Why you'll love it: Columbia Sportswear makes outerwear designed for use in the Arctic, so even though your kids won't be playing in such extreme conditions, you can rest assured that they're well covered.
I've worn Columbia gear at frigid mountain altitudes above 15,500 feet, in driving snow storms, in icy downpours, and while kayaking across open water on subzero days. Long story short, Columbia's outerwear performs perfectly in winter conditions that are anything but hospitable to human beings. So when the weather turns bitterly cold and the snowfall starts, it's Columbia clothing I trust to keep my kids warm and comfortable while they enjoy the outdoors during the winter.
Columbia's winter apparel is designed with two primary directives: to keep the wearer warm, and to keep him or her dry. The company accomplishes the former with various types of insulation, layering, and with proprietary technologies like the Omni-Heat lining, which features thousands of small metallic dots that bounce radiated body heat back at you. As for keeping things dry, the company uses fabrics that shed water and are breathable enough to release the excess heat and moisture that have built up within a garment.
To (literally) keep babies warm from head to toe, Columbia's Infant Meet Cute Fleece Bunting suit is an excellent choice. It has attached booties, a warm adjustable hood, and a fleece lined interior that's soft, cozy, and plenty warm.
For toddlers who are up on their feet but still likely to topple over into the snow multiple times per outing, the Toddler Buga Set features snow pants and a winter coat made to the same exacting standards as Columbia's legendary Bugaboo coat.
The garments are fully waterproof, feature multiple layers of insulation, and the pants have a reinforced knee and seat, adding strength to the fabric in spots where kids are prone to flop down. One mom called the Buga gear "wonderfully made" and "perfect for northern winters."
And for your elementary aged kids, consider the Lightning Lift Jacket, a technical hooded jacket suitable for use on snowy slopes, during snow storms in the city, or while the kids help you shovel off the driveway and stoop.
With dozens of reviews posted, the Lightning Lift enjoys more than a 90% approval rating from moms and dads. One parent called it "very durable, functional, [and] ready to take on all kinds of weather conditions."
Pros: Winter apparel made to exacting standards, options for all ages of child, broad catalog of outerwear options
Cons: Many options run small
Shop all kids' winter outerwear at Columbia