This post contains a sponsored inclusion of Reima, but all of the opinions within are those of The Everymom editorial board.Â
Most people would think that since I grew up in New York City, I would have been raised to love inside activities like museums, theater, and art. While all of that is still true, what it really taught me was to value and love being outside—especially when it comes to playing outside in winter. Growing up in a major city, you don’t have the luxury of hopping in your car inside a dry and warm garage to avoid the elements. You learn to adapt and appreciate that fun can be found anytime and anywhere, even in frigid cold temps.
Since my kids were tiny babies, we’ve always been “outside people.” They have been exposed to all sorts of “bad” weather from infancy and have loved every second of it. We even sought out preschool opportunities that prioritized outside learning experiences (even in our snowy New England winters). Whether it’s skiing as a family, hiking on the nature trails behind our home, paddle boarding in the summer, or gathering by the outdoor fire pit in the snow, we truly feel our best when we are outside.
Not only do our bodies feel great when we spend time in nature, but we find that every member of our family is in a better mood (and even sleeps better) if we spend at least an hour outside every single day. We’ve learned that the answer to making the most out of every season lies in the proper clothing, gear, and activities. So I’ve combined our years of outdoor play experience and rounded up five things every kid needs for the upcoming snowy season.
Snowsuits that check all the boxes
I once heard the Finnish sentiment, “There is no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothes,” and that stuck with me. I put it into practice early on in parenthood and it has been 100 percent true. Reliable gear for playing outside in winter needs to be waterproof yet warm, roomy for movement and growth, and easy for little hands to put on. We’ve tried a variety of winter gear over the years and found one brand that checks all the boxes: Reima.
Reima is an 80-year-old Finnish brand that specializes in kids-only outdoor gear. I first purchased ski gear from Reima in December 2022 for my then 4-year-old son as he headed to ski school in Vermont. I was immediately drawn to the claim that the gear was made to grow with your kids and was durable enough to be handed down to my youngest after. Spoiler alert: the claims are true. Not only did the gear hold up exceptionally well to the elements last year, but it still fits my oldest now for all the time my kids spend playing outside in winter.
Reima
Reima has a great selection of colors and patterns for your little to select to let their personality shine. My 5-year-old is obsessed with everything blue and was so excited to pick out matching blue snow boots to go with his snowsuit!
Use code EVERYMOM20 to get 20% off Reima until 2/28!
Reima
Mom tip: I learned this the hard way as a new mom stuck indoors with an antsy toddler during an October blizzard—always buy winter gear in early fall so you’re prepared for any weather in advance.
After having such a great experience with the Reima ski pants and jacket that I purchased last year, I was excited to test out their one-piece snowsuits that will be perfect for all of our upcoming cold-weather activities. After already seeing how long the items truly last, the upgrade to the Reima one-piece snowsuit was a no-brainer. You buy it once and get at least two seasons out of the gear before it gets handed down to the next kid. Win-win from both a financial and mental-load perspective.
While the room-to-grow element is a great bonus, that is just the beginning of why these snowsuits are such a great investment if you live in a cold climate. Reima snowsuits are designed for real kids, in real bodies, who play hard. While I found that both the snowsuits and ski gear run true to size, they still have internal room for layering their base clothes and give my kids great mobility while they run, climb, and dig. The internal adjustable waist provides each child with a more custom fit so every body type feels comfortable. The snowsuits are also totally waterproof—but not too warm so kids overheat—leaving inside clothes clean and dry underneath. Plus, the hoods are completely detachable making it so easy to throw in the wash after a long day outside. A win for both mom and kids!
Accessories that encourage independence
Invest in quality accessories that fit and encourage independent dressing. I like to get wool hats for the warmth factor, but with fleece linings to prevent itching. My 3-year-old hates hats, so I get him ones that tie to ensure he actually keeps it on his head. Waterproof mittens and gloves that kids can put on and take off by themselves are essential. Independent dressing allows for extended outdoor play time and avoids the constant need for parental assistance.
Reima
My oldest is so excited to have gloves for the first time now that he needs more control of his hands for outdoor play.
Use code EVERYMOM20 to get 20% off Reima until 2/28!
Seasonally-appropriate activities
I recommend making an all-season imagination station that encourages creative and independent outdoor play in the comfort of your yard (or a mobile bag if you are on the go). This station can house their toys, shovels, buckets, and similar items. This makes it super easy for kids to enjoy snow play when their favorite toys are involved. You can hide dinosaurs in the snow for an icy fossil hunt or have diggers move snow to create snow mountains. You can also use food coloring diluted in water with an eye dropper to “rainbow paint” in the snow.
Nature scavenger hunts are another great way to keep kids entertained on hikes, walks, or during park adventures. Take a piece of construction paper and tape pictures of nature items (acorn, leaf, stick, flower, etc.) onto the paper. Encourage your child to “hunt” for the items that match in real life. You can talk about what the items are, where they come from, and how they grow.
Amazon
Snowball fights are way more fun with a snowball maker. This $15 set has contributed to several days worth of 10/10 fun for our family. Bonus: It makes a great stocking stuffer for the upcoming holiday season.
Warm them up in creative ways
Proper layering is the key to keeping kids warm and dry. When a chill sets in, encourage frequent movement so their bodies generate more heat. We like to play eye spy games, go on scavenger hunts, or have relay races to keep them engaged and consistently active outdoors. It’s much harder to feel the cold if you are on the move and having fun.
We also put rechargeable electric hand warmers in their snowsuit pockets on extra cold days for a full-body warmth boost. Additionally, we bring out hot chocolate and hot cider for a cozy pick-me-up, and warm treats are always waiting inside for after the snow play. Adding these special details helps keep kids excited about the entire experience.
Amazon
This hand heater can provide up to 12 hours of continuous warming so no one has to worry about battery life during snow play.
Simplify clean-up for yourself
Cleaning up all of the sopping wet clothes after a day in the snow is the most annoying thing about your kids playing outside in winter. I recommend laying towels down in your entryway to corral the excess snow and water from everyone’s boots. Then leave an empty plastic laundry bin near the door with spare towels and extra clothing inside. Your kids can immediately grab the clean towels and drop their wet, muddy clothing into the bin for washing and drying. While the first couple of times may feel like a lot of prep, it will become second nature the more you practice each step.
Amazon
Easily transport wet clothes from your entryway to the laundry room with this hamper’s removable laundry bag.
This post contains a sponsored inclusion of Reima, but all of the opinions within are those of The Everymom editorial board. We only recommend products we genuinely love.
