When children are dressed appropriately, most weather can be enjoyed, including rain, snow and sun. We go outside nearly every day, no matter what the weather, so it is important that you send your child prepared. Here are our recommendations for outdoor play in all four seasons:
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Cold and snowy:
- One-piece snowsuits can be great, as long as they are the right size (slightly too big is better than too small...check to make sure the sleeves/ legs don't ride up when the child kneels or bends their arms)
- Snowpants with an elasticized cuff to keep snow out of boots, and a bib (as opposed to slush pants, which can allow snow to get down a child's pants/ up their shirt)
- Warm coat with elasticized and/or Velcro-adjusting sleeves to keep the snow out/ mitts on, hoods can be helpful on really windy/ cold/ snowy days
- Warm, water-resistant mittens, ideally with a long, elasicized cuff to keep snow out and prevent them from falling off *we strongly advize against gloves (not as warm, difficult to put on) and fleece mitts (which get soaked quickly when playing in the snow)
- Warm and snug fitting hat that covers your child's ears and can be worn under the hood
- A neck warmer (preferably tube or Velcro-closing, not a scarf due to the choking hazard)
- Layers, including a t-shirt, long-sleeved shirt, and sweater or fleece
- Thick socks that are long enough to reach mid-shin (or at least higher than ankles) and elasticized enough that they won't slip down during play
- Warm, high (mid-calf) boots with a removable inner lining (washable and faster to dry out), and at least one non-elasticized Velcro strap at the ankle or lower calf to adjust the fit and keep the boot from falling off (boots with elasticized straps are more likely to fall off during play)
*Please note that Bogs are not warm enough for the winter: based on years of experience outdoors with small children we consider them to be good fall and spring footwear but totally inadequate for temperatures lower than -15c
- One-piece snowsuits can be great, as long as they are the right size (slightly too big is better than too small...check to make sure the sleeves/ legs don't ride up when the child kneels or bends their arms)
- Snowpants with an elasticized cuff to keep snow out of boots, and a bib (as opposed to slush pants, which can allow snow to get down a child's pants/ up their shirt)
- Warm coat with elasticized and/or Velcro-adjusting sleeves to keep the snow out/ mitts on, hoods can be helpful on really windy/ cold/ snowy days
- Warm, water-resistant mittens, ideally with a long, elasicized cuff to keep snow out and prevent them from falling off *we strongly advize against gloves (not as warm, difficult to put on) and fleece mitts (which get soaked quickly when playing in the snow)
- Warm and snug fitting hat that covers your child's ears and can be worn under the hood
- A neck warmer (preferably tube or Velcro-closing, not a scarf due to the choking hazard)
- Layers, including a t-shirt, long-sleeved shirt, and sweater or fleece
- Thick socks that are long enough to reach mid-shin (or at least higher than ankles) and elasticized enough that they won't slip down during play
- Warm, high (mid-calf) boots with a removable inner lining (washable and faster to dry out), and at least one non-elasticized Velcro strap at the ankle or lower calf to adjust the fit and keep the boot from falling off (boots with elasticized straps are more likely to fall off during play)
*Please note that Bogs are not warm enough for the winter: based on years of experience outdoors with small children we consider them to be good fall and spring footwear but totally inadequate for temperatures lower than -15c
Rainy and cool weather:
- Rainboots (lined or unlined but big enough for your child to wear warm socks)
- One piece rainsuit that's big enough to fit several warm layers underneath (sweater, fleece jacket, fleece pants) or rainpants with elasticized cuffs that can fit over your child's rainboots, and raincoat with elasticized sleeves, a hood, and a zipper covered by a flap (zippers are preferred instead of snaps, because snaps take a long time to do up and are less water proof)
- Water-resistant mittens
- Warm toque that covers your child's ears and fits snugly enough to not slip over the eyes even when the hood is worn over it
- Rainboots (lined or unlined but big enough for your child to wear warm socks)
- One piece rainsuit that's big enough to fit several warm layers underneath (sweater, fleece jacket, fleece pants) or rainpants with elasticized cuffs that can fit over your child's rainboots, and raincoat with elasticized sleeves, a hood, and a zipper covered by a flap (zippers are preferred instead of snaps, because snaps take a long time to do up and are less water proof)
- Water-resistant mittens
- Warm toque that covers your child's ears and fits snugly enough to not slip over the eyes even when the hood is worn over it
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Hot and sunny:
- Closed-toed and sturdy footwear with Velcro-closures that kids can open and close themselves (running shoes, or sturdy sandals with ankle support and good anti-slip soles....please no crocs as these usually are a tripping hazard!)
- Sun had with wide but semi-stiff brim, to prevent brim from flopping in eyes, safety snap or velco-closure chin strap
- Light weight and loose pants and long-sleeved shirt in light colour provides shade and reflects sun away to help with cooling and UV protection
- Sun-protective bathing suit
- Closed-toed and sturdy footwear with Velcro-closures that kids can open and close themselves (running shoes, or sturdy sandals with ankle support and good anti-slip soles....please no crocs as these usually are a tripping hazard!)
- Sun had with wide but semi-stiff brim, to prevent brim from flopping in eyes, safety snap or velco-closure chin strap
- Light weight and loose pants and long-sleeved shirt in light colour provides shade and reflects sun away to help with cooling and UV protection
- Sun-protective bathing suit
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Allergy alert: since we spend a great deal of time outside, where there are bees and wasps, as well as pollen, if your child has anaphylactic allergies to nuts, fruit, bees, or wasps, or is allergic to pollen this daycare is not a good fit for them.