Gear
Having the proper gear for all weather allows us to spend our time comfortably outside. The following list is required for your child to participate in our program. You probably have much of this at home already. Please see our Amazon list of recommendations if you do need to purchase any items.
In this section, we recommend certain brands. Please note that we do not require certain brands, only certain gear.
Daily Clothing:
Children should be dressed in comfortable play clothes so they can climb and jump and get dirty. They should wear washable clothes which they can handle themselves. Please use elastic waist pants when possible and refrain from allowing your children to wear long skirts as they tend to be unsafe when climbing, jumping, running, etc. Children should always have a full, seasonal change of clothing in their backpacks.
Shoes:
The type of shoe your child wears is very important. In warnmer weather sandals are ideal as they can get wet and dry quickly. Sandals must have a strap across the back of the foot and not be open-toed.
For cold or wet weather the children need boots. When purchasing boots choose ones that are easy to put on, preferably with pull handles. Some recommended brands are Bogs, Kamik, Keen, and Merrill. Please choose boots that are free of bulky "character" such as horns, wings, scales, etc. These make it difficult to pull snow and rain pants over the boots.
Rain Gear:
Please be sure your child has either a one or a two piece rain suit at preschool year-round. We frequently use rain gear as mud gear.
Some recommended brands: Reima, Oakiwear, Polarn O Pyret, Jan and Jul
Winter Gear:
Children need layers to stay warm. For their outer layer they will need waterproof snow boots, snow pants, winter coat, and gloves every day in the winter. Gloves should be mitten-style, long-cuffed, waterproof, and have no zippers. Their hat should be fleece-lined and a balaclava style is ideal. Everything should fit loosely enough to fit two layers of clothing comfortably underneath. Their mid-layer should be soft, everyday clothing they can move easily in. Their base layer of clothing should be fleece or wool, no cotton. Long-johns or even snug two-piece fleece pajamas are ideal for this layer. Tall wool socks should be worn to keep toes warm and to keep the socks from sagging in their boots throughout the day.
Some recommended brands: Arctix, Oakiwear, Jan and Jul, Chopper Mill, Reima
Summer Gear:
Keep the sun off children as much as possible. Long, loose layers of clothing and a sun hat are ideal for the summer months.
If you have boots, rain pants, rain coats, snow gear, hats or gloves to donate, please send them in for our Borrow Baskets. Thank you!