Stock up on the coolest cold-weather gear for kids

The snowflake motifs that have bedecked local shops for the past two months may be coming down in the post-holiday cleanup, but winter has really just begun, and there is still much snowy fun to be had in the Northwest.

Now is the time to hit the January clearance sales and stock up on cold-weather gear for the kids. If you plan it right, you can find some choice items for the coming months -- and stock up for next year. We recently perused some of Seattle's outdoors stores to find the best selection of gear to keep your children warm and dry, whether they're on the slopes or in their own backyard.

The selection at the downtown Old Navy store may be slim, but their winter gear is going for superlow prices. We found fleece-lined jackets and bib pants marked down from $42 to $15. You'll also find tons of hats, scarves and mittens for $3.50 and up.

While you're downtown, check out the kids' cold-weather offerings at Nordstrom and Macy's. Nordstrom carries a good selection of North Face items for boys and girls. They're not on sale, but a few coats from Columbia are. You'll find them on the clearance racks. At Macy's, Ralph Lauren and Spyder outerwear is 25 percent off.

Traditional sporting goods store Big 5 in the University District has great deals on snowboarding pants and jackets in youth sizes. Triple Nickel boys' and girls' snowboard jackets and pants are all 30 percent off while supplies last. The selection for younger children wasn't so great, but there were still plenty of sleds and inner tubes available, several of which are on sale this week for $9.99.

Patagonia's Belltown store may be spendy, but for quality kids' gear it can't be beat. Capilene long johns are available for the youngest powder hounds -- they come in sizes as small as three months. These base layers are very rugged and warm (we've seen them last more than a decade), so they can be used by successive kids. Pants and tops sell for $29 each, while the baby set of long-sleeved onesie with separate pants sells for $45.

At Sears in Sodo, the Land's End selection of kids' gear offers sturdy construction at fair prices. Their end-of-winter deals include an arctic pullover for boys or girls for $99 and the Zip Snow Sport Boots for $29.99. These items may not be available at every location, so call ahead and ask someone to check the store's inventory before you visit.

For those with choosy teens, the fashionable duds at Snowboard Connection in South Lake Union may be worth looking at -- especially if your kids are close to done growing. Along with favorite brands Burton, Volcom and Hurley, Snowboard Connection carries a nice selection of women's snowboard gear from brands like Nikita that is stylish and useful for petite young women.

When it comes to all things outdoorsy, however, the flagship REI store in South Lake Union remains the gold standard, and their selection of cold-weather clothes and gear for kids is the best around. Their clearance sale is ongoing until stock runs out, and the selection is still great. Don't forget to check out the merino wool socks ($7 and up per pair) they carry in sizes from infant on up.

Last but not least, the search for cold-weather gear should include a stop at your favorite local consignment shop. We found good deals on jackets and pants for bigger kids at Play It Again Sports, and Ballard's Me 'n Moms had a great selection of snowsuits and jackets for younger children, all on sale at 20 percent off.

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