15 Best Winter Jackets for Kids: Warmest Coats (2025)

Last Updated on October 30, 2025 by Audrey

Cold weather is on its way, and I’m starting to pull out our favorite winter jackets for chilly mornings. We’ve also got the email that our season passes are ready for ski season. Choosing a winter jacket for your kids is typically a pretty straightforward task. However, this list includes some of my favorite winter coats to keep kids warm in cold climates. All these options are high-quality products that are built to grow with your kids and last for several seasons. Typically, we can get two (sometimes three) seasons out of our winter coats for our elementary-age kids.

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What to Look for In a Winter Coat

When you’re looking for a winter coat, choose something that’s durable, waterproof (or at least water resistant), includes synthetic insulation, and can grow with your child. I also prefer choosing something that’s versatile, like a winter jacket that also functions well as a ski jacket, or a puffy jacket that can be layered for additional warmth.

Typically, my favorite brands for winter jackets are AKOVA, TownHall, Jan and Jul, and Reima. I like to choose smaller companies that are owned by parents who understand important design choices in kids gear. Winter gear from larger, more adult-based companies can sometimes be ill fitting or awkward in child sizes, or aren’t made to grow with my children. However, there are some exceptions, and you’ll see them listed below.

What you won’t find are generic jackets that don’t include good quality materials and aren’t made to last a single season. I started out buying jackets like that when our kids were toddlers. We lived in Minnesota, where cold temperatures were the norm. Those coats just didn’t stand up to the bitter weather for our family’s needs. We’re outside a lot, and need to choose gear that can handle our active family’s lifestyle. I know the lower price points are tempting, but there are better options available that will save you money in the long run from not having to replace them frequently.

Winter Jackets for Different Climates

Different climates will need different outdoor gear. If you live in the South, a nice puffer jacket will probably be enough to keep your child warm. However, if you’re living in a cold climate (like I do!), then you’re going to need something with windproofing, waterproofing, and ultimate warmth to keep your kids warm and cozy on the coldest of days.

Best Winter Coats for Toddlers

A lot of people choose a snowsuit for toddlers. I also like snowsuits for toddlers when it’s time for outside play. However, if you are considering teaching your toddler to ski, I actually recommend a ski jacket and bibs. The reason why is that your young child will end up spending the majority of their day in the lodge, taking breaks from their short ski runs. Wearing a snowsuit in the lodge is hot, cumbersome, and uncomfortable. This is why I prefer bibs and ski jackets for little ones on ski days. You can set the jacket aside and let your toddler explore the lodge in their bibs, without having to take their ski or snowboard boots off.

Reima Kupponen Down Winter Jacket

Reima Kupponen is a cozy down winter jacket that’s the perfect option for toddlers in cold climates. With 10K waterproofing and responsibly utilized down/feather insulation, this windproof and waterproof coat will keep your little one warm and cozy, even in the chilliest of conditions.

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Columbia Baby Fire Side Sherpa Full Zip

The Fire Side Sherpa is a super soft fleece jacket that will keep little ones super cozy and warm on chilly days.

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Columbia Unisex Baby Tiny Bear Jacket

Is there anything cuter than a tiny toddler in a bear jacket? My daughter had the Tiny Bear Jacket when she was a little one, and I loved seeing her with the little bear ears!

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Patagonia Down Sweater

Patagonia’s Down Sweaters are the perfect jacket to use as both an insulator or on its own. I’ve also read that it works well in car seats with toddlers, but I chose to always take off my kids puffy jackets before buckling them up. Be sure to research that yourself before you decide to keep your kiddo’s puffy on in the car seat.

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Jan and Jul Ski Jacket

I love that Jan and Jul has a high-quality ski coat that fits toddlers and at a great price! Their designs are always adorable and make a perfect option as a versatile winter jacket that will also work well for little ones to begin trying skiing.

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Best Winter Coats for Outdoor Play

When I think of winter coats for outdoor play, I think about the perfect winter jacket for snow days, and the winter coat that goes to school with my kids each day. This jacket needs to be something that they can easily put on themselves. It also needs to be durable and withstand some abuse. A lot of time this coat is going to need to be cleaned easily after my kids have done unimaginable things to it while rolling in the dirt or sliding through wet, muddy conditions. The following coats fit the bill perfectly!

TownHall Down Town Puffy

This durable puffy is the perfect insulator for outdoor play, layers, or sending to school for active kids. I love that it’s easy for my daughter to get on herself. I love that they include 100% recycled down insulation and an attached hood for the coldest of playground days.

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AKOVA Kids Elevated Ultra Insulated Puffy Jacket

I love AKOVA’s gear, and their insulated puffy is no different! This one has ultra light insulation that’s also super warm and perfect for active kids. This versatile jacket is perfect for outside play, but pairs under AKOVA’s Elevated Hardshell or layers under their Element Insulator.

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Columbia Girls Heavenly Long Jacket

The Columbia Heavenly Long jacket is the perfect cozy jacket for girls looking for a good, warm coat for outdoor play. I love Columbia’s OmniHeat technology for added warmth.

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Best Winter Ski Jackets

Skiing is our family’s favorite outdoor activity. We’re crazy about ski season, and getting on the slopes as frequently as possible. These coats have withstood multiple seasons of wear, and still are holding up well. They’re coats that have kept their waterproofing and have features that just make sense for skiers and snowboarders.

TownHall Mountain Town Winter Jacket

The Mountain Town winter jacket is my son’s top pick for his favorite ski jacket, year after year! The lightweight design features 10K waterproofing and plenty of synthetic fill to keep your kids toasty on the mountain. I love that it has pit zips for keeping kids cooler on warm ski days, as well as a powder skirt for deep powder days. The adjustable wrist cuffs fit under my kids’ mittens, making it a comfortable and bomber option on a stormy ski day.

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AKOVA Kids Element Jacket

The AKOVA Element jacket has all the perfect features for a kid’s ski jacket. It has 10K waterproofing and 150 grams of stretchy insulation. It’s super warm and keeps my kids comfortable on the coldest of ski days.

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Jan and Jul Kids Ski Jacket

It’s no secret that I love Jan and Jul! I think their prices are fantastic when combined with their amazing quality gear. I love that they have develop an Insulated Ski Jacket to their awesome outdoor gear. Featuring everything I look for in a good ski jacket, such as 10K waterproofing, a high breathability rating, powder skirt, RFID ski pass pocket, and plenty of extra zippered pockets, this is a great ski coat for little skiers.

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ReimaTec Palsi Waterproof Ski Jacket

Reima’s ski jacket, Palsi, is designed for all little skiers-from ripping toddlers to older kids. Featuring 10K waterproofing, insulation down to -5 degrees Fahrenheit, and excellent breathability, this is a great ski coat for ski trips.

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Best Mid-Layer or Puffer Jackets

I consider puffy coats to be the workhorse of the jacket world. They’re designed to provide warmth year round, whether that be as a single layer, or added under thicker coats or even shells to provide additional warmth for kids. These are the coats I send with my kids to school on brisk fall days, pack for camping trips no matter the season, and use when kids need an extra layer on a bitter cold ski day.

AKOVA Elevated Insulated Jacket

Our Elevated Insulator has been going strong for FOUR winter seasons, passed down from one kid to another! We also use it as a school jacket. It’s the perfect layer for hiking, camping or and outdoor adventures, as well as for a mid layer insulation layer for skiing. Unlike most puffy jackets, the stretchy material is super durable and won’t rip easily. The adult version is similar to the kids’ elevated insulator and includes that super durable outer material, which I love! AKOVA is our whole family’s go-to puffy jacket!

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Patagonia Nano Puff Insulated Jacket

Patagonia’s Nano Puff jacket is the perfect lightweight layer for extra warmth, or as its own windproof and water resistant

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TownHall Down Town Puffy

The Down Town Puffy is a thick and warm insulated jacket that’s perfect for layering under a shell or an insulated ski jacket on super cold days!

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Most Waterproof Kids Winter Coats

Choosing a waterproof jacket is essential for wet, wintry conditions, especially if you’re planning on being outside for a long time. Outdoor gear rates waterproofing based on how high a column of water can be pressed against fabric before it starts leaking. I’d recommend not buying a jacket below 5,000 mm, and I typically won’t recommend waterproof gear below 10K mm. My favorite waterproof gear is AKOVA, with 20K waterproofing.

AKOVA Elevated Hardshell 2.5L

AKOVA’s Elevated hardshell is one of the few 20K waterproofed jacket for kids out there! We add insulation with one of our favorite puffy jackets, and find that my kids stay toasty warm, even on chilly days. The best part is that my kids stay super dry and comfortable no matter the weather (even in the dreaded snain!) The hood fits a ski helmet perfectly. I also love AKOVA’s Adjust-A-Fit style that allows this high-quality gear to last for multiple seasons!

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Warmest Jacket for Kids

If you live in a cold climate that typically dips below 0 degrees Fahrenheit, you’re going to want to consider a very warm, cozy children’s coat with plenty of insulation. We’ve lived in Minnesota and Montana, and know how much our kids still needed to get outside, even if the temperatures were sub-zero. These options will keep your kids cozy, even when it’s bitterly cold outside.

Jan and Jul Kids Winter Coat

The Toasty-Dry Puffy Coat is a great option for a super warm winter coat at a lower price point! With 10K waterproofing and vegan insulation down to -22 degrees, kids will stay super warm and dry with this cozy coat. I also love Jan and Jul’s patterns! They’re the cutest.

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ReimaTec Seawool Osteri Winter Jacket

ReimaTec Osteri is the ultimate cold weather jacket! With and outer layer of waterproofing and plenty of insulation, this jacket is perfect for frigid temperatures. Uniquely, Reima’s signature Seawool fibers made from oyster shells, and the insulation is made from recycled ocean-bound plastic! They also have a longer parka option called the Raakku, if you need additional coverage for your kids.

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Best Winter Coats for Kids

This list of best kids coats includes options for all different climates and outdoor activities. Choose the best option from this list of best coats and make the most of the wintry weather this season!