Where Can I Buy Affordable Winter Clothes for My Kids?

The clothing at Target should do the job for you on a budget and they are the most fashion oriented company out of the ones you listed. Winter clothing is bulky. I would wait until you get here so you have fewer items to pack and move. Anyway, the stores are only just beginning to put things out. We live in the land of the igloo, so there will always be things available throughout the season.

Welcome to MN S.!
I think you got some really sound advice from some of the other mom's here; but have one thing to add.

I personally would only get the big thick jackets/snowsuits for the kiddos when they are going to be outside playing. I would avoid putting them on while they are in the car because you cannot get the seatbelt/harness tight enough for it to be completely effective. I personally am a HUGE fan of Fleece because it's warm enough for running from the house to the car and the car to whereever, but it's thin enough that it's not going to effect the saftey of the carseat/seatbelt. I then leave the big heavey jacket in the car along with some extra blankets for just incase situations (i.e. the first snow fall and the first time the road freezes). But then again, I am a little paranoid when it comes to driving in the winter! :oD

Hey there S., my name is M.. I have a 9 month old son and I'm finished doing all his fall, winter, and spring shopping thanks to Once Upon A Child. There are a few of them...closest to where you'll be is on County Rd 42 in Burnsville. It's a consigment shop for kids. Most of the stuff I got still had the origional tags from dpt stores still on them too! We got cloths, jammies, coats, shoes, snow pants, you can also get a carseat cover for the littles one that way you don't have to fight with a coat. You can also go to the Salvation Army in the cities which is were Target donates all this leftover clothing. I moved to Lakeville 4 years ago from Philadelphia Pa, and just love it. Good Luck.

You might be able to buy stuff on-line. Look for outdoor clothes with a temperature rating of 0 degrees or less (it is usually 30 to 40 below zero a few days a year, but is generally around 0). Also, once you get here, Once Upon a Child is a great place to get quality used clothing and outdoor gear for kids. If you want the warmest, best stuff, I'd go to REI or shop REI.com before you come (they sell hardcore outdoor gear). Target and the like sell that stuff. Not sure about the quality. Again, I'd look for the temperature rating (most quality outdoor clothing has a temperature rating that tells how cold a garment would be appropriate to wear in). Also, layered jackets, gloves/ mittens, and foot wear are sometimes cheaper and nice because they can easily change to fit the weather. For example, rather than buying really warm boots, maybe get really waterproof boots, and a variety of warm socks of different thicknesses (cotton and wool) to layer for the weather. Some thin gloves and a pair of good, warm, waterproof mittens are warmest (mits can be removed when warmer and mits are always warmer and more protective against frost-bite than gloves).
Also keep in mind when it's really cold (40 below), kids don't go out for recess and folks just hussle from their vehicles to the warm inside. On the other hand, it's always best to be prepared incase you were to be stranded somewhere.
Welcome to Minnesota!!
:)

One suggestion - if you don't mind gently used clothes, you can find a lot of options at great prices at Once Upon A Child. There are seveal locations. Their website is www.ouac.com for store locations and hours.

I would recommend Once Upon a Child also, though I would suggest a trip to the one in St. Louis Park - it's fairly large, and they often have the best quality items because of the clientelle in that area. The website has the addresses: http://www.ouac.com/ouac/myheadline.asp?S=7322&P=4225...

The winter stuff is all the way at the back, and there's a gauntlet of toys all the way along the wall on the way to the back, so you may want to go it with just the baby if possible.

I would recommend getting some snow pants if no one's said that yet (Once Upon a Child generally has a lot). Just for the kids, who are going to have a blast making snowmen, snow angels, etc!

Another winter tip for playing in the snow at home (not so good at school) - wrap the cuffs of the kids' coats with tape when they're ready to go outside. It really helps keep their gloves on and their wrists from getting too cold. I use the wide blue painters' tape because it comes off easily when they come back in.

And finally - next year shop the garage sales! There are excellent buys to be had on winter coats and snow pants. There are still a few sales going on now, but most of them happen around May.

Welcome to Minnesota - I hope you love it here!

Hi S.. I live in the Eagan area. You are lucky! There is a Super Target, a Burlington Coat Factory and a Kohls within a one mile radius in Apple Valley. I have a 4 year old daughter and unfortunately just sold all her "last year" Winter Clothes by advertising on Craigslist. I buy all her clothes at Target or Kohls. Target's snow pants, coats, hats, gloves, boots are fantastic. The kids will also need Fall/Spring jackets and you will get those at Target or Kohls too. I use Burlington for our coats. They do have lovely coats for kids too, but they are expensive - $35 - when you think they will only be wearing them for 6/7 months and then they will be too small. Make sure that the coats are water proof - for playing in the snow. Welcome to Minnesota. I emigrated here from the southern hemisphere 13 years ago and just love it. The first winter was a HUGE shock to my system, but now I love it. B..

S.
Another idea is to check out ebay. You can find some of the more expensive clothes there for pretty cheap also then you can shop before you come. Good Luck.

If you're here by Sept 29th, there is a huge sale at the Eagan Community Center given by Mothers of Multiplies that they have every spring and fall. It's awesome. It's a huge garage sale. I've bought my daughter most of her clothes there and they are in good shape. If you want more info on that, the website is http://www.mvmom.org. Also, like all of the other women have said Once upon a child, In apple Valley and Eagan, there is a good will store. And also there is a store in Burnsville called Unique that have good clothes for cheap. Hope this helps.

Any store will do..

It does get cold here, but keep in mind it's not freezing indoors where you will spend most of your time. My daughter hates sweaters, and anything to confining and overheats easily. So she likes to wear a teeshirt, with a zipup jacket type or sweater she can easily remove. We do alot of layering.

As far as outside attire. The brand Columbia is very well known and holds up but it's also pretty spendy. Children's Place sells really nice winter coats that are thick.

I myself call me crazy but don't wear winter coats unless I plan to stay outside for a period of time. I just run around in a sweatshirt because I'm usually in and out of the car or buildings.

You'll get use to our cold pretty fast, once your here for awhile it won't be a big deal. I use to spend my summer's in Atlanta and my school year here in Minnesota from one extreme to the next and always adjusted just fine.

For your 3mo. old I would buy a carseat cover/warmer and skip the snowsuit, it will keep your child very warm and toasty without the hassle of a snowsuit.

With your other children you find they don't fit in their carseats well with big thick coats, you can either find a warm thin coat, or put them in their carseat and give them a blanket.

When they're little and not in school they don't use their boots and snowpants but a few times so you may want to look into second hand. We have lots of thrift stores, and a used children's store called Once Upon a Child for a fraction of the price you can find gently used clothing.

Once you get here, look for a store called Herbergers. Close to the the end of every season they have really nice stuff on sale for up to 70% off. Last winter I got my son a really high quality snowsuit for around $15 which was originally priced for $100! They start making room for the next season's stuff fairly early so you're still able to buy things that the kids can use right away as well as planning for what's coming.

I always shop at Target, and their stuff has always worked fine for my son. They already had some winter coats out when I went there yesterday. You do have to buy the stuff early at Target, because by January they've replaced the coats and boots with swimsuits and sandals!

Hi there. My recommendations would be to wait until you get here... there are often many more items here in the stores (and that are made much warmer) than online. I think that Target is going to be good for hats and glove kind of purchases but it will be worth a bit more of an investment to have good winter clothes for you and your children. I have bought several things from Burlington Coat Factory as well as Herbergers over the years. I am a huge fan of thinsulate material.. it is warm, dries easily, and is durable. I just look for good sales. There are also several used clothing stores for kids that may have some really good (gently) used clothes.. Once Upon A Child is a chain that is local. Welcome to Minnesota!

All of those are good places to start. Another affordable option in Burlington Coat Factory (they sell more than just Jackets). They have a nice selection of clothing for Adults and Kids and very reasonable prices.

I like to look at thirft stores as well..Once Upon A Child is a good place. You just have to have time to look through them.

Good Luck with your hunting. I am sure in no time you will find your favorite spots.

Welcome to Minnesota.

R.