Our Most Popular Guides
Mittens vs. Gloves for Kids: Which Keeps Hands Warmer?
Mittens are warmer, gloves are handier, and most kids end up needing both. Here’s how we decide which pair goes on which kid.
Best Rain Jackets for Toddlers 2026
We tested ten toddler rain jackets in real rain: West Thumb Geyser Basin in Yellowstone, Colorado’s Front Range, and park days in the drizzle. Here are the best rain jackets for toddlers.
Best Hiking Shoes and Boots for Kids 2026
We tested six kids’ hiking shoes on lava, slickrock, and lakeshores across five states. The Salomon XA Pro V8 Waterproof won, the Salomon Speedcross is the one our tester actually reaches for, and the $60 KEEN Newport H2 outlasted everything.
Best Sun Hats for Kids, Toddlers and Babies 2026
We tested eight kids’ sun hats in real sun conditions — a Gulf Coast beach vacation, Great Sand Dunes National Park, a camping music festival, and school days throughout spring. Prices verified at time of publication.
REI Co-op Rainier Rain Jacket — Kids’ Review
The REI Rainier is our top pick for kids’ rain jackets, and it earned that spot in real conditions — a rainy February music festival in Steamboat Springs, Colorado, where Cypress, 4, wore it for full days in wind and sustained rain and stayed completely dry.
Best Rain Jackets for Kids 2026
We tested nine kids’ rain jackets across real conditions — a music festival in a rainstorm, nature walks in Colorado graupel, rainy park days in Cincinnati, and a road trip through five states.
Sunday Afternoons Kids’ Play Hat Review
A four-year-old chose this hat voluntarily from a lineup of seven. That’s the review. The only catch: it’s a lot of hat for a kid who’s already resistant to wearing one.
The 5 Best Hikes for Kids in Glacier National Park
Glacier National Park can feel intimidating for families. Many of the best-known trails involve serious elevation or long approaches. We spent a month finding the hikes where the scenery-to-effort ratio actually works with kids — two waterfalls, a boat ride, and one lake loop worth every step.
