Outdoor Play at Butterfly Hill
At Butterfly Hill, children enjoy daily outdoor experiences as part of our preschool curriculum. Brain research shows that learning and playing outside year-round is an important part of healthy early childhood development. Because children learn and play best when comfortable, it’s essential to be prepared for all seasons of Minnesota weather. This page is a guide to help your child be ready for their days at Butterfly Hill with year-round outdoor experiences - rain, snow, or shine!
Weather: At Butterfly Hill, children play outside in nearly all kinds of weather, but safety always comes first. Thunder and lightning, extreme heat, poor air quality, and extreme wind chill mean we modify outdoor time or move inside. We also consider road conditions before heading out for forest school. Outside of these situations, we are outside each day! Parents and teachers alike rely on checking the weather to make sure kids have the right gear for the day - layers, rain gear, hats, and mittens - so they can stay warm, dry, and comfortable while exploring outdoors.
Layers: In Minnesota’s transitional seasons, temperatures can vary widely from morning to afternoon. Dressing in layers that can be added or removed throughout the day is essential. Fleece jackets, sweatshirts, lightweight hats, and mittens are especially helpful on chilly spring and fall mornings.
Label all the Things: Anything your child can take off - jackets, sweatshirts, boots, hats, mittens, snow pants, rain gear - may eventually end up on the ground or classroom floor . . . and twenty black snow pants all look the same! Labeling your child’s gear helps us return items to the right child and saves you time when picking up your child at the end of the day.
Shop Early: Winter gear at school isn’t just for snow - it’s for cold temperatures, too! Our preschoolers are often in full winter gear - jacket, hat with a neck warmer or face mask, mittens, snow pants, boots, and warm socks - well before the first snowflake falls.
Questions: We are here to help! Reach out anytime if you need assistance with outdoor gear or have any questions.
Resources: Click the buttons below to explore Outdoor Gear Discounts, our Outdoor Gear Rental Program, and other Outdoor Gear Resources.
All Seasons
Fall Outdoor Gear
Outdoor Gear Guide by Season
Winter Outdoor Gear
Spring Outdoor Gear
Summer Outdoor Gear
Items to Have at School Each Day For Outdoor Play:
Extra outfits to change into if wet or muddy, can leave in rest time tote or backpack
Weather appropriate extra outdoor gear in backpack to layer if needed or trade out if wet
For example, extra mittens to change into if first pair is soaking wet
Items to Have at School Each Day For Outdoor Play:
All Seasons list from above
Mud/Rain boots (insulated recommended)
Closed toe shoes: tennis shoes, Crocs, Natives
Wool/Smartwool Socks: tall socks are preferred when worn with boots since short ankle socks often slip down inside boots
Mud/Rain suit or rain jacket and pants
Sweatshirt/Fleece jacket/Windbreaker
Base layers for colder days
Warm hat covering ears
Lighter weight, waterproof mittens
Sunscreen: one spray-on bottle and one face stick, both items will be labeled with your child's name and will be used exclusively for them
Items to Have at School Each Day For Outdoor Play:
All Seasons list from above
Insulated winter boots
Wool/Smartwool Socks: tall socks are preferred when worn with boots since short ankle socks often slip down inside boots
Warm, insulated winter jacket with wind and waterproof outer layer
Warm snow pants: elastic at the base helps to keep snow pants down around boot, bib style is preferred for added warmth and protection from snow
Base layers for colder days
Warm hat covering ears + neck warmer, or balaclava/face mask
Two pairs of insulated mittens
Scroll down to the bottom of the page to view our video: Dressing Your Child For Outdoor Winter Play
Items to Have at School Each Day For Outdoor Play:
All Seasons list from above
Mud/Rain boots
Closed toe shoes: tennis shoes, Crocs, Natives
Wool/Smartwool Socks: tall socks are preferred when worn with boots since short ankle socks often slip down inside boots
Mud/Rain suit or rain jacket and pants
Sweatshirt/Fleece jacket
Base layers for colder days
Hat that covers ears for cooler days, optional: sun hat for sunnier days
Lighter weight, waterproof mittens
Sunscreen: one spray-on bottle and one face stick, both items will be labeled with your child's name and will be used exclusively for them
Items to Have at School Each Day For Outdoor Play:
All Seasons list from above
Closed toe shoes: tennis shoes, Crocs, Natives (shoes that dry quickly or can easily rinse off mud work well)
Mud/Rain suit or rain jacket and pants if a rainy day has cooler temperatures
Sweatshirt/Fleece jacket for cool days
Extra outfits: regular water play outside leads to more frequent changes in the summer
Swimsuit and towel for afternoon water play in our outdoor classroom
Optional: sun hat
Sunscreen: one spray-on bottle and one face stick, both items will be labeled with your child's name and will be used exclusively for them