As a mother of three energetic and adventurous kids, I know just how important it is to encourage their love for the great outdoors.
That’s why I’ve put together this carefully curated list of the best outdoor gifts for kids!
Whether your little ones are aspiring explorers, budding athletes, or simply enjoy soaking up the sunshine, these gifts will not only ignite their imagination but also keep them active and engaged in the natural world.
From cool camping gear to exciting outdoor games and toys, this selection has been handpicked to foster their love for fresh air, nature, and unforgettable adventures.
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Best Gifts For Kids Who Love The Outdoors
Reusable Water Bomb balloons
If your kids love to throw around water balloons, these reusable water balloons are the perfect gift for your outdoorsy kiddo. My kids love these, and the nice thing is, you can never have too many so you can just keep building your reusable water balloon pile as the years go on! These are great for kids of all ages, from toddler to teen – yes really! Big kids like water balloon fights too, maybe even more than the younger children! Water toys in general are really great toys for little hands.
Water Table
A water table is a staple in our home. We have owned 3 different water tables and this one is BY FAR my favorite. It doesn’t take up a lot of space and it comes with a lot of different toys, the frog toy being the favorite one! Water tables are so great for encouraging imaginative play and focusing on hand-eye coordination. Just make sure you’re willing to keep it clean and know that your toddler will play with this as soon as the sun comes up until the sun goes down.
Stainless Steel Tumbler
For adventurous outdoor kids, a great tumbler is a must have. Stainless steel water bottles are the best ones because they keep water cold (or warm) and they can take it with them for playing at the park or joining you for a hike. All kids should have one of these in my opinion as a momma of 3!
Binoculars
Binoculars are fantastic tools to get kids outside and interested in nature, and if your little one is already nature loving then they’ll really love this tool that helps them get an up close look at things that are far away. I have a post on the best binoculars for kids if you wanted to pick some that are the best f or your child. I think this is a great gift for young kids and older ones too!
Mud Kitchen
Another great way to get your kiddo to enjoy the great outdoors is to get them a mud kitchen. It’s a fun way to get messy and hit those sensory play requirements. Little kids will love playing pretend games like restaurant or kitchen – this is one of those great outdoor toys that I think all families should have in their yard if you’re blessed with a yard!
Toddler Basketball Hoop
If you have a little one interested in basketball, then getting a portable basketball hoop for your home is a great way to encourage your little one to stay outside and play. It’s also a great way for younger siblings to play with older ones. You can ofcourse get a larger hoop for older kids! These are perfect outdoor gifts – and if you do not have space for a hoop, a simple ball would be just fine! We gift basketballs, soccer balls, and more during Christmas almost every year.
Kids Explorer Kit
For kids ages 4-8 this is a great little kit for kids who love to outside and explore! Binoculars, magnifying glass, hand crank flashlight, whistle, backpack, the compass all come in a neat little bag so you can keep your little explorer organized! Just be sure to keep that whistle for outside only, or else you’ll go a little nuts listening to that inside the house.
Walkie Talkie Watch
Walkie Talkies are great for kids, I think all kids should have them. These are really cool ones because they are watches and walkie talkies so your kids can just wear them on the wrist while they play on the monkey bars and still be able to communicate with each other hands free! This is a great outdoor gift for kids, and can be a lot of fun indoors too.
Headlamp
I’ve NEVER met a kid who didn’t love to wear a headlamp. My kids go WILD – literally wild, in the presence of a headlamp. Whatever the reason, kids love them so this is a good option if you’re looking for a gift for your outdoorsy kid.
Camera
A camera is one of the best gift ideas for all sorts of ages – and kids love to go around taking photos of what means the most to them. Taking photos in your own backyard of little flowers, favorite toys and siblings is a great activity for little kids and big kids.
Bike
Whether you’re looking for a balance bike (read my balance bike guide here) or a bike for a bigger kids, these are great tools to encourage outdoor play. I mean the physical activity benefit is one of the best parts of this practical gift. We typically like to save bikes as a birthday gift in our family. I think balance bikes are must haves for every toddler to help them develop those gross motor skills.
Rain Gear
Rainy days are not to be feared if you’re set up with the correct rain gear! Oh did you notice that rhymes?
This is a good option if you need to get your little one fun outdoor gifts and they need rain gear and clothes. For the best products and rain gear recommendations, visit this post here!
Scooter
Just like bikes, scooters make fun outdoor gifts for young children. My youngest is loving the Mclaren scooter (read the review here!) and if you wanted more scooter options I do have the best scooters for toddlers here! Scooters are so much fun, and can get a lot of outdoor use if you like to go for a lot of walks. Don’t forget a helmet too!
Nature Journal
Encourage your child to collect memories of their outdoor adventures with a nature journal! This is such an amazing way to get kids practicing their writing and get their creative juices flowing.
Playhouse
It has always been my top priority to have outdoor playhouses in our yard (read why playhouses are so important). While playhouses are great for little kids, you might be surprised at your bigger kids loving it too. It’s definitely one of my favorite backyard items on this list of gifts.
Climbing Toys
If you’re looking for the right outdoor toys, these climbing domes are a fantastic outdoor gift idea. Outdoorsy kids love to climb and play on these domes all day long. You can drape blankets over them to create a fort like feeling, and even sleep under the stars inside the dome at night time if wish to do that! There is a lot you can do with a climbing dome, and some even come with swing attachments which is something I had wanted for ours but never got around to getting!
Wiggle Car
As much as I kind of hate the wiggle car, it does make a great gift for outdoorsy kids. My reason for not liking this car is simply because my toddler ALWAYS brings it into the house, and then runs over my toes with it – so this is unique to my house and probably won’t happen in yours. The steering wheel plus a wiggling child is the way to get this thing moving. It’s a neat idea, and my kids from 2 to 10 all use our wiggle car, so it does last a long time across many ages.
Tent
Whether you’re looking for a camping tent (read my post on tents for large families here if you want something for the whole family!) or simply a tent you can set up in the yard once in a while, they do make for fun outdoor toys. You can also take the play tent on road trips too – along with some board games the entire family can enjoy! You can give other camping gifts like a sleeping bag or a pocket knife as well.
Dirt Bike
Dirt bikes are great for slightly older kids (like 5 and up!) and if you need some guidance on dirt bikes, I do have a post about it here. This is one of the best outdoor toys for kids if you’re trying to get them to spend more time outside.
GPS Tracker
If you have kids who like to go out and stay outside all day long, then a GPS tracker might be the thing for your little one! I have a guide on GPS trackers for kids here.
Baseball Glove
For our sporty kids, a new baseball glove for small hands might just be the thing you need. Need some help finding a baseball glove that’s the perfect size? I have a guide here!
Headphones
While not really one of the best outdoor toys you might typically see here, headphones are great for your kids who like to go outside and just listen to music! Here is a great guide on headphones for teens. And I also have a guide on headphones for toddlers!
Pogo Stick
They sure have made these a lot safer from when I was growing up. It’s amazing so many of us survived the original pogo stick. This style is best for younger kids, but this is a fun new way for kids to bounce around outside and get in some active play into their day.
Bubbles and Chalk
Giant bubbles, bubble machines, chalk and even skip ropes are the best thing to play with on a hot day. Every year when summer begins, I stock up on new outdoor toys like those, but honestly they make great gifts too. Definately some great gifts to add to the list of outdoorsy gift ideas.
Trampoline
For active kids, a trampoline might just be the best gift idea. A bounce house might be another great option if you don’t want a trampoline in the yard, and some bounce house inflatables come with obstacle course and even inflatable pools and a water slide!
Skateboard
Whether you’re into classic skateboards or electric skateboards, these are great gift ideas for kids, especially pre teens and teens. Don’t forget a helmet too – it’s one of those practical gifts that kids really need for outdoor play!
Wagon
I LOVE these wagons. I honestly have never owned a wagon, but I always eye them down when i’m at the stores that sell these. I’ve wanted one for far too long. But a wagon is a great addition to your outdoor gift because it allows you to pull your kids around while the have a blast. They even make stroller wagons with attachments for infant car seats these days.
Stomp Rockets
Stomp rockets are really fun for kids of many ages too, usually the under ten crowd has a blast with these. I’ve bought SO many stomp rockets in my life as a mom, and I regret none of them. My dog seems to love to chew on them so we do replace them pretty much every year.
Splash Pads
We love splash pads in the summer. Every hot summer day ours is running all day long. The water bill is ridiculous but you know what…summer is for fun. Our winters are too long and too cold to worry about water bills in the summer.
Scavenger Hunt Toy
An activity the whole family can take part in, and get those kids away from video games – the scavenger hunt kit is a great choice for a kid who loves to be outside.
Why It’s Important For Kids To Play Outside
As a mom of three who absolutely adores seeing my kids frolic outdoors, I can’t stress enough how vital it is to encourage outdoor playtime. Playing outside offers a treasure trove of incredible benefits for our little ones.
First off, it’s a fantastic way to keep them active and healthy. All that running, jumping, and exploring helps them build strong bodies and ensures they stay away from too much screen time.
Plus, the great outdoors is like a giant classroom. It sparks their curiosity and creativity, turning them into little explorers who learn about the environment, animals, and the beauty of nature itself.
Socially, playing with pals outside teaches them important life skills. They learn to share, cooperate, and solve problems together, all while making great friends and tons of memories.
Emotionally, it’s a total mood booster! The fresh air and natural surroundings have a calming effect, making them happier and more confident.
Lastly, outdoor play encourages them to be independent and make smart decisions. They learn to navigate the world around them, take small risks, and grow into capable, self-reliant individuals.
In a nutshell, getting our kids to play outside isn’t just a great idea – it’s an essential part of their growth and happiness. So let’s keep the adventure alive and watch our little ones thrive in the great outdoors!
