Tips on How to Keep your Toddler Warm in the Winter while Traveling

Amanda Topinka Avatar
When it's cold outside, consider these tips to bundle up and keep your toddler warm in the winter when traveling.
When it’s cold outside, consider these tips to bundle up and keep your toddler warm in the winter when traveling. Photo: Pixabay

Baby it’s cold outside. But that doesn’t mean you and your toddler can’t enjoy a great winter escape! Truth is, traveling to a chilly destination can be just as much fun as a warm destination spot. Yet it is also true that you’ll need to keep your toddler comfortable despite the cold temperatures — because if the little isn’t happy, nobody’s happy!

Whether you’re planning a ski resort vacation to Colorado or chilling out in an igloo hotel under the Northern Lights, your toddler can enjoy a winter escape just as much as anyone. From bundling up to layering, read on for our 5 practical tips on keeping your toddler warm in the winter.

Bundle Up Your Toddler

When it’s cold outside, you’ll need to dress you and your toddler in layers. A wind and water-resistant shell (preferably Nylon) and a warm coating on the inside (like down or Polartec) will help keep the cold “bite” away. However, pay attention to your destination’s forecast as down will do well in DRY, cold conditions, but not so well in wet or snowy conditions. Another alternative lining is Thinsulate, which dries quickly and still provides insulation when wet.

Choose something with a zipper that goes all the way down. Pullovers can be warm, but you can find the same warmth in something else AND it’ll be more convenient for those potty breaks or diaper changes.

Make sure the cuffs fit snug around their wrists to prevent snow or wind from creeping in but not so tight that it cuts off the circulation. Velcro tabs that are adjustable are my personal favorite.

Read More: How to Change a Diaper on a Plane

Mittens – NOT Gloves

Have you ever tried putting a glove on a wiggly toddler? If you have, then you’ll know it’s about as easy as shoveling the drive when it’s still snowing. Mittens are easier to slip onto a toddler’s wiggly hands. Plus, they can keep little hands warmer because it keeps the fingers close together and holds in the warmth they give off.

As with your toddler’s snowsuit and/or coat, the mittens should have an internal lining and weather-resistant shell. And if they don’t come with the string attached, purchase some mitten clips to attach the mittens to the sleeves of their coat. Chances are they’ll still figure out a way to lose one, but the clips will make it a little harder!

SheBuysTravel Tip: Put the mittens on BEFORE putting your toddler’s coat and/or snowsuit on so that the elastic helps hold the mittens on.

Wrap your toddler up in scarfs and hats to keep her warm in the winter.
Wrap your toddler up in scarfs and hats to keep her warm in the winter. Photo: Pixabay

Wrap It Up!

These little strips of cloth that you can easily make on your own (or purchase) can go a long way toward protecting your little one from harsh winter temperatures.

A scarf not only gives extra warmth to your child’s upper body, but it can also be used to cover his or her face and mouth and prevent the sting of breathing icy cold air — which is especially important if your child has asthma.

From Their Head to Their Toes – WOOL is COOL!

You may have heard it before, body heat is lost first through the head, so a hat is VITAL when dealing with the bitter cold weather. And when traveling in the winter, many of these destinations also have the added blistery wind chills.

Even if the coat has a hood, a close-fitting hat is a better choice to keep the heat in your tot’s head. Get one with earflaps because … well … they’re not only adorable when they’re wearing them, but it keeps their precious little ears warm and the wind away to avoid ear infections later.

Wool socks provide the best protection against frostbite on the toes and a sturdy pair of boots is the best option if your toddler is mobile.

Layers are your friends on how to keep toddlers warm in the winter.
Layers are your friends on how to keep toddlers warm in the winter. Photo: Pixabay

Layer and More Layers

The more layers you have … the safer you’ll be. Dressing in layers helps regulate your body temperature and gives you the flexibility to remove articles of clothing when it warms up.

Winter activities can keep your toddler busy, but once you stop moving, he or she will want (and need) those layers back!

SheBuysTravel Tip: A good rule of thumb is: Your toddler needs ONE MORE layer than you do in the winter.

When your winter family vacation includes a day on the ski slopes, be sure to layer your toddler to keep her comfortable all day. Photo: Diana Rowe
When your winter family vacation includes a day on the ski slopes, be sure to layer your toddler to keep her comfortable all day. Photo: Diana Rowe

Simple Skiing or Snowboarding Tips to Keep Toddler Warm

If your winter vacation includes a trip to the slopes, your skiing or snowboarding toddler will also need a ski helmet and goggles. Since those littles grow up so fast, I usually opt for renting or borrowing a helmet and goggles from a friend.

Because your kiddo will have more head protection, a hat likely won’t work underneath the helmet. However, you can still opt for a scarf or a lower face mask to help cover the face from the wind and sun. And we can’t say it enough: layers, layers and more layers.

We guarantee your toddler (and you) will have a better experience on the slope when they’re not cold

A cup of hot chocolate warms up every toddler and their family in the winter. Carry a thermos for a treat. Photo: Pixabay
A cup of hot chocolate warms up every toddler and their family in the winter. Carry a thermos for a treat. Photo: Pixabay

Don’t Go Hungry and Stay Hydrated

It’s been proven that snacking (especially proteins and fats), will raise metabolism and slightly elevate body temperature. So make sure your toddler is taking in plenty of calories.

Nuts, energy bars, and cheese are all good options.

And while it’s tempting to drink less water when it’s cold outside, keep in mind that a dehydrated body (even slightly) is more susceptible to hypothermia – so make sure your little one is drinking enough too. If your child enjoys warm beverages, think about bringing along a small thermos with tea, cocoa or warm milk.

Amanda Topinka is a Kansas mom of two boys and wife to a man with ADD. She’s a self-proclaimed “Disnerd” and occasionally writes about Disney as a way of keeping the magic alive. She’s blog creator of The ProcrastinatingMommy where she often blogs about her wild brood of boys. She’s a boisterous traveler who strongly feels that no destination is ever too close to home in order to create lasting memories. Amanda and her family have a serious case of wanderlust and enjoy scratching the travel itch as soon as it hits. She knows that spontaneous travel can be frustrating, miserable, crazy, and challenging – sometimes all on just one trip. But she wouldn’t trade the memories they make for anything.
Read full bio

2 responses


  1. Status changed from Complete to Abandoned

  2. Status changed from draft to Abandoned

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *