Links and ideas
Here are some ideas and suggestions on things to wear and do to get you and your tot outdoors making mud pies and more!
Good gear
Children
Craigdon Mountain Sports in Aberdeen and Inverurie and Cotswold Outdoor Aberdeen sell some outdoor clothing for children, although there are many more options online.
Didriksons, Little Adventure Shop, Little Trekkers, Muddy Puddles, Spotty Otter, Waterproof World and Wet Wednesdays all sell good quality outdoor gear that lasts – for hopefully more than one child. You will also get great second hand bargains on Vinted, Ebay and Facebook Marketplace and at our fab local Aberdeen City and Shire branch of the NCT.
Warm hands and feet really make a difference to how long tots are out in cold weather so invest in cosy gloves, boots and hats.
Hands
Mitts are easier to put on tots than gloves. Didriksons and Spotty Otter sell fleece-lined waterproof mitts that allow children to play in ice, mud and snow. Top tip – take an old cloth out with you in the winter. Kids’ hands get really cold quickly when wet. Drying them as soon as you can will keep them warmer and you all outdoors for longer.
Feet
Thermal wellies such as Startrite Mudbusters are great for Aberdeen winters being warm and waterproof (snow boots are better for powder dry snow). Street Stompers in Aberdeen and Trendy Treads in Inverurie sell them, starting at a baby size 4 (EU20). My favourite style however are lightweight foam wellies with removable liners that you can wash. They have no branded name but you should find them online by searching for “kids Demar EVA lightweight wellies”. Amazon and Ebay sell them. Let me know if you get stuck!Top tip – waterproof trousers are better outside (rather than being tucked into) wellies and use the elastic footstraps if you have them. This keeps the rain and snow out.
Heads
Hats with earflaps, often known as trapper hats, keep ears and cheeks warm in even the worst of weathers – a good style for kids who won’t usually keep hats on. I recommend Didrikson’s Biggles hat.
Mums, Grannies and Aunties: a longer jacket with a decent collar and hood, such as a waterproof parka, is what you are looking for – try brands such as Didriksons or Seasalt, which look good as well as being warm. If you suffer from cold toes try neoprene wellies – Muck Boots or Grubs are two good brands. Pac boots such as Sorel are also really warm. If you want a more stylish pair of long boots then the type known as “country boots” not only look good but are warm and waterproof. Well-known makes include Ariat, Dubarry and Dublin.
Waterproof trousers also make a real difference in cold weather. Doesn’t matter what kind, as long as they keep out the wind and rain and let you splash in puddles too.
If you have a bump or use a baby carrier you will probably love babywearing jackets such as Mamalila.
Bits and bugs
Muddy Faces and Greenman Bushcraft sell loads of great outdoorsy kit – from fire pits to den building kits, penknives and hammocks.
Roots and shoots
Scotia Seeds are one of the best sources of native plant seed in Scotland. Excellent advice too!
Things to do
The Scottish Wildlife Trust, Wildlife Trusts’s Wildlife Watch, RSPB and the Woodland Trust’s Tree Tools for Schools all have masses of eco things to do – from making hedgehog houses to art ideas and online games.
Creative STAR Learning – an inspirational outdoor learning resource for educators by the inspirational Juliet Robertson.
Like food, foraging and all things wildly edible? Click on over to the wonderful Wild Food Stories!
Aberdeen City Council Countryside Ranger Service and Aberdeenshire Council Ranger Service also hold hands-on events for families on their reserves.
