Did you know that young children and even babies in Scandinavia nap outside in the winter? When Ella was just a baby, she used to nap outside every day, all year round. She loved sleeping in her stroller wrapped snugly in her soft wool outfits.
In fact, in most Norwegian daycares, kids play and nap outside as long as the temperature is above 15º F — well below freezing!
While children here in the United States may not be exposed to such extreme temperatures at school, it’s still vital to send your kiddos off dressed properly and prepared for anything.
Luckily, since Norwegian kids spend a lot of the school year outside, parents in Norway have become experts in dressing their kids for any weather condition.
Below is a shopping list we were provided by Ella’s school — and it's a great great start for any kid who likes to play outside, even when the weather is less than optimal.
Daycare Shopping List:
- Merino wool base layers
- Medium thick merino wool socks
- Mid/Second Layers:
- Thick wool pants or leggings (like our Tubes)
- Wool or Fleece Jacket
- Wool or Fleece One-Piece
- Suitable Shell Layers including:
- Down Jacket
- Down Suit
- Rain Jacket
- Rain Pants
- Wind Jacket
- Wind Pants
- Boots, Rain-boots, Sneakers
- Mittens/Rain Mittens
- Neck-warmer
- Balaclava or hat
Note on napping outside
If you're thinking about letting your child nap outside in less than balmy temperatures, it's essential that the stroller is adequately insulated. We recommend putting a sheepskin (you can get them at IKEA) in the bottom of the stroller, and having your child in a down-insulated sleeping bag.
You should keep a baby monitor in or near the stroller so you can hear any fussing. But you also need to check on your child regularly, in person, while they nap outside. (The first few times, as much for your own peace of mind's sake as anything else. Later, mostly to regulate the temperature.)
Make sure their hands and feet are covered, and that they're wearing a hat. Slip your hand inside their clothing, so you can feel the skin on their chest and their upper back, below the nape of their neck. This will give you a good idea whether they're cold or too warm, getting clammy. Make adjustments as needed.
School partnership program
At Ella’s Wool, we want to encourage children to spend more time outside all year round, playing and exploring, even in cold weather, which is why we created a school partnership program.
Our school partnership program is intended to help educate parents and educators on how to do just this, while also offering a discounted price to try the products, and giving back to the schools that embody Ella's Wool's philosophy of outdoor play and exploration.
To learn more about the program or to sign-up, check our school partnership page.