Winter can be a tricky time to clothe your toddlers and through the years I’ve managed to learn from the many, many mistakes that I’ve made. Whether it is snow, rain or freezing temperatures that you are contending with, there are pitfalls all over the place when it comes to your delicate and excitable child. Soaking clothes, cold feet, runny noses and crying children due to the cold, I’ve had it all so here are a couple of tips to keep the kids warm, dry and still looking good.

Boots With a Drawstring

  

Wellies and insulated boots are perfect for this time of year but the only downside I’ve experience is the boots coming off, resulting in wet feet and wet stuff getting in. My advice would to be buy boots with a drawstring at the top, not only will it keep them from coming off during play, it will stop water and snow getting in and it also keeps their feet warmer by insulating them. Most clothes shops offer these style boots in some cool designs and for me they are a must.

A 2-Layered Coat

It may be cold when they go outside, but after running about for an hour your toddlers temperature will rise. Inevitably they want to discard their coat. Buying a 2 layered coat means that they can take off the top layer and still be protected. These coats are also great if the weather is cold but not freezing, simply remove the inner layer and let them go out with the top layer on. Problem solved. It does however give them more things to lose but it’s a chance worth taking.

Give Them a Choice

  
Involving your kids in the decision making process for winter clothes, especially scarves and gloves, will be fun and hopefully give them a little more pride in what they wear. Now, I don’t suggest giving them carte blanche over the process but a good idea is to pick 3 or 4 designs out and let them decide between them. Fashionably speaking, scarves, hats and gloves look really cool on toddlers and can really help their outfit too whilst being very, very functional.

Gloves That Attach

I can’t even begin to count the amount of pairs of gloves that have ‘disappeared’ mysteriously over the years and so gloves that are attached are vital. You can buy gloves that either attach with a cord to each other, running around the back of your child. Alternatively, and my preference, is to try and pick a coat that has gloves attached at the bottom of the sleeves. This way, when they take their gloves off, they are still with them and are convenient to put back on again. The only worry then is that they don’t lose their coat…