Mittens for Kids - Guide to Warm Little Hands All Winter

Cold little hands are one of the most common frustrations for parents during winter. Children lose a lot of heat through their hands, and the wrong mittens can leave their fingers ice-cold within minutes.

This guide helps you choose the right mittens for your child - whether it's a baby in a stroller, a toddler playing in the snow at daycare, or an active child on the ski slopes.

Mittens, Gloves, or Lobster Mitts?

There are three main types of hand coverings for children. Which type works best depends on your child's age, activity level, and need for finger dexterity.

Mittens

Mittens keep all fingers together in one compartment and are the warmest option. The fingers warm each other, and there's less surface area releasing heat. For children under 3-4 years, mittens are the best choice.

The advantage is easy on-and-off. The downside is limited dexterity - your child can't grip things as well.

Gloves

Gloves provide full finger dexterity and suit older children who need to grip ski poles, button snaps, or play with small objects. Most children can't manage gloves until age 4-5 because it's difficult to get fingers in the right holes.

Gloves are colder than mittens because each finger is insulated separately. Compensate with thicker insulation or wool liner gloves underneath.

Lobster Mitts (Three-Finger Gloves)

Lobster mitts are a compromise between mittens and gloves. The thumb has its own compartment, the index finger has its own compartment, and the last three fingers share a compartment. This gives better grip than mittens and more warmth than gloves.

Lobster mitts are popular as ski mittens for children from age 4-5. The child can grip poles well without freezing.

Materials - What Keeps Hands Warmest?

Wool

Wool is the natural first choice for children's winter gear. Merino wool is soft, regulates moisture, and provides warmth even when damp. Wool mittens work excellently as the only layer on mild winter days or as liner mittens under waterproof outer mittens.

The downside is that wool alone isn't waterproof. Wool mittens get soaked within minutes if your child plays in the snow.

Gore-Tex and Waterproof Membranes

Mittens with Gore-Tex or similar membranes keep hands dry in wet snow and sleet. They breathe well and let moisture escape while keeping water and wind out. For daycare use, waterproof mittens are practically a requirement.

Thinsulate and Synthetic Insulation

Thinsulate is a thin insulation material that provides good warmth without bulk. Mittens with Thinsulate are soft and flexible, making it easier for children to grip things. 100-200 grams of Thinsulate is common in children's mittens.

Leather

Leather mittens have natural wind resistance and good durability. They mold to the child's hand over time. Some models have wool lining inside. Leather mittens require more maintenance than synthetic alternatives.

Mittens by Age

0-12 Months - Baby Mittens

Babies don't need dexterity, but they need warmth. Baby mittens should be soft, easy to put on, and impossible to take off. Look for models that fasten with velcro around the wrist or that attach to the snowsuit sleeves.

For stroller use, wool or fleece mittens are sufficient. The hands are protected by the stroller cover. For baby carrier use on cold days, you should use thicker, windproof mittens.

Size: Baby mittens typically come in sizes 0-6 months and 6-12 months.

1-3 Years - The Daycare Child

This is the age when mittens disappear fastest. The daycare child needs waterproof, warm mittens that can handle hard use. Choose models with a long cuff that extends well up the forearm - this makes it harder for the child to pull them off.

Mittens with elastic or velcro around the wrist stay on better than loose models. Some mittens have a long zipper that makes it easier to get the hand in.

Size: Size 1-2 years (approx. 4.7-5.1 inch hand length) and 2-3 years (approx. 5.1-5.5 inch).

3-6 Years - The Active Child

Now your child can start using lobster mitts or gloves for activities requiring grip. For everyday use, mittens are still warmest. Many parents have two pairs - regular mittens for daycare and ski mittens or lobster mitts for skiing and sledding.

Size: Size 4-5 (approx. 5.5-5.9 inch hand length) and 5-6 (approx. 5.9-6.3 inch).

How to Find the Right Size

Wrong size is the most common reason children get cold hands. Oversized mittens provide poor insulation because the air pocket is too large. Too-small mittens squeeze and restrict blood circulation.

How to measure:

1. Place your child's hand flat on a piece of paper
2. Measure from the wrist fold to the tip of the middle finger
3. Measure around the widest part of the hand (across the knuckles)

Winter Mittens for Daycare

Daycare places special demands on mittens. Your child is outside in all kinds of weather, and staff need to help many children get dressed. Here's what to consider:

Waterproof Is a Must

The daycare child sits in the snow, digs with their hands, and makes snowballs. Wool mittens get soaked within minutes. Always choose waterproof outer mittens for daycare.

Label the Mittens

Mittens are the item most often lost at daycare. Label both mittens clearly with your child's name. Use mitten clips or a mitten string attached to the jacket to prevent loss.

Have Two Pairs

One pair in use and one pair drying. Wet mittens in the morning are a bad start to the day for everyone.

Choose Simple Models

Staff need to help many children. Mittens with a long cuff and simple opening are easier to put on than models with lots of buttons or strings.

Ski Mittens for Kids - For Sledding and Skiing

Ski mittens need to be waterproof, warm, and provide good grip. For sledding, regular winter mittens work fine, but for skiing with poles, your child needs mittens or lobster mitts that allow dexterity.

Good ski mittens have:

• Waterproof outer layer (Gore-Tex or similar)
• Reinforced palm for grip
• Long cuff that goes over the jacket sleeve
• Elastic or velcro around the wrist
• Insulation of at least 150 grams Thinsulate

For downhill and alpine skiing, there are specialized ski gloves with extra protection and grip. These are rarely necessary for children under 6-7 years.

Recommended Brands

Reima

Reima's mittens are designed for cold-climate conditions. They use proprietary materials and have well-thought-out fits. Popular for daycare use. Price range: $20-45.

Polarn O. Pyret

PO.P makes durable mittens with good fit. Known for quality that lasts through multiple children. Price range: $20-40.

Didriksons

Good waterproof mittens at a reasonable price. Didriksons focuses on function over appearance. Price range: $15-35.

Hestra

Swedish mitten specialist with over 80 years of experience. Hestra makes some of the best ski mittens for children - particularly known for leather mittens with good insulation. Price range: $30-60.

Joha

Danish brand known for wool products. Joha's merino wool mittens are soft and warm - perfect as liner mittens or for mild winter days. Price range: $15-25.

Price Guide - What Do Children's Mittens Cost?

Tips for Keeping Mittens on Your Child

Every parent knows the frustration: you put the mittens on, and two seconds later they're lying in the snow. Here are some tried-and-true tricks:

Mitten clips: Attach an elastic cord between the mittens through the jacket sleeves. Your child can take off the mittens without losing them.

Long cuff: Mittens with a long cuff covering the wrist are much harder to pull off than short models.

Velcro: Tighten the velcro snugly around the wrist. Your child shouldn't be able to flip the mitten off with the other hand.

Let your child choose: Children who get to pick the color and pattern of their mittens are more motivated to keep them on.

Don't give up: Most children stop removing their mittens once they discover it's cold without them. Some just need a little time.

Washing and Maintenance

• Wool mittens: Hand wash in lukewarm water with wool detergent. Don't wring - press out water gently. Dry flat.
• Waterproof mittens: Machine wash at 85-105°F. Hang to dry. Re-waterproof once per season.
• Leather mittens: Air dry naturally - never on a heater. Use leather conditioner or balm to keep the leather soft.

Children's Mittens Checklist

Here's a quick overview of what you need:

• Waterproof mittens for daycare and snow play
• Wool mittens as liner mittens or for mild days
• Extra pair drying while the other is in use
• Mitten clips or string to prevent loss
• Labeled with your child's name
• Correct size - not too large

Check our shopping list to keep track of what you need, and see the baby gear checklists for a complete overview of necessary winter gear.

More about winter clothing:

• Winter snowsuit for kids - complete guide - choose the right suit
• Winter boots for kids - warm feet all winter
• Layering for winter baby - proper dressing
• Baby clothes by season - season-adapted dressing
• Baby clothes size guide - find the right size
• Rain gear for kids - for wetter days

Frequently Asked Questions About Kids' Mittens

What are the best mittens for daycare?

Waterproof mittens with a long cuff and good insulation are best for daycare. Choose models that are easy to put on and take off, with velcro or elastic around the wrist. Always have two pairs so your child has dry mittens every day. Reima, Didriksons, and Polarn O. Pyret make good daycare mittens.

How do I keep mittens on my baby?

For babies under one year, choose mittens that attach to the snowsuit sleeves, or use models with a long, tight cuff. Mitten clips that fasten the mittens to the jacket are useful for older babies. Some snowsuits have integrated mittens that can't be removed.

Mittens or gloves - which is warmer?

Mittens are warmer than gloves because all fingers share warmth in the same compartment. Gloves insulate each finger separately, which leads to more heat loss. For children under 4-5 years, mittens are recommended. Older children who need dexterity can use lobster mitts as a compromise.

When does my child need ski mittens?

Your child needs dedicated ski mittens when they start skiing with poles, typically from age 4-5. Ski mittens have reinforced palms for grip and extra insulation. For sledding and hill play, regular winter mittens are sufficient.

How many pairs of mittens does my child need?

A minimum is two pairs of waterproof mittens and one pair of wool mittens. If your child attends daycare, you should have three pairs of waterproof mittens so you always have a dry pair available. Add a pair of ski mittens if your child goes skiing.