Gifts for Kids Who Love the Outdoors and Camping
The ultimate gift guide for kids who love the outdoors and camping.
Sometimes it can feel impossible to think of gift ideas for our kids. Here are our favorite outdoor items to encourage our family to play, explore, and spend time together outside in nature. These items are all kid tested and mother approved, plus they’re great for children of all ages. We use them in the backyard, hiking and during camping trips. They are perfect for Christmas presents or birthdays. Helpful links are attached for your shopping convenience.
This post contains affiliate links. I may earn a small commission for purchases made through the links, at no additional cost to you. All items are ones I recommend from personal experience.
Glow In the Dark Soccer and Football
When winter time approaches, it gets dark so much earlier. The fewer hours of daylight make it challenging to stay outdoors. Extend your children’s play outside with glow in the dark soccer balls and footballs. Both of these items have been a hit in our family, especially when you just don’t want to stop playing in the evening. The football even has a junior version, which makes it easier for my younger children to grip. Glow this winter with these fun sports gear.
ZipString
One of the newest and most popular outdoor toys is the ZipString, it was even featured on Shark Tank. This pocket-size toy can be taken anywhere and is ideal for both indoor or outdoor use. Fostering creativity, my children are constantly coming up with new tricks and fun games with this entertaining and gravity defying toy. Still unsure what it is, this video helps explain how it works. Purchase the Zipstring here for single item, or in a two pack here on Amazon.
Zipstring
Hammock
The countless number of hours my children have spent relaxing and playing in their hammocks while camping or in the backyard makes this my number one recommendation. The ENO Singlenest Hammock is one of the top known brands and has held up for the last 5 years with optimum use. For half the price, we decided to to try out the Wise Owl Outfitters Camping Hammock for a gift for my daughter’s birthday and it has held up under high usage all summer long. These are sturdy hammocks with a simple setup, plus they include an attached storage pouch.
Hiking to the bridge near our house to shoot our Daisy B52 Sling Shots is a favorite outdoor adventure for my children. Making a game out of hitting targets, trees, and rocks is entertaining for both adults and children. Plus there is an endless supply of rocks nearby for ammunition. Even my youngest can use these sling shots with a little help. These have held up under years of use. Make sure to monitor younger children while utilizing these and store in an appropriate location.
Walkie - Talkies are a fun way for children to play both inside and outside, and for parents to stay in touch when children are off exploring. We especially love using them while we’re camping, it gives our older children a bit of freedom to ride their bikes to the playground, but still stay in contact.
Ariel Hammock
The newest current obsession around our house, is these ariel hammocks. Obviously, with four kids we couldn’t just have one, so we purchased a second one. At this time in the colder months, it’s mounted in our basement, where my children spend hours creating moves and routines. My daughter, especially, we’ve noticed has built upper body strength, flexibility and agility utilizing the Ariel Hammock. Our goal is to build a stand outside or find just the right tree to continue the fun outside. Check out this video of my daughter demonstrating all the amazing tricks you can learn on the ariel hammock.
Aqua Lily Pad Floating Mat
Summer just got a whole new dimension of fun with the Aqua Lily Pad Floating Mat. This latest addition to our outdoor play toys has brought hours of fun. No matter the age, everyone can join in jumping and running and diving off the mat. We utilize it in our pond and love that it is portable so we can bring it camping with us to enjoy on Lake Michigan. The waves add an extra level of thrill while you balance and play.
Four Square Volleyball
4 Square Volleyball
Two of my favorite games just were combined to create a entirely new outdoor activity for the whole family. Four square volleyball is a fun and quick pace game that even my 6 year old can play, but still was enjoyable for adults.
Rock Tumbler
If you have any children that love collecting rocks, then they’re guaranteed to enjoy a rock tumbler. Last Christmas, my son received the National Geographic Hobby Rock Tumbler and it has been going nonstop in our basement since we opened it. All our favorite rocks become smooth and polished! It includes everything you need to create polished gemstones: the tumbler, four polishing grits, sifter, 9 rough gemstones to start your collection, and a detailed learning guide.
Whittling Kit
A great gift for older children is a whittling kit to teach them a handicraft skill of whittling. This wood carving kit for kids contains all the basic tools needed for beginners in learning to whittle wood. My children are always using their pocket knives to try and sharpen sticks, so this has been added to our Christmas list this year. It including roughing knife, detail knife, cutting knife, hook knife, which can carve not only wood carving but also soap carving.
Fishing Net
Such a simple thing has brought hours of fun to my children. Creek walking is a favorite pastime for us. Plus when exploring or camping anywhere near a river, lake or stream, a fishing net is a must. Although designed for fish, my children have been known to use them for catching crayfish, lizards, butterflies, and fish. Sturdy for all types of creatures, but it folds for easy storage.
I have bought these Aerobie Frisbees 4 times now for friends and family, they are my go-to gift for all ages. We love strapping them on our hiking backpack, bringing them to the beach to play in the water, or playing frisbee golf. They are super lightweight and fly so far. My three year old can even manage to catch and throw them. Seriously buy them now, you’ll thank me later. Now if I could only train my kids to keep them off my roof.
My children ride their bikes nonstop. These bike wheel lights extend play on summer nights, especially if you live in a neighborhood or stay in campgrounds. They come in a variety of colors, and are a perfect way to go on night ride adventures. In tandem, we frequently use these bike lights to attach to the front of our bikes to aid in visibility.
Bike Accessories
Okay, while we’re talking about bikes, here are two things that have made biking as a family manageable and one of our favorite pastimes. During the infant stage, we loved the Instep Bike Trailers, with seatbelt and plenty of storage. Even now that our children are older we still utilize it for hauling our towels, cooler, and sand toys when the beach is a farther distance away from our campground.
Once you move on from the infant/toddler stage, this is the perfect time for the Kazam Wee Ride Co-Pilot Bike Trailer. This bike attachment connects to an adult bike and allows your child to pedal behind you. My children have utilized this from 3-6 years of age, or until they have the stamina and confidence to ride independently. We have this exact one in bright green; we love the color because it’s highly visible while on the road. This attached back seat with seatbelt strap made my children feel secure, with no fear that they would fall off.
Swing N Slide SeeSaw Spinner
swing n slide see saw spinner
Three years ago, this was the highlight of all the Christmas gifts. My kids love to see how fast they can spin on it. The Swing N Slide SeeSaw Spinner is such a versatile toy with the capability to bring it inside or outside. When it’s been cold and snowy out, we transport it to the basement to continue the fun. It has held up through frequent use and even my older children still love to use it. Ideally it’s designed for kids ages 3-8.
Scooters
The Radio Flyer Light Up Scooter is the best for kids ages 3-5. These have three wheels and are sturdier for younger children. Did I mention the wheels light up! Seriously, what’s not to love! If your children are older, the Razor Scooter is geared towards kids ages 6-12. This basic scooter is decently priced. We have owned two for the last 5 years and they’ve held up under frequent use.
Hammock Campfire Chairs
On an impulse, I purchased one of these hammock chairs for my son’s birthday from Sam’s Club. My children fight over this chair constantly. We since have tried to purchase it again, but it hasn’t been in stores. So here is a similar one on Amazon that is a larger adult version of these folding hammock chair. Bonus, now everyone can use it, even the adults, if the kids will let you!
Saucer Swing
Endless fun swinging and spinning awaits. This versatile swing is great for any age. Easily assembled by attaching to a sturdy tree or being hung from a tree stand. Songmics Saucer Tree Swing includes a stainless steel anti- rust frame and waterproof fabric. We’ve even seen people bring them camping by tying a rope between two trees to attach. A favorite item in our family, we’ve had this swing for 4 years. We’ve left it out in the elements all winter long, and only just this year the stitching started to unravel from one corner. We plan to take it camping and have recently replaced it in our backyard with the Pitpat 40" Spider Swing. The design, which is a bit less comfortable since it doesn’t have fabric, only webbing. We will see if it lasts longer. Stable & safe with a weight capacity of 440 pounds it can easily accommodate multiple children.
Kayak
If you camp or live near a body of water then the perfect gift is a Lifetime Kayak. This child sized kayak is an ideal first kayak, suited for kids ages 8 and under. Help them build their confidence and paddling skills in the water with this open sit upon kayak which includes the paddle.
Fishing Pole
If you will be near a pond or creek for fishing, bring along a toy fishing pole with tackle box for the little ones that have a fake dummy fish and fishing accessories. As a toddler, my son would spend hours practicing casting. I loved that I never had to worry if he would hook someone because of the the plastic fish. For older children a youth fishing pole is a great option. Older kids will enjoy having their own tackle box if they are responsible enough to handle the hooks.
Backpack and Nature Kit
Get your kids their own backpack stocked with all the gear needed for exploring. They are great for hikes and exploring, and are perfect for stowing small toys and a nature kit. The kit has a bug net, magnifying glass, bug case, and binoculars to encourage your budding explorer. I recommend having a nature journal to encourage your child to record, learn, and observe.
Skim Board
Want something that will both challenge and entertain your children, and most likely yourself, for hours; then definitely get a skim board to bring to the beach next summer. These are fun for the whole family.
Stomp Rockets
One Christmas this was the hit of the day for my four children. Over and over again they would jump and propel these dueling stomp rockets up, then race to catch them. Even the adults wanted in on the action. These are especially fun to take camping or play in the backyard.
The Geo Climbing Dome was our big gift for Christmas lasy year. For the last couple years we’ve been a part of the 1000 hours outside challenge group, which sets a goal to be outside 1000 hours in one year. In the Facebook group these climbing domes are highly recommended and versatile for both summer and winter. We’ve covered it with tarps and twinkle lights to create an igloo during cold weather for continued use even when its dark and cold outside. During warmer months, we’ve hung our hammocks up in the center to relax and play.
Outdoor Stocking Stuffer Ideas for Kids
Below are great stocking stuffers that your kids will love!
Reusable Water Bomb Balloons
Gone are the days of filling water balloon after water balloon, only to have the kids completely break them in a matter of minutes. These reusable water balloons are super easy to fill, even my littlest can do it effortlessly. The up front cost is a little pricey, but they last all summer long. I love that my children have spent countless hours playing with them independently. We chose to get the 18 pack with the draw string sack to keep them all contained and organized.
Aegend Kids Swim Goggles
No matter what the age, every kid needs a good pair of swim googles. As a mom, I hate adjusting goggles for different sized heads. These Aegend Swim Goggles were recommended to me by a friend after she watched me struggle 5 minutes trying to adjust my son’s goggles. These quickly and easily unsnap and snap on and adjusts in seconds. The case is solid which we love for storage.
Summer time is synonymous with bon fires and smores. Sitting around the fire, mesmerized as the flames flicker while listening to stories is the best. Take it up a notch by adding a little color to those flames with magic flame colored starters, which come in multiple colors. Definitely buy the bulk 12 pack to make your fires spectacular all summer long.
Hand Pocket Wire Saw
These hand saws will be your kids new favorite item. Build their independence and survival skills as they learn to cut branches and sticks with the use of the wire. Easily stores in your pocket or day pack.
Bug Box
This simple wooden bug box will take you back to your childhood. Basic design and construction which is made out of natural wood to hold up to the elements. Give your children a place to collect all the bugs and critters, just like you did as a child.
Glow Sticks
You can never have too many glow sticks. This pack of 100 last us through the year and is a fun stocking stuffer. They come with the connectors so you can make necklaces. Another favorite activity is to make them into the round necklace shape and play catch like frisbees.
Headlamps
In tandem, we frequently use headlamps for evening bike rides or night hikes. These specific lights are waterproof and also include a red light feature which is ideal for dark sky parks so you don’t mess with your night vision.
Games
These are my favorite compact games, about the size of a deck of cards, that everyone can enjoy, including parents. They are quick playing games that travel and store well. Many of these games work on math and cognitive skills, not to mention they are so much fun to play while camping.
Sleeping Queens, Spot It, Taco Cat Goat Cheese Pizza, Tenzi, and Blink , Charades for Kids and Farkle.
Outdoor Adventure Books/ Book Light
This may seem like an odd item to include, but we spend a lot of time camping reading around the fire, in tents or bunks in the camper. A small book light is ideal for those times, plus this rechargeable book light easily clips to your book so you don’t loose it. Looking for some great read a louds, check out this post for the best Children’s Books About the Outdoors.
No matter what you choose, remember to get outside and enjoy this beautiful world we live in. Hopefully these suggestions help inspire you and your family to spend time together playing and exploring! If you’re struggling with anxiety during the holidays, here are 4 Simple Tips for Managing Holiday Stress from Gina Leggio. Another way to ease holiday stress is getting outside in nature with your family. It can be challenging when the weather turns colder, so we’ve created 21 Outdoor Winter Activities to Keep Kids Active. Follow Discovering Anew for more outdoor activities, camping tips and trip reviews. If you’re searching for your next family vacation or camping spot, then check out the blog for our favorite Midwest family destinations.
