Amy Pessolano

Gifts for Active Kids Who Love Camping

Amy Pessolano, Umbrella Tree Cafe

I received a sample of this product in exchange for my review. However, I only recommend products or services I love, that I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. The links to Amazon in this post are affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase using them.

My kids love camping and monkeying around outside, so this year I thought I’d start my gift guides with a roundup of fun, active gifts to enjoy in your backyard or take along on your adventures.

If your kids are anything like mine, they have an insatiable need for climbing and jumping. Seriously. I find them in precarious situations all. the. time. Instead of constantly yelling at them to get down and be safe, I try to encourage their exploration and testing of their own physical limits. (While hiding my grimacing face and crossing my fingers that they land on their feet.)

Your Active Kids Will Love These Gift Ideas

Whether they love climbing, hiking, camping, or all 3, your active kids will love the gifts on this list. This list just touches the surface of gift-giving ideas for active kids, though. Bikes, skateboards, fishing gear, hiking boots, backpacks, kayaks… Having fun in the outdoors can be simple, or sometimes take a lot of gear. Gift giving holidays, like Christmas and birthdays are a great opportunity to stock up on gear you can use to have fun together all year long.  Admittedly, I want to play with some of them too.

Outdoor Climbing Fun in Your Backyard

We absolutely love our Slackline! It’s challenging (for me at least) and keeps our kids busy at the campsite too. If you don’t have trees available, there are other ways you can set it up by creating your own anchors (we’re going to try it soon, and I’ll be sure to share our results).

 

While browsing, I discovered this version called a Ninjaline! Awesome, right!? This looks incredibly challenging, but your kids will have a blast attempting their very own American Ninja warrior course. Different attachments like climbing ropes and ladders are also available and attach to the Slackline.

The price on this dome climber always varies, but when the price is low, I think it’s an affordable piece of playground equipment our kids need in the backyard. Maybe it will satisfy their climbing needs so they stop scaling my husband’s truck.

What kid (or parent for that matter) wouldn’t love the feeling of flying down a zipline? Especially in their own backyard, or set it up between two trees at your campsite.

Tools for Adventuring

Another must for outdoor adventurers is this Geocache kit. Have you tried geocaching yet? It’s like a treasure hunt in the woods… so fun! As my kids get older, we’ll definitely be doing more of this outdoor activity.

These Walkie Talkies are a must on our list this year. I think they are a great tool to give the kids a little freedom to explore, while still being in contact. Plus, they love playing spies and these make the perfect accessory for that.

My boys love getting an up close view with their Geosafari Kidnoculars. The Kidnoculars make looking through them easy for little explorers.

Active Outdoor Games

As a kid, Capture the flag was one of my favorite games. While you don’t need anything more than a few bandanas to play, these gifts, especially nerf dart tag, up the ante a little, and are perfect for kids who enjoy active, outdoor games.
There’s this Nerf Dart Tag game

and then a more traditional Capture the flag set.

This Ultimate Outdoor activity kit from Crayola has what you need to make your own outdoor obstacle course and bean bag toss. Another great idea to take on your next camping trip.

or enjoy a fun game of Spot it Gone Camping.

Stocking Stuffers for Explorers

All outdoor explorers need a compass in their stocking.

Or maybe this headlamp.

or a Paracord Survival bracelet.

Books and Magazines for Outdoorsy Kids

For explorers, who also love reading and getting mail, try a Nat Geo Kids Magazine Subscription

the Kids Campfire Book or this Kids Outdoor Adventure Book.

Gear for Your Next Adventure

Admittedly, gear is my favorite type of gift to receive. Outdoor hobbies all have their own specific equipment and I love gifts that everyone can use together as a family. I’ll be creating my own ultimate guide to family camping gear soon, along with some printable packing guides. One of the essentials for us are base layers. Base layers keep kids warm, whether they are on a fall camping trip, or just playing in the snow for hours.

And of course you’ll need other gear like sleeping bags, camp stoves, lanterns, mess kits … you get the idea.

Outdoor Experiences Make Great Gifts Too

I’m a big fan of gifting experiences. Experiences don’t clutter up my house. Plus, they make memories that will last a lifetime. Depending on where you live, here are a few ideas for giving the gift of the outdoors through experiences.

I hope this list gave you some unique gift ideas for your active, adventurous kiddos!

I’d love to hear from you in the comments below if you have any ideas of your own you’d like to share.

Check out our other Camping related articles: