Got a Kid Under 9? You Need This.

I have never met an American kid that has this, but every Scandinavian kid has it. And it’s a game changer.

When my first son started walking, and we would go out and play on New York City playgrounds on wet and rainy days, I couldn’t understand why we were usually the only ones there. Maybe it was just an odd day?

After several occasions however, I understood that no one would ever show up: probably like my American husband, most parents just didn’t want their kids jumping in what he calls “toxic puddles”.

Then we moved to Connecticut where I knew things would be different. Why? Because there were no toxic puddles! And all you needed to do, was just open the door and have the kids play in the backyard. But I was wrong.

I was completely shocked to learn that even in Connecticut, where we have lived the past four years, with a stint in Finland in between, few kids go out when it rains, or when it’s wet or muddy. Some kids don’t even go out when its cold.

On “bad weather” weekends, when dark clouds cover the sky, parents either hand the kids the screens, or wonder how to entertain their kids indoors. This trend extends to schools: many of them cancel outdoor recess, and have a break indoors instead, in “inclement weather”.

When I returned from Scandinavia, I asked the boys’ school if they would let me come in and host a rainy-day outdoor recess—instead of creating a Scandinavian-themed arts & crafts project they asked me to do. I suggested that learning how to play outside in the rain is the most Finnish things I could teach the kids. And it’s something that I think could also completely change how they learn and focus on those days. They politely declined.

What Happened to Dancing in The Rain

It’s been 8 years, and I have yet to find other kids to join my boys in rainy, wet or muddy play in the backyard, or in the nearby forests where they could jump in springs, puddles and in the mud.

This has been so puzzling to me, because having grown up in Finland, and having just experienced how my kids embraced all-weather conditions during our 5 months in Scandinavia this past fall, the messy-weather days are usually the days when kids love to play outside for hours–independently! In fact, when I introduced my tot to the Finnish daycare, the day I dropped him off to their outdoor playground in pouring rain, was the first day he didn’t shed a tear: playing in puddles with his new friends seemed so much more fun than taking off with me.

And then I figured it out.

Kids in America Don’t Have OUTDOOR PANTS! 

I’m not talking about snow pants, or ski pants. I’m talking about outdoor pants for all other weather conditions beyond snow days, and the hot & sunny days.

Why Do Kids Need Outdoor Pants?

If you get your kid outdoor pants, they will simply not have any limits. They will be content and comfortable outdoors in any weather, and their ability to get creative with play–with you or independently–will skyrocket. 

Because they will be getting so much more fresh air and interesting free play, your kids will be happier, more independent, more innovative, more resilient, develop better sensory motor skills, and become less attached to screens. What’s more, by getting their hands dirty outdoors more frequently, your kids will be building stronger immune systems and truly connecting with nature and their environment. 

How Does It Benefit You?

After you get your kids outdoor pants, you can’t believe how much less laundry you will have, and how much longer your kids’ pants will last without holes (possibly even through one season, if you have rambunctious kids like me). 

And, because your kids will be so much more entertained by themselves, outdoors, being comfortable without getting wet, cold, super dirty or breaking their clothes, you will be happier, have more time, have less child-related work and save money.

What’s The Catch?

There’s literally no downside, except for the fact that you’ll soon be left wondering how you could have ever lived without kids’ outdoor pants for so long, and realizing that just one pair won’t do: you need multiple. 

Getting Past the Whine

Initially, if your kids are not used to being outside in any weather, and even if they are, you might get The Whine. Simply open the door, point to the backyard, and say: “I can’t wait to see what you come up with!” Once the kids get past the whining phase, they will enjoy whatever they will come up with.

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101 on How to Use Outdoor Pants

So how do you actually wear outdoor pants? You wear outdoor pants just like you would wear a jacket, on top of whatever they are already wearing. 

Outdoor pants work best on top of leggings and sweatpants, and might not be as comfortable on top of jeans. Short dresses and skirts can just be tucked in, if you get roomier outdoor pants.  

All outdoor pants are easy for kids to throw on independently, but I like the elastic-waistband ones, so my boys don’t even need to zip them up or snap a button.

What Kind of Outdoor Pants Do You Need? 

Here’s the collection of outdoor pants I always have for my kids, ages 2-9, besides a snow suit and snow pants. While you can slowly build up your collection, what you need right now, for spring, is rain pants with a bib.

1.Rain Pants

• waterproof pants with a bib paired with a rain jacket are ideal for cooler weather: they don’t allow any rain to sneak in up or down the back or belly

• waterproof pants with a bib paired with a tee shirt are amazing in warmer weather: water play, mud play or forest play

2.Mid-Season Pants

• pants to keep your legs as warm as your jacket keeps your upper body

• ideal for the cold weather in late fall and early spring & in winter when it’s not snowing: shop them now on sale to be ready for fall!

3.Water-resistant Windbreaker Pants

• pants to keep you warm and dry in cool weather in fall and spring

• ideal also for when it’s wet or sprinkling, or the rain is spotty

 4.Overalls/ One-Piece for Kids 5 and Under

• mid-season and spring “overalls”—the term Scandi brands use to describe this garment in their online stores—basically look like snowsuits, a one-piece suit, but they are made for warmer weather

• young kids move differently from grown-ups: pants and a jacket just don’t make sense. Their back and belly get exposed–who would be comfortable like that?

• instead of outdoor pants, get a mid-season overall & a spring windbreaker overall.

• if you encounter people, like I sometimes do, that are very confused and ask why your child is in a ski suit, just say, “hello, it’s a windbreaker.”

• and no, it’s not complicated to put on, but easy, and no, it’s not hard for bathroom breaks either!

My toddler’s mid-season overalls, windbreaker overalls, and rain pants with a bib with rain jacket. He has another collection of winter overalls for different cold-weather conditions.

So now that I have sold you on the idea of getting your kid outdoor pants and essentially changing your life, I want to recommend that you should get a pair too. And, because the US market is not so filled with chic options for you or your kids, I suggest you choose a Scandinavian brand. They are always high quality and last for ages.

I bought my own first pair of rain pants and mid-season pants this past fall, and it was also a game changer for me: you are simply more free with them on.

So here’s to outdoor pants, and to real freedom!

Did I convince you that this Scandinavian parenting and lifestyle hack is for keeps?

Got parent friends who’s kids get cold, or would like to play outside more, or who parent who would like to have their kids not “go crazy” indoors on “bad weather days”? Do you think, now that it’s getting warmer, the school would let me host rainy-day recess? Would you, if you were my kids’ classmates’ parent, let me take your kid outside to play in the rain?

Share with your friends who don’t have outdoor pants!:-)

x Annabella

PS. watch my video of why rain pants are spring’s biggest game changer here.