6 Best Water Resistant Gloves For Kids Washing Animals That Keep Little Hands Dry
Discover the top 6 water-resistant gloves for kids washing animals. Our guide compares the best options to keep little hands completely dry and protected.
There’s nothing quite like the sight of a kid, a hose, and a muddy pig on a cool afternoon. But that happy scene can turn sour fast when their hands get cold and wet. The right pair of gloves is the difference between a fun, helpful chore and a miserable, chattering retreat back to the house. Investing in good hand protection isn’t just about comfort; it’s about keeping your young helpers engaged, safe, and willing to jump in next time.
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Keeping Little Farm Hands Safe, Warm, and Dry
Choosing gloves for kids isn’t just about finding something that keeps water out. You’re looking for a tool that enables them to do the job well. A good pair of gloves needs to provide warmth against cold well water, protect their skin from constant dampness that leads to chapping, and offer a secure grip on soapy sponges and wriggling animals.
Think about the tasks involved. Washing a goat means holding a leg still while scrubbing. Rinsing a chicken waterer requires a firm grip on a slippery plastic surface. Ill-fitting, clumsy gloves that fill with water are worse than no gloves at all. They cause frustration and make it impossible for a child to contribute effectively, turning a learning opportunity into a lesson in futility.
The goal is to find a balance of features. You need something truly water resistant or waterproof, with a snug enough fit to prevent water from sloshing in the cuff. Dexterity is crucial for handling tools and fasteners, while durability ensures the gloves last more than one season. Ultimately, the best glove is the one your kid will actually wear.
SHOWA Atlas 370: Superior Grip for Scrubbing
When the task demands a serious grip, the SHOWA Atlas 370 is a top contender. These aren’t your typical dishwashing gloves. They feature a thin, breathable nylon liner fully coated in a layer of tough, flexible nitrile.
That nitrile coating is the key. It provides an almost tacky grip, even when covered in soap and water. This is the glove for when your child needs to confidently hold a curry comb, scrub brush, or even the lead rope of a fidgety pony. The dexterity is excellent, allowing them to feel what they’re doing without the bulky sensation of thicker rubber gloves.
The main consideration here is sizing. The SHOWA 370 is an industrial glove, so you’ll typically be looking at adult sizes. However, an adult extra-small or small can be a perfect fit for older kids and teens, offering them professional-grade performance. They provide a snug, "second skin" fit that serious little farmers will appreciate.
Playtex Living Gloves: A Classic Waterproof Pick
Sometimes, you just need simple, reliable, and completely waterproof protection. The classic Playtex Living Glove, a staple in kitchens for decades, serves this purpose perfectly on the farm. Made of thick latex or nitrile, these gloves are 100% impervious to water from fingertip to cuff.
These are ideal for less intensive tasks where dexterity isn’t the primary concern. Think rinsing out feed buckets, filling water troughs, or giving a final spray-down to a patient animal. The longer cuff is a significant advantage, providing extra protection against splashes that would run inside shorter gloves. They are easy to pull on and off, which is a big plus for kids who want to switch tasks quickly.
The tradeoff is a looser fit and reduced tactile sensitivity. You can’t easily work a small buckle or tie a knot while wearing them. But for straightforward, wet jobs where the main goal is to keep hands and forearms bone-dry, this classic design is hard to beat for its simplicity and effectiveness.
Wells Lamont Kids Coated: Farm-Tough Durability
If your kids are hard on their gear, you need a glove built to withstand the realities of farm life. Wells Lamont makes work gloves for adults, and their kids’ line brings that same durable philosophy to smaller hands. Their coated gloves offer a fantastic blend of water resistance and ruggedness.
These gloves typically feature a knit shell with a tough latex or nitrile coating on the palm and fingers. This design provides a solid grip and stands up to abrasion from concrete wash pads, rough animal coats, or grabbing wire fencing. While the knit back isn’t fully waterproof, the coated working surface repels the vast majority of water encountered during a wash.
This style is a great all-around choice for general farm chores that might involve some water. They transition seamlessly from washing a dog to pulling weeds or stacking firewood. They offer more durability than a simple rubber glove and more water resistance than a basic canvas one, hitting a sweet spot for versatile young helpers.
Ansell HyFlex: Dexterity for Buckles and Taps
Some jobs require a delicate touch, even when they’re wet. Unclipping a tricky halter, adjusting the spray pattern on a hose nozzle, or turning a stiff spigot all require fine motor control. For these moments, a glove like the Ansell HyFlex, known for its incredible dexterity, is the perfect solution.
Like the SHOWA gloves, these are technically industrial gloves, but their smaller sizes fit many older kids. The magic is in their ultra-thin but durable coating over a form-fitting liner. This construction allows a child to feel the shape of a buckle or the edge of a latch right through the glove material, preventing fumbling and frustration.
While the palm is water resistant, the breathable back is not, making them best for tasks where hands are damp but not fully submerged. They are the ultimate choice when precision is more important than total waterproofing. If your child is graduating to more complex responsibilities around the barn, a pair of these can give them the confidence to handle detailed tasks without having to take their gloves off every two minutes.
DABMAR Garden Gloves: A Fun and Colorful Option
Let’s be realistic: sometimes the biggest challenge is just getting a kid excited to put the gear on. DABMAR and similar brands make colorful, kid-patterned garden gloves that can be a great entry point. The bright designs and fun characters make them appealing, which can be half the battle.
These gloves typically have a coated palm for grip and water resistance, with a breathable fabric back. They won’t keep hands dry if fully submerged in a bucket, but they do an excellent job of deflecting splashes and keeping hands clean while scrubbing a muddy animal. They are lightweight and comfortable, making them a good choice for kids who are sensitive to the feel of bulky gloves.
Think of these as the "good enough" glove for many situations. They are affordable, widely available, and come in true kid sizes. For a quick wash of the family dog or helping rinse garden tools, they provide enough protection to make the job more pleasant without the investment in a more specialized pair.
JustforKids Gloves: Sized for Littlest Helpers
One of the biggest frustrations for young children is trying to work with gear that’s too big. A glove that’s constantly slipping off is a surefire way to end a chore early. Brands that focus specifically on gear for young children, like JustforKids, solve this problem by offering gloves in sizes that fit toddlers and preschoolers.
These gloves are often designed with a simple coated palm or a full rubber construction, prioritizing fit over advanced features. The primary benefit is that they actually stay on small hands. This allows the littlest members of the family to participate safely in simple tasks like washing their toy tractor or helping scrub a low water trough.
When you have a three-year-old who desperately wants to "help" with everything, providing them with gear that fits validates their effort. It tells them they are a real part of the farm crew. While not the most durable option, their value lies in empowering the smallest farmers to get their hands dirty—while actually keeping them clean and dry.
Glove Care: Rinsing and Storing for Longer Life
No matter which gloves you choose, they’ll only last if you take care of them. Tossing a wet, muddy pair into a dark corner of the barn is a recipe for cracked rubber and a nasty mildew smell. A few simple steps after each use will dramatically extend their life.
First, rinse the gloves thoroughly, inside and out. Use the hose to wash off all the mud, soap, and grime from the exterior. Then, take them off, turn them inside out, and rinse the liner to wash away sweat. This prevents the interior from getting funky and breaking down over time.
Second, hang them to dry properly. Don’t leave them in a crumpled heap. The best way is to clip them by the cuffs to a clothesline or hook where air can circulate both inside and out. A simple clothespin on a wire shelf works perfectly. Proper drying prevents the material from cracking and ensures they are fresh and ready for the next job.
Ultimately, the best gloves are the ones that help your kids feel capable and comfortable. By matching the glove’s features—be it grip, dexterity, or just a fun color—to the task and the child, you’re not just buying gear. You’re investing in more helping hands, more shared experiences, and more happy memories out on the farm.
