How to dress a toddler for the weather
Toddlers move about a lot: dress them roughly as you dress yourself and take a layer off during active play.
What to wear (Toddler (1–3 years)) at different temperatures
- Base layer
- Vest bodysuit, Trousers
- Warm layer
- Cardigan, Fleece
- Outer layer
- Padded coat, Snow trousers
- Head
- Bobble hat
- Hands
- Gloves
- Shoes
- Winter boots
- Extras
- not needed
- Base layer
- Long-sleeve top, Trousers
- Warm layer
- Fleece
- Outer layer
- Light jacket
- Head
- Bobble hat
- Hands
- Mittens
- Shoes
- Winter boots
- Extras
- not needed
- Base layer
- Long-sleeve top, Trousers
- Warm layer
- Cardigan
- Outer layer
- Light jacket
- Head
- Bobble hat
- Hands
- not needed
- Shoes
- Trainers
- Extras
- not needed
- Base layer
- Long-sleeve top, Trousers
- Warm layer
- Cardigan
- Outer layer
- Light jacket
- Head
- Thin hat
- Hands
- not needed
- Shoes
- Trainers
- Extras
- not needed
- Base layer
- T-shirt, Trousers
- Warm layer
- Cardigan
- Outer layer
- not needed
- Head
- not needed
- Hands
- not needed
- Shoes
- Trainers
- Extras
- not needed
- Base layer
- T-shirt, Shorts
- Warm layer
- not needed
- Outer layer
- not needed
- Head
- Sun hat
- Hands
- not needed
- Shoes
- not needed
- Extras
- Sunglasses
- Base layer
- T-shirt, Shorts
- Warm layer
- not needed
- Outer layer
- not needed
- Head
- not needed
- Hands
- not needed
- Shoes
- not needed
- Extras
- not needed
More details
Toddlers move about a lot, so dress them roughly as you dress yourself and take one layer off during active play. Here are guides for different temperatures.
For 0 °C, choose vest bodysuit, trousers, cardigan, fleece, padded coat, snow trousers, bobble hat, gloves, winter boots. At 15 °C: long-sleeve top, trousers, cardigan, light jacket, thin hat, trainers. For 30 °C, choose t-shirt, shorts.
At the playground, pick clothes your child can take off and put on easily. Pack spare mittens or gloves: they get wet quickly in snow and puddles. A cotton base layer breathes well, while fleece keeps warm and stays light. Indoors and in the car, remove the outer layer so your child does not overheat. Take a spare layer: the weather and your plans can change. Dress for the feels-like temperature: wind and humidity make the air feel colder. Several thin layers work better than one thick piece: they are easier to take off indoors or on the bus.
Feel the back of the neck: warm, dry skin is a good sign. This is a guide, not medical advice.
Other temperatures
Pick a temperature to see the layers for every age.
Questions and answers
How many layers at 0 °C?
Usually three: base layer, warm layer and a padded coat.
What goes on the hands?
Mittens when it is freezing, gloves when it is cool.
Is this medical advice?
No. It is a clothing guide; watch how your child feels and follow your GP’s or health visitor’s advice.
Where can I get advice for my weather?
In the Layer app: it reads temperature, wind, humidity and UV and suggests layers by age.
What should my child wear today?
Layer suggests layers from the forecast for your town.
iPhone and Android
Not medical advice
