Holiday Gift Guide for Adventurous Kids
The holidays are right around the corner and parents across the country are gearing up for the season. As your shopping list grows, why not give the kid in your life a gift that will inspire a love of the outdoors? From inspiring butterfly hatching kits, to interactive walkie talkies, challenging ninja warrior training equipment and compassionate international animal adoption programs, we found the perfect gift ideas for the young adventurers in your family. These 15 unique gifts reduce screen time (because who wants to play a video game when there’s a whole world to explore?) and encourage kids and loved ones to head outside and experience the joys of nature.
Browse 15 holiday gift ideas for the adventurous kids in your life.
1. National Parks Junior Ranger Vest
Kids love to dress like their favorite heroes: firefighters, police officers… and park rangers! Give the gift of a Junior Ranger vest and help your loved one hit the trail in style. With 12 pockets, including two interior secret pockets, this vest is perfect for rock collectors or kids who like to head outside with lots of goodies but don’t want their hands full.
Ages: 3-13
Price: $29.95
Where to Buy: eparks.com
2. World Wildlife Fund Symbolic Species Adoption
Teach your child about the true meaning of giving with a symbolic species adoption. Choose from a number of animals including the African elephant, loggerhead turtle, snow leopard, emperor penguin and gorilla. Your donation supports the work of the World Wildlife Fund and your child will receive a plush version of the animal adopted, a formal adoption certificate, a full color photo of the species and a free species card.
Ages: 5- adult
Price: From $55 & up
Where to Buy: gifts.worldwildlife.org
3. A Spot at Summer Camp
Summer might be six months away but that doesn’t mean it’s too early to start planning for those months of sunshine and warm weather. Book your child a spot at camp and give him or her something to look forward to during the long, dark days of winter. From sleep-away camp to day camp, there are programs across the country that will fit the interests of your child.
Ages: 8-18
Price: Varies by camp program
Where to Buy: acacamps.org
4. National Parks Passport
Inspiring the spirit of adventure in the young and old alike, the National Parks Passport is a classic token of outdoor exploration. Teach your child to use their little blue book to log visits to America’s national parks, note adventures completed and collect memorable keepsakes at each new park visited. As a bonus, the National Park Service map included with the passport makes a fun decoration addition to any child’s bedroom wall.
Ages: 3- adult
Price: $9.95
Where to Buy: eparks.com
5. Winterland Album by the Okee Dokee Brothers
If you have a young music lover in your family, the Okee Dokee Brothers newest album, Winterland, is a creative gift idea for the holiday season. Filled with messages of natural wonder, this Grammy Award winning duo explores the wonders and beauty of winter. The music is so good that the entire family will want cozy up around the fire and enjoy it. There are multimedia purchase options, including audio CD, MP3 and streaming.
Ages: 2-12
Price: From $9.49 & up
Where to Buy: amazon.com
6. Our Great Big Backyard by Laura Bush
Former First Lady Barbara Bush and her daughter Jenna have created a colorful, lively picture book dedicated to the importance and fun of connecting with nature. When protagonist Jane learns she won’t be spending the summer playing video games and will instead travel the country visiting national parks, Jane is upset. But while exploring each park along the way she slowly learns that there’s much to love about the outdoors.
Ages: 4-8
Price: From $6.21 & up
Where to Buy: amazon.com
7. 9-in-1 Outdoor Exploration Kit
The perfect gift for the young child that loves to play outdoors and explore nature, this 9-in-1 Outdoor Exploration Kit comes with binoculars, a hand crank flashlight, a multi-tool, handheld fan, compass, thermometer, whistle, instant flashlight, magnifying glass and a cool case to carry it all in. It’s everything your child needs to spend the day exploring in the great outdoors.
Ages: 3-12
Price: $27.99
Where to Buy: amazon.com
8. Ninja Warrior Training Equipment
Do you have a child that likes to swing and jump through life? Keep him or her busy with Ninja Warrior Training Equipment. This outdoor activity kit comes with a double-layered slack line, monkey bars, gymnastic rings, monkey ladder, plus two tree protectors and a carrying bag.
Ages: 6-16
Price: $104.89
Where to Buy: amazon.com
9. Coleman Kids Wonder Lake 2-Person Tent
Designed with tiny campers in mind, this Coleman Kids Wonder Lake 2-Person Tent is the perfect gift for any kid who wants to stake a claim in the great outdoors. Small and compact, the tent is low-tech enough for a kid to set up, but sturdy and just big enough for a parent to fit inside. It’s a great backyard companion to get your kid ready for a camping trip.
Ages: 2-18
Price: $49.99
Where to Buy: coleman.com
10. CamelBak Eddy Kids Vacuum Stainless Water Bottle
Active kids need to stay hydrated while on the go. Give your bundle of energy a cute and colorful bottle to encourage water consumption while he or she plays. The easy-to-clean, spill-proof water bottle is kid-sized and comes in a variety of fun colors and patterns.
Ages: 3-8
Price: $20
Where to Buy: camelbak.com
11. Leatherman Multi-Tool
For your responsible teen adventurers, give a functional gift that is endlessly useful in the great outdoors. This multi-tool features a knife blade, needlenose pliers, wire cutters, electrical crimper, Phillips screwdriver and large and small flat screwdrivers, a metal/wood file, saw, awl with tread loop, bottle and can openers, wire stripper and a lanyard ring. It’s a gift that allows your child to tackle any unexpected situation he might encounter in the wilderness.
Ages: 11-18
Price: $47.89
Where to Buy: rei.com
12. Walkie Talkies
Who needs a smartphone when Walkie Talkies are around? Give your child these fun and functional (they’ve got a 3-mile range!) handheld devices and send him or her off on a thrilling outdoor adventure. These Walkie Talkies allow your child to communicate with friends as they roam the neighborhood parks, or keep one at home and give your child the freedom to explore, while knowing you can reach out when you need to.
Ages: 3-9
Price: $28.99
Where to Buy: amazon.com
13. Youth Kayak
Water babies will go nuts for this lightweight kayak designed for young paddlers. The kayak is small enough to fit in the back of a truck, light enough to be lifted by young kids and sturdy enough that your child can enjoy it for years to come (there is a 130 pound weight capacity).
Ages: 5-12
Price: $101
Where to Buy: amazon.com
14. Butterfly Hatching Kit
Help your child watch the miracle of metamorphosis up close with a butterfly hatching kit. This educational and interactive kit allows you to raise and feed your own butterflies and then release them into the wild. It’s the perfect gift for the future biologist in your family.
Ages: 4-14
Price: $19.99
Where to Buy: amazon.com
15. Nature Journal
Encourage your child to slow down and pay attention with a Nature Journal, the perfect companion to any walk in the woods. Filled with illustrations of animal tracks, leaves and cloud formations, this journal encourages your child to experience nature in a purposeful way.
Ages: 8-18
Price: From $11.36 & up
Where to Buy: amazon.com
