One of the best things I bought for my toddler by far was a waterproof rain suit. Why? Because I live in a tiny apartment. If I couldn’t go outside on rainy days, I’d go insane. My energetic toddler also would go crazy trapped indoors, which would make me more insane.
Having a rain suit for my toddler also means we can do things like go camping in bad weather. I can let her dig in dirt or play in muddy puddles. And I don’t have to deal with as much laundry thanks to the rain suit.
Below I’ve gone over my top picks for best toddler rain suits (some of which I tried and some of which I learned about from other outdoorsy parents). These include one-piece and two-piece rain suits, fleece-lined suits, and toddler rain pants too.
Quick Picks:
- Best Overall: Therm Kids All-Weather Toddler Rain Suit (Canadian store here)
- Runner Up: Columbia Critter Jitters Extendable Size Rain Suit
- Most Rugged: Oaki rain and trail suit
- Best Fit: JAN & JUL Kids Fleece-Lined Rain Suit
- Best Two-Piece Suit: CeLaVi rain pants and jacket
- Best Rain Pants: Playshoes rain bibs
- Best Budget Pick: Tuffo Muddy Buddy rain suit
Best Baby and Toddler Rain Suits
All of these toddler rain suits are machine washable, have elastic cuffs, and sealed seams. Some are one-piece and others are two-piece rain suits. The main differences are the zipper types, whether the knees/butt are reinforced, and available sizes. If you need advice about how to choose a toddler rain suit, there’s info at the end of the post.
1. Therm Kids Toddler All-Weather Rain Suits
This company gets my top pick for rain suits because they are so well made. There is rubberized reinforced areas on the butt and knees, so water won’t seep through even if your toddler kneels or sits in a puddle. The waterproof rating is 10,000mm andn the breathability is good too. As an extra bonus, the company uses 100% recycled materials to make the entire suit. And it’s a small mom-owned company. 🙂 I just wish there was an elastic cuff to keep the legs from riding up. The fold-over cuffs aren’t very useful for walking toddlers, except to keep their hands warm.
Features:
- Sizes: 6 to 24 months
- Reinforced knees and butt
- 10,000mm waterproof rating
- Fleece lined
- Tw0-way zipper with soft fabric guard
- Reflective strips on front and back
- 100% recycled materials
- Buy Here (Canadian store here)
*Use code CAMPINGWITHMOM at checout to get 10% off your entire order!*
2. Columbia Critter Jitters Toddler Rain Suit
I had the Infant version of the Critter Jitters rain suit for my daughter and loved it. The toddler version is even better because has the “Outgrown” system. Just flip the suit inside out and snip the little threads to extend the legs and sleeves. This will give you more use out of the rain suit, which IMO makes it worth paying the higher price for this suit.
Columbia is a really good brand and the quality of this rain suit is great. Because the breathability is so good, you can use it as a wind suit too. There are also a lot of other cool features, like the Velcro leg cuffs, elastic waist for a better fit, diagonal zipper for easy in/out and adjustable hood. The designs are also really cute too.
Features:
- Sizes: from 2 to 4 years
- Outgrown system (extendable sleeves and pants)
- Great breathability
- Long, diagonal zipper
- Elastic plus Velcro leg cuffs
- Adjustable hood
- Partial fleece insulated
- Buy Here (Amazon)
3. OakiWear Toddler Rain and Trail Suit
This is a hardcore rain suit for toddlers and little kids. It is made out of a thicker material than most, so holds up well against abuse. The thicker material also means it is warmer (it’s not insulated). Some parts of the suit have 18,000mm waterproof rating. There are also areas with 8,000mm waterproofness, which allows for better breathability.
One feature I love is the Velcro cuffs. They are more comfy than stirrup straps but can be clinched around your toddler’s boots so water doesn’t enter. I also like that there’s a drawstring around the middle, so the rain suits aren’t as baggy and will fit skinny toddlers well.
Features:
- Sizes: from 1 to 11 years
- 18,000mm & 8,000mm waterproof rating materials
- 3,000 mvp breathability
- Draw string cinch around waist
- Reflective strips
- Waterproof zippers
- Adjustable Velcro cuffs
- Lots of colors
- Buy Here (Amazon)
4. JAN & JUL Toddler Fleece-Lined Rain Suit
Jan & JUL is a Canadian company. Their toddler rain suit is meant for serious wetness. The waterproof rating is 10,000mm and the breathability is 3000g/m2. However, the standout feature of the rain suit is the adjustable elasticized waist. You can adjust it so it fits your toddler well (which means it will fit over summer and winter clothes). The hood is also adjustable. Yes, the rain suit is a bit pricier — but it’s pretty versatile. You can get away with using it as a snow suit too if you bundle your kid up enough.
Features:
- Sizes: from 1 to 4 years
- Adjustable hood
- 10,000mm waterproof rating
- 3000g mvp breathability
- Fleece insulated
- Dual zipper
- Reinforced knees
- Reflective strips
- Buy Here (Amazon)
5. Tuffo Muddy Buddy Rain Suit
This is one of the most popular toddler rain suits, mostly because it is so cheap. Despite it’s low price, the suit is made pretty well. The seams don’t leak (at least not after a season of use). The breathability is pretty terrible, but that’s to be expected with cheap fabric like this.
A nice feature is that there are two zippers, so you can get your toddler in/out of the rain suit easily. Unfortunately, there aren’t any stirrup straps and the elastic cuffs will ride up on boots. Unlike the Oaki rain suit, there isn’t a drawstring at the waist. It will fit very baggy on skinny toddlers.
Features:
- Sizes: 1 to 5 years
- Lots of colors
- Elastic on cuffs
- Dual zippers
- Lots of colors
- Buy Here (Amazon)
6.
The main thing that makes the REI Toddler Rain Suit great is the material: it is more breathable than other waterproof materials. This will make the suit a lot more comfortable to wear, especially in hot, humid weather. I also like that it has dual zippers for easy on/off. It also has an adjustable hood. Few kids’ rain suits have that feature. I wish it had stirup straps though instead of just elastic.
The rain suit comes in two different colors and is well-made. I currently costs around $70, which is pricier than most other options here – hence why it isn’t listed as one of my top picks.
Features:
- Sizes: 2Y, 3Y, 4Y
- 2.5 layer breathable material
- 2 colors/designs
- Dual zippers for easy on/off
- Adjustable hood with brim
- Reflective strips
- (REI)
7. CeLaVi Two-Piece Rain Suit
While the material on this two-piece rain suit isn’t the most breathable, there is a lot to love. For starters, the pants actually have stirrups so they won’t ride up. The suit fits well because of the nice wrist and ankle cuffs. Sizes 2T and 3-4 are bibs (the bigger sizes have elastic waists) and the suspenders are adjustable. The hat is actually detachable too.
The rain suit is a good price, especially since you’ll get more use out of a two-piece suit than a one-piece suit. The construction seems to be good quality and there aren’t any reports of the seams leaking.
Features:
- Sizes: from 2 to 9 years
- 5,000mm waterproof rating
- Bib-style pants with suspenders
- Reflective strips
- Detachable hood
- Stirrup straps & elastic ankles
- Elastic and Velcro wrist cuffs
- Lots of colors
- Buy Here (Amazon)
8. Umkaumka Fleece-Lined Rain Pants
I absolutely love these toddler rain pants for playing in the mud, especially in spring or fall. They are fleece-lined, so you can let your kid sit in the sandbox or crawl around in the dirt even when it’s cold out. The seams are sealed and don’t leak. However, these are cheap rain pants so I wouldn’t be surprised if they started to leak after a few seasons (hand-wash them to make them last longer).
It’s also really nice that these rain pants have foot stirrups so they won’t slide up. There are little snaps at the sides so you can adjust the fit – they won’t be as baggy as other toddler rain pants. The plastic buckles on the suspenders are great for potty training because they come off quickly.
Features:
- Sized for 18 months
- Fleece lined
- Reflective strips
- Plastic buckles on suspenders
- Foot stirrups
- Buy Here (Amazon)
9. Playshoes Rain Pants
These are one of the most popular brands of rain pants for toddlers and kids. They are cheap but hold up well enough for outdoor play. A really nice feature about the rain pants is that they fit very well. The suspender straps are adjustable, so you might even get a full year’s worth of use out of them for your toddler. The back has elastic so they aren’t as baggy. There are also little snaps on the sides to get a better fit. You’ll also like the foot stirrups so they won’t ride up on your child.
Features:
- Sizes: 9 months to 10 years
- Reflective strips
- Elastic in back and side snaps for better fit
- Plastic buckles on suspenders
- Foot stirrups
- Lots of colors
- Buy Here (Amazon)
Why Your Toddler Needs a Rain Suit
Obviously, toddler rain pants and suits are great when it’s raining out. They keep your baby dry, which means your baby stays warm. But rain suits are also useful when it’s not raining too for these reasons:
Fewer Stains On Clothes
Toddlers will kneel and sit anywhere without thinking. This means lots of dirty, stained clothes. When your toddler is in a rain suit though, she can get as messy as she wants.
Play in the mud:
I’m a big believer that kids should get dirty. It’s good for their immune system and loads of fun. When my toddler has her rain suit on, I can let her go explore giant mounds of mud, dig up worms, or jump in muddy puddles. IMO, every little kid should have this experience.
Fewer holes in pants:
Toddlers fall a lot, which means lots of holes in their pants. The best rain suits are made from durable materials that don’t tear easily. So, they actually protect your toddler’s clothes from holes. I wouldn’t put on a rain suit just to keep my kid’s pants hole-free, but it is an added benefit.
A rain suit means I can let my daughter play in the mud without her getting wet, cold or dirty
Choosing a Toddler Rain Suit
Here are some things to look at and consider when choosing a rain suit for your toddler.
One-Piece vs. Two-Piece Rain Suits
One-piece rain suits are better at keeping water out. So, if your toddler jumps in a giant puddle, the water won’t enter from below. The downsides are that one-piece rain suits usually don’t fit as well. They tend to be very baggy around the waist on skinny toddlers. They can’t be adjusted, so you might only get one season out of the suit.
I personally prefer two-piece rain suits for toddlers (but one-piece suits for babies). Two-piece rain suits offer more flexibility. When it’s a nice day but the ground is still muddy, I can just put on just the rain pants. My toddler would overheat in a one-piece rain suit on a warm day. Oh, and two-piece suits are much better for potty training. Your toddler will pee himself before you can get him out of a one-piece suit.
Learning to walk. Notice how muddy the knees of her rain pants are!
Insulated vs. Non-Insulated Rain Suits
If you go outside a lot, then you’ll probably need both an insulated and non-insulated rain suit for your toddler. If you only want to buy one, then choose a non-insulated suit. You’ll just need to bundle your child in layers if it’s cold weather out.
This rain suit is lined with fleece so my girl stays warm even on chilly days.
Other Features to Look for in Toddler Rain Suits
- Stirrups: These keep the rain pants from riding up.
- Reinforced butt and knees: The absolute best rain suits will have tougher material in these areas.
- Zipper length and location: It’s a heck of a lot easier to get a squirming toddler into a rain suit with a long zipper. Preferably you have a full-length zipper that goes down to one leg, or get dual zippers.
- Elastic at wrists and ankles: This will help the rain suit say in place and keep water out.
- Elastic hood: This is also important so the rain hood doesn’t keep falling backwards.
- Adjustable hood: These rain suits have a piece of Velcro on the hood that lets you adjust the size.
- Machine washable: You’ll still want to hang it to dry to preserve the waterproof coating.
- Taped seams: This means the seams are sealed so water doesn’t come through them.
Some Practical Tips about Toddler Rain Suits
1. Don’t forget about rain boots!
You are also going to need waterproof boots for your baby or toddler if you want to play outside when it’s wet. The obvious choice is Wellington boots. But these can be a bit heavy for young toddlers who are just getting the hang of walking.
is probably the best rain boots for toddlers who are just getting started with walking because they are lighter weight. They also are lined, so are good for cold weather. However, they are a bit pricy. These rain boots are a decent budget option.
2. Rain Pants Should Go OVER the Boots
It drives me crazy that, in most photos of toddlers in rain suits, the pants are tucked into the boots. This is actually be a very bad idea: Water will drip down the pants and into the boots. Water will also splash into the boots if your toddler jumps into a puddle.
Instead, your toddler’s rain pants should go over the rain boots. Rain pants have a tendency to ride up though. Velcro cuffs do a better job of staying in place but I prefer stirrup straps. Note that the straps go outside the boots, so they do get gross and dirty.
Alternatively, some rain boots have drawstring tops to keep water out. These work well enough in mild rain but aren’t going to keep your toddler’s feet dry if she jumps in a puddle.
3. You will get muddy too!
Your toddler has been out running and jumping in the rain. He/she now looks ridiculously cute all covered in mud.
Now it’s time to go home. But your toddler is too tired to walk by him/herself. So, how the heck do you get your toddler home without getting all muddy too?
If you are serious about letting your kid play in the mud, it might make sense to get some rain pants for yourself too (I’m assuming that you already have a rain jacket). You can see my picks for the best rain pants for women here.
Or be prepared to hold your child at an arm’s length away as you put him/her into the stroller. Oh, and hopefully the stroller is lined with something that can be wiped clean!
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