Our Best Picks For Outdoor Gift Ideas For Kids
If you are like many of us, you spend more time than you would like nagging your kids to put down the electronic devices and go outside. I am not sure exactly when I became my parents but it definitely happened.
Electronic devices can be a lifesaver for parents needing a mental break and they are a fact of life for teenagers nowadays.
That being said, however, I still believe in the benefits of being outside and I am struggling to get the kids to believe that as well.
Sometimes a cool new toy can be just the thing to get them excited about the great outdoors, whether on a camping trip or just fun in your backyard.
Here are some of our best ideas, conveniently in time for the holidays. We have personally enjoyed all of them!
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1. Slackline
I can personally vouch for this being fun and being a great gift idea for the entire family.
It is difficult to master but in a good, challenging kind of way. The kids love practicing on it and all you need are two trees.
It is not just for your house either. I saw a kid set one up at a campground during an extended stay and he was quickly the most popular kid there.
Trailblaze Slackline Kit with Tree Protectors | Slack Lines for Backyard for Kids and Adults (Amazon) $37.99
2. ENO Hammock (or knockoff)
These hammocks are all the rage and for good reason. They are easy to set up and kids love hanging out in them. To be fair, I also love hanging out in mine. In fact, one of the main reasons I bought the kids a hammock was so I could get mine back.
These hammocks are small enough and light enough to take camping, string one up in your backyard, and it is a perfect reading nook.
Or if you can’t get that teenager off the phone, they can at least continue with their Snapchat outside. It’s a win.
Also, get a large, or double nest hammock. It is more comfortable for full-size adults and easier for kids to pile in with their friends.
* My two cents: ENO is the popular name brand. If you go with a less expensive knockoff version (we have Wise Owl hammocks) and they have worked great), invest in the ENO straps.
The ENO straps are well made and easily adjustable to several lengths.
The straps that come with the less expensive hammocks often require that you find two trees a precise distance apart.
ENO DoubleNest Hammock – Lightweight, Portable, 1 to 2 Person Hammock – for Camping, Hiking, Backpacking, Travel, a Festival, or The Beach (Amazon) $74.99
3. Paddleboard/Sit On Top Kayak
This might seem like a huge investment but bear with me and you’ll see why I think it is worth it. Kids love paddleboarding and kayaking. Getting out on a river to explore or just taking them out on a lake and jumping off to swim is always a crowd-pleaser.
Kids that groan at the thought of hiking or biking will grin at the thought of an afternoon on the water.
Especially on summer afternoons when it is too hot to do anything else, you will appreciate having a kayak or paddleboard around to entice them outside. If you don’t have the storage for a hard version, look for an inflatable kayak or paddleboard.
We have loved the Fun Water Tiki SUP. It’s inexpensive, lightweight but durable enough to tote my dog along. We have bought 3 of them between us and have had them for years! See my full review: The Funwater Tiki SUP- We Love This Inflatable Paddleboard!
FunWater Inflatable Ultra-Light Stand Up Paddle Board (Amazon). Note that as of this writing it’s on sale for $159 on Amazon! It comes with an oversize storage bag, air pump, and paddle.
4. Swurfer
Another “kids” toy that adults will have just as much fun on. Think of it as a stand-up swing that gives you a good core workout.
You will need a tree with a fairly large branch or you can hang the Swurfer between two trees on a cable.
It can also hang under a tall deck. Installation isn’t difficult and everybody will want to play, which makes it a pretty good gift in my book.
Also a handy gift for the grown- up that’s actually just a kid masquerading as an adult. You know exactly who I mean.
5. A Hydration Backpack
I have found that the key to getting the kids to drink enough water on hikes and bike rides is a hydration pack. I have also found that an increase in hydration leads to a decrease in whining.
Put those two facts together and that’s why we invested in hydration backpacks for each of them.
The kids really like drinking out of the tube, and I really like that they can carry their own stuff. They enjoy being in control of their own gear as well.
I have found that the key to getting the kids to drink enough water on hikes and bike rides is a hydration pack. I have also found that an increase in hydration leads to a decrease in whining. Put those two facts together and that’s why we invested in backpacks for each of them.
The kids really like drinking out of the tube, and I really like that they can carry their own stuff. They enjoy being in control of their own gear as well so it’s a win for everyone.
We bought cheap backpacks from Amazon that worked okay when they were really small but I wish we had spent a little more money and got nicer ones like these from CamelBak.
The reservoirs from the more name brand companies are easier to clean and the backpacks are a little roomier to hold more than just the water reservoir.
Although they really only hold the water, some granola bars, and a light rain jacket, that’s perfect for day hikes. I like the pack so much that I use it when mountain biking.
CamelBak Mini M.U.L.E. Kids Hydration Backpack, 50 oz (Amazon) $43
6. Luci Light
The solar-powered inflatable Luci light is a really neat stocking stuffer. It works fantastically well and is waterproof, making it a valuable addition to your kayak/ paddleboard for nighttime adventures. We have owned our for years and they are still one of the first things we pack when we go camping.
The kids love taking the lights camping to hang in their tents and they are bright enough to play cards by. We even keep ours handy at the house for power outages.
They are fun even just to use in the backyard telling ghost stories. It takes a few hours in sunlight to charge completely but they hold the charge for months. The light lasts for several hours at high power.
7. Y Fliker Scooter
Wiggle away with the Yvolution Y Fliker A3 Air Kids Scooter. This 3-wheeled scooter is completely kid-powered. All you have to do is move your hips from side to side and get going. It’s a lot of fun and best suited for a flat, smooth surface. The kiddos love it!
Y Fliker offers several different scooters for both younger kids and older. See their website to find the right one for your child.
8. Ripstick
Our girls absolutely love their Ripstick. Not quite a skateboard, but more of a self-propelled platform version where you can keep your feet on the board the entire time while “wiggling” your back foot.
It does take some time to learn how to maneuver this two-wheeled board, but once you have the hang of it, it will entertain for hours.
9. Poi Balls
This is a surprisingly fun activity and perfect for evenings in the backyard or hanging out at your camp site.
Poi Balls illuminate the air with color as you swing them, and the kids love to make up a routine for all to watch. You can make up your own routines or view suggested moves on YouTube. Lots of fun!
We hope these ideas give your family lots of fun time outdoors!
