Intro
Kristin Sinnott: There are lots of great gift guides out there that highlight the best presents to give your child. But what I haven’t seen is a gift guide specifically created to encourage outdoor play for little ones or to help parents get out into the wild with their child.
I created outdoor-oriented guides for families in 2020 and 2021, and I still stand by those recommendations, but I wanted to update them now that my son is another year older. So I created this guide to highlight products that I think will (1) help you get outside with your child and (2) that will entice and excite your child to get outside. Some of the products listed will be more appreciated by parents than children, but every single thing on this list is something my family and I have enjoyed using or that has been beneficial in helping us explore and play outside.
Also, please check your local shops before ordering these online. Some items are unavailable online, but I’ve found a number of them in local gear and toy stores.
And as always, I’d love to hear from you. What are your favorite outdoor activities and/or products? Leave a comment below to let me know.
Røde Wireless Go and Lavalier Go
MSRP: $180 & $80
Kristin Sinnott: Ever since seeing this video, I’ve wanted to mic my son while he skis. I’ve used the GoPro Max to record him on his Mac Ride and Kids Ride Shotgun seat, but when skiing, you can’t hear a word he’s saying. He’s also usually too far for my phone’s microphone to pick up any noise, other than wind. Last year, my husband purchased the Wireless Go and the Lavalier Go for me for Christmas. After a bit of trial and error experimenting with where to place the mic for optimal audio, we now have some great videos (with full audio) of my son skiing. The final paired audio is candid, hilarious and adorable. I wish we had figured this out when we first put him on skis because kids say the funniest things when they are having fun, but we’re happy to be able to capture these memories moving forward.
We pair our Wireless Go and Lavalier Go with an Iphone 13 Max Pro, but I’d recommend checking out the newer version, the Wireless Go II. We use a plug in lapel clip microphone which helps break wind and localize sound, which is sold separately but still essential. The system is made for discrete audio capture for video interviews and such, but its minute size, good wireless transmission distance, and ease of use make it great for skiing, skating, or any other sport. Be sure to also grab an adapter for the iPhone so you can plug the device into your phone and record the audio directly onto your video capture: no setting adjustments required. This system is easy to use and has good range. We love it! And my son really enjoys watching his ski videos with his own commentary.
GoBe Kids Snack Spinner
MSRP: $29.95
Kristin Sinnott: My son always wants choices when it comes to snacking, and until I found the GoBe Kids Snack Spinner, post-school snack time was a bit daunting and extremely frustrating. Prior to the Snack Spinner, I would pack 3-5 small plastic containers with different snacks and offer them one at a time on the car ride home. This was a pain, not to mention slightly dangerous, as I would hand back different snack options while driving.
The Snack Spinner has 5 different pockets, and while they are pretty small (they hold ~¼ cup), I’ve found that they hold enough food to keep my son happy on the way home. Some of our go-to snack options are grapes, cherry tomatoes, a baby bell pepper, trail mix, a piece of chocolate, and pieces of hard boiled egg (yolk removed, of course). We switch up the options daily and my son is able to pick what he eats and when. He loves pushing the button to swivel the snack tray and he really loves being in control. The snack spinner is also dishwasher safe and easy to clean. Fill the Snack Spinner up with some yummy snacks, then wrap it up and put it under the tree.
Twist & Snack Stacker
MSRP: $13
Kristin Sinnott: One of the most important parts of any adventure are the snacks, and as noted above, my son loves to have choices, so the Twist & Snack Stacker has been a go-to of ours since he started eating solid food. We’ve had the Stacker for the past 3 years, and while we no longer pack toddler puffs, we still use it for treats and other small snacks. The containers are small, but they each have their own lid and can be used together or separately. I often fill the smallest container with a treat like jelly beans that I keep in my pocket on a ski day. I’ve seen the stackers at kids’ toy shops and clothing stores, as well as in boutique kitchen stores, so definitely try and shop locally for these.
A Co-Ride Bike Seat
MSRP: $90
Kristin Sinnott: This is still hands down my favorite thing to do with my son. He’s now 4, so I know my days of using the co-ride bike seat are almost over and, honestly, I get a little teary-eyed just thinking about it. My favorite sport is skiing but my favorite outdoor activity to do with my child is mountain biking. I’m not even a particularly great mountain biker, but riding easy to intermediate level single track with him on a co-ride bike seat is just so much fun.
If you’re not familiar with this type of kid’s bike seat, it’s mounted to the bike between the handlebars and your own seat. The child holds onto your handlebars and has pegs with straps for his/her feet. Other than the feet, the child is not strapped in. Both Mac Ride and Kids Ride Shotgun recommend children be at least 2 years old to use this type of seat, but we started my son on one when he was a bit younger. The Mac Ride can hold kids up to 60 lbs / 27 kg and the Shotgun up to 48 lbs / 22 kg. My son is 4 years old and weighs 32 lbs / 14.5 kg. He’s definitely petite for his age, so I hope we can use the seat for at least one more bike season.
The reason I love co-ride seats is that my son sits so close to me that it’s easy to have a conversation with him. When I ski with my son, the earflaps on my helmet and the scraping of snow make it hard to communicate. But on a co-ride seat, I can hear everything. From listening to him sing original tunes like, “Biking is so much fun,” in his best baritone voice, to the non-stop commentary he provides on everything he sees. It’s amazing, and I can’t help but smile every time we hop on the bike.
And on top of that, adding the weight of my child plus the co-ride bike seat makes for a great workout and provides really good traction.
I’ve had the opportunity to test both the Mac Ride Child Bike Seat and the Kids Ride Shotgun Front Mounted Child Bike Seat. Mac Ride only makes one style of co-ride bike seat whereas Kids Ride Shotgun currently has two models. The Mac Ride and the Shotgun Pro model look to be fairly similar, but having never seen or tested the latter, I can’t weigh in on it. Initially, I was worried about installing the Mac Ride myself (I am not a bike mechanic or overly bike savvy by any means), but after watching a YouTube video, I found the process to be pretty simple and straightforward. To adjust the seat, it was easy to follow the directions provided, and once the leg length was set, it was pretty easy to dial in the angle to keep my son’s feet from hitting the tire. Once adjusted, the Mac Ride is easy to set up and take off (you’re supposed to remove the seat during travel) as long as you have a multitool to loosen the front connector. The downsides to the Mac Ride are that it is not compatible with all mountain bikes and it has a wider seat with no cushioning. Despite this, my son and I both love it, and very rarely does the width of the seat get in my way.
Kids Ride Shotgun makes two different models of co-ride bike seats. The seat I tested is the Shotgun Front Mounted Child Bike Seat. The Shotgun seat is more cushioned, narrower, and it fits all mountain bikes.
Kids Ride Shotgun Front Mounted Child Bike Seat is a great option if 1) your bike isn’t compatible with the Mac Ride or the Shotgun pro model and 2) you’re traveling and you plan to rent a bike but want to bring your own co-ride seat. The Front Mounted Child Bike Seat requires zero adjustments to your bike. No need to adjust your dropper post, install a bracket to your headpiece, or do anything at all to your bike. It does require a bit more time to get the seat dialed and it’s a little more tedious to install and remove each time. Knowing I have a limited amount of time before my son loses patience, I usually end up hurrying along and not getting an ideal fit. Despite this, every time my son gets on the seat, he’s comfortable and happy, so I blame myself more than I do the seat. I have some avid biker friends who love the Child Bike Seat, and I understand why. The seat itself is cushioned and comfortable, and it’s narrower so you don’t have to worry about hitting the seat.
Regardless of which seat you choose, I think you’ll have a great time riding around with your child. If the person you are shopping for already has one of these seats, head over to the Kids Ride Shotgun and Mac Ride websites to check out their accessories. With handlebar-mounted handlebars (my son loves his set), Darth Vader biking shirts, tiny bike gloves, kid pogies, and mountain bike activity books, there are some great bike-oriented gift ideas.
A Good Pair of Ski Pants
MSRP: varies
Kristin Sinnott: I absolutely hate it when I can’t get my son’s ski pants to fit over his ski boots. There’s no way I would ever purchase a pair of snowpants for myself that didn’t fit over my ski boots, but for some reason a lot of kids outwear has narrow cuffs. I assume it’s because most 2-4 years olds aren’t skiing, but still, I wish this information was disclosed in their product descriptions. I don’t know if it’s because my son is now 4, or if more companies are making better snowpant and snowsuit options, but I’ve found a handful of products that easily slide over his ski boots. And I do understand that not all kids outwear is meant for kids to ski in, but I don’t like seeing kids with their pant legs bunched up over their ski boots — getting snow in your boots makes for a cold and uncomfortable setup.
The best products we’ve found have cuffs that easily fit over my son’s ski boots, include gaiters to keep out drafts and snow, are both waterproof and insulated, and have supple (not stiff) fabric, include the Reima Toddler & Kids Reimatec Snowpants – Proxima , Namuk Crusade Snow Pant, Namuk Quest Snow Overall, and Picture Organic Snowy Toddler Bib Pants.
When looking for ski pants for your kid, I’d recommend the cuff to be 8.25 in / 21 cm wide (measured when laid flat). My son is 38 in / 96.5 cm and 32 lbs / 14.5 kg (on the very petite side for a 4 yo) and he wears a size a 98 / 3T in the Namuk Quest Snow Overall, a 3yo in the the Picture Organic Snowy Toddler Bib Pants, and a 2T in the Reima Proxima. He has a size 98/3T in the Namuk Crusade Snow Pants, but they are quite large around the waist and a bit long. The Picture Organic currently fits him perfectly, but he will definitely grow out of them first.
Namuk Eon 14L Backpack
MSRP: $129
Kristin Sinnott: My son does not go to a traditional pre-k. Instead, he spends 5.5 hours outdoors playing (and hopefully learning) 4 days per week. The “school” meets at different parks and trailheads throughout the year, so he’s required to pack everything he needs for his day in his backpack. Rain or shine, he is outside in the dust, dirt, and mud no matter what, and so far, the Eon backpack has been the only pack we use. It is holding up strong and still looks good. It’s also comfortable for him to carry on the mile-long hike he does to and from school.
I know a backpack isn’t the most exciting or glamorous gift to give a kid, but I can’t recommend this one enough.
Jetkids by Stokke BedBox
MSRP: $229
Kristin Sinnott: I know a lot of parents who hate the idea of traveling with a toddler. Personally, I look forward to it, and it’s mostly due to the BedBox. I purchased one on a whim (it was on sale at Nordstroms) and it has been one of the best items I’ve ever purchased for my son. My entire family loves it, and I’m dreading the day my son outgrows it. Fortunately, at 4 years old and 38 in / 96.5 cm tall, it still works well for him. He’s able to put his feet down and can maneuver it on his own, though he still prefers being towed. Fast. As fast as possible.
We’ve had multiple 5+ hour layovers and instead of getting out a device to watch a cartoon, we run up and down hallways and spend our time exploring the airport on the BedBox. I must have sprinted over a mile on a recent cross country trip. And for those late night or early morning flights, my son loves sleeping in his “first class” style seat. In the plane, I always set up his padded seat, and most of the time I will extend it for him so he can fully stretch out. You need to wait until you’re at cruising altitude to extend the seat and it must be stored back under the seat in front of you for landing. The BedBox’s setup and breakdown is fairly quick and easy, however it does require some maneuvering if you’re in economy (which is where I always am). I highly recommend this product for kids 2-4+ years old.
Poo Pouch
MSRP: $13.95
Kristin Sinnott: This is not a glamorous gift by any means, but the Poo Pouch is extremely handy and, in my opinion, thoughtful too. Think of it like an emergency kit. From a practical standpoint, it’s not always appropriate to dig a hole for human waste in the backcountry and toddlers and kids don’t always have control over when a bathroom break is needed. When a parent finds themself in a situation where their toddler has to go “Right now!” while out on a hike, the Poo Pouch will be a lifesaver.
For hikes through alpine zones, other sensitive ecological areas, and river trips, we started carrying the Poo Pouch with some baggies, toilet paper and hand sanitizer. We’ve tested the Poo Pouch multiple times — always for my son –- and it has saved us every single time. The Poo Pouch is water and airtight so it keeps liquids and odors contained. It’s also relatively thick so you don’t need to worry about the pouch tearing if it gets caught on a branch or something.
The Poo Pouch is also useful for dog owners that actually want to pack out their baggies, or if you need to transport dirty toilet paper. The pouch is lightweight and compact enough that we don’t see a reason not to pack it on every adventure.
And while we’re on the topic, my family and I also carry around the Pact Outdoor Bathroom Kit. You can read more about that in our Blister Holiday Gift Guide 2022 – Stocking Stuffers.
Mini Tape Measure
MSRP: $5.59
Kristin Sinnott: I picked this up on a whim at my local toy store. I’m a fan of miniature items and I thought my son would love it. The day after I purchased it, we went for a hike and I hid it in his ranger vest. He found it pretty quickly and then spent the next 4 miles measuring rocks, mushrooms, etc. It was a slow hike, but he didn’t ask to be carried and he was enthralled by the size of everything. My son also made a new friend during the hike and the new friend was equally excited to use the tape measure.
Dryrobe Kids Organic Towel
MSRP: $70 (adult) & $55 (kids)
Kristin Sinnott: When I first came across the Organic Towel dry robe in early spring, I dismissed it as something I would never use. But when I started thinking about my summer plans, specifically the month I would be spending in New England swimming and boating as much as possible, I reconsidered. I’m glad I did. The Towel is roomy, which makes it easy to change under, and it’s also extremely cozy to throw on after an early morning waterski session, late summer swim, or after swimming in a cool pool.
The Towel is bulky, but if you have space in your bag for one, the dry robe makes post pool time much easier. I used to freeze getting out of the pool on the way to the shower because I’d prioritize getting my son wrapped up. To keep him warm, I’d have to carry him or else the towel would unravel.
Letting a towel drag on the deck of a public pool or locker room disgusts me, so I try to avoid that at all costs. My son and I both have a dry robe and it’s made drying off and getting warm quick and easy. We’ve had these towels for 4 months and have loved them at the lake and for our pool days.
At 4 years old, my son is a little small for the smallest kids’ size, but it no longer drags on the ground when he walks and he’ll be able to use it for years. I opted for the size Medium adult size, which is plenty wide enough and comes down just below my knees. For adults or kids that spend time around water, the Kids or Adult Organic Towel is a great option.
Therm-a-rest Z seat
MSRP: $24.95
Kristin Sinnott: I wish I had purchased this years ago — especially for all the hikes I did when my son was itty bitty and I found myself resting on the side of the trail to nurse or let him crawl around. The Z seat folds up, is lightweight, and is easy to attach on the outside of a pack, and it makes all outdoor spots way more comfortable. If you’re looking for a gift for new or veteran parents or discerning kids, consider the Z seat.
