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With unpredictable British weather meaning that a rain shower is never fully off the cards, you want to make sure your child is ready for anything. It can be hard to convince children that wearing a raincoat is cool and necessary, but by buying one that has a fun design with dinosaurs or in a bright colour like yellow, you'll make it something your kids will be longing to wear every day, inside or out.
There are many clever creations that make a raincoat more suitable for younger users, like being foldable and packable into a pocket or being adjustable to suit them. We've looked at some of the waterproof jacket offerings from Decathlon, Amazon, John Lewis and more so you can arm your kids with the best wet-weather gear.
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Table of Contents
A raincoat is a layer that your child might end up having to wear quite a lot, so you want it to be something that they will find comfortable while also doing the job it's designed to do. Here's our advice on how to tick both of these boxes.
Like other items of clothing, raincoats tend to be designed for girls and boys separately, though this isn't always the case. Because raincoats tend to be looser and don't need to fit as specifically as other clothes do, they are easy to design for both boys and girls.
Colour may be a factor that comes into it, but a lot of coats come in very neutral colours, which means both boys and girls will love them. This makes it more convenient if you plan passing a coat down to other siblings or just like the idea of something that will work for both.
Children's clothing sizes are usually done by age, and this is no different with raincoats. A coat will normally cover a year or two, but as with other children's clothing, it is still worth checking a size guide to see how the given age and measurements compare to your child. Children of the same age can be wildly different shapes and sizes.
Occasionally, you might find a kid's raincoat where the sizing is done in small, medium and large. If this is the case, the same advice goes: consult a size guide and see what measurements each size is intended for.
A fundamental when it comes to buying a raincoat is undoubtedly how waterproof it actually is. Waterproofing will stop rain getting in, and if your coat stops rain getting in, it will also stop the wind. The vast majority of raincoats are made from polyester or similar synthetic fabrics with water-repellent properties.
To offer even more protection, some are even coated with another layer. Raincoats can be made up of more than one layer and this can help with warmth and breathability. Look at the materials of both layers for a full idea of what warmth and waterproofing a coat will provide.
When buying any attire for kids, it is important to think about how easily an item of clothing can be put on and taken off. But with raincoats, it is also crucial that once they are on, they are on securely and tightly. A raincoat that doesn't do up well at the front is going to lead to cold and unhappy children.
The front of a raincoat can be fastened in a few different ways. The most popular choices are zips, buttons (or poppers) and Velcro; sometimes coats will use a combination of a few methods. All of these are excellent at staying fastened, meaning your child can run around and splash in puddles without you having to worry about them catching a chill.
Now you have the key features determined – size, fit, and waterproofing – you may want to consider any extras you'd like the raincoat to offer. As well as making everyone's life a little easier, some of these are helpful in other ways, like keeping your children safe when walking home on dull, rainy afternoons.
The main purpose of a raincoat is to stop the elements from getting in, keeping your child warm and dry. Even if you get a coat that's the right size, it can be a little loose and baggy in certain areas, leaving kids vulnerable to getting cold and wet.
This is when adjustable parts are really useful. The main examples of adjustability you'll find are the hood, the sleeves and sometimes the waist. They'll have different ways of making them smaller or larger so your child can tailor their coat to them and the conditions perfectly.
Some of them will use drawstring elastic, particularly the hood and the sleeves. In some cases, the hood is even removable.
Some cleverly-designed raincoats have been created so that they can pack neatly away when they're not being used, making them easy to slip into your kid's school bag. In particularly efficient designs, the raincoat packs away neatly into a pocket, so you don't need to carry anything extra or be concerned about losing any spare parts.
It isn't an essential raincoat feature that they are packable into a small bag, and those that have more of a substantial lining are too bulky anyway, but if you're looking for convenience, then a mac that you can pack away is a great idea!
Your child's safety is always going to be at the forefront of your mind, and there's one way a raincoat can help you on this front. When they're walking around in the dark, make sure your child is visible to cars and cyclists by buying a coat that has reflective material on it.
Lots of raincoats come in dark colours like black and navy, and even with brighter colours, it can be difficult for people to see your little one in the dark. With a reflective material on their jacket, they will stand out, meaning they're safer on the streets and you can have some peace of mind.
Kids will be kids and, as a result, they are probably going to get their raincoat a bit mucky from time to time. To make things easier for you, find a coat that can be put in the washing machine without any issue.
Some items might specify that you only wash them at a low temperature, but on the whole, polyester and similar synthetic materials are fine to machine wash.
It is a different story as far as tumble dryers are concerned, with most raincoats advising against this method of drying. In order to avoid any damage, make sure you check the label to see how much your child's coat can take.
It is good to have a raincoat that will take you from A to B, but it is even better to have one that will have your child's back if they want to explore the great outdoors. Made by outward-bound experts, this coat will keep your child warm, dry and shielded from the elements with its high neck.
The adjustable sleeves can be tailored to your child and the hood is just tight enough that it will stay on their head, even in windy conditions. You get all of this at an affordable price, keeping the kids and the grown ups happy.
This coat is perfect for those typical British days when showers are not constant but always a possibility. You want your child to be ready with a coat, but they don't want to be wearing it all the time. You can handily pack this jacket into a tiny bag, so they can have it ready, but not necessarily on.
Along with this smart feature, this coat has all you could want when it's on. It is highly waterproof and is covered with an extra layer of protection. And, as if that is not enough, the seams are taped meaning that water has absolutely no way of getting in. Several other colours are available too, including bright, high-visibility green or pink.
If you're working on a tighter budget, it doesn't mean your child needs to be any less protected from the weather. This option from Decathlon is incredible value and doesn't sacrifice quality as a result. It can be handily stored away in its main pocket and it incredibly light, making is a great coat for transporting.
Condensation can be a problem with raincoats, but not this one, which is very breathable without letting moisture in. The 1/4 zip, whilst making it a bit harder to get the coat on and off, means there are fewer gaps and openings through which rain and water could enter.
This raincoat's pattern is full of exciting and scary things: sharks, dinosaurs and spaceships to name a few. All of these have been put together to make a coat young boys will actually want to wear. Inside, there is a soft cotton lining, which will add comfort to the outer layer of polyester.
This coat, although rain-proof up to a level, is only suitable for light showers, which might limit its uses. Plus, while there is a drawstring at the hem to tighten or loosen as needed, it doesn't have an adjustable or elasticated hood, meaning it will struggle to stay up in windy conditions.
This jacket is simply adorable. The big-eyed face on the hood makes it double up as a fancy dress costume in addition to being a functional raincoat. All down the front, it has reflective strips to make sure your child can be seen in the dark and the extra-long hood allows for even more protection from the rain.
This coat is only going to be suitable for quite young children thanks to its bold style and its hood, whilst at times practical, might also get in the way. It is also not the most hard-wearing coat and isn't suitable for many outward-bound activities.
This coat might look fun and cute, but don't let that fool you into thinking that it isn't also a practical choice. The outer layer is waterproof and this is paired with a super soft inner layer that will keep your child toasty. The llama design is bright and a bit different, meaning your kid can make a fashion statement in the school playground.
The snap closure is easy and simple for small hands, but might not be as secure or rain-proof as a zip. It is specifically designed with young girls in mind, lessening its range of appeal. It also doesn't have any adjustable features, which might make it harder to stop the rain and cold from reaching your little one.
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Household goods
PC and cameras
Home appliances and electronics
Cosmetics and skincare
Health
Food and drinks
Kitchen supplies
Clothing
Shoes
Accessories
Kids and baby
Interior and furniture
Hobbies
Outdoor
DIY and tools
Sports and fitness
Pets
Books, CDs, DVDs
Games
Cars and motorcycles
Gifts
Housing equipment and renovation
Travel
Smartphones and mobile phones
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