The Best Gifts for Outdoorsy Kids

Straw for sipping or wide mouth for swigging: When it comes to choosing a water bottle, that is the question. Or at least, it was. The game-changing FreeSip system from Owala removes choice angst by offering the youngster on your gift list both drinking options in a single vessel—and a seamless transition between the two. The leakproof FreeSip Kids’ Insulated Stainless-Steel Water Bottle uses double-wall insulation to keep drinks cold for up to 24 hours and features a kid-friendly, push-to-open lid. Sipping on the go? Deploy the handy carry loop for single-finger portability. Buy here.

All youngsters should experience the freedom that comes with cruising on two wheels—and we adults just want them to do it safely. So it helps when the nonnegotiable helmet adds a little fun to their ride. Enter the Jr. Bike Helmet from Thousand. The retro-inspired design boasts a slew of parent-pleasing features like occipital bone coverage, a secure fit over time thanks to a dial fit system and compliance with U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission bike helmet safety standards. Kiddos dig the pinch-preventing magnetic chin strap; color choices like Speedway Creme and the not-so-shrinking Vivid Violet; and the included pack of removable, reflective stickers for endless customization. Mom, dad and little sibs can get matching noggin protectors in the Heritage 2.0 and toddlers' version. Buy here.

Have a shred-ready young rider on your gift list? Then tie a bow on the woom OFF AIR 5 Kids' Mountain Bike. A responsive two-wheeler equipped with high-performance front suspension, an easy-to-operate SRAM X5 nine-gear system and stop-on-a-dime hydraulic brakes, the OFF AIR 5 is ready for conditions of all kinds. The durable Schwalbe mountain bike tires with Addix Speed rubber will roll past fields of wildflowers as easily as the SRAM trigger shifter will facilitate climbs up mountainous terrain. Whatever the trail dishes out, it sounds like this is a woom with a view. Buy here.

If you want to instill cycling confidence early, start kids off with the STRIDER 12 Sport. A balance bike ditches pedals for a more intuitive foot-driven system (think the Flintstones but with shoes). The company's best-selling 12 Sport allows toddlers as young as 18 months to scoot and glide on the bike by pushing off with their feet, giving them a little taste of freedom while laying down the foundation for solid biking skills like balance and steering. At under 7 pounds, it's lightweight enough for toddlers, but it can accommodate kids up to about 5 years old thanks to adjustable seatpost and handlebars. EVA polymer tires remove worry about getting flats. Buy here.

Infuse a little positivity into your youngster’s winter play with the Adventure Beanie from Seattle-based kids’ apparel brand SeaSlope, available in two sizes: “toddler” fits up to age 4 and “kids” for ages 5 and up. Each of these earth-toned, made-in-the-USA head toppers comes with a patch featuring a smile-inducing saying like “Happy Camper” or “Grow Wild.” Best of all, this gift keeps those good vibes going. SeaSlope donates 3% of each sale to support the neonatal intensive care unit at Seattle's Swedish Hospital. Buy here.

As cute as it is warm, this beanie from Patagonia will keep your babe or toddler's head toasty on your next chilly outing. The hat (which features some darn cute animal ears) is made from 30% recycled polyester fleece, which helps keep waste out of landfills. And the double-layer fabric headband is soft, not scratchy. Buy here.

At some point, your child will start carrying their own weight. When that day blessedly arrives, consider the REI Co-op Tarn 40 for the job. The main packbag can swallow a sleep system, layers, water bottles and even a stuffed friend who wants to join the adventure, while a toplid pouch and stuff-it pocket help kids stay organized. It has a padded hipbelt and back panel that are adjustable like technical adults' packs, plus it's made with a durable recycled ripstop nylon that will shrug off moisture. Buy here.

Not all who wander are lost. Sometimes they’re just carefree kids who dig exploring the backcountry. When your youngster is ready to carry more weight on the trail, consider upgrading them to the Gregory Wander 50 Pack. The 50-liter pack’s strong yet flexible Wishbone alloy internal frame, perforated foam shoulder harness and 3D foam back panel all cater to comfort for growing backpackers. Meanwhile, seven total pockets (including the main compartment) ensure there’s plenty of room to bring the necessities and perhaps a few stowaway stuffed animals. Another winning feature, according to Gregory Ambassador and outdoorsy mom Stephanie McNulty: “The Wander 50 can grow with your child's ability by starting small with the option to carry more weight later on!" (This, thanks to an adjustable torso and hipbelt.) Buy here.

A warm kiddo is a happy kiddo. This merino wool base layer by REI Co-op can keep your youngster toasty on hikes, park hangouts and even at school (if your child runs cold). Flat seams help prevent chafing, underarm gussets provide room to move and the wool is soft for itch-free comfort. Buy here.

Snow-day sledding excursions, chilly study hall rooms or just lazy Saturday-morning pancake-eating: The Trailsmith fleece jacket from REI Co-op is ready for it all, thanks to breathable, fast-drying and ultrasnuggly Polartec® Micro Series fleece. Retro zipper pulls (authentic to the design's original 1992 release) add a dash of panache. With adult men's and women's versions available too, the whole family can kick it old-school. Buy here.

Brisk, windy days are no match for the insulated REI Co-op 650 down jacket. The all-season coat features a water-resistant and windproof shell made with 100% recycled polyester and a durable water resistant (DWR) coating. A reflective logo keeps kids visible on overcast days or darker hours outside. Good news for the littlest winter lovers: It's also available in an infant/toddler version. Buy here.

Keeping track of your kid's sunglasses is about as hard as remembering the whereabouts of their left sock, which means there's no way you're splurging on expensive pint-size sunny-Gs—even if they are a gift. And yet, you also know the importance of protecting their little peepers now. It's a conundrum thankfully solved by the folks at Knockaround. The brand's polarized affordable kids' shades block an impressive 99–100% of UV rays and reduce visible glare from water, snow, sand and pavement. Buy here.

The spiral-bound Rite in the Rain notebook is the perfect place for your budding ecologist to record all of their observations about the natural world. Whether they write in pencil or crayon, their tallies of goldfinches or sketches of aspen trees will hold steady without bleeding on the 32 sheets (64 pages) of all-weather paper, no matter the conditions. It will even survive a rinse cycle in the washing machine, should your little forget to remove the notebook from their pocket before laundry day. Buy here.

Parents will love the ReEmber slip-ons from Teva for their convenience—there are no laces for little fingers to tie. (Simply push down the backing of the ReEmber to make it a fully slip-on shoe.) Kids, meanwhile, will enjoy the comfort and cool colors. Importantly, the kicks have an antimicrobial treatment that minimizes stinky feet—a feature everyone will appreciate. Buy here.

Children have two switches: on and off. Enable that power up with the Snow Bank 4.0 boots from Merrell, which are equipped with 200 grams of Thinsulate™ synthetic insulation and are temperature rated all the way to -25°F. When combined with the waterproof leather upper and a warm fleece lining on the interior, these boots are the cozy foot protectors you've been searching for. Need further proof that Merrell knows kids' feet? Instead of traditional shoelaces, the brand opted for bungee closures that cinch with a toggle. Not only can kiddos manage them on their own, but they can also do it while wearing mittens. Buy here.

Cold hands will ruin any outdoor adventure. Prolong your time outside by adorning your kiddo in these waterproof, windproof gloves from REI Co-op. With synthetic insulation, they're like sleeping bags for little fingers. A polyester liner wicks sweat away from skin, and a longer cuff can tuck under a sleeve or cinch on top to help keep snow out. Nice: The poly liner contains bluesign®-approved materials. Buy here.

If you've ever heard your child whine, "But there isn't anything to do!" while hanging out at camp, then this portable bocce set from Outside Inside may be the gift for you. The game packs up in a cinched pouch about the size of a notebook, making it easy to tote on backpacking trips and hikes. Plus, these bocce balls are soft (they're filled with pellets), so they land like bean bags instead of rolling away like traditional hard versions. Better yet? Bocce is a quick game to learn. Buy here.

Any puzzle can offer quality family time over a shared task, but the Protect Our National Parks Collage 1,000-piece from Lantern Press can also incite reflection on past outdoor adventures: "Remember when we saw a grizzly in the Grand Tetons?" "Those cascades in the Great Smoky Mountains were incredible!" Plus, the whimsical imagery of our public lands may just inspire your family's next trip. Buy here.

Test your family's knowledge of national parks with this trivia set from Clarkson Potter. With nearly 400 questions covering everything from geography and history to wildlife and botany, this game will keep older kids (ages 7+) entertained for hours. It's great for camping trips as well as road trips or cozy nights at home. Buy here.

It doesn't matter if your kids are 3 or 13, kite flying is always fun and an easy way to soak in some outdoor time with your loved ones. We like the ultralight Pocket Flyer from Prism Designs for its simple design: A single line makes it easily navigable and the unique splittail means the kite can handle rougher winds. It weighs less than 4 ounces too, so your child can carry it to the park all by herself. Buy here.