Wellies are a great form of footwear that allows children to play in wet weather conditions without getting soggy socks, but during dry spells they can often end up not being worn. Children’s feet grow quickly, and sometimes they might grow out of the wellies before they get to use them again!
If you want to encourage your child to wear their wellies more often, even when it’s not raining, then you’re in the right place. We’ve put together a list of activities and days out where wellies might be more appropriate than other footwear, like trainers or slip-on shoes. Keep reading to find out more.
Wellies have many great qualities that make them ideal for wet weather, but that doesn’t mean you and your kids can’t wear them all year round. Here are some suggestions to help your kids get the most out of their wellies:
Whether you’re doing a circuit of your local park, walking a coast path or hiking through a natural beauty spot, wellies can be really useful. As they’re quick and easy to put on, you won’t have to worry about getting your children to stay still long enough to lace up walking boots - just slip them on and off you go.
They’re also much better for walks in nature than trainers as they’re designed to get muddy. Cleaning wellies is far easier than cleaning trainers, after all. Often, walking trails can surprise you with big puddles or muddy patches, so it’s best to be prepared with wellies just in case.
You might not have considered it before, but why not let your kids wear their wellies for a picnic in the park? They can easily slip wellies on and off so you don’t have to worry about getting muck on your picnic blanket. At the same time, they’re comfortable, waterproof and usually have a good grip, so kids can play games and run around in them, too.
Heading down to the beach for a spot of rock pooling? Wellies are a great choice for navigating rocky beaches as they offer protection for little feet and it doesn’t matter if they get wet. With a good grip, they’re much safer than slip-on sandals or flip flops. They also keep your kids’ feet dry, so you can still enjoy the seaside even when the water’s cold - without having to wait around for shoes to dry.
Wellies are also ideal if your kids aren’t keen on sand. Often, younger children and toddlers can be picky about the textures their feet touch - and sand is a common example of something lots of children don’t like the feel of. High-rise wellies make it easier to keep sand away from your little one’s feet so they stay smiling all day long.
If your child is heading on an outdoor adventure with their class, consider sending them in wellies. That way, they’re prepared for rainy weather, muddy ground, and their feet should stay warm, dry and comfortable throughout the day.
Wellies can be especially appropriate if your child is going to somewhere like a zoo or a farm, but they’re great for all sorts of activities. A good grip on the sole of their wellies will help to prevent any slips or trips so they can stay focussed on the learning. Better still, their school trainers will stay squeaky clean!
No article about wearing wellies would be complete without mentioning their most famous purpose: to keep your little ones’ feet dry when they go puddle-jumping. Kids love it, adults love it, so why not be prepared and wear good-quality, waterproof wellies?
Wet weather is the ideal time to get kids into their wellies, but what if it starts to snow? The good news is, wellies are great for snowy weather too. As they’re waterproof, it’s harder for the snow to get in, so your kids can wear warm, fluffy socks as well. The grip of wellies can help your kids stay steady on their feet when paths get slippery - and the thick rubber sole will help to keep the cold away from your kids’ feet.
Want to get your kids out into the snow? Why not try sledding, building snow sculptures or having a snowball fight with all the family? And if you’re heading for the ice rink, wellies are great for getting there and back, as they’re easy to take off and put back on afterwards.
