Welcome to Part 2 of the “Gift Guide for Kids” series! Last year, I shared my Ultimate Arts & Crafts gift guide (see it HERE) and today I’m showcasing some of our favorite outdoor/nature themed items! We personally own every toy listed, so rest assured the opinions/reviews are honest. If you know a child that loves to explore nature, play outside, seeks adventure, and enjoys art….well, you’ve come to the right place! Here are just some of our most loved toys, games, & activities:
1.) Mesh Collection Bag
Do you have a little collector in your house? Whether it be rocks, seashells, leaves, etc. – pitch the ziploc baggies and grab yourself a set of these colorful sacks. A bonus to these are the zippered enclosure and adjustable strap! Next time you go for a nature walk, your kid won’t be asking you to “hold this” minutes into your journey, as it’s easy to strap across the body and carry for longer treks. You don’t need to worry about treasures dropping out or tipping over. With the bag safely secured, they can search for hours without fear of losing their finds.
2.) EZ Roller Classic
This might be one of the most ‘played with’ outdoor toys that ALL 3 of my kids use. Close to every day, I would say. From going down the driveway to around the cul-de-sac and along the sidewalk, these truly get a lot of action! Our 3, 6, and 8 year olds each have their own – which come in different sizes and are adjustable, too! We can’t say enough great things about our EZ Rollers as it’s provided hours of endless zooming and fun for our family!
3.) GoFindIt Scavenger Hunt Card Game
These dual indoor/outdoor scavenger hunt cards are perfect for travel, as they take up little space but sure pack a punch! No matter where you are, whether it be out on a hike or in a big city, these cards will encourage your kids to be observant with their surroundings. A simplified version of “I Spy”, my kids love using these cards on car rides, venturing through our local forest preserve, and even inside grandma and grandpa’s house!
4.)Stomp Rocket Launcher
Some friendly competition is good for the soul! This dual stomp rocket launcher is a great way to entertain your kids while you sit back and relax! My kids love seeing who can get his/her rocket to go the highest…and getting some energy out at the same time! We are always quite surprised with how high these rockets soar. It’s nice that you’re able to turn and aim where you want them to go.This allows you to avoid getting them stuck in trees or on top of your roof!
5.) Melissa & Doug Mosaic Sticker Pad
My son has the Nature themed sticker pad set by Melissa and Doug and absolutely LOVES it. He gets excited to see the scattered stickers form familiar images like a butterfly, squirrel, hummingbird and more! The pack comes with over 12 different animal/nature scenes, which he spends a good amount of time creating, and then, admiring the finished product! They also offer packs in Safari and Ocean themes!
6.) Spike or Slam Ball Set
Move over cornhole, there’s a new game in town and it’s a family affair! The spike ball is one of our favorite outdoor games to play together. Our entire family loves a good challenge and Spike ball sure gives us some good competition. It’s the perfect backyard game that both kids and adults can play, while taking up minimal space! It’s extremely easy to store and pull back out again!
7.) Rectangular Tree Swing
So much time has been spent on our coveted tree swing. While ours is the circular shape, our niece/nephew have the rectangular version, which provides a little more space/room to ride! Our kids will play on this with friends all day long, sometimes to the point of taking a little afternoon nap on it! Kids have fun and stay occupied on this swing while mom gets a minute to breathe and relax (even if for just a minute). Hey, everyone wins!
8.) Rock & Mineral Collection Kit
Both of my boys attend a forest school and spend a lot of time outdoors digging in dirt and exploring. Both have shown a recent interest in rocks and minerals. Tiger eyes and geodes are the topic of conversations lately. This is a great starter kit and I especially love the container that it comes with for easy storage. A manual is also provided, helping my boys to identify and learn about each rock!
AND, there you have it! Some of our tried and true toys that all kids can enjoy! From preschool to junior high, there is something listed any child would love. With these amazing gifts, our hope is that your kids will want to spend less time on screens and more time outdoors! We hope you join them, too.
