Gifts for outdoorsy kids are my favourite type of present to both give and receive.
Unlike many toys, gifts that encourage outdoor pursuits tend to stimulate curiosity, help children engage with the world around us and offer educational value: better still, they are useful and often do not occupy a lot of space which is good for storage but also for travel!
Most gifts for outdoorsy kids are small enough to be pocketed in a day bag and make the perfect companions for hikes near and far.
Here some of our favourite items.
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Gifts for outdoorsy kids (gender neutral)
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Binoculars (several colors avaiable)
The loyal companion on all our travels, binoculars
They love having them around their neck and while the outdoors is where they truly come into their own, they can easily be used in cities as well and even in the park around the corner!
From observing birds to pointing them to the horizon to finally use them back to front to see how little your brother can look though a lens, they are an easy toy that will keep them entertained during outdoor pursuits while allowing them to engage with the world around them.
Binoculars for kids come is a wide price range to suit most budgets. You can find a selection of our favourite kids binoculars here.
Portable telescope
If you are buying for a camping enthusiast, you may consider a telescope
Kids (and adults) are fascinated by space and looking into faraway celestial worlds is a family favourite activity during dark camping evening. Telescopes come in all shapes, sizes and budgets.
To make the present even more useful, you can also add a constellations map
Headlamp
This is a fantastic gift for campers especially! A headlamp
Camping sleeping bag
This item requires a slightly bigger investment but it is one of the most useful things for camping lovers.
Children sleeping bags
A good quality child sleeping bag will keep them warm and protected and it is something that will accompany them for years; just make sure you pick one in synthetic fabric to minimise the risk of it betting wet and therefore unusable.
Kids Swissknife
Older kids may be ready for the ultimate gadget: a Swiss knife
They come in all shapes, sizes and price range and depending on the kid in question you can go as low or as high tech as you want.
Entry level Swiss knives exist and are a good choice for young kids since they have blunt blades that allow reasonable safe fun.
Survival bracelet
A survival bracelet
It doesn’t cost much, they can carry it on all their adventures and it makes them feel really ‘geared up’, which at least in the case of my kids means they tend to last on outdoor adventures a little longer.
Bug set
Entomologists in the making may love a bug set
Many adults (me, for instance!) find bugs unsettling but kids tend to love them and encouraging them to observe them and not be pointlessly afraid is important.
A bug set can be a good present for kids and adults: the kids can look at the bugs without hurting them and since the bud house is enclosed, parents don’t have to touch crawlers unless they really want to.
Just make sure you teach your kids how to treat bugs gently and always release them where you found them at the end of your observation session.
Bee house
Another fantastic gift for bug lovers and more precisely for kids who know how amazing and important bees are! I love this bee house made to imitate the natural habitat of the bees: find it on UncommonGoods here
Poop bingo
An outdoor gift that will give you kids a giggle before keeping them entertained and teaching them loads about the nature around us. A poop bingo to spot traces of the animals who live closest to us! Get it from UncommonGoods here.
Camelback hydration backpack
If you are buying for a kid who loves hiking, a camelback backpack
Staying hydrated on hikes is important and kids tend to love to have their own free access without having to fiddle with bottles.
Camel backpacks come in several sizes: make sure you buy one that is appropriate to the age of the child since packs that are too heavy can hurt their backs.
Jumbo Dice
This is a super fun game for the garden that is fun for the whole family. It comes with 6 game ideas to get you started too. Find it on UncommonGoods here.
Kingdom yard Game
Another fun outdoor game for the garden or a camping trip, this one is for kids age 5 and up and it all about Kingdoms and, ultimately, yard domination! Find it on UncommonGoods here.
Magnifying glass
Possibly the simplest of all gifts for outdoorsy kids but a great one nonetheless, an outdoor magnifying glass
While binoculars will allow kids to spot faraway things, a magnifying glass can get them close to earth and allow them to learn about leaves, bark, flowers and bugs.
Magnifying glasses often come as part of a small toy set and are a nice first gadget for young kids.
Hammok
You don’t always have to run around while outdoors! For the moments when they want to get some rest and still feel like they are having a adventure, I love this portable hammock perfect for the garden or when camping.
Books
I couldn’t end this list without mentioning books.
They can be gifted on their own but in the case of an active child I find having them as a complement to an object works best.
Some ideas are Birds nest and eggs
I hope you enjoyed our selection of gifts for outdoorsy kids.