Last Updated on November 9, 2024 by Audrey
As an Amazon associate, I may earn a commission from any qualifying purchases (at no extra cost to you).
I don’t know how it’s possible, but I feel like Christmas comes earlier every year! That means it’s already time for this year’s list of outdoor gift ideas for kids! Because if you’re anything like me, you might be a bit weary of adding even more indoor toys to your kids already overflowing stash.
I mean, how many more toys do I have to buy these munchkins that they’ll barely ever play with? Seriously, they seem perfectly content playing with our Amazon boxes that come in the mail. So when it comes to thinking of gift ideas, I’ve developed a few guidelines to help me choose.
First, I want gifts that promote getting outdoors! There is plenty of data (and some common sense) to suggest that playing outside is hugely beneficial for children. Which is why I’ll do whatever I can to help my little ones in that direction!
I also want outdoor gift ideas that promote activity and movement while they’re outside. I look for items that make it easy for them to run, climb, swing, etc. without me necessarily needing to be involved!
Other great outdoor gift ideas are those that promote outdoor hobbies. For example, bird watching, archery, rock collecting, kayaking, and so on. Anything that can help develop a newfound interest to pursue while outdoors!
Lastly, and my favorite of all outdoor gift ideas, are gifts that promote experiences. These are usually bigger investments, but they can be purchased as a gift for the whole family to share! For example, family passes to a historic village or botanical garden, rock climbing, winter sports park, or even a family trip.
Some more options that promote experiences and togetherness would be camping and outdoor gear like a fire pit, tent, kayak, or paddle board.
And the best part is that these gifts keep on giving year-round and will help you create special family memories together! With all that said, here are some of the best outdoor gift ideas for kids:
1. Outdoor Explorer Kit
This is one of our go-to’s when we head outside and need a quick activity idea! It’s one of my favorite outdoor gift ideas because it’s literally a bag already stocked and full of open-ended ideas for play and exploring. This is a great option for play in your own yard!
In a place where it can be easy for kids to get bored with the familiar environment, this can help them approach it with fresh eyes and new ideas. If you want one that’s all set and ready to go without any effort on your part, try purchasing one like this.
Or, if you want to create more of a personal touch when creating your explorer kit, try building your own! This is something we’ve done and I had a great time putting it all together! Here are some ideas to get you started on building your own bag for your little explorers.
2. Hiking Backpack
This is great practical gift idea! I’m a fan of anything that’s not a toy that my kids will use and love receiving. When our little guy was just two, we got him his first backpack and it was one of his favorite things! He was just so tickled to have “his very own backpack!”
A few years ago, we picked out this one for our daughter. I love the fun prints and thought they would really enjoy them as well (and I was correct). Who wouldn’t love little forest animals camping?
If you want one actually intended for some slightly more serious adventures, this one is a great option. The chest strap is super helpful if it’s going to be used as a hiking backpack (or for lugging heavy books home from school)!
3. Exploring Nature Activity Book
I love this book! It has some of the coolest nature activity ideas and plenty of prompts for outdoor play and exploration. (It would also make a great addition to that outdoor explorer kit I mentioned in idea #1.) If you want another easy go-to for outdoor activities and learning, this is one of the best outdoor gift ideas!
4. Outdoor Platform Swing
What kid doesn’t loves swings? This one is great because there’s room for two! The only thing better than swinging… is swinging with a friend! And my husband and I can vouch for the fact that even the adults in the family will enjoy a large swing like this one. In my book, swings are timeless and are always great outdoor gift ideas!
5. Gardening Tool Kit
Gardening is a great activity for kids! Getting their hands dirty and the benefits of seeing hard work pay off as you grow your own food is priceless. This is our favorite gardening tool that both of our kids have used.
They’ve gotten so much use out of it in the past years whether it’s helping rake leaves, plant seeds in the garden, or dig holes for pirate treasure hunts! This is definitely one of the outdoor gift ideas that will get plenty of use while you’re out in the yard!
6. Pressed Flower Art Kit
I love anything that promotes the creation of beautiful nature crafts! This kit comes with a small flower press along with an assortment of cards. I love kids gift ideas that encourage kids to get outside, and this one enables kids to collect their own flowers and leaves for projects.
It’s also great that it can be reused over and over again to make and endless amount of pressed flower creations! This is one of our outdoor gift ideas that combines nature and art.
7. Nature Anatomy Book
This is another one of our favorite nature learning books! The illustrations are beautiful, and it provides a great overview of a variety of nature topics. Any time my little guy is intrigued by something in particular, we’ll flip through this book to see what is has to say about that topic.
It’s also great for perusing together indoors or for accompanying you on any outdoor excursions as an aid to some nature study.
8. Kid’s Hammock
Even if you don’t go camping a ton, your kids will love having their own hammock to hang out in…literally! (Ha…see what I did there?) Pop this up at a nearby park, beach, or in your yard!
9. Scooter
This is one of the best outdoor gift ideas for outdoor entertainment at home and around the neighborhood. If you’re looking for a way to entertain your kids right there in the driveway, this is a great solution! It’s also a fun way for your kids to zip around while on family walks together.
I remember having tons of fun riding a scooter (that I commandeered from my brother) well into my teenage years! Both of my older kids love their scooters!
10. Bow and Arrow Set
Archery is one of those hobbies that stands the test of time. And, as an added bonus, cool movie characters who happen to be splendid archers continue to appear onscreen and inspire children to pick up a bow and arrow.
Just make sure you lay down the law before handing these out willy nilly. I still distinctly remember being grazed on the ear by an arrow flung from the hand of my very own sibling. Take my word for it: even without a pointy tip, arrows can still inflict quite a bit of pain!
11. Toddler Water Play Table
Here’s one of our outdoor gift ideas that’s suitable for toddlers! Do you know any little tyke who can resist getting soaking wet any time they’re even remotely near water? They’re irresistibly drawn to the stuff! That’s why this water play table is a great way to provide them with some endless hours of outdoor play once those warmer months hit. For us, it was honestly the best toy in our whole yard last summer for our two-year-old!
12. Velcro Toss and Catch Ball
Remember these from when you were a kid? That’s because this is one of those outdoor gift ideas that transcends time and will be loved by generations from now until probably forever!
I thought of these for our little guy this year, and was pleasantly surprised to find that they still come in exactly the same colors and design as when I was young. Talk about some nostalgia!
13. Obstacle Course Slack Line Kit
Let’s be honest, my husband and I want this slack line kit for ourselves as much as we want it for our kids. Although it would be hugely beneficial for their gross motor development and helping them stay active while we’re out in our yard! This is something that’s currently lacking in our outdoor space and we definitely plan on adding in the future.
14. Fort Building Kit
My little guy absolutely LOVES building things. When we’re outside, he usually ends up taking sticks, pvc pipes, pool noodles, and pretty much anything he can get his hands on to build a fort. Instead of having to search for random pieces, a kit provides the pieces and connectors to make building a bit easier.
This fort building kit from KiwiCo is my favorite. We’ve tried a few different plastic ones from other companies, but this one is definitely the best! I love the sturdy wooden dowels and the flexible connecting pieces. We built some awesome forts in the backyard last summer that provided a place to play all day!
15. Sleeping Bag
If you already plan on camping excursions with your littles, why not give a piece of gear as a gift? Like, a sleeping bag, for example. I love the practicality of giving kids something that you already planned on purchasing them anyway. (They’ll never know!)
My little guy loves playing and snuggling in the sleeping bag I already own for myself. And he loved having one of his own when we went on our backyard camping adventure last summer! I myself can still recall a Princess Jasmine sleeping bag that I received one Christmas!
16. Birdhouse Kit
This birdhouse kit is one of the outdoor gift ideas that serves a couple different purposes, which I love! First, it provides a project for kids where they get to build and paint something of their own! Afterwards, it can provide hours of bird watching entertainment and perhaps inspire a new hobby.
17. Kayak
This is a bit of a larger purchase, but a kayak would make a great gift that kids could get years of use out of! It’s a great outdoor hobby that the whole family can do together and create so many memorable experiences!
I especially love these kayaks from Evrwild because they were specifically designed for kids! The design provides more stability that’s perfect for beginners, the colors are absolutely gorgeous, and there’s even a treasure tray! This is one of my favorite outdoor gift ideas because it promotes a new hobby and provides the tools for new adventures out on the water!
18. National Geographic Geode Kit
This one makes the list of outdoorsy gift ideas because it promotes learning about nature (rocks and geology), could inspire a new hobby, AND you’ll definitely want to do it outside due to the mess 🤣 Plus you can display the geodes afterwards or use them to start (or add to) your own rock collection!
19. Kid’s Fishing Pole
This fishing pole is yet another one of our outdoor gift ideas that promotes a new hobby outdoors! And if you happen to enjoy fishing yourself, this is a great way for your little one to join in.
20. Fairy Garden Kit
I’ve been wanting to build our own fairy garden for the longest time, and this kit would be the perfect starter! I love how enchanting little forest fairy worlds are, especially in the eyes of children. How fun would it be to create one of your own little whimsical worlds right in your own yard or garden and watch your kids play!
21. Roller Blades
22. Rain Boots
23. Portable Microscope
24. BB Gun
25. Sports Equipment
Basketball
Hockey
Soccer
26. Sled
27. National Geographic Gemstone Dig Kit
28. Toddler Slide
28. Playscape
29. Ice Skates
30. Stepping Stones
31. Tunnel
32. Go cart
33. Tetherball
34. Nature Scavenger Hunts
35. Butterfly Grow Kit
36. Camping Play Set
37. Mud Kitchen
38. Rain Gear
39. Stomp Rockets
40. Nature Journal
Conclusion
There you have it! If you’re tired of unused toys piling up inside, this is our tried and true list of kids outdoor gift ideas! They promote getting outside, being active, trying new hobbies, having adventures, and creating new experiences together! Thanks for reading and happy shopping!
PS – Know someone that would like this blog? Please forward it to them!
Lots of great ideas Audrey.