How to Dress for Wet, Spring Weather!

Mar 25, 20244 min read

Updated: Aug 2, 2024

Picture this: It's a beautiful Spring day and you're headed out for an adventure with your little nature buddy. The snacks are packed and you're headed out the door. You're on the trail and your kid sees a puddle! Kids and puddles...they're drawn to them with an unstoppable force with zero time to scan their body to make sure they're dressed appropriately. Let's be honest they're not confirming clothing anywhere, anyways but we'll play pretend here for fun. They run to the puddle and SPLASH! That was SO FUN and they're definitely going to go for a second splash. Then you realize they're in their sneakers which are of course now soaked and you're feeling defeated because only a few minutes into your fun day you're headed back home! You didn't think about rainboots for this outing because it's not raining! Bummer. I get it, I've been there! I'm here to help you avoid this catastrophe and set you up for success when it comes to dressing your children up for inevitably wet, Spring weather!

They key to success here boils down to one word: waterproof. Whether it's actually raining or not, you want to have your children dressed in waterproof (or at the very least water resistant) clothing. The spring season brings rain which means puddles, damp ground, wet mud, and more. They may not be splashing in puddles but maybe they're laying on the ground watching a turtle cross, or an osprey fish. You call them to continue on the trail and when they jump up you see their cotton clothes are now all wet! Plan for the unexpected, set them up for success, and have fun saying "Yes!" more and "no you can't do that because you don't have - insert needed waterproof layer - on".

Dressing for wet spring weather has a lot of variables and the warmer it gets the less you'll have to bring and add on. When temperatures are in the upper 60's/70's, kids don't typically care about being wet and muddy but on a 40/50 degree day everyone's fun will certainly be cut short by a child being cold and miserable despite how much fun they're having. I hope you enjoy the dressing guide below and find the links listed at the bottom of this page helpful!

UPPER BODY

Base Layer

This is the layer touching the skin. I love a wool base layer as wool is temperature regulating and moisture-wicking.

Mid Layer

This layer could be a sweater or a long sleeve shirt, depending on the temperature!

Outer Layer

Have this layer be waterproof/water resistant. This could look like a rain jacket or a boiled wool coat.

LOWER BODY

Base Layer

Again, this is the layer touching the skin. I prefer a wool base layer as wool is temperature regulating and moisture-wicking.

Mid Layer

Unless temperatures mimic those of winter, I do not dress my kids' lower body with a mid layer. Our first week of spring here we've had some days in the 30's though and I did throw on wool leggings. If you're unsure if this is needed you could bring it with just in case!

Outer Layer

This layer should be waterproof/water resistant. Think rain pants/bibs or wool dungarees.

SHOES

Depending on temperature this could look like rainboots, or another waterproof shoe. Wool socks are great to pair with rainboots for all the same reasons as above - they are temperature regulating and water resistant.

EXTRAS

Depending on temperature you could finish off an outfit with waterproof mittens and/or a hat!

TIPS

Cotton absorbs moisture and clothing will stay wet (and heavy!). It's best to avoid cotton clothing and socks on colder days.
Elastic cuffs on jackets and pants help to keep water out. There are some jackets and pants that do not have elastic cuffs - I would steer clear of these.
Pull pants over boots to keep feet dry (don't tuck them in).
Bring extra clothes with you on outings, not just in the car.

I hope this guide has helped you! Messy, wet play is so beneficial for children (gut microbiome, sensory play, etc) but oftentimes we view it as something we need to avoid at all costs instead of just dressing appropriately for! I hope wonderful wet spring days are in your future! Sending you all of the puddle splashing, laying on the ground worm-watching, mud pie making, rainy day play, joy and excitement. Links below!

Base Layer Links

Brands I love: Siskin, Engel, Chasing Windmills

Brands I've heard are also great: Nui Organics, Wheat Kids

Shops I love for even more brands of base layers (and other wool): MamaOwl, Chasing Windmills, Little Spruce Organics, Cheshire Horse, Warmth and Weather