Snowmageddon: The weather is treacherous and the UK is so unprepared. As lots of us parents are torn between letting the kids outside to enjoy the snow and ice and keeping them warm, I thought I’d share about some hacks on keeping them warm in this weather.
Remember:
“There’s no such thing as bad weather,
just bad clothing”
Dressing kids for the winter is a topic I’ve written about repeatedly
You may also be interested in: Winter layering for kids
Dressing kids for the winter the Swedish way
Though I haven’t covered the topic for those who haven’t or don’t want to invest in lots of outdoor wear and specific outdoors layer of wool and wool mixes. You can totally hack it with what most of us have in the kids’ wardrobe already!
It’s all about the base layer!
Dig out the fleece PJs and fleecy lounge socks, if you don’t have functional baselayers
… but whatever you do, avoid cotton (even the wonderfully soft, organic cotton) next to the skin. They’ll sweat into this layer from all the running around.
You want to use the items of clothes from their wardrobe that feel only slightly wet when they come out of the washing machine.
What such items have they got their wardrobe?
The insulating layer
The fleecy pjs will keep the warmth next to the body, now we need a layer to keep it there, the insulation trap. Joggers, fleece tops, woolly jumpers, cotton jumpers… all works.
Another layer of socks is good. Thick ones if you have them.
The waterproof and windproof layer
Most kids have decent winter coats. If they are still on the drying rack from yesterday, reach for their raincoats and raintrousers to give them an outer layer that will trap the warmth in and keep the wind out.
Hats and gloves are vital.
Fleece gloves are the best because they are warm even when wet.
Mittens are better than finger gloves.
Waterproof footwear
Wellies will do, although winter boots or waterproof walking boots are better.
Keep the snow out of the top of them, buy pulling the rain trousers over and possibly have an elastic over that.
Wellies are better is they aren’t tight with the 2 socks on- they will be less sweaty and hence less cold.
Any tips I’ve missed for a Snowmageddon dressing hack?
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We’ve been putting disposal gloves like you use in hospitals over the kids gloves so their fleecy gloves don’t get wet.
I had to do this after Harry got an ice burn on his finger. Works well
Brilliantly inventive, Clare! Love it!
Never thought to put the waterproofs over PJs! Thanks for sharing!
Happy to help with simple hacks! 😉
My boys always hated wellies, but we revied some bogs and they were perfect and they wore them. They were so good that when they grew out of them I bought them both another pair. We also bought the FIL (farmer in law) a pair for Christmas.