Dressing for outdoor play in winter
Jamesport mother Ana Burcroff Koons has become somewhat of a local expert on dressing children for cold-weather outdoor play. Her trusted advice is deeply rooted in her experience dressing her family through the years.
Ana’s sons Quinn (8) and Alexi (6) were born in Seattle and immersed in outdoor play from a young age. When the family moved to NYC in 2017 they enrolled in Waldorf and nature-based early childhood programs which were both largely set outdoors requiring proper attire for extended periods outside in all weather.
Ana’s journey into dressing her children for cold-weather play continued as their family moved full-time to the North Fork in 2020. With educational experiences at The Children’s Garden in Southold and Peconic Community School which, at the time, had transitioned almost completely to an outdoor model, Quinn and Alexi were no strangers to year-round outdoor play and learning.
Photo courtesy of Ana Burcroff Koons
“There’s a popular quote about winter dressing that says, ‘There’s no such thing as bad weather, only unsuitable clothing,’” Ana shared. “The key to winter dressing is layering.”
Ana recommends using wool or wool blend for every clothing item where it makes sense such as base layers, socks, gloves, and hats.
“Wool is breathable, keeps children warm, is lightly water repellent, and keeps bodies warm even when wet,” she told us.
After years of sharing her tips for cold-weather outdoor play with friends and family, Ana became a go-to for advice within the Peconic Community School community. Today, she shares her best advice and expertise in her own words with Petite North Fork…
Learn how to layer
On a cold day when temps drop below 40 degrees, I recommend a four-layer formula. Use a base layer of a long sleeve undershirt and leggings, ideally of wool or wool blend; a regular clothing layer of pants and a long sleeve shirt or sweater, an outwear layer of a puffy coat, and a rainwear layer of rain jacket and rain pants or rain onesie. Complete the weatherproofing with a hat, gloves or mittens, and boots.
Protecting the extremities
Feet, hands, and head. When the extremities are warm, outdoor play can extend for hours. For feet and hands, this means warm and waterproof boots and gloves.
Fabric matters
How the fabric responds to water is key. Cotton, for example, absorbs water. Many forest schools recommend avoiding it completely in winter. Wool, on the other hand, keeps bodies warm even when wet. It's breathable and lightly water-repellent. There are many soft wool products available like fine merino and wool silk blends. "Heat tech" synthetic fabrics are a good alternative to wool. A note on synthetics is that they do not breathe as well as natural fabrics and can lead to overheating.
Where to invest, where to skimp
Invest in quality base layers, outerwear, and warm boots. Use soft wool or wool blend base layers, wash them gently with wool soap and only when needed. They will last for years and can be handed down from child to child. Little Spruce Organics and Mama Owl are two online shops with great base layer options for kids.
For outerwear, I recommend the Patagonia Hi-Loft down coat. It stands up to the weather and can be repaired time and time again through Patagonia's worn wear program, which is free of charge and helpful for keeping clothes out of landfills. Performance-wise, I've also heard good things about puffer coats from Uniqlo and Primary.
I recommend skimping on the clothing layer — just choose anything weather-appropriate that you don't mind getting dirty. My kids wear basic sweatpants and long-sleeved shirts. The rainwear layer also does not need to be expensive. Tuffo Muddy Buddy and Oakiwear offer high-quality waterproof layers that are well-priced.
Suggested brands and expert notes
Hocosa wool blend base layers, Smartwool socks, Patagonia outerwear, Polarn O. Pyret for mittens, and Bogs for boots. We've had great experiences with rainwear branks Didriksons, Grundens, Oakiwear, and Tuffo Muddy Buddy. A note about boots, Oakiwear makes a similar version to the Bogs classic high handle boot, but I’ve learned from experience that it does not keep feet as warm.
Photo courtesy of Ana Burcroff Koons
Take good care
Outdoor performance gear has waterproof treatments that can wear away in the washing machine. Save yourself the heartache of ruining your investment by spot-treating as much as possible. Keep rain gear out of the washing machine completely and opt instead to hose it down when really dirty. Similarly, go gentle on wool base layers to extend their lifetime and avoid shrinkage. Wool has magical self-cleaning properties so simply air it out between uses and wash gently with a wool soap only when truly needed.
Time limits?
Weather tolerance varies by child and how their gear is withstanding the elements. Rather than subscribing to a time limit, I would suggest periodically using your warm hand to check the temperature of children's ears and hands, as well as feet if there's a chance they've gotten wet. With the right gear, the deciding factor to come inside will come from bathroom breaks, mealtime, or nap time instead of exposure to the elements. Proper layering will keep warmth in and chattering teeth can be avoided completely.
Layer up and join the fun
To foster a culture of loving the outdoors, parents need to enjoy spending time outdoors too. Use the same layering formula for yourself to extend your time outside. Make the outdoors fun for everyone by gathering around a fire pit in the winter, exploring local beaches as a family with your waterproof gear on, hiking local trails with friends, going camping, and if you're really into it, joining a polar bear cold plunge group! My husband and I recently started cold plunging with a group of friends and one unexpected benefit is that our kids enjoy that same time while on dry land playing with the children of other cold plungers. I believe that we are setting a lifelong example to our children about how to enjoy the elements all year round. My two cents: get outside! You won't regret it.