Our Favorite Outdoor Clothing for Kids

How to Dress for Outdoor Play and Adventure

My husband and I grew up playing outside, from sun up to sun down, through the snowy and the wet seasons, we were outdoors.  He played by the big wide ocean and I played at a little marsh near the river.  When we decided to have children, we knew we wanted them to experience the same wild & free upbringing.  We wanted them to embrace our province’s ever-changing weather and for them to know that life is always better outdoors.  We thought back to how our parents facilitated this all-weather lifestyle and made changes to ensure the outdoors was always appealing and accessible: rubber boots by the door, umbrellas and raincoats hanging close by, baskets for foraging and buckets for critter catching, a bin of mitts and hats…options for layering and shedding layers as needed throughout the day.  We also keep extra layers in the trunk of our vehicle for on-the-go adventures, quick changes for a wade in a stream or foggy stops at the beach. We have found that when our children are able to freely explore their environment with all their senses and without interruption from a parent’s worry of ruined clothing or being too cold or too wet, there’s something inside of them that changes forever.

Their bond with the outside world is forged and they will always return to it for comfort and solace throughout their lives.

When the girls were very young, we quickly realized that investing in quality outdoor gear was crucial.  Kids are hard on their clothes…and trust us, you do not want to spend their entire childhood shopping to replace things that they have outgrown or that did not hold up to the rigors of outdoor play.  We learned early on to invest in well made pieces that “grow” with them and will last more than one child, and more than one season.

Look for lots of room in the body, cuffs that roll up or suspenders that can be lengthened, strong stitching, metal fasteners and easy to wash items.  One brand we stumbled upon and that instantly became a favorite is Fairechild, a women-owned local business which transforms recycled plastic bottles into high-performance adult and kids outerwear. The designs and colors are timeless and the quality is simply unmatched. With waterproof, windproof, breathable rainsuits, pants, coats, hats, mitts and bags to choose from, they have us covered from top to bottom. Finding raingear made without harmful chemicals was very important to us and Fairechild certainly fits the bill:

“Our recycled fabric is both PTFE-free and PFC-free. It’s made of only three elements (oxygen, carbon, and hydrogen), so it poses no health risks.  Fairechild is “OEKO-TEX” certified, a standard that’s higher than government regulations, ensuring the garments are free of harmful chemicals.  We’re also approved by “bluesign”, a sustainability standard that ensures the lifecycle of our products and guarantees the highest level of consumer safety. – Fairechild Website” 

Under our Fairechild outerwear we love to start with merino wool as a base layer as it not only wicks away moisture, it keeps you warm in the cool months and cool in the warm months. Wool releases moisture from its fibers quickly when your body surface is hot and damp, and slows down when it’s cold and dry.  Layer your favorite wool sweaters or fleece on next, along with cozy pants that have lots of flex for movement and a warm pair of wool socks or two.   The more comfortable the clothing, the more enjoyable and carefree your outdoor adventures will be.

An unexpected plus to the Fairechild line is that their products are very lightweight and perfect for throwing in a backpack before an adventure.  There’s nothing worse than being in the middle of nowhere with your arms full of heavy raingear as the day has gone from rain to sun.  This gear dries in an instant and folds up small for easy transport.  Once home, everything is machine washable and dryer safe. We throw our gear into the laundry as soon as we get inside, that way it’s ready to go the next time adventure calls.  Are you raising a free-range child?  What’s your favorite all weather gear?

“I’m an advocate for getting outside, an ambassador for puddle jumping, if you will. As a parent, I know that we all want the best for our children. This includes a world with bounties of food, natural resources and access to clean water.” – Tabitha Osler, Fairchild Owner, Designer & Mother 

 

 “Disclaimer: We were invited to experience Fairechild’s outdoor wear in exchange for our honest review, all comments are our own and based on years of use.”