Should I get kids jackets, raincoats or ponchos?

[1hero2princesses]

I need some advise. I had not really planned rain gear since most of my florida experience (my parents lived there for 23 years and I spent a lot of summers there) it would rain just a little while and end. I had thought we would just run in someplace. Now with the storms I am expecting rain. I am not worried about myself and rain but I am not sure how my kids will do since they are pretty young. I can honestly say I don't think they have ever really walked around in the rain. Just been in the rain going in and out of places. So should I spend the money to get a lands end type of coat, a regular rain coat or just get them disney ponchos? I will have strollers with covers which may help but they are probably going to have to walk in the rain. I have been trying to keep my budget tight. I cannot find cheap dollar store ponchos and they would be way to big for my kids anyway.

 

[cole6179]

I found my dd (4) a Princess rainjacket at CVS today. It was pretty flat in the package. I think it ran me $6.99. I'm worried about all the rain too! I figured we are going to need them a lot, so better buy thick ones.

 

[intownfarm]

I hadn't gotten anything either, but now I'm thinking its worth buying ahead of time just in case. I might even take DS's (3 yrs) rain boots. I want to be one of the ones out there having fun even in the rain. Shorter lines maybe!! We leave on the 12th and I better find a good raincoat quick.

 

[lutherlovr]

I got my boys some raincoats they had on clearance at Wal Mart, they were $5 in the section where the kids gardening type toys are. They had pink or green. Also, I got them waterproof windbreakers with a hood that fold up into their own pocket at the Children's Place for $10. All purchased within the past couple of days.

 

[shane&jakesmom]

Most definitely ponchos( must have) and sweatshirts ( also must have) sometimes it gets cool at night but even in the summer months the restaurants are cold from the air conditioning. Walmart and Target have inexpensive ponchos or light weight rain jackets(the same plastic material as the ponchos)

 

[natnelliesmom]

I picked up LL Bean rain coats and pants. They were SO worth it. My kids were warm and dry the whole trip- we had two tropical storms while we were there.
They are pretty thin nylon and pack up really small. They loved them! No wet, cold legs, hair or clothing. Completely dry and warm.
Lands End sells sets as well- I think they may be a little less.

-Sarah

 

[Aliceacc]

I vote for ponchos!!! I got some at the dollar store, and lighter ones at Walmart. (Don't forget an extra, bright colored one for the stroller if you'll be using one.)

As to size: you can either tie knots at the bottoms or simply cut the ponchos if they're too big. (Since ours came out of their pouches in the parks for the first time, we just knotted them for my daughters.)

For what it's worth, in the week we were there, we went through 2 ponchos apiece. We had one extra set that we kind of set aside for Tropical Storm Fay, but we pretty much missed the brunt of it.

 

[mary0305]

i usually just take the disposable ones because I don't want to fold up a wet pancho into my bag.

 

[MichelleinMaine]

In addition to raincoats or ponchos, think about what you're bringing for clothes and how well they will dry. Assume everything's going to get wet - even with the coat or poncho,lol.

Shoes- Crocs or sandals are going to be better than sneakers and socks. If it's chilly and they have to wear those with socks (ok, dorkiness aside, this is comfort here! ) - it's easier to swap out socks than shoes and socks.

Fleece is a better choice than a sweatshirt or sweater. It dries in no time.

Pants- don't put them in jeans or sweats- miserable when wet and take forever to dry. Any sort of nylon pants (running/"windbreaker" type pants are good) will dry alot faster.

 

[karinbelle]

i usually just take the disposable ones because I don't want to fold up a wet pancho into my bag.

Disposable ponchos from WalMart or Dollartree. Throw away at end of day. No need to dry, etc. and they are light to carry!

We also bring a sweater, but have bought a beach towel at a store if we're caught with cold weather and no jacket for DS!

 

[clownchk]

Wal Mart has these ponchos for well under $10 each that come with their own carry bags.

We attached the carry bags to our stroller with a strip of velcro (BOught in a package of 8 at the dollar store - meant to tie cables, etc together)
and we had handy ponchos that lasted through 9 days at DIsney (4 of them with Fay).

At the first sign of rain all 5 of us could be 'Ponchoed up" in under 3 minutes (DH and I would help DD 7, DD6 and DS3)

we had just one bag tear and one poncho tossed at the end of the week. Pretty good percentages if you ask me! THose things were on and off plenty of times!!

W e had a cheapie disposable torn at the sides and clipped to our stroller with clothes pins. We only went though 2 of those.

 

[keywestbride]

Thanks for asking this OP- I've been wondering the same thing!