The Best Gear For Forest Preschool
At Oregon Outdoor Kids Forest Preschool here in the PNW we see our share of rainy days!
As we like to say,
“There’s no such thing as bad weather,
only bad gear.”
These are our top gear recommendations that will be sure to keep the kids tear free and having fun OUTDOORS at forest preschool! All of the gear here has been either tested by our Oregon Outdoor Kids families or are the very best recommendations by outdoor experts.
Please Note: As an Amazon Associate we earn a small commision if you purchase through the affiliate links on this page at no additional cost to you. All proceeds are donated to Oregon Outdoor Kids Forest Preschool.
It’s All In The Layers
The key to staying warm, dry and comfortable is all about having quality layers. In wet weather it is necessary to have a fitted base layer, followed by a mid-layer and then covered in high quality insulated waterproof gear. The base and mid layers should be well fitted so that your child is comfortable and does not feel too bulky, there is no need to size up. You may need to get at least 2 sets of gear so that your child always has something dry to wear in case the gear was not able to dry overnight before forest school the next day. Some families opt for a premium set of gear, and then a second less expensive set for their backup.
A Note On Rain Gear
Although one piece rain suits provide seamless coverage, we recommend seperate pants and jacket sets as we have found that it is alot easier for the children to be able to self manage toileting with two piece gear. We recommend insulated rain pants and jackets as they do a superior job of maintaining warmth.
Rain Bibs
Rain bibs are an excellent choice as they have adjustable straps to hold them in place and are easy for the children to self manage when going to the restroom.
BIB AND JACKET SETS
Our Forest Preschool families have used both of these brands and have loved them! Whether you choose to order them from the affliliate links or directly from their website they are a great choice.
Rain Jackets
Boots
When buying boots make sure that they are insulated and have good grip on the bottom. These are the brands that are popular with our Oregon Outdoor Kids Forest Preschool families, and have stood the test of many outdoor all-weather adventures. We recommend buying them with enough room for thick socks to be worn, but not too big, as we do a fair amount of hiking which can be hard to do without proper fitted shoes.
Boot And Glove Dryer
The kids are out playing in the rain, splashing in puddles and wading through creeks, which means that they will come home many times with wet boots. This dryer does a great job of making sure that they are dry and ready to be back out on their adventures the next day!
Warm Necessities
Do not underestimate the effect that warm hands, warm feet and a warm head have on keeping your child happy and having fun while outdoors! These items are often forgotten but are extremely important! Make sure to get multiple pairs of these item, especially gloves. They will keep multiple pairs of gloves in their backpacks as this is an item that tends to get wet and needs changed throughout the day. It is good to have a fully waterproof pair of mittens for wet days, and also a few pairs of gloves for when kids want to use their hands to grab and climb with.
Base And Mid Layers
When dressing your child for the outdoors in the PNW you’ll want a fitted base layer, followed by a mid layer before putting on their raingear. No need to size up on the second layer, they are meant to fit snug and not create the feeling of being overly bulky. Nice fitting quality layers keep your child warm while still allowing them to feel comfortable wearing their backpacks and adventuring with ease.
Safety Gear
Part of outdoor preschool is learning how to be prepared while out on hikes and adventures. These items are to be kept in their packs and used as needed.
Backpacks
A well fitted quality backpack with a chest strap is very important as children will be carrying their packs on their back while out at Forest Preschool. They will be exposed to the elements and used for everything from carrying water bottles, holding layers that have been shed and used as seats out on the trail. Make sure that you get a backpack that fits your child properly, over sized packs make it difficult for them to keep up with the group if they are constantly struggling to keep the straps from falling off of their shoulders.
Water Bottle
Lunch Containers
A good quality lunch container that is easily opened and closed helps your child to learn independence and is something that the kids take pride in being able to manage on their own.
