This post may contain affiliate links. If you buy through them, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you, which helps keep the site running. All opinions are my own. Written by Molly, mum of two. Last updated: October 2026.

The clocks go back on Sunday 25 October 2026. Overnight, the school run goes from dusky to properly dark, and by the afternoon it’s going dark at around 5pm or earlier. The first time you walk home in the dark with a toddler and a scooter is when you realise how hard it is for drivers to see small people at the side of the road.

The good news is that this is one of the cheapest bits of kit you’ll buy all winter. You don’t need a new coat. A few well-chosen bits of reflective gear and a torch will do most of the job. Here’s what I’d get, and what to check before you buy.

Hi-vis and reflective are not the same thing

This is the bit most people don’t realise. They do different jobs:

• Hi-vis (fluorescent) fabric is bright yellow or orange. It’s great in daylight, in dusk and in gloomy weather, but it doesn’t do much in the dark.
• Reflective strips bounce back light from car headlights. That’s what makes a child visible at night.

Ideally you want both. Plenty of cheap “hi-vis” items are just bright fabric with no reflective strip, so check the product description and photos, and look for visible silver bands. For children’s visibility clothing, look for products that say they meet EN 1150, which is the standard for non-professional visibility clothing.

Hi-vis vests and sashes

The simplest option is a vest or sash that goes over a coat. It’s quick to put on, fits over bulky winter layers and can live in the school bag. Multi-packs are good value if you have more than one child, or if you keep losing them. A better-made one is worth it if it’ll be used every day, because the cheapest ones can rip or lose their strips.

Look for adjustable sides or elastic so it fits over a puffy coat, and one that’s easy for your child to put on themselves if they’re older.

Browse children’s hi-vis vests and reflective sashes.

Reflective add-ons that go on what they already own

If your child hates wearing a vest, add reflective bits to the clothes and gear they already have:

• Backpack covers: A reflective rain cover for a school bag also makes it visible from behind. See reflective bag covers.
• Clip-on lights: A small flashing light clipped to a bag or coat is easy to spot. See clip-on safety lights.
• Reflective stickers and tape: Stick them on scooters, helmets, coats and bags. They’re cheap and the kids can pick which ones to use.
• Slap bands: Reflective wrist and ankle bands are great for little ones who won’t wear a vest.
• Wellies and shoes with reflective panels: Some of the best waterproof gear already has reflective detail built in. My guide to toddler puddle suits and rain gear mentions what to look out for.

Pushchairs, scooters and bikes

It’s not only what your child wears. If you walk with a pushchair or ride a scooter or bike, add lights and reflectors to those too. A flashing light at the back and front makes a big difference, and some are USB rechargeable so you aren’t constantly buying batteries.

A head torch or a small torch

A head torch is brilliant for dark mornings, walking the dog, checking the car seat straps in the dark and trick-or-treating. A kids’ head torch is light, hands-free and usually comes with a soft strap. Look for one that has a low-brightness setting so they can’t blind anyone, and a battery that’s easy to change. Little ones love having their own, which makes them more likely to want to go out.

What to check before you buy

• Does it have actual reflective strips, or is it just bright fabric?
• Does it fit over a winter coat?
• Can your child get it on and off without help?
• Is it washable? School bags and vests get filthy.
• Is the light easy to switch on and off, and are the batteries replaceable or rechargeable?

Sort it now, use it all winter

If you buy this now, it’s already done for Halloween and Bonfire Night too. For a full guide to the Halloween week, take a look at my Halloween ideas and what to wear when it’s cold with my winter gear guide. If this is your first term doing the school run on foot, my Starting Reception checklist might help too.

FAQ

When do the clocks go back in 2026?
Sunday 25 October 2026. At 2am the clocks go back to 1am, so you get an extra hour in bed, but the evenings get darker, earlier.

Is it a legal requirement for children to wear hi-vis?
No, but it makes a real difference to how easily drivers can see them. Many schools encourage it for walking to school.

Is a hi-vis vest enough in the dark?
Only if it has reflective strips. Fluorescent fabric alone mostly works in daylight and dusk. For dark evenings, reflective strips and a light are what matter.

What’s the cheapest way to get started?
A multi-pack of reflective stickers or slap bands and a clip-on light. A few pounds sorts most of it.

Do toddlers in pushchairs need reflective gear?
It helps. Add lights or reflectors to the pushchair, plus a reflective strip or sticker on your child’s coat or the pushchair canopy.

Prices and availability change, so check before you buy. This post contains affiliate links. Thank you for supporting Mum Approved UK.