12 Best Toddler Gloves and Mittens for Cold Weather
Winter is on its way and the temperature is rapidly dropping; time to update your kid’s cold-weather wardrobe! Once you’ve invested in the basics—think a good-quality coat, snow boots and a cozy hat—you’ll need to complete the picture with some toasty toddler gloves or mittens. And while it may be tempting to snap up the first cute pair you come across, don’t forget to think about performance. Your little one won’t be happy when ice and snow soak their pint-size paws—and you won’t be happy when those mittens fall off for the umteenth time.
All toddler gloves and mittens are definitely not created equal. Don’t worry though: we’ve got you (and your child’s hands) covered. Whether you’re hunting for cute toddler mittens or a durable pair of gloves, we’ve rounded up some of our favorite options for every outdoor need.
Keeping little fingers protected from the cold is key, but finding the perfect pair of toddler gloves or mittens can be tricky. To make things easier, here are some key things to look for.
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Easy to take on and off. Gloves or mittens need to be easy to get on when you’re rushing out the door, and it’s equally important that they’re easy to shuck off for snack time or bathroom breaks. Every kid is different, as well: While thumbless mitts are easy to slip on, some kids don’t like the feeling of their fingers being restricted. Whichever pair you choose, make sure they have a wide opening and a flexible fit.
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Elasticated cuffs. Searching for toddler mittens that stay on? Opt for a pair with elasticated cuffs. This will keep them firmly in place, no matter how hard your tot tries to tug them off.
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Warm lining. Of course, warmth is the most important factor when it comes to toddler gloves and mittens. In fact, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) says mittens or gloves are essential for warding off hypothermia. Choose a pair with a soft, insulated lining made from materials like fleece or merino wool.
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Waterproof outer-shell. If your little one loves to play outside, gloves with a waterproof outer are a must-have. Waterproof gloves will keep hands warm and dry, so kids can get on with playtime.
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Clips or string to keep them together. Those tiny mittens are easy to misplace, so buy a pair that can be clipped or tied together to save yourself time searching for lost gloves—and money when you have to replace them.
Some jackets and snowsuits come with fold-over mitts to keep little hands warm—but if your kiddo’s outwear doesn’t, winter gloves are a must-have for the colder months. These picks are easy to get on (and keep on!) and are perfect for protecting those tiny fingers from frosty weather.
Overall best toddler snow gloves
- Machine washable
- Integrated nose-wipe
- Somewhat bulky for small hands
Tiny fingers will stay warm, dry and comfy when they're wearing these breathable waterproof gloves that come loaded with features you didn't even know your little one needed—like an integrated nose wipe on the thumb, an under-cuff style and rib knit at the wrists to keep snow from collecting under sleeves and an ergonomic curved fit.
Material: 60% polyester/30% polyurethane/10% nylon (shell); polyester (insulation) | Size range: XS (1-2 years) to XL (8 years)
Best toddler waterproof gloves
- Breathable and moisture-wicking to keep hands dry
- Affordable
- Hand wash only
These waterproof, windproof gloves zip right up the back so they're a breeze to put on and take off. A wrist loop keeps them from getting lost on busy, blustery days, and soft faux leather on the palms means your little one can climb the playground structures to their heart's content without losing their grip.
Material: Polyester (fabric); cotton (plush) | Size range: XXXS (2-3 years) to XS (6-7 years)
Best toddler fleece gloves
- Comes in a set of three
- Small enough to fit tiny hands
- Not waterproof
- Not suitable for extreme cold
These no-frills stretchy fleece gloves come in a pack of three, with a variety of colors and patterns to choose from. Over 4,000 five-star reviews are a testament to how many little hands are staying warm in these toddler fleece gloves, and multiple parents rave that their children's hands were too small for other gloves—but these fit! Affordable and practical, you'll want to keep a pair (or three!) on hand for the chilly days ahead.
Material: Polyester/cotton blend | Size range: 1-3 years to 7-11 years
Best toddler insulated gloves
- Soft "nose wipe" on back of thumb
- Palm grips
- Pricey
These toddler ski gloves are built for the slopes but excel in any snowbound scenario. Made with recycled materials, the gloves boast a moisture-resistant outer shell and PrimaLoft insulation on the inside. Plus, grippy palms, adjustable wrist straps and a zippered pocket for a heat pack make this pair perfect for mini outdoor enthusiasts.
Material: Polyester | Size range: S to XL
Best toddler foldover gloves
- Affordable
- Flexible hybrid design
- Not machine washable
- Not for super cold days
Struggling to get your squirmy kiddo’s hands into gloves is never fun, but mittens aren’t always practical (especially if your kid refuses to wear them). This knit pair is a glove-mitten hybrid, with half fingers and a foldover mitt for added flexibility indoors and outdoors.
Material: 95% acrylic/5% polyester | Size range: One size (2-5 years)
Best budget-friendly toddler gloves
- Super affordable
- Two-pack means you always have a backup pair
- Not waterproof
- Not good for extreme cold
It's always a good idea to have extra gloves on hand (get it?) and this two-pack from Carter's is machine-washable, so you can always have at least one pair in rotation. And at only $4 a pair you can even stock up on extras if you want! Plus, they're super sweet, with a pink smiley-face design and striped cuffs on one pair.
Material: 83% acrylic/16% polyester/1% spandex | Size range: One size (2T-4T)
Bundling a squirmy toddler into winter gear is always a feat. By the time you get to their hands, it’s a relief to be able to pop a pair of mittens on them and be done with it, rather than fitting ten tiny fingers into gloves. Plus, mittens keep your little one’s hands warmer, since their fingers are free to move, generating and circulating heat within the mitts. When it’s seriously cold outside, mittens are a must. Read on to shop our favorite pairs.
Overall best toddler snow mittens
- Long cuffs keep the cold out
- Palm grips
- Not machine washable
These toddler winter mittens have a waterproof outer shell and lining to keep hands dry during long days in the snow. Insulated for superior warmth, they also boast an extra-long cuff to keep the chill out and durable grip palms that are perfect for winter sports.
Material: Nylon (shell); acrylic (cuff); polyester (lining); 65% olefin/35% polyester (insulation) | Size range: S (1-3 years) to XL (7-12 years)
Best toddler waterproof mittens
- Soft microfleece lining
- Adjustable wrist straps
- No palm grips
- Can't go in the washing machine
L.L.Bean is a go-to brand for cold-weather apparel, earning them a spot on our list. These durable mittens have a waterproof membrane and heat-trapping Thinsulate insulation to keep hands toasty. Plus, an extra-wide opening and adjustable Velcro wrist straps make them easy to take on and off.
Material: Polyester | Size range: 12-24 months to 2-4T
Best toddler fleece mittens
- Moisture-wicking lining keeps hands dry
- Ribbed cuffs keep them on securely
- One-size design may not fit all hands
Taking a tot out in subzero weather calls for something more substantial than your average mittens. Patagonia’s Baby Pita Pocket Mittens have a double layer of fleece for warmth and a smooth lining that helps them slide on and off. Plus, the long cuffs fit nicely underneath a jacket to keep them firmly in place.
Material: Polyester | Size range: One size (2T-5T)
Best toddler insulated mittens
- Perfect for extremely cold days
- Machine washable
- On the pricey side
Made with PrimaLoft insulation technology, these mittens will keep your little one's hands toasty warm no matter how low the mercury drops. Waterproof and weather-resistant, Velcro straps at the wrist keep them snug and secure, loops help keep them from getting lost and palm and thumb grips mean your child can play hard without slipping.
Material: Polyester | Size range: Infant (0-12 months) to Large (8-12 years)
Best toddler stay-together mittens
- Machine-washable
- Snaps keep them together so they don't get lost
- Sizing runs big
It’s a blessing when toddler winter mittens are easy to slip on—and a real pain when they all-too-easily slip off. Not only does it leave those tiny hands vulnerable to the cold, but it’s a perfect recipe for losing gloves. That won’t be a problem with this pair from 7AM Enfant. They feature elastic around the wrists for easy-on wear, a hook-and-loop wrist strap for a secure fit and side snaps to attach the mitts together when your tot’s not wearing them. The best part? A water-repellent outer shell and an insulated lining keep digits warm and dry in temps as low as -4° Fahrenheit.
Material: 50% polyester/41% cotton/9% nylon | Size range: 6-12 months to 2-4 years
Best cute toddler mittens
- Fingerless style makes them great for varying temps
- High quality crafting
- Pricey
- Hand wash only
Sometimes you just have to splurge—and these adorable fingerless mittens are worth it, if you've got the extra to spend. Crafted from alpaca fleece by artisans in Bolivia, the sweet rainbow stripes and chunky knit offer timeless style that's begging to be handed down to younger friends and relatives when your little one outgrows them.
Material: Alpaca | Size range: S/M to M/L
Toddler gloves and mittens come in dozens of different designs and many different materials. How to pick the best ones? Our goal is to do the bulk of the research for you, so you don’t have to slog through hundreds of retailers and reviews. We read reviews, considered price points and only chose those pairs that parents (and their kiddos) seemed to really love. Our list includes gloves and mittens that will suit a variety of needs—and all of them earned at least an average of a four-star rating from happy customers. And of course, because many of us are parents as well, we drew on our own experiences with our children.
Interested in learning more about our editorial process? Read about how our team develops and reviews all our articles here.
Plus, more from The Bump:
Healthy Children (AAP), Playing Outside in Winter: Tips to Keep Kids Warm & Safe, January 2023
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