We just bought some of the new Oaki rain pants during their seasonal sale, so I thought I'd review them a bit here so others can see what they look like in action! ​

In this video you'll see some of the following outdoor gear items (that we use daily). A few of these links are affiliate links, which means you're paying the same for the item, but Kinder.Earth might receive a small commission for referring you to the product. Important to note: Kinder.Earth did NOT receive any compensation or free gear from Oaki for filming this video or recommending these pants. 

• New Oaki Rain Pants
• ​Bogs Boots (insulated)
• Oaki Boots (rain)
• Wool Socks (or the SmartWool version)
• Hat (with ear flaps)
• Long Rain Jacket
• Water-Resistant Mittens
• Neoprene Gloves
• Fleece-Lined Neck Warmer
• Merino Wool Base Layer

Here are a few tips about how to prepare for outdoor preschool the Night Before School:

1. Use your child’s base layer shirt for pajamas (unless you plan to eat a messy breakfast before school in the morning). Pants are pretty easy to change in the morning while diapering or going to the bathroom. 
2. Pack snacks. Try to include foods that help regulate internal body temperature (whole grains, lean meats, bananas, nuts, chocolate, and foods with coconut oil). Also, avoid foods that will make kids’ hands cold (they usually remove a mitten to eat the snack, so if the food is wet or cold they will quickly start to feel cold). 
3. Prepare backpack with snack, water bottle, and back-up gear. If their mittens or hat get wet, they’ll need an extra pair available in the middle of the school day to avoid getting too cold.

Lately I've noticed kids coming to nature school with backpacks stuffed with additional insulating layers. The fact is, during the school day teachers don't have time to take kids' outer layers, mittens, and boots off to put another insulating layer on (especially not pants). Occasionally, if a kid is really cold, we'll take their rain jacket off and put another fleece or puffy jacket underneath, but usually we only add outer layers like neck warmers, hats, and mittens. And believe me, mittens going on and off (and on and off) already take up half of our time on cold days.

Teachers need to be able to assume that students have the appropriate amount of base and insulating layers on when they arrive at school. This needs to be done at home, where it's warm.