Gift Guide for Outdoor Kids

1. Gear

​‘There’s no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothing’ so goes the Swedish saying. And there is a lot of truth to it. If you want your kids to play outside year round they will need the right gear. Hats, sunglasses, rash-shirts, raincoats, gumboots, mud-suits, woollen tights, knitted jumpers, wind jackets and gloves all make good gifts for outdoor kids. We love these boots from Bisgaard, they keep your feet dry and are also good to run and jump in. 

2. A Ball

Children of all ages love playing ball—and most adults do too. Our favourite balls are from Jinta Sports. And are made in fair-trade factories in Pakistan and India.

3. Wheels

​We bought our daughter a Micro scooter when she was two and she loves it. And our five year old still rides his balance bike daily, even though he now has a bigger bike as well. A set of wheels can be expensive but they are well worth it, and thankfully there are lots around for sale second hand. Don’t you love the look of this bamboo balance bike from Kinderfeets?

4. Tools

​A few quality tools will provide endless fun in the backyard, at the park or at the beach. Buckets, spades, shovels and watering cans are a great place to start. If possible choose items made of metal, like this Oxfam one, or wood because they tend to last longer. You can buy kid’s tools from hardware stores but it’s also worth having a look at your local op shop too, because old pots, spoons, sieves and cake tins are pretty perfect for making mud pies. 

​5. Gardening Kits 

​There is something special about growing your own. And thankfully it’s easy to do. A packet of seeds inside a Christmas card (like this one) makes a beautiful gift. Silver-beet, sunflowers, nasturtiums and snow peas are all good seeds for kids. You can also buy some great gardening kits. Planet Eco have kits for vegetables, flowers and herbs. And LifeCykel sells mushroom kits that will grow on your kitchen bench, straight from the box, just add water.  

6. ​Books

​There are lots of beautiful books for kids about the natural world. We love Florette, There is a Tribe of Kids, Isabella’s Garden and Kissed by the Moon. And you can't go past the beautiful illustrations in this nonfiction book Curios Tree: Natural World: A Visual Compendium of Wonders from Nature.   

​7. A Plant 

A plant is the perfect present for the kid that has everything. And it's the best eco gift around. Instead of consuming resources, it creates them. Instead of emitting greenhouse gases, it absorbs them. If the child you are buying for has the space for it, a fruit tree can be a gift that keeps on giving. But plants are also great for kids who live in apartments. An indoor plant will improve the air quality in a child’s room—and will look pretty cool while doing it.

8. Pyjamas

And then there are these organic pjs… because we are pretty sure that outdoor kids end up spending more time in bed. 

Note: We know how hard it can be choosing Christmas gifts for kids. We wanted to help you with some ideas. These are just products we like, there is a whole range of others out there—and we haven't been paid or sponsored by any of the above brands. ​​

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