The Savvy Five: Rain Gear

We wish we had our kids’ enthusiasm for wet weather.

While the little drips (read: rain drops) aggravate us, it’s amazing how the right outerwear can keep our young ones looking forward to rainy days.

Wet and warmer weather is coming, so get ready with our 11 Rainy Day Gear Faves starting with these five, and put a little spring in their step. Because puddles were definitely designed for jumping.

Muddy Buddy Waterproof Coveralls
Good For: Kids aged 1 to 4 years
Why It Made the List: It’s the hazmat suit equivalent for kids! Especially useful once they are walking, zip them up in this one-piece, waterproof, breathable and lightweight suit and watch little puddle jumpers enjoy the elements without any of the anxiety. With elasticized arms, legs, reinforced knees and attached hood, the only thing to be dried is their tears…when told it’s time to come inside. ($32.99, where to buy)

iPlay Midweight Raincoat
Good For: Kids aged 1 to 5 years
Why It Made the List: We’d resigned ourselves to draping the kids in foreign plastic (aka PVC raincoats) come rainy days. Then the skies brightened with the introduction of iPlay’s PVC-free, waterproof, lined raincoat with a cute whale pattern for both boys and girls. Perfectly safe (materials) and sound (product). Matching umbrellas are available, too.
($35.99, where to buy)

Dav Sneaker Rain Boots
Good For: Kids aged 3 and up (size 10 and up)
Why It Made the List: PETA take note; we’re still fans of cute frogs, fairies and yellow ducks, but a sporty aesthetic while out in inclement weather is a welcome change. These faux high-top sneaker rain boots from Dav are waterproof and offer extra cushioning on the inside, great for walks to and from school on rainy days. The textured outer sole lets kids look slick…without falling prey to sidewalks that actually are. ($19.50, where to buy)

MEC Junior Gaitors
Good For: Kids in shoe size 10 to 13 or size 1 to 6
Why It Made the List: Don’t let wet feet rain on their parade. For every timid sidewalk-splasher, there’s a wave maker ready to wreck havoc on their rain gear. For the city, the cottage or the campsite, we like these Junior Boot Gaitors from MEC which wrap around and toggle tightly over their rain boots, preventing any moisture from entering. Sometimes a stay-dry solution really is over the top. ($12, where to buy)

Cheeky Monkey’s Muddy Enough Kids’ Umbrella
Good For: Kids aged 2 and up
Why It Made the List: We love truth in advertising (Betty White can really take a tackle!) so we fell for Vancouver-based Cheeky Umbrella’s line of kid umbrellas with light-hearted imprinted messages including ‘If you can read this I’m not muddy enough’ and more. Well-designed umbrellas with particular attention paid to their kid clientele (and a lifetime warranty), the Cheeky umbrella also provides a bit of foreshadowing on a rainy day. Guaranteed, our kids will get muddier than we thought possible. ($20, where to buy)

No matter how often we tell it to go away, rain always comes again another day. So get them out with a splash and be sure to check out all 11 great picks in our Rainy Day Gear gallery.

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