Cold-Weather Packing List for Toddlers: Layers, Sleep and Car Seats

Toddlers lose heat quickly, can't always say they're cold, and get through gloves and socks fast, but too much wrapping brings its own risks in bed and in the car. This printable list covers layering, hands and feet, safe sleep in cold rooms, car seats and sun on snow.

Last reviewed: October 2026. Safety advice comes from The Lullaby Trust, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the World Health Organization (WHO).

Winter trips with toddlers can be magical: snow, Christmas markets, sledging and hot chocolate. They also take careful packing. Toddlers lose heat quickly, can’t always tell you they’re cold, and get through gloves and socks at an alarming rate. At the same time, wrapping them up too much brings its own risks, in bed and in the car. This list covers what to pack for a toddler aged one to three on a cold-weather holiday, and how to use it safely.

How to layer a toddler

Layers make it easy to adjust between a freezing street and a warm café or train. Take a layer off indoors, and check your toddler’s temperature by feeling their tummy or the back of their neck rather than their hands.

Car seats and winter coats

This is the safety point many parents don’t know about. The AAP explains that bulky clothing, including winter coats and snowsuits, can compress in a crash and leave the car seat straps too loose to hold a child. NHTSA advises:

• Dress your child in thin, warm layers such as fleece instead of puffy materials.
• Buckle the harness and tighten it until you can’t pinch any extra material at the shoulder.
• Then put a blanket or the coat over your child, on top of the buckled harness.

The AAP suggests putting a coat on backwards over the buckled straps, or choosing coats that open up so the back can go over the harness. Keep the top layer removable so your child doesn’t get too hot once the car warms up, and keep their face uncovered.

This also applies to taxis, transfers and hire cars on holiday. Pack a fleece and a blanket in the car bag so you’re not tempted to strap a child in wearing a snowsuit.

Sleep in cold rooms

Hotel rooms and holiday cabins can be very warm or quite cold. The Lullaby Trust’s advice for babies in cold weather includes:

• Keep the room temperature for a baby’s sleep between 16 and 20 °C. A small room thermometer helps.
• Don’t overheat: babies are safer a little cooler than too hot.
• Use a baby sleeping bag of a suitable tog, and don’t add blankets on top. Add a layer of clothing instead if needed.
• Remove hats indoors.

Older toddlers often sleep in a toddler sleeping bag or under light bedding. Bring their usual sleeping bag in a winter tog, and warm pyjamas.

Sun on snow

The WHO’s UV Index guide says fresh snow can reflect up to 80% of UV radiation, and UV rises by about 10% with every 1,000 metres of altitude. On a sunny winter day in the mountains, toddlers need:

• Sunglasses or goggles with full UV protection
• Sunscreen on the face; the NHS recommends at least SPF 30 with 4-star UVA protection
• Lip balm

Printable packing list

Use your browser’s print button to print this list. Quantities are for about a week.

Clothing

• ☐ Thermal tops and leggings (3 sets)
• ☐ Fleece tops (2)
• ☐ Warm jumpers or cardigans (2 to 3)
• ☐ Trousers (4 to 5)
• ☐ Waterproof snowsuit or jacket and salopettes
• ☐ Thin fleece jacket for the car seat
• ☐ Warm pyjamas (3)
• ☐ Socks, including warm wool socks (8 pairs)

Hands, feet and head

• ☐ Waterproof mittens (2 pairs)
• ☐ Thin inner gloves
• ☐ Warm hat covering the ears (2)
• ☐ Neck warmer or snood (not a long scarf)
• ☐ Waterproof winter boots
• ☐ Indoor shoes or slippers

Sleep

• ☐ Toddler sleeping bag in a winter tog
• ☐ Comfort toy
• ☐ Room thermometer
• ☐ Travel cot, if not provided

Out and about

• ☐ Buggy with a footmuff and rain/wind cover
• ☐ Carrier with a winter cover, if you use one
• ☐ Blanket for the car seat
• ☐ Thermos for warm drinks
• ☐ Snacks
• ☐ Sledge (or rent there)

Health

• ☐ Sunscreen SPF 30+ and lip balm
• ☐ Sunglasses or goggles
• ☐ Moisturiser for dry, cold skin
• ☐ Children’s paracetamol or ibuprofen
• ☐ Thermometer
• ☐ Any prescribed medicines

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Next steps

Heading to the Arctic? See Christmas in Lapland with kids. Skiing with older children? Read ski trips with young kids: rent or bring the gear.