Recently, many families from southern China have come to Harbin asking how to dress their kids to stay warm. The cold in Northeast China is so intense that even adults wrap up like bears, let alone little ones. Many parents only focus on buying thick clothes for their children, but overlook several key details—before you know it, the kid is hunching from the cold, or even has bright red, frozen hands. As Ice City Warm Sun, a cold-weather gear store on Central Street that has been operating for three years, I’ve seen too many such cases. Today I’ll share the three most common pitfalls in kids’ cold protection, based on real experience.
Detail 1: Don’t Let Kids’ Hands Become a “Wet-Cold Hotspot”
Kids love running and playing, and their gloves get wet quickly when they play with snow or sweat. Wet gloves sticking to hands bring a piercing cold. Many parents rent thick down jackets but use thin gloves as a makeshift solution—this won’t do. All our kids’ gloves at Ice City Warm Sun are sold as brand-new, specially chosen waterproof fleece-lined styles with finger-separated designs, so kids can flexibly grab snowballs while playing or building snowmen. If the rented gloves don’t fit, you can exchange them for free with door-to-door service across Harbin’s five urban districts; you’ll get the new pair the next day, no hassle.
Detail 2: Foot Warmth Depends on More Than Just Thick Snow Boots
Parents from southern China often make the mistake of thinking the thicker the snow boots, the better—but that’s not true. The ground in Harbin is slippery, and kids are prone to spraining ankles when running and jumping; overly stiff snow boots are also uncomfortable. More importantly, snow boots should be 1-2 sizes larger than kids’ usual shoes, so you can add brand-new insoles (fleece or heated) and thick cotton socks. Otherwise, toes will feel cramped and the boots won’t be breathable. If the rented snow boots are too small, you can exchange them for a suitable size within the same product category; in-store exchanges are free, very convenient.
Detail 3: Don’t Overdress Kids, Especially Avoid “Overheating Sweating”
Kids have stronger metabolism than adults—they fear heat more than cold. Overdressing leads to sweating, which makes them catch a cold once exposed to wind. Many parents overdo it, putting two layers of cotton pants on their kids, who then sweat after just a few steps. Taking clothes off is inconvenient, and leaving them on makes them feel stuffy. All our kids’ down jackets and pants at Ice City Warm Sun are sized by height: pick size 120 for a 120cm-tall kid, and it’s better to size up than down, so thin long underwear can fit inside without restricting movement. If you’re unsure which size to choose, just tell us your kid’s height and weight—our dedicated customer service will provide one-on-one guidance and help pick suitable packages. For example, our 5-piece set includes a cotton hat, gloves, and snow boots, which is enough for kids’ needs.
Final reminder: Booking gear in advance is always the right choice for a Harbin trip. Ice City Warm Sun is located near the Flood Control Monument on Central Street. We offer in-store pickup and free door-to-door delivery to hotels in the urban area; we can even arrange service for late-night arrivals. The longer you rent, the more cost-effective it is—maximum 10 days for 380 yuan. If you have any questions, just call our customer service hotline at 18182716820. We’re on call anytime to give your kid a warm and cozy Harbin trip.