Best Rain Jackets for Kids of 2022

What is your child to do on a rainy day? Sit on the couch? Play on the computer? No way! They should be leaping through puddles and catching frogs, and all they need to do so is a quality raincoat to keep them warm and dry. Wondering how to find the best kids’ rain jacket with the overwhelming selection available on the market today? We’re here to help!

Because there are so many different types of raincoats, it can seem a bit daunting to pick out the perfect one for your child. The Adventure Junkies have your back. This list is a compilation of our top picks for kids rain jackets, where we discuss the different features you may come across when making your decision and showcase our best suggestions for warmth, breathability, and overall value.

For more of our top hiking gear recommendations, check out the Best Rain Jackets. 

Reviews - The Best Kids' Rain Jackets

The North Face Resolve

View Women's Version

Specs

• Length: Medium (just below hips)
• Windproof: Yes
• Age: Young Child to Teen

Features

• Light and Breathable
• Reflective Front And Back Logos (for increased visibility, even on low-light days)
• Windproof
• Lifetime Guarantee

BEST FOR: WARMER WEATHER AND LONG-LASTING DURABILITY

Lightweight and comfortable, this is your go-to kids rain jacket for warmer weather and wet summer days. The seam-tight outer layer and velcro storm flaps (fabric that folds over zippers) protect from moisture, while the combination of mesh and nylon lining will keep your kids nice and cool.

The Resolve features a reflective logo both on the front and back of the jacket for increased visibility, even on low-light days. This jacket is also fully windproof and extremely durable. While other jackets wear out, The Resolve will hold up year after year as it gets worn and washed and even handed down to younger family members.

View at Backcountry

Marmot PreCip

View Women's Version

Specs

• Length: Medium (just below hips)
• Windproof: Yes
• Age: Young Child to Young Teen

Features

• Brimmed Hood
• Angel-Wing Movement system (prevents jacket from riding up)
• Pack Pockets (they hold a whole lot!)

BEST FOR: VERSATILITY

Are you looking for a raincoat that will prove versatile enough for your little one to wear in different temperatures? Look no further! The Marmot Precip Rain Jacket is great for all kinds of weather because it is liner-less, meaning you can layer your kid as you see fit for current conditions.

This pick also features a brimmed hood to keep moisture away from your child’s face, a signature trademarked movement system to allow for dynamic flexibility, and “pack pockets” that are large enough to store all sorts of gear, from water bottles to compact umbrellas.

View at Backcountry

Columbia Endless Explorer

View Women's Version

Specs

• Length: Short (to hips)
• Windproof: Yes
• Age: Young Child to Teen

Features

• Cozy Fleece Body Lining
• Chin Guard (to protect against zipper abrasion)
• Adjustable Hood

BEST FOR: VALUE

This lightweight but warm rain jacket is the best value on the market. It is completely water- and windproof and made of high-quality durable materials. It features a fleece-lined body and polyester-lined sleeves, so it’s great for keeping your kid’s core warm in cooler weather, but still allows for mobility.

Special features of the Columbia Endless Explorer kids rain jacket include a chin guard and adjustable hood, both of which allow for maximum comfort and protection from moisture. Choose this jacket for a high-quality, low-cost option that will keep your most active children warm and comfortable on cooler days.

View at Amazon

M2C Hooded

Specs

• Length: Short (to hips)
• Windproof: Yes
• Age: Toddler to Child

Features

• Velcro Pockets for Easy Access
• Soft, Ribbed Cuffs (for preventing leaks in the wrist area while providing maximum comfort)
• Striped Lining (for ultimate style points)

BEST FOR: YOUNGER KIDS

This jacket is sure to be a hit among younger kids. It features a comfy cotton lining for maximum coziness and warmth. It’s perfect for a cool, wet day and it’s cute enough to use as casual-wear, too!

This jacket comes in a variety of fun colors and has a fashionable striped lining. Beyond its style, the M2C also has soft, ribbed cuffs in the wrists to lock out both moisture and cold air from entering the sleeves. It’s pockets feature a velcro seal, making them easy-to-access for little hands.

View at Amazon

OAKI Children’s

Specs

• Length: Long (knee-length)
• Windproof: No
• Age: Young Child to Teen

Features

• Reflective Strips (for increased visibility, even on low-light days)
• Button Snaps
• Full-Length Coverage

BEST FOR: FULL COVERAGE

This jacket is best for full-body coverage in the wettest of weather. It is made completely of Vinyl material and is the longest jacket of our kids’ raincoat picks, so it will keep your child dry from head to toe, no matter how heavy the rain is coming down.

This jacket has easy-to-snap buttons and reflective strips to keep your child safe, and the intentionally bigger fit allows for easy and comfortable layering underneath. Though it is longer and thicker than our other picks, the OAKI can be easily folded for compact transportation.

View at Amazon

THINGS TO CONSIDER WHEN BUYING RAIN JACKETS FOR KIDS

COST

You can find a great range of prices on kids raincoats, depending on the features you’re looking for. When it comes to a quality raincoat, the most important factor to consider is the waterproof rating, so be careful not to go too cheap, or you may sacrifice the effectiveness of the coat’s main function. For in-depth info on the various features you may consider when selecting your child’s raincoat, you can visit this guide from REI.

WARMTH

Raincoats are a unique article of clothing in that there are many different types made to serve a great range of temperature conditions. Be sure to consider if you want to buy a raincoat for your kid that comes with a built-in warmth layer or one that is just a shell. If you go with the shell, keep in mind that it’s only meant to serve as an outer layer over whatever clothes you put on your child underneath the raincoat shell. If you live in a cooler climate and are not interested in outfitting your child in other layers underneath the coat, go for something with a warmer lining, even if it means spending a little bit more.

FIT/COVERAGE

Raincoats also come in a number of different styles, from the length, to the hood shape, to the cuff material and fit. Keep your child’s personality in mind when trying to determine which style to choose. For example, if your child is extremely active, you may want to find them something that features breathable material and allows for dynamic movement. Similarly, while a longer length may be a great choice for some children, others may find it annoying.

KID-SPECIFIC FEATURES

When searching for any adventure product for hiking with your child, you should consider its kid-friendly features. When it comes to raincoats, snaps or velcro (as opposed to zippers) can be easier for small hands to work with, and zipper/chin guards are an important consideration too, as they can help prevent uncomfortable chafing. And one more thing you may not think is so important at first: kid-friendly prints! A raincoat with a fun print or color may just make your child want to head outside and embrace the wet weather.

FEATURES EXPLAINED

BACK LENGTH

The measurement from the uppermost part of the collar to the bottom of the coat.

WINDPROOF

Windproof jackets are made of fabric that does not let the wind pass through to your body.

STORM FLAPS

These are strips of fabric that cover certain parts of the jacket (like zippers) to ensure moisture does not enter.

REFLECTIVE DETAILS

These shiny logos and strips reflect light from cars and other light sources (like flashlights or headlamps) to make your child visible on cloudy or dark days.

RIBBED CUFFS

These are made of a special fabric near the part of the sleeve that meets your child’s wrist. Their ribbed design allows them to hug the wrist and lock out moisture.