How do you dress your kids for playing/walking in snow?

[carries]

This may seem a sillly question but I've 2 dds, 6 & 3. And today they were out in snow a lot. But were freezing and had to change them each time. Eldest had on thick sock and snow shoes, trackies, 2 tops and water proof jacket with fleece. DD 3 had on similar. Do I buy ski wear (not a skiing family) in the likelihood this will be a harsh winter or go for water proof trousers and lots of layers?

DP took DD out for walk today (I was decorating for my Mum) and I put her in tights, thermal base layer and lined trousers, long sleeve t-shirt, thin fleece and then she also had on a padded coat, an extra pair of socks, hat, scarf and gloves - with spare gloves too.
I've been eyeing up some ski type trews but DP is being a bit thrifty and suggesting waterproof trousers instead. I think the padded/waterproof ones would be better. Am also going to get some waterproof mittens as cold/wet hands seems to be the thing that DD most gets upset about (shes 3)

Spare gloves are a good idea. Padded mittens ok for keeping warm but no use for snowball fights :-)

Leaning towards ski wear, if can get a bargain.

Waterproof trousers here - we don't really get enough snow to justify fleecy ones and ds gets lots of use out of the waterproofs all year round (rain we have plenty of..).

We're skint though. Get both if you can afford it. All-in-one waterproofs are great for wee ones.

waterproof suits/ trousers. we love Kibba range because top and bottom so bottom good for puddles etc even when sunny. Good for water and wind so not cold - and in reverse direction we used them skiing!

Would put base layer - tights/ lined trousers/ socks/ waterproof trousers/ vest/ long sleeve T/ jumper/ fleece/ waterproof top

It's the gaps you need care over so scarf/ waterproof gloves/ hat with flaps on ears etc and layering so can take off when inside and steaming!

TKMaxx do discounted skiwear, so it might be worth a look to see if you can stretch to it, especially as you can hand it down.

Thanks for tips :). I think I forgot base layers (in such a hurry to get out to play).

Maybe a time to dip into their savings. Last winter I vowed I would buy snow gear for this year. But didn't cos skint.

Do you have friends nearby with children slightly different ages/sizes? Ski gear usually passes down a family, so perhaps someone might lend an outfit that doesn't fit any of their children at present (you absolutely have to remember to give it back in good time for their next one, though).

I've got salopettes for mine, not sure who handed them down to us but they've got a padded chest layer which are really handy. not stunning quality and look well worn but do the job very well. especially the way it's easy to strip overheating child down a bit while keeping core of body warm

Mine wear Togz dungarees over their normal clothes plus ski socks and an extra fleece under wellies and normal coat.

I put mine in ski wear but I buy it from TK Maxx or 'sports soccer' or whatever it is called... you see the stores on retail parks & they seem to stock a lot of umbro & lonsdale stuff at jumble sale prices but it's great for cheap football socks & snow gear.

I love the all in one suits as the kids just look so warm in them :)

Lidl have fab kids two piece ski wear....£15 for jacket and trousers I think.

Any recommendations for a padded all in one for a 2yo?

Where do you get skiwear?

Would also love recommendations for on-line retailers.

DS2 (19months) wears nappy, tights, vest, long sleeved top, thinish fleece, anorak, fleecy trousers and salopette style rain trousers. He has wellies and boot socks on his feet. Great deer stalker hat handed down from older brother.

DS1 (aged 11) long johns and thermal long sleeved tee. Shirt and hoodie. Beanie, ski gloves, ski socks and snow boots, jeans and padded school coat/anorak.

Depending on your budget, Tog64 is ace for older children, Columbia has benn great for our 2 when younger, Mountain warehouse always has some bargains. Aldi and Lidl have things in now and then. I've heard that TKMaxx can be good, but never had any luck in ther myself.

mine are 10,6 and 4 and play outside a lot

you need a waterproof layer on top of normal clothes as the snow in the uk is wet. its not that cold here and if they are running about they dont need lots of layers

in the snow my littel ones wear Togz all in one fleece lined waterproof suits, which we have had for years and they are WONDERFUL

or ski wear which i pick up from TK Maxx or end of season sales from sites like Little Trekkers.

Spotty Otter brand is very good , i pick up things in the sale

as long as you dont want it all to be matching you can pick up lots of bargains

they wear fleece lined snow boots ( Lidls are excellent)

definitely second watching Aldi and Lidl clothes sections as they have some great stuff when it's there...

Also having rich friends who take their small daughters skiing, deck them out in expensive kit and then give it to you once they're grown out of it. I'm not proud :)

H & M also have a really good, cheapish range of ski wear and waterproofs. Lots of snow here in Scotland, and yesterday I bought fleece lined waterproof salopettes and two coats for my DDs for £75 - which is not too bad price-wise. H & M also have padded waterproof all-in-ones on their website for £19 I think. They are a Swedish company so they are good at all the winter gear.

Don't even go there. My arse of a ds has gone to school without his coat today.

He's gone on his bike (the brakes don't work properly at the best of times) and I've just found his gloves on the kitchen table.

All he's got is his blazer - what a dill.

Still - he's 14 - no sense and no feeling.

11 year old dd in walking boots (school shoes in bag), blazer, padded waterproof, hat, scarf, gloves. She has gone with a friend in dolly shoes and no coat. No comment - have no right to comment!!!!!

Warm Hat
Snow gloves and snow socks ( from TK Maxx)
Thermal Vest and leggings
trousers and long sleeved top
jumper
coat
scarf
wellies
the most important thing I find is to make sure that the socks, leggings and vest re all tucked in to each other...

DD2 last night went out to play like the Michelin Man. she is 8.

DD1 went out in trakkies, vest top, hoodie and trainers. She is 12.

TK Maxx is great for bargainous ski wear for kids. I bought DS1 a set of merino base layers yesterday for a tenner - last year I paid around £16 just for a top from Muddy Puddles.

My kids wear

base layers (thermals or even just close fitting cotton pjs are good - have seen plenty of other parents doing this with their DCs when on skiing trips)
micro fleece top
salopettes
ski jacket
ski socks
snow boots
mittens
hat