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The product links below were updated as of September 2018.
Mittens 1These are my favorite mittens for small hands. The zipper is next to the thumb, so it's easy to help little thumbs get in their spot (2- and 3-year olds frequently have trouble with this). They also offer an XXS size, which fits 1 and 2 year olds (this is rare in the ski mitten world!).
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Mittens 2These mittens are second in line to the HEAD mittens (mostly because they're a bit more expensive). They offer a longer wrist cover (than the HEAD mittens) that cinches at the top if you're looking for that feature. Make sure to look for the Gordini mittens with the zipper by the thumb (there are some with the zipper on the back of the hand/wrist, which are harder to put on).
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Mittens 3These mittens are okay, but not great. The zipper doesn't open all the way (just has a flap of material that makes the opening wider), and the finger area is WAY too long (making it harder for kids to grasp things). Really, the only reason to get them is if you can't find the others or if you can get them at a good price second-hand.
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Base Layers 1Shirts & pants are available in this brand. Merino wool protects & insulates, and these layers are made with long cuffs to fold up & down to accommodate growth. They are machine washable, but should not go in the dryer. (Polarn O. Pyret also carries wool layers.)
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Base Layers 2Shirts & pants are available in this brand. I would say they're somewhere between a mid- and heavy-weight. I like that the pants are pretty long so they last a while They are a bit rustic and don't hold up quite as well as fleece layers from expensive brands like Patagonia, but they've been sufficient for us. Make sure to look at both the boys and girls options to get the cheapest price. (Another strategy for adding a layer on top of wool in winter is using fleece pajamas.)
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Base Layers 3 On really cold days, we use snow pants on top of a wool base layer, but they're so bulky that we avoid them unless it's really cold. Remember not to use a snow BIB for potty-trained kids because the shoulder straps are difficult for them (and the teachers) to remove to go to the bathroom. We usually do wool or fleece-tights layer, then the snow pants, then rain pants. (Check out these if you don't need the waterproof layer.)
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Warm Jacket 1Make sure you find a fleece jacket without a hood. The only time we need to use hoods in outdoor school is when it's raining - otherwise hoods make it hard for kids to hear (find a good hat with ear flaps instead).
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Warm Jacket 2Try to find a puffy jacket without a hood, reserving hoods just for rain jackets.
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Warm Jacket 3
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Rain Jacket 1Buy a rain jacket that has a hood and elastic or velcro at the wrists to keep the rain out (not all rain jackets have this!).
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Rain Jacket 2I like this style of jacket with the cynch in the back because it's a bit longer than other jackets (which is better for keeping rain out when kids bend over).
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Rain Jacket 3Lined, waterproof jackets are available, but aren't necessary. I prefer to combine a fleece zip-up or puffy jacket with a rain shell because they tend to be less bulky (thus easier for the kids to move around in). It's also easier for kids to regulate their temperature by taking off layers. This jacket is nice because the fleece liner is removable.
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Rain Pants 1These are thick, waterproof rain pants with velcro around the ankles. They're not perfect (I wish the velcro cinched tighter), but they are very tear-resistant and offer lots of space for layering.
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Rain Pants 2These rain pants have an extra wide, stretchy waist (you might need to pin them to keep them up). They are thinner than the Oakiwear pants, but also more flexible. They have both elastic and velcro around the ankle, but the velcro isn't quite as sturdy as the Oakiwear pants.
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Rain Pants 3REI Rain Pants (4T+)
This is the updated version of the REI Rainwall pants and I haven't tried them yet. The old version worked well, and I liked that they were thinner than the oakiwear pants (more flexible). These are really pricy and don't go below 4T, so I'm going to have to search for some more viable rain pant options!
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BootiesStonz Booties (1-2 years old)
If you have a 1- or 2-year-old, you can look for toddler Bogs boots (they go as small as 4T) or you can try these soft-soled booties. Use a few layers of wool socks underneath for cold weather.
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Boots 1These are so flexible and great for warmer weather (and still work in fall and spring with wool socks underneath). They do not have thick, hearty soles, so I wouldn't wear them in an area with sharp rocks, but they're great for playing the forest, in a shallow stream, grass, etc. (They come in and out of stock, but sometimes you can find them at 6pm or Zappos if you do a Google search.)
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Boots 2Bogs (cold weather) Look for waterproof, insulated boots to use during the cold winter months. There are usually a lot of different patterns to choose from - I just click through the options until I find the cheapest price for the size I need. It's best to order these in the spring/early summer when they go on sale! I found a new pair for $15 and one for $18 last spring.
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Liner SocksMy son wears these under thick wool socks to maintain warmth without the bulk of 2 pairs of wool socks. However, when it's really cold (under 40 degrees), we use these WOOL liner socks.
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Wool Socks 1Smartwool socks are the industry standard for non-itchy wool socks. They're usually a bit more expensive than the equivalent REI version, but sometimes you can find good sales.
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Wool Socks 2This is what we usually use because I can find the best price on them once or twice a year. They work great for hours of play in cold weather with a liner sock inside insulated Bogs boots.
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HatFor cold weather, find a hat that's warm, has ear flaps, and no bobble on the top (so you can put the hood up in the rain).
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NeckwarmerI recommend a fully-lined fleece neckwarmer or a wool one. There are a lot of patterns to choose from - I usually just click through them until I find the cheapest price.
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BalaclavaCover ears, head, and neck at the same time with a balaclava.
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