Best Winter Gloves for Kids – waterproof, fleece, touchscreen and mitten picks

As kids get bigger, they want to spend more and more time outdoors – exploring, playing, and exerting their newfound independence. While they may be ready to have fun outdoors on their own a little bit more, or for longer periods of time, they’re still reliant on their parents to ensure they are warm and protected from the elements during the wintertime.

With the proper gear, such as winter gloves for kids, they can play outside, and you won’t have to worry. Check out our round-up of the best winter gloves for kids. This post includes affiliate links to relevant products, should you purchase through them Bounceback Parenting will receive a referral commission.

Best Waterproof Gloves for Kids:

Let’s start with what is a major consideration for a kids’ winter glove. They've gotta be waterproof! Kids do so much playing in the snow that a waterproof glove is basically a necessity to get through the winter months. Nothing gets hands colder than when they get wet.

N’Ice Caps Kids Thinsulate Gloves– When your kid is playing outside in the snow, the one thing you really want to make sure of is that the cold, wet snow won’t get inside their gloves and coat sleeves. You’ll also want their gloves to be waterproof and warm. The N’Ice Caps Kids Thinsulate Gloves offer everything you’re looking for to protect your kid’s hands. This insulated gloveis a number one bestseller on Amazon, and comes in ten different colors and seven different sizes. The Thinsulate material is amazing for warmth, and the knitted cuff is tucked inside the jacket sleeves to prevent snow from getting inside. We also love that they are adjustable and super easy for kids to put on all by themselves.

Tough Outdoors Winter Snow & Ski Gloves – When your kids are into winter sports like skiing and snowboarding, they need to ensure their hands are protected and these Tough Outdoors Kids Snow Gloves are a great choice. These gloves are waterproof, windproof, and super durable. They are made from nylon shell fabric with a synthetic leather palm that makes gripping easy and keeps hands warm. If the gloves don’t protect your kid’s hands to your satisfaction, Tough Outdoors offers a one-year no questions asked guarantee. They come in black, blue, and pink, and come in five different sizes. The ultimate in waterproof protection!

Best Touch Screen Winter Gloves for Kids

Let’s face it, when we’re talking about kids these days, their phones are always going to be near the top of their priority list. If your kid is old enough to have their own phone, then you might want to pick up some children’s gloves that are suitable for use with touchscreens.

Lethmik Mix Knit Touchscreen Gloves– These gloves are the way to go for older kids who love their phones and tablets. The Lethmik gloves are mix knit, made from wool and acrylic, and very soft and comfortable for little hands. They are not waterproof but are guaranteed to keep your child’s hands warm in cold weather, and as long as they fit snuggly, the touchscreen pads on the thumb and pointer finger will work perfectly so that your kids can use their electronics in the car or on the bus without taking their gloves off. The Lethmik Mix Knit Touchscreen Gloves are also an Amazon Choice Product with fantastic reviews.

YukiniYa Thick Soft Fleece Touchscreen Gloves – Kids don’t like winter gloves because they are bulky and can make picking things up harder for them; however, YukiniYa makes sport-style gloves that are perfect for winter and also have touchscreen pads on the fingers. These fleece gloves are super warm, lightweight, and have a flexible fit, which makes playtime outside much easier for kids who want to build snow forts, have snowball fights, and make snowmen. There are also reflective strips on the gloves, which are great for being seen in the dark. These gloves are perfect for kids to use in the car, school bus, or while out doing activities such as shopping, but are not the best when temperatures drop into single digits.

Best Fleece Gloves for Kids:

Adidas Performance Field Player Fleece Gloves– These polyester Polar Fleece gloves are breathable and negative cut for a tight, snug fit, perfect for kids who play winter sports or don’t enjoy bulky gloves. The cuffs are adjustable to ensure that no snow can sneak into your gloves, they’re also silicon inserts for the fingertips for kids who play sports like soccer or football and need an extra boost to help them catch the ball. The gloves are offered in the classic Adidas black and white and come in ten different sizes. Even if your kids don’t play sports, we still love these fleece gloves for kids that need warm gloves that provide flexibility and a snug fit.

N’Ice Caps Easy-On Fleece Gloves – The N’Ice Caps brand is one of our favorites because their gloves are perfect for winter weather. Even their fleece gloves are great to use in the snow because they are extra thick, with Sherpa lining, so while they are not 100% waterproof, they are definitely more protective than other fleece gloves on the market. N’Ice Caps fleece gloves for kids are also adjustable around the cuff,which also tucks in so your kids are double protected from the snow and cold. These gloves only come in two sizes, but there are four color options to choose from. We also love that these gloves are lightweight and come with jacket clips so they don’t get lost.

Best Winter Mittens for Kids:

Before we wrap up our favorites, let’s look at the number one alternative to a glove – the mitten! Mittens are a nice alternative because they are easy to wear, and allow children to squeeze their fingers together, which helps keep their hands warm. Here are a couple of our favorites:

Arctic Paw Sherpa Lined Mittens 3-Pack – Kids are never too old for mittens, especially in the wintertime, when it is cold outside, and their hands need extra protection. The Artic Paw Mittens are lined with thick, warm Sherpa for extra warmth and comfort, but are also breathable. The Sherpa also wraps around the cuff for a snug fit and provides more warmth. We love that these are sold as a set of three because kids love to have multiple styles to choose from day-to-day. They are also super affordable and fit kids age two to eight.

Unigear Kids’ Ski Mittens: Here’s a great set of mittens for the kid who loves to ski! Ski mitts need to be a bit more substantial than your average mitt. They need to be well insulated, waterproof, and very warm to protect a child’s hand against the harsh conditions. They also need a long cuff to ensure that no snow gets into the sleeve of the ski jacket. This mitt has all this and more! It’s a great ski mitt for when your kid is ready to hit the slopes!

Winter Gloves Buyer’s Guide

In this section, we’re giving you a full buyer’s guide to help you make the best choice from our list above. We know that there are many options on the market, and you want to make the best choice for your kid! Consider the following factors to help you decide which option is best for you:

Materials

The materials make a big difference in choosing a winter glove. The materials mostly determine two key variables – warmth and waterproofing. Gloves made with thicker, more insulated materials provide more warmth. Insulation materials make all the difference (popular choices include cotton, fleece, and Thinsulate). As for waterproofing, the outer layer needs to be made of a water resistant material such as nylon. It also must include adequate insulation to protect against any water that manages to seep through. Overall, be on the lookout for gloves that advertise themselves as warm and waterproof!

Climate

Of course, your needs will differ based on the climate. If you live in a climate where winters aren’t so harsh, you might be perfectly fine with a less insulated glove. In fact, you might find that full-blown winter gloves are too hot for your child. If this is the case, opt for some simple one-layer fleece or leather gloves. Otherwise, look for winter gloves.

Depends on Activities

To make the best choice, you also have to consider how you will be using your gloves. Kids love winter activities. From skiing, to hockey, to just playing in the snow, there are so many ways they keep occupied. Buy some gloves that can hold up to the task. If your kid is going to be engaging in a lot of snowy activities, check out our waterproof gloves or ski gloves on the list above.

Price vs. Quality

Our final consideration is price. But price alone is not enough, you have to consider price vs. quality. If you do your research properly, you will find that a rise in price tends to correlate to a rise in quality. Winter gloves might be something that is worth the extra investment. After all, nothing can ruin a winter day quite like freezing cold fingers. So check out our options above, and see which option best fits into your desired price range, but also which option offers all the features you need.

Going Forward

Having the best winter gloves for kids isn’t enough to keep your children protected from the elements. There are a few other pieces of winter gear that your kids will need, including the best winter snowsuit for kids and the best winter boots for kids. You can also find our top picks for toddler gloves here. Once you’ve rounded up all the winter gear you need for your kids this winter, they’ll be ready to play outside all day, even in the cold or snow.