Based on the social media posts of my parent-friends all over the country—even in Canada’s mildest climates—it’s been a long winter. Here in Calgary, it’s been colder than usual for longer than usual: we’ve been trapped indoors for weeks on end. As soon as the mercury nudges past zero, I’m eager to get the kids outside to play, but until recently we didn’t have the right gear. Their snowsuits are super toasty, which we appreciate for tobogganing at minus 10°C, but they’re too warm under Calgary’s surprisingly strong winter sun when a chinook is rolling in. Plus, snowsuits are designed for snow … not for what happens to snow when it’s suddenly 10 degrees above freezing.
Tuffo’s Muddy Buddy is a waterproof coverall for messy play both outside and in (think preschool painting party). Available in sizes 12 months through to 5T, it comes with a waterproof bag for easy storage and transport.
Little Miss is 21 lbs and about 31 inches tall, and she is wearing the 18-months Muddy Buddy. Cub is 41 lbs and 42 inches tall and has the 5T model. Our Muddy Buddies were on our doorstep last week upon our return from preschool. In the car, Cub had already informed me that he wanted to play outside when we got home. We haven’t been able to comfortably play outside since November, so even if it meant they were going to get filthy, I was game. I was even more game when I saw that our Muddy Buddies had arrived!
Cub was able to step right into his Muddy Buddy, thanks to the two front zippers, and I guided his boots through the cuffs to create a nice seal around his ankles to keep his feet dry. Even though he’s definitely a 5T in all of his clothing, the 5T Muddy Buddy is roomy enough for him to wear lots of layers underneath depending on the weather. The first thing he did once he was zipped in was head for the nearest massive puddle.
Little Miss hasn’t quite discovered the joys of splashing in puddles yet, but when she plays outside she’s on the ground as often as she’s on her feet.
It doesn’t take long for her pants to be sopping. Right now, her favourite thing to do is push her doll stroller outside, and in her Muddy Buddy she can go off-road with her wheels!
Calgary’s climate is pretty dry most of the time, so puddles don’t last that long. Prime puddle time is every time the snow melts, and this happens a bunch of times over the course of a YYC winter. These are the best opportunities to get the kids outside without having to run back inside to warm up because of the wind chill—but without a Muddy Buddy you’re running back inside because the kids are soaked to the bone.
In Vancouver, where I grew up, it’s so wet so much of the time that I can’t imagine parenting there without the Muddy Buddy! When we lived in Montreal, I used to anxiously await December so I could fly home to visit my parents where we wouldn’t need a snowsuit every time we left the house. And every December I would remember that while a west coast winter might be a lot warmer, it’s no easier to play outside since everything is always wet! You bet I’ll be packing our Muddy Buddies for our visit later this spring. I can send Cub to help his Pop Pops in the garden and he’ll stay dry and clean! We can go beachcombing even if it’s drizzling! No need to pack a towel to dry off the playground swings and slide!
The Muddy Buddy is made of a rugged, durable polyester fabric with sealed seams that ensure waterproofness. The elastics at the wrists and ankle go easily over mittens and boots. The knees and bum are reinforced to resist wear and tear.
The generous sizing should get us a couple of years out of our Muddy Buddies, and I will report back on how well they hold up over time. It doesn’t matter what season it is: if there’s mud, dirt, paint or puddles, the Muddy Buddy is your best friend. I also think Muddy Buddy should make an adult-sized version and get some product placement opportunities in season two of Santa Clarita Diet.
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