Winter clothing for kids in Simcoe: what to buy, how to layer and where to save

A first winter with kids in Canada usually raises many questions. How many layers? Are snow pants really needed? Where can you buy without spending a fortune? In Simcoe County, where snow arrives early and the wind chill can drop below minus 20, the right clothing makes all the difference for kids to play safely.

The basic winter list

Schools and child care centres in the region hold outdoor recess most days, even with snow. So your child should go with:

• A waterproof winter coat with a hood;
• Snow pants, which can be a one-piece snowsuit for little ones;
• Waterproof, lined winter boots, one size up to fit a thick sock;
• A hat that covers the ears;
• Waterproof gloves or mittens. For young children, mittens keep hands warmer;
• A neck warmer, safer than a long scarf;
• An extra pair of socks and mittens in the backpack, since they get wet easily.

Label every item with your child's name. School lost-and-found bins overflow in winter.

How to layer

The secret isn't one very thick item, but layers:

• Base layer: something close to the body that wicks moisture, like a thermal shirt. Avoid cotton when your child will be very active, since it gets damp with sweat.
• Middle layer: a fleece or sweatshirt that holds in warmth.
• Outer layer: coat and snow pants that block wind and water.

In the classroom, your child takes off the outer layer and stays comfortable.

Watch out for car seats

Bulky coats should not be worn under car seat harnesses, because they leave the straps loose in a crash. Buckle your child in wearing thinner clothes, tighten the harness, and put the coat or a blanket over the top.

Signs of getting too cold

Watch for very red or whitish skin on the face, ears, fingers and nose, as well as strong shivering or drowsiness. These can be signs of frostbite or hypothermia. Bring your child somewhere warm, change wet clothes and, if things don't improve, seek medical care or call 811. On days with an Environment Canada extreme cold warning, cut back on outdoor time.

Where to save

Kids' winter clothing is expensive and children grow fast. Some ways to spend less:

• second-hand stores such as Value Village and Salvation Army Thrift Stores, which have lots of good-condition items in the fall;
• buy-and-sell groups on your town's Facebook Marketplace;
• swaps between families at school or church;
• end-of-season sales in February and March, to buy next year's size;
• coat donation drives that community organizations in the region often run in the fall. Ask at your child's school or your town's newcomer settlement centre.

Enjoy the winter

With the right clothes, winter becomes fun: snowball fights, snowmen, tobogganing on park hills and skating on outdoor municipal rinks. Playing outside helps kids adapt to their new country and make friends. That goes for parents too: invest in good boots and gloves for yourself.