Staying Warm at the Seahawks Parade: How to Layer-up Kids for an Outdoor Event in the Cold

Really I’m just incredibly proud of my hometown team, and I want to show off the support shown by Seattle and the entire state of Washington (and beyond) yesterday at the Seahawks parade.  Our team won the SUPERBOWL.  That’s a big deal.  And I’m so pleased that our entire city thought so too.

700,000 fans flocked the streets of downtown Seattle yesterday to let the team know how much we appreciate them.  How impressed we are with their hard work, determination, discipline, drive, and dedication to be the best. Kids missed school and grown-up fans took a break from work.  They saw it as their civic duty.

We all braved the untypical freezing temperatures, and couldn’t have asked for a better response from the players, coaching staff, ownership, and the rest of the behind the scenes Seahawks crew.  They smiled, they waved, they waved 12th-man flags, they cheered for us.  

Our star running back, Marshawn Lynch, (known for his relentless Beast Mode) threw skittles to the crowd while standing at the front of one of city’s “Ride the Ducks” vessels.

While apparently all many of the players took turns showing off the Vince Lombardi Championship trophy, we were pretty psyched to get to see our beloved Quarterback, Russell Wilson pump that award up and down as he passed by us aboard a Humvee.

In addition to being proud of our football team, I’m also happy to say that despite the freezing temperatures, which as you may know us Seattlites are not accustomed to, we managed to stay cozy and warm thanks to some smart layering and quality gear.

I wish I could say that the entire parade experience was all butterflies and rainbows, but to tell you the truth, there was a lot of waiting around.  Even though the team was set to depart Seattle Center at 11 am, traffic and crowds delayed that timely start by at least 45 minutes.

Boy am I glad we were prepared. Here’s how we dressed Bergen (2.5 years old) for this exciting but cold outdoor event:

1. Base Layer.  Since we don’t have extremely cold temperatures regularly here in Western Washington, Bergen’s set of long underwear from REI works well. The fabric is mid weight and made of polyester so it wicks away moisture and dries quickly.

2. Fleece Layer. On top of his long underwear went a pair of fleece lined pants and Bergen’s North Face fleece jacket with hood.  I also must add that his Seahawks jersey went on top of his fleece.  Team spirit is a must! Update: We highly recommend Tubes my Ella’s Wool as a 2nd layer!

3. Outside Layer. To seal all that warmth in, we put him in his Oakiwear rainsuit.  I love how we can cinch the wrists and ankles closed to try to keep out the cold air, and it doesn’t add a lot of bulk.  He can still move freely and I can still carry him comfortably on my back.

4. More Warmth Accessories. 

• To keep Bergen’s core toasty, he also wore an insulated vest with handy pockets (To his disappointment, the rainsuit does not have pockets)
• Bergen wore some lightweight gloves, which ended up being all he needed.  We did however have his REI Timber Mountain mittens on the ready just in case.
• Except for some time spent on Dad’s shoulders to actually watch the parade, Bergen was on my back in the Ergo carrier.  On top of that to keep us both warm, we layered on the Kowalli Carrier Cover.  He was able to tuck his hands down into the cover, which is why I don’t think he needed the extra mittens, and I loved how I could keep my freezing fingertips warm in the handy front pocket.
• Finally, Bergen wore fleece socks plus his heavy duty hiking boots and his fleece hood plus knit beanie to keep his feet and head protected and warm.

Do you have a favorite piece of clothing or gear that’s great for cold temperatures? Please share your own tips and resources.

*Affiliate links used through the post to give an idea of the clothing choices we made to layer and stay warm.  We receive a small commission for purchases made through our links.  Thanks for taking a look!

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