The Best Cold Weather Outdoor Gear for Kids

Don't get all ‘OMG, it's not winter yet' on us. It will be here before you know it and believe us when we tell you that you want to be prepared with the hat, the mitts and the warmest gear out there. Here are our picks for the best winter gear for kids

Babies love games, particularly the ‘I take my hat off and throw it down' game. We know you never tire of your little one, but the games they play can be exhausting—and cause frostbite (not a good combination).The solution? North Face's warm and wearable Polartec fleece hat with Velcro enclosure underneath, so it won't aggravate the chin. Time to find a new sport, kiddo.

Stick it to them. Hats have always made statements, sporting team logos, creature replicas, or brand names, but Stickheads' hats ice the competition for Canadian kids who love hockey. This Canadian company makes ordinary fleece hats fun by adding a swinging fleece stick end to the top. If the kids shoot, you'll score with this winter wear.

This fleece-lined beanie will keep your budding boarder's ears warm without compromising on cool—whether he's catching the ski lift or the bus to school.

Lucy may have relentlessly teased Charlie Brown about being a blockhead, but cool kids and adults will clamour for Ottawa-based ODR Gear's BlockHeater Hat designed specifically to fit under hockey helmets to keep ears warm—and excuses for not wearing a helmet—to a minimum. They're great for runners, winter cyclists and any outdoor sport requiring a helmet.

We've often wished these came in adult sizes, but then we'd probably never crawl out of it. Cover your babe in extreme comfort and warmth with the 7 A.M. Enfant Le Sac Igloo. It's a beautifully-modern winter cover for infants and babies fit for the slopes of Whistler or (more likely) a stroll around your neighbourhood.

Investing in a good cover up is always wise. Even more so if the skin you're covering up belongs to your infant in inclement weather. This poncho goes over the baby carrier and also covers them up in the stroller or car seat without interfering with the five-point harness system.

When it comes to a good blue suit, Brooks Brothers used to have the market covered. Then along came this toasty, fleece-lined, one-zippered, bear-eared footie version and suddenly our original idea about what makes a good suit went to pieces.

A goose down puffer coat topped with a wind and water–resistant shell—now that's a coat we can put our faith in. Spandex at the cuffs helps to keep heat in and flurries out.

We love that the lined hood zips off of this down coat, making it perfect for warmer days. Moms are sure to appreciate the details in this coat—like the water–resistant DownTek Technology reflective visibility patch on the back.

Old Man Winter comes well-armed with sleet, snow, rain, ice and wind. But you'll be prepared for hand-to-hand combat with a pair of mittens that are quite literally well-armed themselves. mimiTENS stay on thanks to long cuffs that won't quit.

If you're grasping at straws trying to figure out why putting mittens on a baby seems like such a chore, you've already stumbled on the issue. They literally can't grasp much of anything, including keeping a thumb in a slot and knowing left from right. Happily we've just handed you the simple solution.

We're smitten with Smittens from Canadian company, January Baby. Slide one hand in and wrap the length of the cozy fleece around to the other side. Their hands won't come out and the mittens won't fall off. It's easy to be—and stay—in love with this idea.

Next to tissues, the most mandatory item a mother should have in winter is a pair of warm gloves. When you're trying to balance it all, treat yourself to a solid pair of gloves like these MEC Harmony mitts, and wait for the days when they can do it all themselves—and then you'll wish it hadn't all gone by so fast.

A good pair of long underwear is a winter must. We promise you won't regret investing in this lightweight version—perfect for layering under snowsuits, without the added bulk.

There's no two ways about it, everybody needs a good pair (or two!) of warm socks for winter play, and a good pair are worth their weight in gold. This fitted pair has a cushioned arch panel and is made of merino wool, which means they're warm without the itch.

Time for a bootie call? Call, or go online and have those needs met with Stonz, the children's outdoor apparel and footwear company. They can deliver total satisfaction in winter, spring or fall when it comes to their fleece-lined Booties (for ages 0 to 3) and Rain Boot Linerz (for kids aged 2 and up). We promise you won't regret either of these the morning after.

When it comes to winter boots, you can't go wrong with leather. This waterproof boot is made lighter than the original Sorel Caribou boot, making it perfect for little feet.

After all that outdoor play, your little snowman will be grateful to slip on these ultra-cozy slippers. We're grateful that the rubber soles are super durable and non-slip, so the kid's will wear out before their shoes do.

Sports and back strain have an unfortunate way of blending, especially when we're picking up kids who are constantly falling as they learn to ski or skate. Time to invest in the CoPilot Lift—a fitted harness that helps keep kids, and you, upright while they learn new skills. Made by a BC company, it was originally designed for kids learning to ski and navigate the chairlift, but it's also helpful when learning to glide on the ice.

These hockey skate guards are easy to put on, they stand up to years of use and absorb water (thus prolonging the life of the skate blade). Don't waste time with any other kind.

Your babe is sure to be best-dressed for the holidays in this handmade elfish hat.