If your child is anything like mine, jumping up and down in muddy puddles isn't just something we sing along to with Peppa Pig, but something we - well, she - loves to do. Finding a decent pair of kids' wellies that'll keep their feet warm and dry can be overwhelming. There's so many to choose from, that you can get lost in a world of wellington boots.
The best wellies for kids are, above all else, waterproof and durable. Strong enough to withstand even the most enthusiastic of puddle jumpers but flexible enough for walking, running, climbing, jumping, skipping, bike riding and more. Wellington boots for kids are pretty flashy these days too. There's light-up wellies, glitter pairs, colour-changing boots and wellington boots with handles, so your child can independently pull them on (and off, word of warning!)
Best wellies for kids - at a glance
- Best girls' wellies: Applique Wellies, £17.99 at H&M
- Best boys wellies:Striped Wellies, from £17 at Marks & Spencer
- Best wellies for toddlers: Rain Boots, £20 at Kidly
- Best wellies under £10: Tribord Rain Boots, £9.99 at Decathlon
I've had my fair share of trying out the best wellies for girls, as my daughter's feet seem to grow quicker than she wears out a pair. So with the weather set to become increasingly wet and wild, make sure your little ones have their wellington boots ready and waiting for those drizzly autumnal days.
How I chose the best wellies for kids
- Personal reviews: I've by no means tried all brands for kids wellies, but I have tried my fair share - well, my daughter has. She's quite the expert at choosing a pair of wellington boots for girls and isn't afraid to say if they're uncomfortable, not waterproof and the thing she looks for most - cute. Where possible, I've included the brands we've tried and actually rate.
- Waterproof: All of the wellington boots in this buying guide are made for splashing in puddles and enjoying the rain. I've included trusted reviews where I can to outline whether they keep the damp out, or not.
- Price: Spending a fortune on a pair of wellington boots that your kid will grow out of in five minutes isn't something we can all afford to do, so I've kept costs low in this buying guide.
Best wellington boots for kids
Best for choice: M&S wellies for kids
M&S wellies in metallic pink
Editor's note: "M&S is a brand we rely on all the time for my child's wellington boots, thanks to their designs and price. We've owned a few pairs from the retailer now, and they're always durable and seem to last. I'd recommend checking sizing, as they often come up big."
Marks & Spencer's come up trumps with the sheer volume of wellies for kids on sale. There's plain, patterned and character designs along with furry lined and light-up.
Best for character designs: Tu Sainsbury's
Tu wellies for kids in Bluey design
Editor's note: "I'm always blown away by the amount of wellies with characters on that Tu carries. Although I've personally not tried them, friends of mine have and swear by them for value for money."
Tu wellies for kids are a great choice if you have a fussy customer who'll only wear a pair of wellies emblazoned with their favourite character. Some of the most popular include Bluey, Barbie and Peppa Pig.
Best for convenience: Crocs wellies for kids
Crocs wellies for kids
Editor's note: "All of the reviews applaud these Crocs kids' wellies for convenience - your child will be able to put them on and take them off themselves with the handle."
Considered one of the most lightweight pairs of wellies on the market, Crocs' wellington boots for children come in fun, bright colours and are made from Crocs' signature material to make them comfortable too.
Best for durability: H&M wellies for kids
H&M wellies for kids
Editor's note: "I find my daughter outgrows a pair of wellington boots from H&M before they split or fall apart - they're durable as anything. I find their designs some of the coolest too."
You can always trust H&M to offer a decent selection of clothing and shoes for the whole family, and their rainboots are reasonably priced and cutely designed, including Frozen themed, Minnie and Mickey plus fleece-lined versions.
Best novelty wellies: Grass & Air colour changing wellies
Grass & Air colour-revealing wellies
Editor's note: "I know these would appeal to all kids, as they change colour when they get wet. How cool!"
It's the colour-changing pattern that'll have your toddlers wanting to wear these wellies all the time. They're fleece-lined for extra comfort.
Best for range of sizes: Muddy Puddles wellies
Muddy Puddles wellies for kids
Editor's note: "The extra height on these wellies get top marks from shoppers, who applaud them for keeping kids' feet extra dry."
Available in sizes 5 infant to 5 youth, Muddy Puddles wellies benefit from extra length to keep legs even drier and come in three different patterns.
Best vegan wellies: Merry People
Merry People Bobbi kids wellington boots
Editor's note: "I'm one for twinning with my daughter and Merry People's wellies appeal to me for their design suitable for kids and adults. Many shoppers say they're "so comfortable" and feet are always left dry."
Merry People's wellies for kids benefit from added grip technology (always good for children) and are tested to be worn in sub-zero temperatures.
