Updated March 2025 Merino wool base layers are for sure our number one adventure essential for kids and also for adults. We always add them to our packing list and wear them outdoor adventures. Wool is amazing for regulating body … Read More
New year, new family chore chart! Using a family economy system has been really helpful for our family for nearly 6 years, but it’s definitely evolved over the years. Here’s the original post I wrote about our system! We got … Read More
Join us as we learn about Palestine for the January 2023 Global Children’s Book Club! This Palestine virtual field trip is a perfect way to explore the world from home. Be sure to check out the full 2023 Global Children’s … Read More
I’ve made packing lists for my kids for years, but it was really a game changer when I started making kids visual packing lists. It allowed even my young kids to start participating in the packing process, and getting them … Read More
I love starting each January with thinking about a few goals to guide the year. I don’t typically feel totally beholden to them but it’s a nice way for me to consider some long-term habits and things I’d like to … Read More
I am so happy to be releasing the details and book titles for the 2023 Global Children’s Book Club! We can’t wait to be “traveling” around the world to 6 different countries through books this year and hope you’ll join … Read More
I can’t quite wrap my head around the fact that this will be our 13th Christmas morning with little ones. We by no means have it all figured out, but we’ve definitely learned a few tricks in that time to … Read More
Nearly a decade ago, our church Christmas party involved visiting “Bethlehem.” Everyone walked into a church gym transformed into a dark, (fake) candlelit space with sheets hanging from the ceilings and on the floor. There were black construction paper nativity … Read More
I always smile when I see last minute gift ideas being shared several weeks before Christmas. Like, I aspire to be so prepared that early December is a “last minute” gift, but that’s almost never the case. Three days before … Read More
I’ve written a post about my personal favorite products of the year for the last couple years (here is the one for 2022), but I’ve never written one focused on kid items before. I figured it was time! I intended … Read More
I’ve done a post of some of my favorite products of the year for the last couple years, and it’s one of my favorites to write. It’s so fun thinking through the things that have been functional and brought me … Read More
With a lot of kids, it doesn’t really make sense for each child to give a gift to each sibling. It would be way too much work, too much money, and too much to open on Christmas! Instead, we do … Read More
Updated March 2025
Merino wool base layers are for sure our number one adventure essential for kids and also for adults. We always add them to our packing list and wear them outdoor adventures. Wool is amazing for regulating body temperature, so it’s excellent to use in both warm and cool weather. It’s also really terrific as a warm underlayer, wicks moisture, and is naturally odor-resistant so can easily be reworn (and dries quickly when it is washed).
We love using merino wool base layers as pajamas when traveling and at home and get tons of use out of them. They’re a really versatile, durable piece of clothing. For a complete list of what we bring from winter travel, see our winter packing list for kids.
We personally prefer merino wool for our base layers because of the above reasons, but those items do tend to be a bit pricier. Still, for us, they’re worth the investment since we’re able to use them a ton at home and when traveling, and we’ve passed ours through multiple kids.
Smartwool base layers are my favorites for the whole family. They’re thick, warm, and soft and last a long time. If you prefer a merino wool that isn’t quite as warm (my oldest likes thinner ones as he tends to not get cold easily), the REI Co-op merino wool base layers are also excellent.
I also love this thin merino/silk v-neck because it fits easily under other things. I wear it several times a week at home under v-neck sweaters. I especially love that it works easily for breastfeeding – the neckline is low enough to stretch down so I don’t need to lift from the bottom. It keeps my stomach warm when nursing!
Here are all the base layer items our family loves:
Speaking of wool, we’ve been gradually been switching over to almost all wool socks over the past few years. They tend to be more expensive up front than cotton socks, but last significantly longer, and are so warm. Again, they’re great for travel as they can be aired out and reworn, and dry very quickly when they are washed. Perfect for hiking or any outdoors adventure in any weather.
Here are my favorite wool socks for the whole family:
Merino wool base layers are definitely an investment, so here’s another set that is super warm that we like. These don’t breathe as much as wool base layers, so they’re trickier to rewear, and aren’t as comfortable for changing temperatures, but they are very warm in super cold weather. We also like that they have sizes for men, women, kids, toddlers, and even babies.
Our favorite non-wool base layers
