15 Cool Gifts for Adventurous, Outdoorsy Kids

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Every year I struggle with buying toys for the kids in my life. I go back to my childhood, thinking of playing outside in the dirt and fresh air. Some of my best toys were sticks I’d found in the woods, or rocks that I thought were just super cool. I suppose you could call them non-toy toys.

Growing up in the south, there was nothing better than going in the yard and having a great time getting sweaty or muddy and coming back in at lunchtime feeling energized yet also STARVING.

I was always hungry after spending hours running around burning all my energy up. Sleep on those nights was so peaceful.

I see the same thing in my kids when they spend the day outside playing.

Sometimes on a hot summer day, they just want to run around in the sprinklers and on a cold winter day, they make snowmen and sled.

I find this need to get out and be active is especially helpful right after school. After sitting around all day, kids from 5-18 need a physical outlet to get their blood flowing.

If you have an outdoorsy kid to buy for, let me tell you some of the ideas that I have used over the years.

The best part about most outdoor gifts is they can be for either a boy or a girl and they work for almost any age bracket.

15 Gifts That Are Perfect For Outdoorsy Kids Of All Ages

One of the best things about an outdoor gift is how thrifty it is.

They grow with your child and can be either handed down to younger siblings or other family members. Or most can be sold later on because they withstand the test of time.

1. Swingset with a Slide and Rock Climbing Wall

I feel like a swing set is always a great idea! Hours and hours and hours of time will be spent climbing and hanging and swinging on one of these.

This is the kind of gift that is appropriate for any age.

Toddlers can spend days on it and even older kids like it as well. My nephew (a teenager) practices parkour or works out on his.

Occasionally I see him slide or swing on it as well. 🙂

2. Outdoor Adventure Set for Kids

Whether you’re in a family that loves to camp or not, this outdoor adventure set is a lot of fun for any kid.

They can use it at the playground, on nature walks around the neighborhood, while hiking or even just to get dressed up and use around the house on a rainy day.

3. Dome Tent

When my kids were much smaller we used to set up a tent just like this one on the back porch so they could try out camping.

They would have sleepovers with their friends in it in their bedrooms and pretend they were in the forest.

We would even use it at soccer games or even at the beach to keep the sun off.

4. Hot Dog/ Marshmallow Roasting Sticks

This is an adorable gift to use at a bonfire. At my sister’s house we have large ones and roast hotdogs and make marshmallows whenever possible.

These sticks are so much easier to use than a stick and the hotdogs don’t fall off off the end.

I love the way these sticks extend and are good to use for many years.

5. Climbing Dome

Do you remember these on the school playground!

This was my favorite place to play as a child.

I do not have one of these but a friend does and their kids regularly make tents and “camp” in theirs.

6. Trampoline

I feel trampolines get a bad rep.

While I did have my fair share of falling off of them growing up, it was mainly because they didn’t have nets back then and we would pile on 8 kids at a time.

It really was a free-for-all.

What I love about the trampolines now are the safety features.

This is the kind of backyard toy that doesn’t age out and can be moved from house to house easily.

7. Basketball Goal

A basketball goals is a great way to help your athletic child build their skills and burn that energy they always seem to have.

Be sure to fill the base with sand or water or you’ll end up with a bend backboard or dinged up car because these things blow down whenever the wind gets rough.

These Next Few Ideas Are Great for Kids That Love To Be Next Level Adventurous

8. Hiking Backpack

This is an absolutely great backpack for any kid, especially an older teen, that wants to be an outdoorsman and is more independent.

You can fit so many things in it and even on it with the many straps, and it has a frame so you can carry it much easier without is becoming uncomfortable after miles of hiking.

9. Ninja Warrior Obstacle Course

Have you seen the kid’s ninja warrior show yet? It’s so cool and those kids are little beasts! Good beasts.

This course will help your child build an incredible level of athleticism and it a lot of fun on top of that.

They won’t even realize how much stronger and agile they are getting as the play.

10. Kan Jam Disc Throwing Game

This is the backyard version of disc golf.

If you love having cookouts or getting together for family games, this one is great for both younger and older children (and even college aged kids) that are competitive.

11. Waterproof Gloves

If your kids are anything like mine, they will stay outside until they nearly have frostbite in the winter.

These gloves will keep their fingers safe, dry and warm through all of the elements.

12. Kid’s Hiking Boots

Like the backpack above, this is a great gift for a kid that loves to be outdoors in the elements.

I have the adult version of these boots and they are very very comfortable.

Whenever I go on a hike with these, my feet are protected and I haven’t felt like I could twist my ankle even when I roll over a rock.

13. Slackline Kit

Have you ever seen a slackline?

This is where you can suspend a thick rope between two trees or posts and then walk across it.

The balance and muscle control you develop learning this skill is amazing and it’s a lot of fun.

You’re kids will either spend their time laughing or saying “Awe mannn!”

14. Kid’s Inflatable Paddle Board

Paddle boarding is a great way to spend time on the water.

Whether at a lake or the ocean, your adventure loving kid can spend hours at a time on one of these getting back in touch with nature.

15. Binoculars

These binoculars are great for sporting events, camping, sightseeing, hiking or even just to mess with their siblings.

This is for sure a cool toy that they will keep forever.

More Creative Gift Ideas From WhatMommyDoes

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Lena Gott

I'm a CPA turned SAHM of 3 little ones ages 4, 6, and 9. I'm a mommy by day, blogger by night. Join me as I write about fun kids activities, family finances, and losing 50 lbs after baby #3.