat, neck warmer, waterproof gloves/mittens.

That's my essentials list.

I also like the waterproof dungarees, but I would take a puddlesuit over these if forced to just list essentials. Ideal world I'd have both.

Uniqlo do some very good value thermal leggings /tops and fleece lined leggings for littles. If you’re worried about the puddle suit not being warm enough you could layer these under (but you should only need these if it’s very cold)?

Next have good little snood type scarfs for about £5 which are good for layering up.

Wellies are fine but I always get cold feet in them so you’ll need cosy socks (primark has amazing fluffy ones for kids and adults!)

We also have bogs boots - they are amazing though they are US made and they stopped selling in the uk a few years ago. You can still get them from people who have stock though sometimes have to look around for the right size. My almost 4 year old is on her third pair. They are lightweight/ have more flexible soles than wellies, are very warm and waterproof (and also come in nice colours/prints.

Muddy puddles do a great puddle suit that is properly waterproof and has a fleecy inner suit that zips in to give you options.

Thin waterproof mittens with long cuffs - put these over woolly mittens for warm dry hands. Personally, I don't like ski gloves - they are good at keeping hands warm but they are a bit stiff and bulky to wear, if your child needs to use their hands on play equipment or to pick things up.

When they are wearing wellies, pull the waterproof trousers or puddle suit over the top of the wellies rather than tucking them in, and put the elastic stirrup strap under the boot - stops the wellies filling with water when they jump in puddles.

West coast of Scotland here so wet and cold all the damn time. Muddy Puddles brand suits, a good pair of wellies, long socks, a thermal vest under more layers when it’s really cold, and the usual hat, scarf (I find a buff style easier), gloves are all you really need. I like a hat with ear flaps that velcros under the chin. Jojo Maman Bebé do nice waterproof ones that are all fuzzy inside. Layers in general are the way to go.

Standing about in parks with kids in winter is miserable. For myself I like good wellies, thermal socks, a coat that covers my bum, and a thermos flask- Love the image of yourself in a snow suit too though!