We use puffer jackets with a light rain jacket over top.

We have raincoats.
On a day like today DD wore a Tshirt, sweatshirt, then the raincoat.
Wearing 2 coats is too cumbersome

Anonymous wrote:Can anyone provide a link to a waterproof layer/poncho they have that works well over a winter coat?

Agree with PP to get a waterproof coat every winter. Lands End squall is good. That's what we do. If you prefer to layer, Lands End has "packable rain jacket" that is very light and thin, and you could easily go up one size with that and put it over sweatshirt or puffer or whatever.

What is your 4 year old doing outside when it’s a rainy winter day? Are they in a forest-style preschool where kids are outside for long stretches of time, no matter what the weather? Get them a good technical raincoat and rain pants, along with warm, waterproof boots. Plus wool socks and excellent base layers and mid layers.

Are they walking from house to car to library/preschool/grocery store? They’re fine under your umbrella in whatever coat is handy.

Are you taking a walk to the park and back to jump in muddy puddles? Get them a traditional rain slicker and rain boots, along with a base layer and a fleece. You will get cold before they do.

I put a rain jacket over their normal jacket.

DC has waterproof north face winter coat, but waterproof would still get water soaked through if it rains to a certain degree. DC put on a disposable rain poncho outside the waterproif jacket.

Scotchguard winter jackets.

Can anyone provide a link to a waterproof layer/poncho they have that works well over a winter coat?

DC’s heaviest winter coat is always waterproof for this reason. Assuming this isn’t an option for today, I’d pair whatever you have with an umbrella.

You can always find great deals on gently used winter coats (North Face, Columbia, LL Bean) on Poshmark if you don’t want to invest $100+ on a 4 year old.

I would go with a poncho over a winter coat if the kid is actually going to be outside for a significant amount of time while it's raining. It's more likely they will only be in the rain a minute or two, though, so in that case I would just do the winter coat.

I'd look into getting a waterproof winter coat. It does snow here most years so it's a decent choice.

If I didn't have that, I'd do a waterproof layer over a winter coat for a four year old. My older kid will probably wear a raincoat over a hoodie today, but that seems light for a preschooler.

If your DC’s winter jacket isn’t waterproof, what do they wear on rainy days like today? Do they have a. Very heavy rain jacket or a lightweight rain cover that goes over their usual winter jacket? Looking for recommendations for either style for a 4-year-old. Thanks!