Christmas Gifts for Outdoorsy Kids

The season is upon us once again, the excitement is starting to build and I can’t wait for the slight gloom of the dark nights to be replaced by the wonderful twinkly festive lights of Christmas. We really do like keeping our gifts simple yet thoughtful and so I wanted to share our Christmas gifts for outdoorsy kids. I am keen to find a few more sustainable Christmas gift options, as I’m so conscious that this is also the season where the most waste is produced.

We find that our kids are happiest when outdoors but yet I’m well aware that it’s not always easy to encourage them away from screens and the sofa, especially in Winter time! Often our children willingly go outside with no fuss and other times they just need that little encouragement, and so this list has been made with that in mind.

My list has gifts sourced from various retailers, however I want to make you aware that “as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.”

Watercolour Pencils

We have two arty kids who can often be found drawing at the kitchen table or in our teenager’s case, her paint-splattered desk in her room. We rarely don’t think to take them outdoors to paint and draw and this gift would help remind us. Packing up some art supplies is such a nice way to spend time at a beach, woodland or in the mountains. It’s a chance for a parent to sit down and spend some mindful time getting creative with them. One of our favourite walks with our eldest daughter one school inset day was when she and my husband took the time to paint with watercolours. They painted a lovely hillside view in North Yorkshire. These lovely Cotton Twist pencils come in a sturdy tin, which is just perfect for popping into a rucksack along with a small sketchpad.

Conker and Chestnut Cracker

This is a fab accessory for our outdoor kitchen. I can just see our younger ones cracking chestnuts at Christmas with these tools from Catkin and co

Also, do check out their Animal Poo Dough kit!

Huckleberry Motor Boat

Most kids love to play with water and so this build your own boat would be a great STEM project! Simply use a small plank of wood or thick paper and attach the motor to the boat and place it on water. Press the button on the top and watch it set sail! Includes a battery and the motor is waterproof. If you buy from the RNLI you’re also supporting a great charity that helps make our seas a safer place.

Hape Compass

We love Hape toys in this house, as a brand they genuinely care about the planet. For little explorers, this Compass Set is an ideal accessory. Working just like a ‘proper’ compass, this kid-friendly design features a mirror on the back to signal with and a clip to attach to their bag. Made from plant-based plastic and bamboo, it’s a sustainable tool that they’ll love taking with them on a hike or to forest school.

Click here to buy the Hape Compass

Den Kit Co

A larger gift idea comes from the fab Den Kit Co. This kit gives kids the tools to pop up a den in the back garden or make use of the handy rucksack and take it on an adventure Click here to buy from for the Den Kit co

Den Kit Co Fixings Kit

Another one from the Den Kit Co is this fun stocking filler! Kids LOVE a fidget toy and these would make for a great fiddly nature toy but with more of a purpose. These fixing kits make for extra fixings when building dens and collecting sticks etc.. A mini kit of fiddly fixings from the Den Kit Co

Binatone Walkie Talkies

Over the years we have found that kids walkie talkies aren’t durable enough and end up not working after a few uses. We have been using similar radios to this product below for a number of years now. These two way radios have a 5k range and are pretty durable. Giving kids a little freedom to explore whilst your nearby with a source of communication. Our 4 often work together as a team to explore whilst excitedly reporting back on what they have found on their adventures

Owl Hoot

A toy that you may not appreciate so much indoors but this is why it’s a stocking filler list for outdoors. Take the owl hoot into the woods and your little one can hoot away! This toy has caught my eye plenty of times in the National Trust gift shop but it’s not stocked there this Christmas (2023) Head to Muddy Faces to grab one this year.

Hape Swing

I have had my eye on this hammock swing for our youngest for a while. She absolutely loves a swing and being able to take this portable hammock swig out and about would really appeal to her. It would be perfect for putting up in a woodland whilst we enjoy a picnic.

Huckleberry Grass Whistle

Another noisy gift! My kids love to try and make whistles between their thumbs with blades of grass, however it doesn’t always work out for them. This would be a handy kit to bring out of a rucksack to distract from tired legs on a hike. Click here to buy from Conscious Craft.

‘Go Find It’ Cards

All of mine love a scavenger hunt as well as a bit of a competitive game. We have used our cards several times in National Trust gardens and have also invested in the ‘go find it too’ card set.

Petzl Head Torch

My younger kids have requested head torches this year.

This Petzl head torch has three lighting modes: Low mode ideal for reading, high mode for playing inside and outside in the dark and a white blinking mode for visibility. The torch also has an automatic shut off after an hour. I have an adult Petzl head torch and recommend them as a brand.

Click here to buy from the Little Adventure shop .

Bike Lights

Another light-up stocking filler! My kids love getting out on their bikes and with the darker nights rolling in as soon as we’re home from school, they can still get out for a cycle around our cul-de-sac with these great USB rechargeable bike lights. All four of our kids have these and we have been known to quickly transfer them off bikes and onto scooters when they’re needed in a hurry!

Spork

Another stocking filler gift for outdoorsy kids is this spork. We love a warm picnic when we’re out exploring in the autumn and winter months. My kids also occasionally like to take warm food into school and these sporks in different colours for each sibling and the kids love using them.

Huckleberry Bug Box

Another Huckleberry product! This looks fab for avid bug spotters…collect, store and observe your favourite nature finds, forage on your outdoor adventures! Click here to buy from NT gift shop.

Mud Kitchen / Food Prep Set of Knives

You may think this is an odd addition to the gift list but bear with me… Kids love a functional gift, we have been known to gift them a dustpan and brush when they’re at an age of mimicking adults doing jobs. These safety knives give them independence in the kitchen and safe tools to take out and use in a mud kitchen or out camping. Super for little hands, promotes fine motor skills and cuts stuff up really well. The knife pack is currently sold in a pack with snippers for gardening and foraging and with a veg peeler. The veg peeler comes in handy for safe whittling in the forest.

Frugi Trailblazing Backpack

Our youngest kids have these Frugi backpacks and they are very functional and comfortable. They have a hidden pocket at the bottom of the bag with an attached waterproof bag cover, several practical pockets, adjustable chest straps and padded shoulder straps. Our kids have put them to the test at school, taken them to the beach with food, towels, swimmers and spades packed inside and also to London packed up for a city break. My top tip is to grab these when they go on sale as the full price is a little steep, especially when buying more than one bag. I managed to pick ours up in a half-price sale. Click here for the Frugi Trailblazing Backpack

Kids Tape Measure

Our kids love playing with our DIY tape measure and so I thought I would include a slightly safer option for younger kids. Just beware the reviews do say that the windy crank is a little noisy!

TP Mud Kitchen Accessory

My kids love their rustic homemade mud kitchen. You really don’t need to spend loads on a mud kitchen as the basic the better in our opinion! This product caught my eye as it is presented as an accessory to add to a mud kitchen or kids’ play equipment. I think this would make a fab mud kitchen at a reasonable price just screwed onto a garden fence or wall. Perfect for smaller gardens!

I hope you have found this Christmas gifts for outdoorsy kids guide a helpful list to give you some inspiration