Dress your child in three layers: a merino base layer next to the skin, a warm middle layer such as a fleece jacket or vest, and a waterproof shell on top. Skip cotton against the skin, and pack one spare base layer. That keeps most children warm and dry through a Swiss winter day outside.
In Switzerland, many children spend a large part of the Kita day outdoors, and Waldspielgruppe is outdoors almost entirely. That is great for them, but it changes what "warm enough" means.
Why Kita days are harder than a walk
Children at Kita go from running to sitting still, from a cold garden to a warm room, several times a day. They also get wet, from rain, snow or puddles. The goal is not maximum warmth. It is layers that stay comfortable as the temperature and activity change, and that dry quickly.
The three-layer system
- Base layer, next to the skin. Merino wool or a merino and silk blend. It moves moisture away and does not turn cold and clammy when damp, which is why we avoid cotton here.
- Middle layer, for warmth. A fleece jacket, a vest or a knit. Our merino fleece jackets are made from 100% GOTS-certified merino wool at 320 to 325 g/m², so they give real warmth without the static of synthetic fleece. A vest keeps the core warm and leaves arms free for climbing.
- Shell, for wind and rain. A waterproof jacket and trousers or a rain suit. Many Kitas ask for these, and they go over the other layers.
What to wear by temperature
|
Outdoor temperature |
Base layer |
Middle layer |
Shell and extras |
|
Above 10 °C |
Merino or merino and silk bodysuit or long sleeve |
Light knit or vest |
Rain jacket if wet |
|
5 to 10 °C |
Merino long sleeve and leggings |
Fleece jacket or vest |
Rain or wind shell, thin hat |
|
0 to 5 °C |
Merino long sleeve and leggings |
Fleece jacket plus vest if the child runs cold |
Shell, warm hat or balaclava, mittens |
|
Below 0 °C |
Merino long sleeve and leggings, warm socks |
Fleece jacket |
Insulated shell, balaclava, mittens, neck warmer |
These are starting points. Children run warm or cold differently. Feel the back of the neck: warm and dry is right, sweaty means remove a layer, cold means add one.
The Kita bag checklist
- One spare base layer and spare socks
- Spare mittens, because one pair will get wet
- A hat or balaclava that stays on, such as a merino or cashmere balaclava
- Everything labelled with the child's name
What to skip
- Cotton against the skin on cold days. It holds moisture and cools the child down.
- Very bulky puffer jackets indoors. Children overheat in the warm room and cannot take them off alone.
- Anything too tight. Layers need a little room to trap warm air.
FAQ
Is merino too warm for Kita? No. Merino regulates temperature, so it works both outside and in a heated room. Choose a thin base layer and add warmth on top.
Can a Kita child wear a vest instead of a jacket? Yes, on milder days, with a long-sleeved base layer under it. Our merino vests come in kids' sizes.
How do I stop things getting lost? Label every piece, and choose fewer, better pieces that you can recognise at pick-up.
