Best Toddler Winter Hats to Keep Kids Warm
Toddlers are sensitive creatures, and they’re particularly susceptible to feeling cold. To that end, a warm winter hat is a seasonal essential—and an instant outfit maker. The best toddler winter hats are made from super-soft materials with extended sides to keep those itty-bitty ears warm. (And, FYI, a toddler winter hat with a secure fit and a chin strap is always a good investment, as it’s less likely to fall off during outdoor adventures.) Ready to start shopping? From beanies to balaclavas, here are some of the cutest, coziest options around.
Many children’s clothing shops and outdoor retailers also offer hats for toddlers. Start your search here:
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Dick’s Sporting Goods. This chain is known for its affordable-yet-upscale gear, including toddler outdoor clothes and accessories. Dick’s has plenty of toddler winter hats, gloves and more to keep your little one warm during the cooler months.
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L.L.Bean: This brand is practically synonymous with warm outdoor gear. Choose from snuggly caps with ear flaps, chunky fold-up hats and more.
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Gap: Whether you’re on the hunt for neutral winter hats that will go with any outfit or prefer a fun themed option, Gap has got you covered.
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Amazon: Your go-to source for just about everything also has a wide array of toddler winter hats. Snap up a new hat, gloves, jacket and more here.
Fashion and function come together (with a touch of adorableness) to create the best winter hats for toddlers. Check out these must-have options for your child.
Overall best toddler winter hat
Patagonia’s massively popular Furry Friends fleece hat manages to toe the line between a classic look and adorable design. This double-faced fleece hat features sweet bear cub ears for added cuteness you (and your child) will love. Double-layer fabric at the hem adds extra warmth, while the soft feel will please even the most hat-averse kids. Choose from eight different color options.
Material: Polyester fleece | Size range: Newborn to 5T | Machine washable?: Y
- Adorable design
- Incredibly soft feel
- Good level of warmth
- May run large
Best toddler beanie
For everyday wear, parents can’t get enough of Carhartt’s toddler winter hats—evidenced by thousands of five-star reviews on Amazon. They’re super-stretchy to keep pace with a growing kid, and despite being acrylic, reviewers rave about how warm they are. Plus, as pint-size versions of Carhartt’s hipster-worthy adult beanies, they get extra style points! Available in loads of color options at hard-to-beat prices.
Material: Acrylic rib-knit | Size range: One size | Machine washable: Y
- Huge color range
- Stretchy enough to grow with your child
- Trendy look
- May be snug on toddlers with larger heads
Best toddler hat and gloves set
Designed with a double layer of fleece at the ears and crown of the head, this toddler hat and mittens from L.L.Bean keeps your tot’s extremities warm, whatever the weather. It has a cute bobble decoration and a hook-and-loop closure under the chin for added security. Matching mittens, which clip together and can be worn on either hand, complete the look. Available in purple, pink, orange and blue.
Material: Polyester fleece | Size range: 6 months to 4T | Machine washable: Y
- Good thickness for warmth
- Harder for kids to remove
- Cute style
- May be too warm on more mild days
Best toddler dinosaur winter hat
Dinosaurs tend to be a hit with toddlers (as you may have noticed!). This hat from The Gap allows your little one to become their own dino thanks to scale appliques on the top. The hat is crafted from organic cotton and recycled polyester, with a soft, ribbed fabric they’ll love wearing. The hat comes in your choice of navy or army green shades.
Material: 60% cotton/40% polyester | Size range: S/M to M/L | Machine washable: Y
- Fun design
- Foldable hem
- Soft knit
- May not be warm enough for very cold climates
Best faux fur toddler winter hat
The North Face offers durable outerwear that’s super-stylish to boot. Whether you’re headed to the park or the ski slopes, this faux fur beanie will keep your kid’s noggin warm. The soft feel also ensures your little one will actually want to wear it. The hat is made from 100 percent recycled raschel fleece and comes complete with a sweet pom pom on top. Choose from white and black shades.
Material: Polyester | Size range: Small to large | Machine washable: Y
- Incredibly soft feel
- Goes with everything
- Good for cold days
- No strap
Best toddler trapper hat
On the hunt for a toddler winter hat? Zutano is a family-owned company based in Vermont that creates some of the best kids’ accessories out there. While we adore the brand’s classic beanies, it doesn’t get much cuter than this mini trapper cap. It has a fleece exterior, a soft furry lining, ear flaps and a Velcro strap that fastens under the chin for a secure fit.
Material: Cotton, polyester | Size range: 6 months to 4T | Machine washable: Y
- Good ear coverage
- Very comfortable feel
- Large color range
- Will likely be too warm on more mild days
Best reversible beanie
Patagonia is beloved by outdoor enthusiasts—but did you know this brand makes winter accessories for kids too? This reversible toddler winter hat offers two looks in one: An adorable knit pattern on one side and a high-pile fleece on the other. It’s also designed with longer sides to protect ears from the cold. Plus, this super-cute style is Fair Trade sewn and made from recycled polyester, so it’s a sustainable option to boot.
Material: Cotton, polyester | Size range: 3 months to 5T | Machine washable: N/A
- Good ear coverage
- Two options for wearing
- Won’t lose shape or shrink
- Sweater-knit side may not be as comfortable on the inside
Best toddler winter hat with ear flaps
How about a toddler winter hat your mini can wear multiple ways? Simply fold the ear flaps up to create a cute beanie cap or leave them down for a traditional trapper-style hat. An adjustable toggle at the back and a hook-and-loop chin strap, allow you to tighten the hat as needed. Designed to withstand the cold, this hat has a warm Thinsulate lining, fully taped seams and a waterproof outer shell.
Material: Polyester | Size range: 6-24 months to 2-5T | Machine washable: Y
- Waterproof exterior
- Great for especially cold days
- Ear flaps can be folded up or down
- Toddlers with larger heads may need to size up
Best toddler pom pom hat
Is there anything cuter than a bobble hat? We don’t think so. And this one by Deux par Deux boasts a polar fleece lining and a ribbed knit exterior. Long ear flaps keep your little one cozy on a cold winter day, while braided strings with a tassel tie keep the hat securely in place. And a fluffy pom-pom up top completes the look.
Material: 30% wool/30% nylon/40% acrylic (shell); 94% polyester/6% spandex (lining) | Size range: 2-4 years to 14-16 years | Machine washable: Y
- Soft, cozy feel
- Good ear coverage
- Stretches as your child grows
- Pricey
Best plush toddler hat
Coaxing a toddler into a hat they don’t like the look of can be tricky to say the least. Fortunately, this cute cap boasts adorable animal ears that little kids love. It’s crafted from a plush Sherpa material and lined with fleece, so it’s touchably soft too. And a slip-through adjustable chin strap means it won’t slip off your little one’s noggin.
Material: Polyester | Size range: One size | Machine washable: Y
- Fun theme kids will love
- Incredibly soft feel
- Adjustable chin strap
- May not be warm enough for colder climates
A winter hat is a wardrobe staple in the colder months for your toddler, and you want to choose wisely. That’s why we do the bulk of the research for you, so you don’t have to spend hours scrolling through online retailers. To find the best toddler winter hats, we browsed dozens of options from leading kids’ brands and trusted online retailers, and narrowed the field based on elements like fabric, warmth, style and durability. Reviews from parents were considered as well to ensure we had the best sense of how these hats perform and hold up over time for a range of families, and didn’t consider anything with less than an average four-star rating.
Interested in learning more about our editorial process? Read about how our team develops and reviews all articles here.
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