FAVORITE GEAR

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    Ultimate List of Outdoor Gear for Kids

    It’s no secret that when it comes to outfitting our kids for the great outdoors, the options are endless, and the choices can get overwhelming. While we all know that a box and a pile of sticks can allow for endless hours of unstructured entertainment, that’s not going to keep kids warm or safe when exploring. When we’re ready to take our adventures past the front yard and to the next level, what outdoor gear do kids need? Today, our gear-guru and PNW mountain mom of 4, RyAnn Peverly is here to go over the best outdoor gear for kids and give you recommendations to save you time, research, and money. 

    *This post contains affiliate links. gear for outdoor kids

    Outdoor gear for kids

    We’ve all heard the saying, “There’s no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothing.” And we know that quality outdoor kids’ gear will last longer and do better in extreme circumstances. But what gear is worth spending money on for your kids? What makes the most sense to invest in for the whole family? 

    You certainly don’t need a garage packed with all the latest and greatest in the outdoor industry, but a few well-made key pieces will ensure an endless supply of family fun. From water bottles to day packs, sun hats to rain jackets, and everything in between, this is your ultimate list of gear for your outdoorsy kids. 

    Best outdoor clothing for kids

    You might be asking yourself why your kids need special clothes when going on adventures outdoors. The short answer is…they don’t (or at least not always). Your everyday outdoor trip to the park or neighborhood stroll isn’t going to require anything fancy. However, the more time you spend outdoors, the more adventurous your outings will become and the more your kids will be in the elements. And sometimes adventures call for special outdoor gear. 

    Just like all our outdoor gear listed, these clothing items each have a specific purpose. The right clothing is the best way to keep your kids comfortable when adventuring outside. I always look at buying good quality outdoor clothing as an investment in our fun. The more comfortable we are outside, the longer we can play and the more time we can spend outdoors. And it’s always good to remember that just a few key pieces can keep us outside all year long.  

    Best base layers (merino wool)

    The first clothing items I always make sure to have on hand (for both kids and adults) are a couple of good sets of wool base layers. These pieces can be used alone on warmer days or can add a much-needed layer of comfort on those chilly winter escapades. One of our favorite brands that makes beautiful, soft layers is NUI Organics. I love their collection of soft merino wool, which comes in a variety of beautiful solid gender-neutral colors (so they can be passed down kid to kid). This company, in particular, is great because they carry layers for the entire family (adults included).

    Check out our post on the Best Merino Wool Layers for Kids for a comprehensive list of the best wool brands, clothing options, and price points. 

    Best outdoor shirts for kids

    When it comes to what my kids wear on top, I like to keep a few quick-dry athletic shirts ready to grab, especially for those warmer months. A shirt that allows sweat to wick away from their bodies means more comfort and less complaining. Good options for athletic shirts are merino wool or synthetic materials. Most of our athletic t-shirts come from the All In Motion line at Target.

    Another top layer I like to keep in our closets is a quality long-sleeve sun-shirt. A good sun-shirt means this mama knows my kids are being protected from UV rays, and I get to worry less about the last time I applied sunscreen. Our favorite sun-shirts are the Patagonia Capilene Cool Daily Sun Hoodie, the REI Co-op Sahara Sun Hoodie, and the Veyo Kids Sun Hoodies. 

    Pants/ shorts (or a combination thereof)

    Living in the beautiful Pacific Northwest, I’ve learned that clothes that serve a dual purpose are the ones I reach for the most. And that goes for the pants and shorts that I buy my kids. My favorites are those that are great for more than one activity or are convertible. A good pair of convertible hiking pants means I don’t have to pack shorts for when my son says he’s too hot or wants to go splashing in rivers or lakes.

    My favorite convertible hiking pants for kids are the ones with zippers by the ankles so that we don’t have to worry about taking off shoes during the transition. These Sahara pants from REI are great because they also have an adjustable waist. In addition to pants, it’s great to have shorts that our kids can wear hiking on the trails, and go straight to jumping right in the big blue lake. One brand that our whole family wears is the Patagonia Baggies. 

    Kids’ rain gear

    If your kids are anything like mine, a little rain never deters the need to get outside and play! It’s actually even better because puddle jumping is one of their greatest joys. Using both feet to generate the perfect splash can mean hours of fun. But, once they get wet and the chill starts to set in, then the adventure is over.

    When picking out rain gear that will last through it all, I like to look for three things. (1) The items must be waterproof, not just water resistant. Water resistant is great for a light drizzle, but will not be able to handle a full soaking. (2) I like jackets that are breathable. This allows the child’s perspiration to wick away from their body so that they are not wet inside and out. (3) I like gear that has closures on the wrists, ankles, hood, and hems. Adjustable closures help to seal in the warmth, and keep the rain out.

    For all our recommendations on rainy day kids gear, check out our full post on the Best Rain Gear for Outdoor Kids. 

    Best rain jackets, pants and rain suits for kids

    The REI Co-op Rainwall Jacket and Rainwall Pants are great options for a two-piece set. For the younger kids, full-body rain suits are a great choice because there is little to no worry about their underlayers getting wet when the weather turns. Our longtime favorite rain suit for everyday wet adventures has been the Oaki trail suit, but we also really love the Polarn O. Pyret Rain Shell with interior fleece-lining for colder rainy day adventures. 

    Best outdoor kids rain boots 

    If you’re going to spend any time outside in the rain (or live in a wet/damp place like the PNW), rainboots are essential gear for kids. Rainboots allow our children to splash around and keep their feet nice and toasty throughout the day. Over the last 22 years of purchasing boots, the Bogs Classic insulated boots continue to prove they are a wise investment. These boots truly stand up to the tough demands of kids, don’t leak, and last a long time. They’re some of the only boots we’ve been able to pass down to the next kid after wearing through a season or two. 

    For a more budget-friendly option, check out Lone Cone’s classic rain boots with handles and their all-weather neoprene mud boots. All three of my kids have Lone Cone boots and love them!

    Rain jackets

    Best jackets, coats, and insulating layers for kids

    When those summer months start to turn cool, it’s important to keep a warmer layer close by. A good mid-layer like a fleece or puffy jacket (synthetic or down) will add just enough warmth to keep the play going well into those chilly temps. The insulating layer retains the heat your child is generating, keeping them nice and warm. One style that we have gone back to time and time again is a classic fleece from Columbia that features fun designs and bright colors that all kids are sure to love.

    We also love the Performance Eco Wind Fleece from Polarn O. Pyret for a light layer that keeps the heat in and wind out. If you want something warmer that can take you into winter, a soft down jacket is nice. The Patagonia Nano Puff is a great option, as is the Polarn O. Pyret Lightweight Puffer. 

    Footwear

    Best footwear for outdoor kids

    Shoes and footwear fall into the category of outdoor gear for kids that you’ll want to have on hand for all your adventures. If your kids are anything like mine, it really doesn’t matter to them what shoes they throw on. They will still jump, run and climb all the things in any shoe they have available. And we really could let them continue that way, but what they put on their feet does make a difference when venturing outdoors. A good pair of shoes suited to the day’s activity means they stay comfortable, with their feet protected, and the day can last longer. 

    Outdoor kids’ tennis shoes and kids’ hiking shoes

    When it comes to shoes for outdoorsy kids, I like to purchase a pair that can be used on outdoor adventures as well as during P.E. After testing multiple brands and styles I find I reach for the same brand time after time. The Salomon Speedcross Jr. is a lightweight, breathable, quick-dry shoe that has a sole with great traction. 

    Sometimes a waterproof hiking boot is a better option depending on the type of outdoor adventures your family prefers. If you’re going to hit a hiking trail, a good hiking boot offers ankle stability, a flexible sole, and good traction. If hiking boots are more your style, you can’t go wrong with one like the Merrell Greylock Waterproof Hiking Boots. 

    best water shoes for kids

    Best water shoes for kids

    A good pair of water shoes are great for summer adventures. They’re great for exploring creeks, playing in splash pads, and adventuring anywhere your kids will be in and out of water. If you’re looking for a lightweight amphibious shoe, the Vivobarefoot Kids Ultra Bloom is a fantastic option. They’re made from bloom foam which takes harmful algae blooms out of waterways, reversing the effects of water pollution. They’re also super light, bendy, and fast-drying for adventures over land and water. If you’re looking for something that does better in sand, we’ve had good luck with the Speedo Surf Knit water shoes for kids. 

    Best socks for kids

    Socks are another one of those items that you might be asking yourself why your kids need a “special” kind. But, just like the shoes we put on our feet, a good pair of socks can be the difference between a comfortable long walk in the woods or the need for bandaids and blister care. We often go for a good pair of wool socks that help wick sweat, provide cushion, and are long-lasting, like these hiker socks from Darn tough. 

    gear for outdoorsy kids

    Best  hiking gear and equipment for families

    Often when we think of outdoor adventures, we think of wandering down dirt paths, watching as our kids stop to explore under rocks and roots. Getting outside and hitting the trails can be one of the best ways to spend a day with our outdoorsy kids. Whether it’s a day hike at one of our national parks or just a stroll around your local park, hiking and exploring go hand in hand. But, sometimes that can be hard to do with really little kids, or multiple kids. However, with the right hiking gear and equipment, we can enjoy our outdoor time together with them at any age. Here are some of our favorite tried-and-tested recommendations for outdoor gear for kids (and adults) that will help you get outside and down the trail with your kids easier! 

    Best outdoor and off-road strollers

    A good off-road stroller is a great investment for a family that loves time outdoors. An all-terrain stroller means even the littlest family member can join in the fun, and no one has to be left behind. A stroller with mountain bike suspension and a handbrake makes even the roughest terrain easier to navigate. A great option is the BOB Revolution Pro.

    If you’re looking for a stroller that serves a dual-purpose as a bike trailer, the Burley Encore X is a fantastic option. It’s a double biking trailer that comes with a stroller kit (handlebar and front wheel). This makes it super easy to go from biking the trails to strolling the streets with your kiddo(s) in tow. The trailer has comfortable seating for 1 or 2 children,  plenty of room for snacks, toys, and other gear, plus a variety of other awesome features (reclinable seats, extra suspension, etc.). For more info, check out our full review of the Burley Encore X trailer. 

    best hiking baby carriersFeature image credit: @somerpickel

    Baby and child carriers

    Child carriers are also a great way to get your whole family out for a day on the trails. Once your tiniest family member is sitting up on their own, a child carrier is essential hiking gear that will keep the adventure going. Features to look for when selecting a structured child carrier are a well-padded hip belt, and shoulder straps and an adjustable torso fit so that both parents can easily use the carrier. Other features to take into account are the child safety harness system and an adjustable seat so your kid can sit comfortably no matter how long the ride is.

    Our top two choices for child carriers for young kids are the Ospry Poco Plus and the Deuter Kid Comfort Carrier. You really can’t go wrong with either of these fantastic carriers – check them both out and decide which one is a better fit for you. If you have a teeny tiny newborn baby, we recommend the Ergo Baby 360. For older kids and toddlers, check out the Trail Magik toddler carrier. 

    For more details on how to choose the right baby carrier for you and more recommendations, check out our full post on the Best Baby Carriers for Hiking and Outdoor Adventures. 

    Best backpacks for kids

    Purchasing your kid’s first backpack almost feels like a right of passage in the outdoor adventure world. Their own space to carry snacks, a new water bottle, and all the treasures they can handle. It’s true they could probably get away with a regular backpack, but one made for hiking will make trail time more enjoyable for everyone.

    Good kids packs include a hip belt, chest strap, big interior storage, and a mesh pocket on the outside. Other features that can be handy are a sleeve for a hydration bladder and a whistle on the chest strap buckle. One nice day pack that fits all these criteria is the REI Tarn which comes in 12 liters for little kids and 18 liters for big kids.

    First aid kit

    As parents, we know accidents are bound to happen. Scrapes and bruises are just part of it all when you live an outdoor lifestyle. That’s why it’s important to keep a first aid kit on hand when venturing outside. A good wilderness first aid kit should include bandages and gauze, antibiotic ointment or wipes, sting care, and medications such as antacids, aspirin, ibuprofen, acetaminophen, and allergy relief.

    For a simple day hiking kit, this one from HART is great. If you’re looking for a larger kit for the whole family, check out this one from Adventure Medical Kits. In addition to carrying a kit for the family, I’m also a big proponent of teaching our kids about safety and being prepared when outdoors. One of the easiest ways to do this is to let your kids carry a simple first aid kit. This Coleman Mini First Aid Kit is great for little packs. 

    For more information on first aid, check out our full posts on Hiking Safety & First Aid (which includes a list of exactly what should be in your first aid kit) and this post on Teaching First Aid to Kids. 

    Best lights, lanterns, headlamps, and other illumination

    A key piece of gear that every outdoor kid needs is a good source of light for when adventures last well past dark. Kids love being able to navigate their way down a darkened trail or read a beloved nighttime story in the tent before bed. There are lots of options out there for ways that kids can illuminate the night. Three of the best options are a headlamp, flashlight, or lantern. 

    Headlamps: Headlamps offer that perfect hands-free option. Once placed on the head your kid can freely move about without worrying about dropping something or shining it in the right place. If you have toddlers or small children, a child-sized headlamp like the Black Diamond Wiz is a great option made for smaller heads. For school-aged kids through teens, jump up to an adjustable regular headlamp like the Petzl Tikka headlamp. 

    Flashlights: Flashlights are a classic option and come in so many fun colors and sizes. A small flashlight like these EverBrite Flashlights come in multiple packs for the whole family. If you’re looking for something a bit more substantial, these LED tactical flashlights are bright, rechargeable, magnetic, and waterproof.

    Lanterns: Another great illumination option is a lantern. The lanterns of today are not like our parents’ old oil-filled versions. Lanterns now come in all shapes and are made from a variety of materials. One style to consider is an ultra-lightweight inflatable lantern like these LuminAid lanterns. The Max 2-in-1 Power Lantern is a solar lantern that can also charge your phone! No batteries required, super bright, easy to use, and totally waterproof. (Use the code RUNWILD for 10% off any product.)

    Best hiking backpacks for kids

    Best kids’ water bottles and hydration bladders

    Water is an essential item on any outdoor activity, and how you choose to let your child carry it is just as important. Maybe they want to carry their own new bottle in their pack or maybe they want to use a hydration bladder so they can drink without stopping. Either option is great, so long as it’s not too heavy or burdensome for them. Here are a few of our favorite hydration options.

    Water bottles: When it comes to water bottles, there are just a couple of key things to keep in mind. A good kids-sized water bottle should be able to hold anywhere from 12 to 16 oz. Nothing too big, or it will weigh their pack down. Another thing to consider is how the bottle opens and closes. A bottle that doesn’t leak and is easy to open are always at the top of my wish list. Both the Kleen Kanteen classic and the CamelBak Eddy are great durable options that should last your child for years.

    Hydration bladders: Hydration bladders are a great option for carrying water on a long hike or a day out adventuring. A hydration bladder consists of a BPA-free plastic bladder with an attached straw for easy use. You can either purchase a bladder with the attached straw that can be used with your backpack of choice or get a hydration pack, like the Camelbak Mini MULE, which is a bladder and backpack in one. 

    gear for outdoorsy kids

    Best camping gear for kids and families

    Some of our greatest memories come from camping adventures. Family camping trips usually include bike riding around the campground, playing rounds and rounds of UNO, roasting marshmallows over a fire while looking for the big dipper. And at the end of the night, crawling into our sleeping bags and sleeping under the stars. While a lot of our camping gear can be shared among the family, there are a few key items that kids need of their very own. Here’s a short list of a few of our best recommendations for family and kid-friendly outdoor gear for kids when camping. 

    Best camping tents for families

    When camping, your tent is your home away from home. It’s where you’ll spend your evenings when you sleep and possibly hang out during rain or bouts of bad weather. Tents provide privacy, room to hang out, and most importantly, protection from inclement weather, cold, wind, and rain. Your tent can make or break your camping experience and needs to be accommodating for your family and your needs.

    We love the North Face Wawona 6 tent. It’s a bit pricey, but really well-made and durable. It’s a good all-around 3-season tent, with 2 doors, a hybrid double-wall construction, extra interior height, large vestibule, and multiple interior storage pockets.

    For our full guide on how to choose the right tent for you family and tent recommendations based on your family’s size, check out our post on the Best Tents for Families. 

    Photo credit: @kristcx

    Best sleeping bags for kids

    Sleeping under the stars is always a great idea, unless you can’t get comfortable and stay warm. One key element to this issue is a well-fitting, cozy sleeping bag. A bag like the Kids Kelty Mistral that keeps kids toasty in temperatures below 40-degrees, is a great investment. For the smaller ones, a sleeping sack/bag made for babies, like this one from Morrison Outdoors, might be just the right fit.

    Sleeping pad or cot

    Every good camping sleep system also includes a sleeping mat or a cot. Mats are a great option because you can buy them a little big to last a little longer. A self-inflating sleeping pad like the REI Kindercamp is always nice because the kids can help set up their own sleeping spot. If you’re looking for something that gets your little one off the ground, or if you have multiple kids and are tight on space, check out the Kid-O-Bunk bunk bed cots.

    Best kids’ camping chairs

    Camp chairs might be another one of those items that you’re wondering if the kids really need their own. But, everyone loves having their own camp chair to sit in by the fire. Adult-sized chairs may be too high and large (and therefore could be dangerous) for little kids. A chair that’s just the right size like this  Coleman Kids Chair is a great option. (Although that’s not to say they still won’t steal your chair!)

    Bug protection for kids

    There are plenty of ways to keep the bugs at bay during a camping trip, but our family favorites are the ones that don’t stink and don’t need to be reapplied over and over. Great choices for protection are bug bands, like these BuggyBands Mosquito Bracelets, or little stickers like the  Buzz Patch bug patches that you kids can apply themselves.

    Camping hammock

    Who doesn’t like to lay back and relax in a hammock and let the breeze gently rock you? Or, if your kids are anything like mine, a hammock can become a swing, a fort, or the perfect spot to ask mom for a gazillionth snack. Whatever way your kids prefer to make use of this classic camp item, you can’t go wrong with something like the ENO SingleNest Hammock.

    gear for outdoorsy kids

    Best biking gear and options for kids

    One of the best activities to get families out is bike riding. Whether it’s on a paved trail near home, or off the beaten path, hopping on a bike is a great way to get outdoors, get active, and spend some quality time together as a family. If you’re interested in biking, we’ve got some great biking gear recommendations for you and your little ones.  

    Best bikes for kids

    A balance bike is a bike without pedals and it’s a perfect way for little kids and toddlers to learn how to ride a bike. It has most of the essential elements of a traditional bike (frame, fork, handlebars, wheels, etc.), but instead of pedaling, they push off the ground with their feet to move forward and place their feet down to stop. Since they’re in control, kids can develop their balance and coordination first, before progressing to a bike with pedals. Our top balance bike recommendation is the Woom 1. But, there’s no one size fits all and lots of things to take into consideration when choosing a balance bike. Here’s our full post on the Best Balance Bikes for Kids. 

    Once your kids are ready, something like the REI Co-Op Rev Bike is a great option for bikes that have a few grown-up features but are just the right size.  

    Photo credit: @kristcx

    Biking trailer

    If your little adventure partner isn’t ready for a bike quite yet, another great option is a bike trailer. We absolutely love the Burley Encore X bike trailer (and double-stroller), which allows families to still get out on the trail knowing the littlest one is tucked safely inside with all the necessities. The Encore X has comfortable seating for 1 or 2 children, plenty of room for snacks, toys, and other gear, plus a variety of other awesome features (reclinable seats, extra suspension, etc.).

    Best bike helmets for kids

    No matter where you’re riding, safety is a top priority. A bike helmet is an important piece of outdoor gear to protect their noggin. When selecting a helmet, look for those that are Mips certified, providing impact protection on all sides. The Bern Nino Helmets are certified and also come with a built-in sun visor.

    Biking accessories for kids

    Bike accessories are a great addition to add a little flair and function to your kids’ ride. A classic item like the Nutcase Bike Bell lets our kids add little fun and personalization to their bike; plus, it’s an added sense of safety so they can ring out as they pedal away. Another fun biking accessory is a water bottle and holder. Most kids’ bikes are too small to use the more common bottle cage, so this Po Campo Water Bottle Bag is a great option. Check out our full post with 30+ Fun Biking Accessories for Kids for more!

    Photo credit: @meghavelaarphoto

    Best water gear for kids

    In my experience, one activity that kids of all ages love spending time on or near the water. Whether it’s at the beach, fishing along the river, exploring a creek, or jumping off the dock, kids love water! They love to get their feet wet, splash around, and play in water. No matter where you’re headed, here are a few gear recommendations that will keep the kids safe and happy when on the water.

    Best sunhats for kids

    When heading out to spend a day on the water, a good hat that provides protection from the sun is a must. There are lots of styles and options out there, and if your kids are like mine, they will have an opinion on what they like the most. For a full coverage hat that protects both their face and neck, you can’t go wrong with something like the Sunday Afternoons play hat or the Veyo Kids sunhat. If your kids prefer a baseball hat, you might reach for the  Outdoor Research Kids Swift cap or a snapback from Headster that both offer bright colors or cool designs.

    3 kids in life jacketsPhoto credit: @meghangarriott

    Best life jackets for kids

    Whether you’re kayaking, paddle boarding, or fishing from a boat, a quality and well-fitting life jacket or PFD (personal flotation device)  is needed to keep kids safe when on and around water. When choosing the right life jacket for your child, make sure to pick one according to their current size and weight. This ensures it won’t slip over their head when in the water.

    For babies, infants, and little ones in the 8-30lb-range, check out something like the Stohlquist Infant Jacket or the STEARNS Infant Puddle Jumper Hydroprene Life Jacket that both provide head support and full arm movement. For larger kids in the 33-55 lb rant, we like the Full Throttle Child Rapid Dry Neoprene Life Jacket. For the super sporty kids, the NRS Vista jacket looks just like mom’s, but is made especially for kids.

    For a more detailed list of life jacket recommendations by size, activity, and style, check out our post on the Best Life Jackets for Kids, which includes all the info you need to pick the right life jacket for your child. 

    Water shoes for kids

    Atrip to play in or near the water generally means that our kids will get their feet wet. If you’re headed somewhere besides a sandy beach, a good pair of shoes that they can wear means they are less likely to hurt their feet. These Keen Newport sandals are great because they provide tow coverage and stay snuggly on their feet. If your kiddo wants a little more room in their sandal, try something like this  Teva Hurricane. 

    awesome gift ideas for outdoor kids - fishing waders

    Best sunscreen for kids

    Keeping our kids’ skin safe is just as important as anything else. So having quality sunscreen with an SPF rating of 30+ is essential when we head out for a day near the water. Some sunscreens can have a lot of chemicals added and can be tough on kids’ sensitive skin, so we recommend Countersun Mineral Sunscreen from Beautycounter (comes in spray, stick, and lotion), which provides full coverage protection without harmful effects. It’s also reef-safe, which is recommended anytime you’re in wild water.

    Best sunglasses for kids

    Protect your children’s eyes while they’re outside playing with sunglasses. My own kids love these Babiator sunglasses that come in 2 styles (the Navigator UV and the Aviator) and a variety of colors. Frames are made from rubber, making them strong and flexible, shock and impact-resistant. Whether your child twists, bends or treads on these sunglasses, they will not break! In addition, these UV400 lenses stop all UVA and UVB rays and protect the eyes of your child against the bright sunlight. Available in baby and toddler sizes and polarization.

    outdoor toys

    Best outdoors toys for kids

    Whether playing in the backyard or taking your adventures on the road, it’s always nice to have a few activities around that our kids go for time and time again. There are thousands of things to do outside, but here are a few of our all-time tried-and -tested highly-recommended favorite outdoor toys, activities, and inspiration for getting outdoors.

    Slackline: Slacklining is a great activity for kids because it requires concentration, balance, and core strength, plus all you need is a kit like the ZenMonkey Slackline Kit and two trees for hours of fun. If you need info on how to get started, check out this Beginner’s Guide to Slacklining with Kids. 

    Kites: If you’re looking for another activity that is portable and provides endless amounts of outdoor time, a kite is a perfect solution. These Pocket Flyer Kites can even be put in a kid’s backpack to fly anywhere the wind strikes. Before you head out, be sure to read our post on Kite Flying with Kids. 

    Binoculars: All explorers need a good pair of binoculars for adventuring. A good pair of high-resolution, waterproof binoculars like these Occer compact binoculars will make sure your kids don’t miss a thing (but they also won’t break the bank). 

    Photo credit: @arevook

    Walkie-talkies: Walkie-talkies are perhaps one of the best outdoor toys you can purchase for your kids! Not only are they fun to use and can be a catalyst for hours of imaginative play, but they are also a helpful device for keeping track of our busy independent kids. These Topsung rechargeable walkie-talkies are great because they are long-range and come in packs of two or three.

    Bait nets: Whether you’re at the beach, in a creek/stream or next to a pond, kids love playing in the water and catching things. These Promar Aluminum Bait Nets are the very best bait net on the market – trust me, we’ve been through a million. Most nets have the netting on the outside of the basket, which means after a while of scraping on sand and rocks, the net wears thin and rips. This one has a metal framing (net guard) and a super durable handle, ensuring it lasts years longer than the others. A bit more expensive, but totally worth it. Perfect for scooping rocks/shells and catching minnows, crabs, crawdads, etc. 

    Wagon: A classic little red RadioFlyer Wagon is a multi-purpose outdoor toy. This wagon has been a staple in my kids’ childhoods, and we use it more than we ever could have imagined. Use it for taking the kids for a walk around the block (they’ll not only love riding in it, but pulling it as well) or use it for transporting gear and equipment. The uses are endless, and it’s a ton of open-ended fun.

    Best outdoor activity books for kids

    We all have days when the motivation to head outside is hard to find. Even our outdoorsy kids need a bit of inspiration sometimes. Here is a list of books with fabulous activities, games, and ideas for getting everyone out the door.

    activities for kids

    Best outdoor gear for kids

    Phew! I think we covered nearly everything you could need to fuel your outdoor adventures for years to come! You certainly don’t need this entire list of gear, but hopefully, this will be a good starting place to find just the right gear for your outdoorsy kids. Let us know if there’s any category of items we missed! And in the meantime, here are a few more posts on gear and activities you might enjoy!

    family camping gear packing checklist

    Printable camping gear lists for families

    To make it easier for you to get started on your next family camping trip, we put our ultimate camping packing list for your family in a free printable 2-page PDF for you! Use this as the perfect start to create your own master packing list. You’ll also be signed up to receive our  AMAZING weekly newsletter, filled with fun outdoor activities and inspiration for getting your kids and family outside! You can opt out anytime (although we’d hate to see you go). 

    [maxbutton id=”1″ url=”https://mailchi.mp/6ad1ea8208c2/fw0osm9qnr” text=”PRINTABLE CAMPING GEAR LIST” ]

    About the author

    RyAnn is a mom of four (20, 18, 15, 6) that loves exploring her home in the Pacific Northwest. She works as a youth outdoor program instructor for the Mountaineers Org. in Washington state. RyAnn also loves getting out and adventuring with her family as much as possible. They enjoy traveling around the PNW in their converted Sprinter campervan. On her days off she generally loads up the van and hits the trails for hiking, mountain biking, skiing, or climbing. RyAnn is passionate about instilling love and respect for outdoor spaces in her kids and the youth she is lucky to work with.

    You can find more from RyAnn in the following locations:
    Instagram: @mountain_mama4
    Website: Mountain Mama
    RWMC articles: RyAnn

  • BEACH, FAVORITE GEAR, OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES, SUMMER, WATER

    Best Life Jackets for Kids

    Summertime means days at the lake, spending time on the boat, hanging out at the beach, swimming in the pool, and being in and around WATER a lot! And anytime children are around water, safety is our number one concern. Life jackets help keep kids safe when spending time on the water. But, with so many options, brands, and types of life jackets and personal floatation devices out there, how do you know which ones are the best for kids? Today, Meghan Garriott, Illinois photographer and mom of three, is here to help you find the best life jackets for kids. She’ll go over proper life jacket fit, how to choose a life jacket based on your activity, and includes recommendations for the best life jackets for kids. 

    Best life jackets for kids

    Our recommendations for the best life jackets for kids

    All our analysis, safety features, and full product reviews are below, but if you’re ready for us to get to the point right NOW, here are our recommendations for the best life jackets for kids:

    Safety always comes first 

    There are so many fun water activities that are great for your health, but no matter what you’re doing, when water is involved, safety precautions must be taken. Water wings, floaties, and other blow-up toys and floatation aids are fun (and often very affordable and easy), but they are not life-saving devices in emergency situations. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, drowning is the number one cause of unintentional death for children ages 1 to 4.  

    The good news is drowning is preventable with constant supervision and a reliable personal flotation device, like a life jacket. However, not every life jacket is made for every situation. Shopping for a life jacket can be overwhelming. But don’t worry; we’re here to help! We’ve got the best kids life jacket recommendations for your little swimmer. 

    *It’s important to note that children should still be constantly supervised when in or around water, even with life jackets on.

    Life jackets are a summer staple

    Life jackets are a quintessential part of our summer wardrobe. Lake days are our favorite family activity in the summer and safety is our utmost priority. I think it’s safe to say most families find themselves in or around water sometime during the summer. Water is fun for the whole family, but it can often be stressful for parents trying to find the right gear to keep kids safe AND comfortable.

    Whether you are in the pool swimming, on the lake fishing, on the beach playing, or behind a boat riding a wake, life jackets for kids must be a part of the fun. But in order for it to be fun, the life jackets need to be comfortable and safe. We are here to help you find the right life jacket for kids, no matter what the age of your kids or the situation, so everyone can safely enjoy the water. 

    If you are looking for fun ways to get in the water, check out these 15 kid-friendly ways to get active on the water. 

    Child in kayak with life jacket on - best life jackets for kids

    What to look for in a kids’ life jacket

    When trying to decide on a life jacket for kids, there are a lot of factors to consider. Here are a few factors that will affect the type of life jacket you need:

    • Where will your child be wearing a life jacket?  Pool, lake, or ocean? 
    • Will they be doing a lot of swimming or just hanging out on the boat/beach? There are different types of life jackets for different activities. 
    • What material does your child prefer? Life jackets are made of nylon, neoprene, or vinyl. My kids prefer neoprene as it is softer and does not cause chafing after a long day of swimming, but it can be more expensive.
    • What is the size and body type of the child wearing it? Life jackets Are usually sized by weight, but the ranges can vary by brand. Always check the sizes and be sure that your child fits the size parameters for the life jacket at the time they’re wearing it.

    Another variable to consider is the color of the life jacket. I try to look for brands of life jackets with bright neon colors that will contrast against both a pool and the lake. Neon colors help to increase supervision and safety. 

    When does your child need to wear a life jacket?

    It is important to know when your child should be wearing a life jacket. If you are planning a trip to a lake or river, be sure to check that area’s rules and regulations. As a general rule for lakes and rivers, children should ALWAYS have their life jackets on when under 12 years old, even if your child is a capable and confident swimmer. This applies whether your child is in a canoe, kayak, or a boat under 16 feet in length.

    In many places, boating laws require lifejackets to be US Coast Guard-approved (see below for more info on that). If you are renting a boat, make sure to ask if they provide baby or child-sized life jackets or if you’ll need to bring your own. Before going to a pool, check to make sure lifejackets are allowed and if they also need to be Coast Guard approved. 

    Coast Guard-approved life jackets

    If/when the U.S. Coast Guard stops you on the water to do a safety check, they will almost always check whether you have the right life jackets onboard. Not all life vests or flotation devices are approved USCG life jacket types. If you need a USCG-approved life jacket, be sure to check the label for all pertinent information before buying a life vest. The label of all US Coast Guard-approved life jackets contains a statement that it is approved, with an approval number.

    There are 5 categories of United States Coast Guard life jacket types, which will be labeled Type I through IV. Most of the life jackets we cover in this post are “USCG Type III” (flotation aids). Each type corresponds to the type of activity your child will be engaged in. Type I are offshore life jackets; Type II are near-shore vests; Type IV are throwable devices; and Type V are special-use devices. It is important to have the right life jacket for the right activity. 

    Children playing in sand with life jackets on - how to choose the best life jacket for kids

    Life jacket sizing for kids

    Life jackets for kids usually come in 3 different sizes, but that can vary by brand and purpose. Picking the right size life jacket for your kids is the most important factor when choosing a life jacket. Kids should fit properly in the life jacket they’re wearing at the moment. Do not buy a life jacket that your child will grow into. Buy one that fits their size and weight right now. Kids’ life jackets are sized according to weight, not chest size (adult life jackets are sized by chest circumference). 

    • Infant/Toddler: 8-30 lbs
    • Child: 30-50 lbs
    • Youth: 50-90 lbs

    Proper life jacket fit for kids

    A life jacket must fit properly in order for it to be safe and effective. It should have a secure, snug fit. If it’s too tight, it won’t provide sufficient flotation (you’ll need to move up a size). A fastened life jacket or vest should never rise above the face when a child is in the water. It’s important to make sure the adjustable straps are secure and the crotch strap is tight enough to prevent the life jacket from riding up. If the life jacket does rise up, it’s likely too large (go down a size). 

    Try the life jacket on before leaving the house

    Before heading out to the pool or the lake, have your child try the life jacket on at home to make sure it fits properly and familiarize yourself with how to secure it. Most life jackets have a lot of different zippers and buckles. Many have leg straps, a crotch strap, and a snug-fit that kids need to get used to. It’s helpful to know how it goes on prior to getting on an unsteady boat or when your child is already slippery with sunscreen or sand.

    When you’re doing the life jacket try on, get excited and talk it up to your kids! Some kids are not always excited about having to wear a life jacket, so any enthusiasm on your part will help make it a better experience. When trying it on beforehand, talk about how cool it is, and explaining the importance can help make your day in the water a little easier. Let your child move around in it for a little while so you can see how comfortable they are in it, and if any adjustments should be made to make them more comfortable.

    It is important to make sure your child understands that the lifejacket HAS to be worn, and no exceptions will be made. Try to keep your tone light and excited about all the fun you’re going to have on your adventure! Modeling a life jacket yourself is a great way to help them get excited or at least feel ok with their new gear. 

    Baby in pink life jacket holding onto boat steering wheel - best life jackets for babies

    Best for life jackets for babies (0-30lbs)

    When buying a life jacket for a baby, make sure there is good head support and a snug secure fit. Babies come in many different shapes, sizes and body types, and there are different life jackets to match. Babies may be uncomfortable in a life jacket at first, but a flexible and soft life jacket is key to it keeping them happy for long-term wearing. Don’t worry, they will get used to it, I promise! Here are our top picks for life jackets for babies and infants. 

    • Best overall life jacket for babies – STEARNS Puddle Jumper Hydroprene Infant Life Jacket 

      • PROS: soft and comfortable hydroprene material, large head support, bright colors, USCG-approved, affordable, grab handle
      • CONS: 3 buckles and a zipper that can make donning difficult, can be tight on chunkier babies

    • Best life jacket for chunky babies – O’Neill Wake Waterski USCG Infant Life Vest 

      •  PROS: wider neck and arm openings, bright colors, adjustable around the waist, USCG-approved
      • CONS: price, nylon material is not as soft or flexible as neoprene

    Best overall life jacket for kids (swim/play/sports) 

    Ready for the best all-around life jackets for kids? This rapid dry life jacket can go from the pool to the lake on the same day (we’ve done it!). It is super comfortable and flexible, great for hours of swimming or playing. It’s also well-made and holds up over the years. We’ve had ours for 3 years now, and there are no tears or loose stitching. It’s very affordable for the quality!

    Child in puddle pals life jacket - best life jacket for toddlers

    Best 2-in-1 life jacket for kids that hate wearing life jackets (33 to 55 pounds)

    Do you have a little escape artist? One of those kids that can wiggle out of any jacket or life jacket? My 4-year-old is notorious for this! However, we found a great solution. This two-in-one life jacket and rash guard combo will be a lifesaver (literally) for you and your kiddo. The back buckle and long sleeve rash guard make it impossible for the child to get off on their own. It’s a great toddler life jacket option as it’s also flexible and comfortable, so hopefully, after a while, they won’t be trying to take it off.

    Best life jackets for fashionable kids (33 to 55 pounds)

    Do you have a child who loves colors, characters, fashion, or just needs some bribing to put the thing on? Well, then the Paddle Pals life jacket might be a good option for your child. There are tons of (20+) characters, colors, designs, and even 3-D options. The shoulder straps help keep the floaties nice and secure. 

    • Body Glove Paddle Pals 33-55lbs 

      • PROS: shoulder straps and back buckle keep the arm and torso floaties secure, so many colors and characters, USCG-approved, affordable 
      • CONS: arm wings can limit arm motion

    Child on paddle board in life jacket - best life jacket for water sports

    Best life jackets for kids participating in water sports 

    If your child is going to be tubing, skiing, or wakeboarding, you are going to want a life jacket that is flexible yet lightweight. If you are out on the water often enough for water sports, you will want to invest in a high-quality life jacket that is durable enough for spins and flips, and wipeouts!

    Child playing on the beach with life vest on - best overall life jacket for kids

    Best kids’ life jackets for swim training 

    If you have a young child (ages 2 to 4) that’s just learning how to swim, you may want something different than your traditional life jacket. A swim training vest is lightweight and less bulky than most life jackets, yet still buoyant.  It can be used for training at the swimming pool when working on your swimming skills, or we use it for beach play. I have one child who is more interested in playing in the sand on the beach than getting in the water, so this swim vest works well for him because it allows him to play more comfortably but keeps him safe.

    Please note that swim vests are NOT USCG-approved, so it’s best for pools or the beach and under high supervision. It’s designed to help kids swim in the prone (face-down) position, so it’s definitely not the right safety device if you’re out on open water.

    Best life jacket for kids when fishing 

    When fishing from the dock or boating to a waterfowl hunting spot, this life jacket will keep your child safe and fit in with the rest of the camouflaged gear! Plus, everyone loves pockets, right? This life vest has pockets for all your bobbers and fishing gear. 

    Child in pink and blue life jacket

    Comfort, safety, fun!

    Nothing can spoil a beautiful summer day like a toddler meltdown due to an uncomfortable life jacket. We don’t want you to have that experience. We hope this post and these life jack recommendations help you be prepared with the most comfortable, most adorable, and safest life jacket for your water adventures.  Wearing a life jacket may take some getting used to, but once you find the right one, everyone can have endless and safe fun! (And you can have a bit more peace of mind.)

    Where will your kiddos wear their life jackets for some water fun?

    About the author

    Meghan is a country-living mom of 3 kids in rural central Illinois. She is a Physical Therapist Assistant by trade but spends most of her time outside with her family. At home, she has large flower, herb, and vegetable gardens to tend to and 3 large dogs to play with. As a family, they enjoy hiking, camping, boating, fishing, and helping her in-laws show and raise livestock. Photography became a hobby while in isolation after her oldest son’s bone marrow transplant. It has since become a passion for capturing her family’s daily life. Throughout her family’s journey with rare disease and transplant, the outdoors have been a safe space for the whole family to grow, learn, and thrive.

    You can find more from Meghan online in the following locations:
    Instagram: @meghangarriott
    Meghan’s RWMC posts: Meghan Garriott

  • CAMP, FAVORITE GEAR, OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES, SUMMER

    Camping with Kids: Best Tents for Families

    Whether you’re buying your first tent or upgrading to accommodate a growing family, there’s a lot to consider when purchasing a new tent. When camping, your tent is your home away from home. It’s where you’ll spend your evenings when you sleep and possibly hang out during rain or bouts of bad weather. Tents provide privacy, room to hang out, and most importantly, protection from inclement weather, cold, wind, and rain. Your tent can make or break your camping experience and needs to be accommodating for your family and your needs. We’ll walk you through everything you need to consider when choosing the right tent for your family. This post contains all the factors you need to consider and includes our recommendations for the best tents for families. 

    {This post contains affiliate links.}

    best tents for families

    How to choose the right tent for your family

    When it comes to finding the perfect tent for your family, there’s no one right way to make your decision. Each family should choose a tent based on their needs, size, budget, weather, camping style, etc. There are a million options out there and lots of features to consider, which can make it very overwhelming for anyone looking to purchase a new tent. However, there are a few really important factors to consider when selecting a tent for your family camping trip. Here are a few things we think all families should keep in mind when looking for a new tent.

    Size of tent

    Tent size is usually based on the number of people a tent can house in the sleeping area. However, there’s no industry standard for size, so you’ll find that tent size varies across brands for the same number of people. The number of people a tent can house basically means the number of average-sized adults that can lay down on the tent’s floor area. This doesn’t take into consideration space for sleeping bags, sleeping pads, air mattresses, gear, luggage, etc. 

    It’s always recommended that you size up your tent by at least 1 person so you can accommodate gear, luggage, sleeping pads, etc.  So, if a family of three would want at least a 4-person tent (possibly larger if you’ll be storing gear in your tent or the people in your family are larger than “average”). For determining tent size, kids should be considered the same size as an adult (a child’s sleeping pad/mattress is probably not going to be that much smaller than an adult’s). 

    Photo credit: @kristcx

    Weight and packability

    The type of camping that your family will be doing should play a significant role in the type of tent you purchase. If you’re “car camping” (meaning that you’re not carrying all your gear far from your vehicle), then the packability and weight of your tent are much less of a concern. However, if you’re backpacking (meaning that you’re carrying all your gear to a remote location), you’ll be much more concerned with the size, weight, and packability of your tent. 

    Backpacking tents are much lighter and smaller than a traditional car camping tent for the same number of people. They’re made from ultra-light materials and usually have fewer features and accessories. They’re also much shorter, making it difficult (if not impossible) to stand up inside the tent when dressing/undressing. 

    In this article, we’ll only be covering car camping tents. These tents tend to be larger, heavier, and roomier than backpacking tents. However, they’re great for most traditional family camping set-ups and can usually accommodate any size family. 

    Ease of setup 

    Some tents are simple pop-ups, while others require more work to set up, even requiring multiple people. It may be difficult to set up a large tent that takes an hour (and requires 2 adults) when you have toddlers and babies running around. The easier it is to erect and set up your tent, the better. Reviews are an excellent way to figure out if a tent is easy or hard to set up. 

    We always recommend that you set up your tent at least once prior to going on your camping trip. You’ll want to familiarize yourself with how to set up the tent, what it looks like inside, how you’ll arrange your sleepers, and ensure that you have all the parts and supplies you need. Most tent poles are color-coded so you know what goes where. Instructions for assembly are usually printed on the storage bag or included. If you don’t have instructions, you can almost always find them online or YouTube videos showing you how to set up the tent. 

    Durability 

    Be sure the check the tent’s durability and seasonality. A tent is your home away from home when camping and can make or break your camping experience. The quality of tent material is crucial because you need something that will protect you from the elements. Consider the area where you’ll be camping, the time of year you’re camping and the types of weather that you’ll likely encounter. Camping in the PNW is very different than camping in Texas and you’ll want a tent with different features based on your location. No matter where you can, choose a tent that offers a rain cover (or rainfly), has durable zippers, is water-resistant, and is rated as durable. Most tents are 3-season tents, so they are lightweight and designed for the relatively temperate conditions of spring, summer, and fall. If you’ll be camping in the winter in really cold temperatures, you’ll want a tent that can handle that. 

    Shape

    Tents come in many shapes! There are cabin-style tents, which have straight walls, are very spacious, and have a high center height so that you can stand up while inside. Some of the larger cabin tents have multiple rooms for privacy or separation of the sleeping area from gear storage space. They offer plenty of room, but due to their height and size, they are not always the most durable in windy conditions, can be heavy, and tend to take longer to set up. Dome-shaped tents are durable and weather friendly. They are lighter, easier to assemble, and can be used for all sorts of camping excursions. Dome tents tend to withstand heavy winds and rainy weather a bit better and sometimes have fewer issues with leaks. 

    Accessories

    Tents can also come with (or you can purchase, in addition) a wide variety of features, options, and accessories. Some tents come with vestibules (created by a rain fly), garages, or attachments to add more square footage, extra space, and rain coverage to your home in the wild. Some have additional doors and windows. Most tents come with an integral pocket or two to let you keep small items off of the tent floor. A gear loft is an optional interior mesh shelf that can tuck greater volumes of gear out of the way. Other accessories include a footprint (usually purchased separately), seam sealant, stakes and anchors, tent repair kits, and floor mats.

    Best tents for families

    Now that you know some of the factors to consider when shopping for the best family tent for your next camping trip, it’s time to roll out our list of top contenders.  Remember to be specific about your choice of material for the climate and your weather conditions, as well as the type of camping you’ll be doing, the size of your family, and ease of setup. Below, we’ve rounded up our recommendations for the best tents for families, based on the size of your family. We’ve included 4 quality options for each family size (family of 3, family of 4/5, and larger families with 6+ people) and ranked them according to a variety of factors. We’ve included specifications for each tent, as well as price, pros, cons, and a link to purchase or find more information. Here are our recommendations for the best family camping tents.

    best tent for a family of 3

    Best tents for a family of 3

    1. Big Agnes Spicer Peak 4

    • Size: 4-person tent
    • Floor dimensions: 92 x 90 inches
    • Peak height: 70 inches
    • Weight: 11 lbs. 15oz.
    • Price: $499
    • Features: 3 seasons, double-walled, 2 doors, 2 vestibules, polyester taffeta breathable fabric and nylon mesh, 8 interior mesh pockets, taped seams
    • Pros: excellent quality, tall, lightweight, lots of storage, 2 doors with vestibules for access on both sides
    • Cons: pricy, footprint NOT included, not aerodynamic (tends to not do as well in strong winds)

    [maxbutton id=”1″ url=”https://www.avantlink.com/click.php?tt=el&merchant_id=e295c418-295a-447c-b265-734e25f82503&website_id=168b6f4a-277f-418f-8866-6fe50d771f14&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.rei.com%2Fproduct%2F204107%2Fbig-agnes-spicer-peak-4-tent” text=”BIG AGNES @ REI” ]

    2.  REI Co-op Wonderland 4

    • Size: 4-person tent
    • Floor dimensions: 100 x 100 in.
    • Peak height: 75 inches
    • Weight: 21 lbs. 11 oz.
    • Price: $499
    • Features: 3 seasons, 2 doors, 75-denier polyester fabric, near-vertical walls for extra headroom, large doors and windows for 360° views, bugproof mesh paneling walls, multiple interior storage pockets, rainfly, sealed seams,
    • Cons: footprint NOT included, heavy, not aerodynamic (tends to not do as well in high winds)

    [maxbutton id=”1″ url=”https://www.avantlink.com/click.php?tt=el&merchant_id=e295c418-295a-447c-b265-734e25f82503&website_id=168b6f4a-277f-418f-8866-6fe50d771f14&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.rei.com%2Fproduct%2F202981%2Frei-co-op-wonderland-4-tent” text=”REI WONDERLAND @ REI” ]

    3. Marmot Limestone 4

    • Size: 4-person tent
    • Floor dimensions: 100 x 86 inches
    • Peak height: 61 inches
    • Weight: 11 lbs. 11 oz.
    • Price: $389
    • Features: 3 seasons, 2 doors, 1 vestibule, vertical interior walls, taped seams, full-coverage rainfly, 40-denier polyester no-see-um mesh/68-denier polyester taffeta fabric
    • Pros: decent quality dome tent, great price, lightweight, more floor space
    • Cons: footprint NOT included, some leaking/pooling issues in heavy rain

    [maxbutton id=”1″ url=”https://www.avantlink.com/click.php?tt=el&merchant_id=e295c418-295a-447c-b265-734e25f82503&website_id=168b6f4a-277f-418f-8866-6fe50d771f14&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.rei.com%2Fproduct%2F110892%2Fmarmot-limestone-4p-tent” text=”MARMOT LIMESTONE @ REI” ]

    4. Coleman Skydome Darkroom 4

    • Size: 4-person
    • Floor dimensions: 96 x 84 inches
    • Peak height: 55 inches
    • Weight: 11 lbs. 
    • Price: $149
    • Features: 3 seasons, 1 door, Dark Room technology blocks 90% of sunlight and reduces heat inside, quick setup (less than 5 min), also available in a 6-person version
    • Pros: budget-friendly, dark blackout cabin is great for helping kids sleep and nap, easy setup
    • Cons: footprint NOT included, lower quality fabric doesn’t hold up as well in the rain, very little storage, only one entry point

    [maxbutton id=”1″ url=”https://www.avantlink.com/click.php?tt=el&merchant_id=e295c418-295a-447c-b265-734e25f82503&website_id=168b6f4a-277f-418f-8866-6fe50d771f14&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.rei.com%2Fproduct%2F201636%2Fcoleman-skydome-darkroom-4-person-tent” text=”COLEMAN SKYDOME @ REI” ]

    best tents for family of 4

    Best tents for family of 4 or 5

    1. The North Face Wawona 6

    • Size: 6-person 
    • Floor dimensions: 120 x 96 inches
    • Peak height: 76 inches
    • Weight: 20 lbs. 15 oz.
    • Price: $475
    • Features: 3 seasons, 2 doors, hybrid double-wall construction and a large mesh front door, extra interior height, large vestibule, rainfly, multiple storage pockets, 75-denier polyester with 1,200 mm polyurethane coating, rainfly
    • Pros: super high ceiling, large vestibule, lots of space
    • Cons: footprint NOT included, rainfly can be a bit tricky to assemble, takes up a lot of room

    [maxbutton id=”1″ url=”https://www.avantlink.com/click.php?tt=el&merchant_id=e295c418-295a-447c-b265-734e25f82503&website_id=168b6f4a-277f-418f-8866-6fe50d771f14&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.rei.com%2Fproduct%2F204311%2Fthe-north-face-wawona-6-tent” text=”NORTH FACE WOWONA @ REI” ]

    2. REI Co-op Base Camp 6

      • Size: 6-person
      • Floor dimensions: 110 x 110 inches
      • Peak height: 74 inches
    • Weight: 20 lbs. 10 oz.
    • Price: $549
    • Features: 3-4 season, 2 doors with solid fabric for privacy and mesh for ventilation, 2 vestibules, highly stable dome architecture, rainfly, also comes in 4-person version
    • Pros: spacious, great quality, high ceilings, excellent ventilation for summer (but also great for cold nights)
    • Cons: footprint NOT included, pricy, can be a bit difficult to set up

    [maxbutton id=”1″ url=”https://www.avantlink.com/click.php?tt=el&merchant_id=e295c418-295a-447c-b265-734e25f82503&website_id=168b6f4a-277f-418f-8866-6fe50d771f14&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.rei.com%2Fproduct%2F136058%2Frei-co-op-base-camp-6-tent” text=”BASECAMP 6 @ REI” ]

    3. NEMO Aurora Highrise 6

    • Size: 6-person
    • Floor dimensions: 120 x 100 inches
    • Peak height: 77 inches
    • Weight: 18 lbs. 14 oz.
    • Price: $499
    • Features: 3 season, 2 doors, 2 vestibules, steep side walls and high ceiling, durable polyester fabric, multiple gear pockets, protected by the NEMO lifetime warranty
    • Pros: spacious and roomy, easy to set-up, great ventilation, excellent quality for the price
    • Cons: footprint NOT included

    [maxbutton id=”1″ url=”https://www.avantlink.com/click.php?tt=el&merchant_id=e295c418-295a-447c-b265-734e25f82503&website_id=168b6f4a-277f-418f-8866-6fe50d771f14&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.rei.com%2Fproduct%2F200654%2Fnemo-aurora-highrise-6p-tent” text=”NEMO AURORA HIGHRISE @ REI” ]

     4. Kelty Wireless 6

    • Size: 6-person
    • Floor dimensions: 118 x 106 inches
    • Peak height: 79 inches
    • Weight: 17 lbs. 3 oz.
    • Price: $269
    • Features: 3 seasons, 2 doors, 2 vestibules, 40-denier No-see-um mesh
    • Pros: great budget-friendly option, simple set-up
    • Cons: footprint NOT included, not quite the same quality as the higher-priced tents

    [maxbutton id=”1″ url=”https://www.avantlink.com/click.php?tt=el&merchant_id=e295c418-295a-447c-b265-734e25f82503&website_id=168b6f4a-277f-418f-8866-6fe50d771f14&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.rei.com%2Fproduct%2F199821%2Fkelty-wireless-6-tent” text=”KELTY WIRELESS @ REI” ]

    best tents for large families

    Best tents for large families 

    1. NEMO Wagontop 8

    • Size: 8-person tent
    • Floor dimensions: 180 x 100 inches
    • Peak height: 80 inches
    • Weight: 30 lbs. 3 oz.
    • Price: $799
    • Features: 3 season, 2 doors, 2 vestibules, standing height throughout nearly the entire interior space, massive screened panoramic windows, lots of internal storage pockets, 75-denier polyether urethane-coated polyester fabric, 2 separate divided rooms, large attached gear garage (sold separately)
    • Pros: super spacious, easy to set up
    • Cons: footprint NOT included, heavy, size can be too large for some campsites

    [maxbutton id=”1″ url=”https://www.avantlink.com/click.php?tt=el&merchant_id=e295c418-295a-447c-b265-734e25f82503&website_id=168b6f4a-277f-418f-8866-6fe50d771f14&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.rei.com%2Fproduct%2F169458%2Fnemo-wagontop-8-tent” text=”NEMO WAGONTOP @ REI” ]

    2. Eureka Copper Canyon 8

    • Size: 8-person 
    • Floor dimensions: 156 x 120 inches
    • Peak height: 84 inches
    • Weight: 34 lbs. 12 oz.
    • Price: $315
    • Features: 3 season, 2 doors, generous living space, vertical walls are ideal for potential cot use, removable divider curtain creates 2 separate rooms for privacy, mesh ceiling panels for circulation, 2 gear lofts plus high stash pockets, zippered electrical power cord port, rainfly, also available in a 12-person version
    • Pros: super roomy for all your family members and their gear, easy setup
    • Cons: footprint NOT included, heavy, potential leaks in heavy rains, may be too large for some campsites

    [maxbutton id=”1″ url=”https://amzn.to/3y8twuY” text=”EUREKA COPPER CANYON @ AMAZON” ]

    3. CORE Instant Cabin 12

    • Size: 12-person
    • Floor dimensions: 216 x 120 inches 
    • Height: 80 inches
    • Peak height: 47.8 lbs.
    • Price: $399
    • Features: 3 season, 2 door, awning, rainfly,  2 attachable room dividers to create multiple separate living and sleeping spaces, durable 68D polyester fabric, advanced ceiling ventilation, 
    • Pros: easy setup, ridiculously roomy, room divider makes the tent customizable for large groups
    • Cons: footprint NOT included, potential leaks in heavy rains, enormous (may be too large for some campsites), heavy

    [maxbutton id=”1″ url=”https://amzn.to/3OxFaF3″ text=”CORE 12 @ AMAZON” ]

    4. Coleman Montana 8

    • Size: 8-person
    • Floor dimensions: 192 x 84 inches
    • Peak height: 74 inches
    • Weight: 26.67 lbs
    • Price: $170
    • Features: 3 season, 1 door, awning, spacious enough room for 3 queen size air beds
    • Pros: very roomy, affordable
    • Cons: footprint NOT included, not as high quality as pricier tents, potential leakage issues in heavy rain, may be too large for some campsites

    [maxbutton id=”1″ url=”https://amzn.to/39Kr18t” text=”COLEMAN MONTANA @ AMAZON” ]

    Try before you buy

    The best tent is the one you already own or have access to (assuming that it works for your family). Tents can be expensive, and we never want price or feeling like you have to have the “right gear” to keep anyone from camping. We always recommend that families camping for the first time either rent or borrow a tent before purchasing a tent. This keeps the price point for entry into this fun activity lower and ensures that you like/enjoy camping before making a purchasing commitment. 

    Photo credit: @kristcx

    More family camping resources

    If you’re looking for even more info on how to camp with kids, we’ve got you covered. Check out these great camping resources below:

    family camping gear packing checklist

    Printable camping gear lists for families

    To make it easier for you to get started on your next family camping trip, we put our ultimate camping packing list for your family in a free printable 2-page PDF for you! Use this as the perfect start to create your own master packing list. You’ll also be signed up to receive our  AMAZING weekly newsletter, filled with fun outdoor activities and inspiration for getting your kids and family outside! You can opt-out anytime (although we’d hate to see you go). 

    [maxbutton id=”1″ url=”https://mailchi.mp/6ad1ea8208c2/fw0osm9qnr” text=”PRINTABLE CAMPING GEAR LIST” ]

  • CLIMB, FAVORITE GEAR, OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES

    How to Get Started Rock Climbing With Kids

    Are you looking for a fun, challenging, and active way to spend time together as a family? Want to help your kids develop problem-solving skills, boost their confidence, and increase their concentration? Then rock climbing might just be your new favorite family activity! Today, youth climbing coach and Washington mom of 4, RyAnn Peverly shares everything you need to know to get started rock climbing with your kids. She’ll go over all the gear you need (or don’t need), rock climbing terminology, the types of climbing you can try, and practical advice (from a mom) for rock climbing with kids. 

    Learn to Rock Climb

    A climbing adventure

    A few years ago, I was perusing a shop in one of our favorite mountain towns and came across a shirt with the quote “Adventure is a Family Value” written across the front. While that shirt has long since been put away (thanks to many kid-caused stains), the quote is something I adopted in my heart and still live by to this day.

    Part of adopting that motto meant trying new things and sharing those experiences with my kids. And one of the best new things we started doing as a family was rock climbing. I’m so excited to share this fun activity with you in the hopes of convincing you to give it a try with your kids! 

    Benefits of rock climbing for kids

    Rock climbing is a great activity for families to try together. There are so many great benefits of rock climbing for young kids. It helps teach problem-solving and decision-making skills. It’s great for working on communication and building/establishing trust with one another. Plus, we all know the benefits of staying active, playing together, and spending time OFF screens. 

    Climbing is also a great sport for both younger kids and older kids. Climbing helps them with eye-hand coordination, gross motor skills, and body awareness. It is an activity that engages every major muscle group and requires the climber to pay attention to how they are moving their body. Rock climbing helps kids build courage, confidence, and self-esteem, as well as increases their concentration, focus, physical fitness, and patience. It helps with agility, endurance, speed, concentration, flexibility, and perseverance.

    Gym climbing

    Best age to start rock climbing for kids

    The good news is that there’s no magic age for learning how to rock climb. You can learn at any age (adults included). Most climbing gyms will have a minimum age of 5 years old, but depending on your child and the type of climbing they’re doing, some places allow kids as young as 2 to give it a try. The requirement to be 5 is more about the child being mature enough to listen and follow instructions, more than them being “ready” to climb. Climbing comes a lot more naturally to young children and requires less upper body strength for little bodies, so starting them early gives them a good jump start over starting as an adult. 

    bouldering for kids - indoor rock climbing gym fun for kids

    Types of rock climbing for kids

    There are several different types of rock climbing, and understanding the difference can help you know what type of gear you will need and where to start. For kids and adults that have never been rock climbing before, bouldering or top-rope climbing is a great place to begin.

    Bouldering

    Bouldering is climbing in its simplest form and is great to kick off with. When bouldering, you leave behind ropes and harnesses and just climb (sometimes using climbing shoes, chalk, and safety mats). The point of bouldering is to climb short but tricky routes or sequences using balance, technique, strength, and your brain. You have to problem-solve on the fly. You don’t need experience, much instruction, or lots of expensive gear, making it really easy to get into if you’ve never tried it before. Bouldering climbs are enough to be exciting, but most routes are easy to jump off of or climb down from, so they’re not super intimidating or scary for kids. Many indoor climbing gyms offer a variety of bouldering walls. 

    Top rope

    This type of climbing is the most popular setup for beginners both in climbing gyms and outdoors. Top rope climbing is what most people imagine when they think of climbing. Top roping is when the climbing rope is anchored to a spot at the top of the route. The climber then climbs toward the anchor while their partner keeps the rope taut, known as belaying. Top roping is a great option for beginners because it is safer than other types of climbing and requires a lot less knowledge for beginners. New climbers really only need to know one knot and bring along one person who can belay. It allows new climbers to get a feel for rock climbing without many risks. 

    top-rope climbingclimbing

    Taking your rock climbing skills to the next level

    If climbing becomes a sport your family wants to get more involved with, there are always opportunities to progress and advance your skills. Whether that’s in ain indoor rock climbing gym setting or taking your skills outdoors on your own! Beyond bouldering and top-roping, there is sport and traditional climbing, both of which involve lead climbing and setting up routes on your own. For both of these types of rock climbing, you’ll need more advanced training, a bit more gear, and lots of practice.

    Sport climbing

    The first type of lead climbing that most people learn is sport climbing. Sport climbing is climbing using fixed protection for safety.  The climber wears a harness and is tied to a rope which is managed by a belayer below. The climber clips the rope into bolts that are pre-drilled while climbing. For this, we use “quickdraws” to clip into the bolts with hangers as you progress higher on the wall.

    Traditional climbing

    Traditional climbing, also known as “trad” climbing, is the most advanced of all types of rock climbing. This form requires the climber to use specialized gear that is placed in natural cracks and holes in the rock for protection. Trad climbing requires you to learn how to place this gear in a way that the gear can safely catch a belayed fall, but it can also be removed when done with the climb. 

    If you are interested in learning these more advanced forms of climbing, I always suggest taking a clinic or hiring a professional to teach you these skills before going out on your own. 

    best kids activities - indoor rock climbing

    Where to get started rocking climbing

    After deciding which type of climbing most interests your family, the next step is finding the right location to begin your training. The best ways to get started are either at a local indoor climbing gym or with a certified guide. 

    Climbing gym

    Getting started in a climbing gym is probably the easiest and most economical way to learn how to rock climb. Climbing gyms are a great place to get started from the beginning as they generally have both bouldering and top-rope climbing areas so that you can test out both styles in a controlled environment. Climbing gyms also provide a supportive environment filled with climbers that are willing to help with advice and tips. They also offer gear rentals which makes it a low-cost commitment to try out while you decide if this is something you’d like to continue before investing in gear. 

    The best way to start in a climbing gym is to take an orientation or an “Intro to Climbing” class. These rocking climbing classes offer new climbers an understanding of how the systems and styles work. Although bouldering is relatively easy to start on your own, top-roping requires learning how to tie into a rope as the climber, and how to manage the rope as a belayer. An Intro class will teach you the various types of climbing skills on the indoor climbing walls so that your family can enjoy all a climbing gym has to offer. 

    Check out the Indoor Climbing website to find a climbing gym close to you. Many indoor climbing gyms offer youth programs or youth discounts for young climbers. They may also offer day camps, summer camps, birthday parties, open gym time, kids’ activities, games, school programs, themed day events, competitive youth teams, and other ways to make climbing fun and social for kids. 

    how to go rock climbing with kids - free fun outdoor activity for the whole family

    Rock climbing outdoors with a guide 

    If you want to take the adventure outdoors, the best way to go about this is to hire a certified rock climbing guide. Outdoor climbing can be a risky sport, so learning from an experienced guide is highly recommended to provide for a safer environment. When you hire a rock climbing guide, you will get personalized instruction, and most guides have gear for you to use while out for the day. 

    When considering a rock climbing guide, look for an AMGA-Accredited guiding business. The American Mountain Guides Association is a nationally recognized organization that provides guides with the training they need to lead others in outdoor pursuits safely. In order for a business to become certified by the AMGA, it must commit to the highest standard of safety and professionalism. 

    Here is an example of two certified businesses:

    outdoor rock climbing tips for kids and parents

    Climbing terms you should know

    Whether you get started in a gym or with a guide outside, you will likely hear other climbers and your guide use some words you’re not familiar with. As with most sports, climbing has its own language. Getting a head start on some of the terminology can help in understanding this sport in a better way.

    • Belaying: Using a piece of gear, called a belay device, to control the amount of rope going to a climber and to arrest a fall. The person belaying is called the belayer.
    • Route: Common term for a particular path to climb, either on a natural rock face or gym wall.
    • Boulder problem: Instead of “route,” the word “problem” is often used when referring to bouldering rather than roped climbing.
    • Pitch: A segment of a rock climbing route for which one rope length is used. Most outdoor rock climbs are one pitch.
    • Multi-pitch: A route of more than one pitch, which requires resetting the rope progressively higher up the wall as climbers ascend. (advanced climbing)
    • Anchor: A point (or set of points) where gear is secured to fasten the rope and hold a fall.
    • Crag: An outdoor rock climbing destination, typically one that consists of many different single-pitch climbs.

    Rock climbing gear for kids

    Rock climbing gear for kids

    Like with most outdoor adventure sports, climbing gear can come with a hefty price tag. But do not be dismayed! When starting out, rock climbing gyms and guides will have the gear you need to get started. And depending on what type of climbing your family is interested in, one or two key pieces of gear are probably all you need. As your family develops more skills, you can start to invest in what makes the most sense for you. 

    When people ask me what gear they should invest in first, I always say a good pair of climbing shoes and a harness. Yes, most gyms and guides generally have rentals, but if climbing is a sport your family finds they really love, those rental fees can add up after a while. 

    • Shoes: A good pair of climbing shoes will fit snugly and provide the friction needed to grip holds while climbing. There are lots of styles, so it is best to go try them on at a retailer to see what shoe fits best. 
    • Harness: If you are climbing with ropes, you will need a harness. The harness allows you to tie into the climbing system safely. Harnesses consist of two main components; a waist belt and leg loops. This is another piece of gear that is worth trying on before you buy. 
    • Helmet: When climbing outdoors, a helmet should always be worn. Helmets are designed to protect your head from possible falling debris and if a climber falls. Climbing helmets should fit snugly and comfortably, like a bike helmet. 
    • Chalk & chalk bag: Climbers use chalk to help with grip while on the wall. The chalk helps to absorb any perspiration on your hands so they’re not slick. Chalk is carried in chalk bags attached to the back of a harness. 8BPLUS makes fun chalk bags my kids love.
    • Crash pad: If you are going to take bouldering outside, these are a must-have item. Crash pads are made of dense foam and placed under a climber to protect their fall. Plus, they make a great nap spot for tired little climbers. 
    • Carabiners: Strong, metal rings with a spring-loaded gate that are used to connect rope and other gear. The first carabiner that you purchase will most likely be for use with a belay device. 
    • Belay device: The belay device is an essential piece of gear that you will need the more you get into climbing. Most gyms and guides will have some for use, but this may be something to add to the purchase list early on. The belay device is used by the belayer to control the rope. These devices allow the belayer to take in slack created by a climber, and let out rope to safely lower a climber.
    • Ropes: There are lots of different ropes on the market, but when just getting started, there is really only one type of rope that is necessary. Rock climbing ropes need to be dynamic, meaning they have enough stretch to absorb the energy of a fall. I always recommend speaking with a professional before purchasing your first rope. 

    essential rock climbing gear for kids

    Practical advice for rock climbing with kids

    Now that our family has been climbing together for a while now, I’ve learned a few things that keep us successful, whether we are at the gym or spending a weekend camping and climbing at a local crag. Here’s my most practical advice for parents when just getting started rock climbing with kids. 

    Start small

    The first time you go rock climbing may not be the grand adventure you were expecting. Your first few times will be a lot of instruction, outfitting, familiarizing yourself with the gear, and trial and error. Those first few times trying, kids will learn how it feels to be in a harness, the names and usage of equipment and climbing commands, how it feels to tackle different climbing holds, how to rappel with proper form, and trust the belayer and equipment to protect them from falls. That’s a lot! And may not leave a lot of time for the actual climbing.

    The first time we all went to the gym together, I thought we would be there for at least two hours. We left a little after 20 minutes. Everyone climbed one route, and then they were tired and done. It was small, but it was a start. Sometimes, that’s enough. 

    Lower your expectations

    Lower your expectations for your rock climbing with kids experience. Now lower them again! While almost all kids climb something in their daily lives (think kitchen cabinets, furniture, trees in the yard, playground jungle gym), that does not always mean they will jump on the wall and climb to the top. As a youth climbing instructor, I have seen many kids freeze as soon as they tie into a rope, and not climb more than three feet off the ground. That’s ok! They are getting comfortable with new gear and a new environment. Go into your rock climbing adventure with zero expectation, and maybe your child will surprise you! 

    Bring snacks (and entertainment)

    As with all of our adventures, I never leave home without an arsenal of favorite snacks. Sometimes taking a break to enjoy a favorite treat or energizing granola bar can be just the motivation they need to try again. Climbing can take a lot out of your kids, so keeping them fed and hydrated is key to keeping them happy and focused. Also, because rock climbing usually requires 2 people working together at a time (one climber and one belayer), if you have more than one kid, bring along entertainment for your younger kids to do while others climb. 

    Be positive

    Sending a route does not have to be the only measurement of a successful climbing day. Work together as a family to choose what you’re going to climb. Let the kids help in any part of the process that is safe. And, if all they want to do is climb a few feet up the wall and swing, then let them swing! Keep your attitude positive and supportive. Encourage your kids to climb, but don’t push them beyond their comfort zone. Let them decide what they feel comfortable with. Every time you go rock climbing with your kids, you increase their exposure to the sport, and they get more experience. But most importantly, you spent time together. 

    how to get started rock climbing with kids

    * Thank you to Pisgah Climbing School for providing pictures.

    Rock climbing with kids

    I hope this post has inspired you to give rock climbing with kids a try! It’s such a great sport for children of all ages (and parents) and a perfect way to spend time together doing something active, challenging, and fun! Next time you’re looking for something fun for the whole family to do, check out the options and availability at your local climbing gym and give it a try! Or sign your little climber up for one of the many climbing camps offered at a climbing gym this summer. We hope your kids will learn to climb to new heights this year! 

    Have your kids tried rock climbing?

    About the author

    RyAnn is a mom of four (20, 18, 15, 6) that loves exploring her home in the Pacific Northwest. She works as a youth outdoor program instructor for the Mountaineers Org. in Washington state. RyAnn also loves getting out and adventuring with her family as much as possible. They enjoy traveling around the PNW in their converted Sprinter campervan. On her days off she generally loads up the van and hits the trails for hiking, mountain biking, skiing, or climbing. RyAnn is passionate about instilling love and respect for outdoor spaces in her kids and the youth she is lucky to work with.

    You can find more from RyAnn in the following locations:
    Instagram: @mountain_mama4
    Website: Mountain Mama
    RWMC articles: RyAnn

  • FAVORITE GEAR, GIFT GUIDE, OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES

    Best Outdoor Toys for Kids

    Kids (and adults) need fresh air, sunshine, and time outdoors to play and recharge, but outdoor adventures don’t have to be far from home. Outdoor spaces like your own backyard can easily be turned into super fun play areas for kids with a few of these awesome outdoor toys, playsets, games, activities, and more. We know there are a lot of options out there, so we got feedback from our team and online community about their favorites and then compiled this huge list of the best outdoor toys for kids. If you’re looking for some new outdoor toys, these ideas are guaranteed to get your little ones outside and keep them out for hours!

    {This post contains affiliate links}

    Best outdoor toys for kids

    We love our big adventures, but sometimes it’s necessary to have kids play close to home. Getting outside every day is a priority for us, and that’s easier for the kids to do when they have friends to play with and things to do. While they don’t always need to be completely entertained (there’s magic in unstructured outdoor free play and make-believe), we have found that the presence of open-ended toys and games can keep them outside longer and having fun.

    I love finding fun and creative outdoor toys, games, and activities that keep our kids active and OUTSIDE for hours! We’ve tried a lot (if not all) of these toys and put them through the wringer, so they’re kid-tested (and mom-approved). Most of these toys encourage creativity, and imagination and promote unstructured free play. Here are some of our favorite outdoor toys, games, and activities for kids and families.

    Photo credit: @sara_mccarty

    Best outdoor toys for active kids

    Slackline

    A slackline is a two-inch-wide nylon webbing strip with a ratchet tensioning system that kids (and adults) can walk or bounce on. Most slacklines attach easily to trees with no additional tools or rigging needed. Slacklining is a perfect way for kids of all ages to hone balancing skills while building core strength and confidence. Slacklining is one of my kids’ favorite backyard activities and I’m blown away by how much time they spend on it daily, balancing, bouncing and playing games. This is a great beginner slackline kit and we’ve got an awesome post on slacklining with kids.

    Ninja course

    If you want to take your basic slackline to the next level and turn your kids into ninja warriors, definitely check out this backyard obstacle course. This one has hanging knots, rings and swings that will keep your kids entertained and physically active. Wonderful for balance, coordination, gross motor skills, and building hand and upper body strength. Easy to set up and space out according to your level of difficulty. It can be used by kids 5 and up through adults. Big kids and tweens will particularly love this. 

    Zipline

    If you’ve got the backyard space, ziplines are fun, safe and easy to set up! Using this backyard zipline kit with thorough installation and safety instructions, you can add a zipline to your backyard in no time. The fully assembled steel trolley comes pre-loaded with an adjustable rope and comfortable seat. The stylish and comfortable rubber grips are screwed into the trolley to ensure a safe and fun ride. This zipline will guarantee fun-filled family time outdoors.

    Two boys jumping on a trampoline Photo credit: @meghangarriott

    Trampoline

    A trampoline is the ultimate backyard addition for any active outdoorsy kid. It’s a big-ticket item and requires a lot of space, but it’s guaranteed to entertain your kids for hours (and hopefully wear them out!). We suggest getting a trampoline with a surrounding net enclosure (for safety). Trampolines can be dangerous, so please make sure to have adult supervision and teach your kids about proper trampoline safety. If you have a trampoline and are looking for games for your kids to play to keep them entertained, check out our post on trampoline games for kids. 

    Rope climber

    This rope climber is a great outdoor activity that’s also an introduction to a challenging, fun, and traditional fitness sport. It includes a circular rubber bottom disc that kids can stand or sit on to swing, hand and toeholds to help them climb, and lots of rope to grab and climb without aids. Hang it from a swing set or a tree branch and watch kids have fun with this simple but wonderfully multifunctional invention. 

    Bounce house

    If you want to go all-out crazy with action, a bounce house is a HUGE hit for any outdoor play space. Again, it’s a bit of an investment, but it’s guaranteed to be a big hit and keep your little ones jumping and happy for hours at a time. Many bounce houses can be used both indoors and outdoors, so if you have a large enough space inside, it can be used year-round. 

    Photo credit: @sara_mccartyhow to skateboardPhoto credit: @dimples.and.the.blonde

    Best outdoor toys for kids on the go

    Bikes, trikes, and scooters

    Bikes, scooters and skateboards make great outdoor toys for kids that are on the move! No matter what age your child is, there are options available. The littlest kids ( 2 to 5 year olds) can start with a classic tricycle or a balance bike. We put together a post of our top picks for the best balance bikes for kids. Older kids will probably be more interested in a traditional bike and older kids (teens and tweens) may get a lot of use out of a mountain bike. There are so many great options out there, for whatever age, size, and ability of your child.

    Skateboards

    Skateboarding is a fun and active way to spend time outside. It’s not only a great full-body workout, but it helps build core strength, balance, and confidence in kids. It’s one of those fast-action sports that are not only fun to watch, but a blast for kids to participate in. If you have a kid that’s interested in skateboarding, our post on how to get started skateboarding with kids gives you all the info you need to know to pick out the right skateboard and get moving! 

    Photo credit: @sara_mccarty

    Battery-powered vehicles

    Battery-powered ride-on vehicles are another pricy toy, but they do a great job of keeping kids outside, active, and entertained for hours. If buying a new one is out of budget, these tend to pop up in online sale/swap pages pretty frequently as their kids outgrow them. My kids are currently on their second Hummer. They drove the first one for years, through multiple batteries, until the wheels disintegrated and it became undrivable. We purchased the first one through an online swag page for a fraction of the retail price ($60) and replaced the old battery. We definitely got our money’s worth there! 

    Photo credit: @daphne_audePhoto credit: @_stephaniehowells_best outdoor toys for kidsPhoto credit: @sara_mccarty

    Best outdoor toys with water

    Water table

    If you have little ones, a water table is a really fun and easy outdoor toy. We’ve had the same water table for years and all my kids have loved playing with (and in/on) it. Little ones just pulling up can stand at a water table and splash away! It’s a great sensory activity. And the simple joy of it grows with the kids. My 2-year-old and 8-year-old both play in the water in different ways, so it’s easily adaptable for lots of ages with a little creativity and imagination. Add some measuring cups, balls, toy boats or dolls/characters and turn a simple water table in a water playhouse! When you’re not using it with water, fill it with sand or water beads for a different type of sensory play. There are so many great ways to play with a simple water table.

    Photo credit: @sara_mccarty

    Inflatable pool

    An inflatable kiddie pool is a great backyard activity for warm spring and summer days. We have this large inflatable pool that the kids love to play in! It’s big enough that the whole family can get in and play, but shallow enough for the little ones. 

    Inflatable water slide and playset

    For absolute maximum outdoor summertime fun, this Little Tikes inflatable water slide is the ultimate portable water park. It’s massive, so make sure you have plenty of space. Kids can climb the center wall to the top of this enormous water slide bounce house and race down the 2 slides into the kids splash pool. Durable,colorful, and well-designed, this is a toy the kids will enjoy summer after summer. It also has a crawl-through to inside dry bouncing area.

    Tips for taking amazing sprinkler photos of kidsPhoto credit: @lphotographiebackyard activities toys and games for kidsPhoto credit: @sara_mccarty

    Sprinkler

    When it’s warm, a simple sprinkler set up in the yard can keep your little ones entertained, active and laughing for HOURS. All you need to do is set up a basic yard sprinkler in an open area where the kids can run through it and play. At first, they’ll jump and squeal and run away from the water, but eventually, they’ll fully embrace it and go all in! It’s so much fun to watch kids play in the sprinkler. And it’s a great opportunity to get your camera out and practice taking some amazing sprinkler photos. If you have really little kids, maybe this sprinkler splash pad would be fun!

    Photo credit: @boomhutboris

    Best outdoor playsets for kids

    Wooden playset

    There are so many amazing wooden playsets in every shape, size, and price range out there. Usually, these playsets need quite a bit of space, but they last for years and can be used year-round. Many also have a good resale value, so you can recoup a bit of your money by selling once your kids outgrow it. The Gorilla Nantucket II wood swingset is a top choice. It has a wooden clubhouse area with a roof, two swings, a slide, a sandbox area, and a rock wall. Is it enormous and expensive? Yes. Will your children go bananas over it? Also YES. 

    Here’s a smaller more budget-friendly wooden playset option. 

    Swingsets

    If you’re looking for something a bit smaller than a huge wooden playset, this double swingset frame hosts one traditional swing and one two-seater net swing. For the tiniest of tots, this toddler climber playset has a slide, swing, basketball net and ring toss. It can be played with both inside and outside. If you have a child that loves to swing (but no trees to hang a swing from or a super small yard), this simple metal frame holds one swing. 

    Geometric dome

    If you’ve got space in your yard for this awesome geodome dome jungle gym, get one! Our neighbors have one of these incredibly cool outdoor toys and it’s a huge hit with all the kid on the street (prior to social distancing, of course)! It helps with upper body strength, coordination, and balance, plus helps develop that all-important vestibular sense! The kids use it as home base in games, a support for their hammocks, a hangout place to chat and more!

    Photo credit: @beautifullittlesoulsblogbest active toys and games for outdoorsy kidsPhoto credit: @sara_mccarty

    Swings

    Swings are a great outddor toy for kids of all ages. Setting up a swing in the yard is a guaranteed way to keep the kids outside and entertained. Our neighbors have a net swing in their front yard and every kid on our block has spent countless hours out there playing. From tweens to toddlers, the kids are just fascinated by the swing and love playing on it! It’s such a simple thing, and yet so popular for all ages! This swing supports a few kids together and they have the best time pushing each other and giggling. If you have more dare-devil kids, consider a surfer swing that lets your kids surf in the air up to 10 feet high! Or, check out this really cool multi-person hoop swing. 

    Best outdoor sports toys for kids

    Pitching machine

    If your kids are into sports and missing their little league team and practice, a pitching machine could be a great addition to your backyard activities. Baseball is a big hit (pun intended) at our house and my son loves this pitching machine.  It has 3 speeds: 10mph, 15mph & 20mph and an adjustable 3 position pitch angle. There’s a red light that flashes to indicate pitch release, which occurs every 5 seconds. It holds up to 9 balls and includes 4 foam balls. Requires 4 size C batteries or a power adapter (both sold separately).

    Hitting net

    And speaking of hitting baseballs, a hitting net is a great toy for any kid that’s into baseball or softball. This net can be set up outside and catches balls hit into it. For little kids, set up a tee-ball stand right in front of the net and let them practice. Older kids can practice hitting through a soft toss from the side. The net means you aren’t chasing balls all over the neighborhood and no broken windows for big hits! 

    Frisbee golf

    This mini Frisbee golf game lets your kids (or the whole family) play a par 3 round of disc golf. It features six mini Frisbee discs and one Frisbee golf target. It’s designed for ages 5 and up – even adults love it! The metal chains are designed to catch the Frisbee discs so throw your favorite, tossing, hyzers, etc.

    Soccer goals

    Soccer is another great outdoor activity that burns a lot of energy, encourages teamwork and strengthens coordination. If you’ve got little soccer players, these collapsible soccer goal nets set-up and can be taken down in seconds with no assembly required. They come with 2 goals, 6 cones, and a carrying case so you can take them anywhere. They can be secured with plastic or metal stakes to any grass surface in your backyard or park.

    Kickball and bases

    Nearly every day after school, there’s a kickball game going on in our neighborhood. This is the perfect kickball set and bases for any kickball fan and comes with an 8.5-inch kickball, three rubber bases, home plate, a pitcher’s rubber, and inflation pump (with a needle). That’s everything you need to play this super fun and simple game. A great outdoor sport for all ages and abilities.

    Capture the flag

    If you have a group of kids that love to play sports, take your game to the next level (and keep the game going later into the evening) with this glow-in-the-dark capture the flag game. It includes 25 light-up game pieces, 12+ hours of batteries and 12 game variations for hours of play. You can play 4-8 players (or up to 16 with game variations).  All ages can play together – kids, teens & adults love this awesome neighborhood game that develops teamwork, social skills and strategy!

    Basketball hoop

    If your child is into sports at all, a basketball hoop is a great addition to any outdoor playspace. There are so many fun games that kids and families can play while shooting hoops. Or, shooting hoops is also something that kids can do on their own, promoting independence and working on grit through learning a skill. We like this Spalding portable hoop that can be easily moved to maximize your play area. 

    Photo credit: @muddy_buddy_outdoorbest backyard toys for kidsPhoto credit: @sara_mccarty

    Best messy play outdoor toys for kids

    Sandbox

    A sandbox is a perfect backyard activity for the outdoorsy kid and great for inspiring pretend play. This wooden kids’ sandbox has seats on the edges, a mesh cover (to keep bugs/animals out) and is large enough for multiple kids, but not too big for backyards. If you’re handy and need a project, you can also build a really cool sandbox yourself! My dad made one of these (using these plans) for our kids and it was a huge hit! Just fold out the doors of the sandbox to form 2 benches that allow your child to sit and play (200 lbs. capacity for each bench). Has a capacity of 750 lbs. of sand for the sandbox!

    Mud kitchen

    Mud kitchens are so much fun for kids! Not only do they love the sensory feel of playing with mud, but they’re really great for promoting creativity and imaginative play. You can buy a premade mud kitchen, or put those DIY skills to good use and make a mud pie outdoor kitchen for your kids out of a shoe bench or old cabinets/wood pallets. Throw in some hand-me-down kitchen utensils, dishes, pots and pans and you’ve got yourself the ultimate mud kitchen. It’s sure to entertain your children for hours and hours. Just be sure to put it somewhere close to a hose for easy clean-up!

    Garden

    I love the idea of giving kids their own garden to take care of. While I try to get them involved in taking care of our large garden, it’s really fun for them to have a portion or a few planters that are all theirs to nurture and grow. I’ve been toying with the idea of doing a small elevated garden planter for my oldest and letting him do all the work, from picking out the plants, to taking care of them, and harvesting. I think it would teach him a lot and give him a lot of pride in the plants that grow. We have a great post on easy vegetables to grow with kids, if you’re interested in doing this with your kids. 

    Photo credit: @thedailyperfections

    Best outdoor games for kids

    Ladder golf

    Perfect for even small yards, ladder golf is an easy outdoor game that the whole family can play. This game is easy to assemble and doesn’t take up much space. It’s a team game and can spark some intense competition and camaraderie between players. Great for hand-eye coordination and perfect for taking on camping trips, picnics or tailgating.

    Cornhole

    And speaking of great outdoor backyard, camping, and tailgate games, Cornhole is one of our favorites. This cornhole set comes with boards, beanbags and a carrying case. Set up a backyard family cornhole competition and get everyone involved! Losers have to make dinner!

    Outdoor Jenga

    If your kids like playing Jenga inside, they will love taking it outside and making it GIANT! This is the biggest authentic hardwood Jenga game ever sold! At setup, it starts at 26 inches high, and can stack to over 5 feet high in play! Includes 54 precision-crafted premium hardwood blocks, Each one nearly 15 times the volume of a classic Jenga block! Comes with a case for easy storage. 

    Lawn darts

    Playing a game of lawn darts is so much fun for kids. This glow-in-the-dark lawn dart set has soft, durable darts that stand up after every toss and adjustable rings for big targets or small ones, making it suitable for all skill levels. You can charge the darts with a headlight or flashlight and play into the night! Glow in the dark darts are extremely fun and perfect for taking the fun into the evening hours. This is also a great game to play on the beach, lawn, park, backyard, or other soft surfaces. 

    Feature image credit: @eliza.flaska.mi

    Best old school outdoor toys for kids

    Stomp rockets

    If your kids are into low-tech old school fun, stomp rockets are a (literal) blast! 100% kid-powered: just run, jump and STOMP to launch these rockets up to 20 stories high — that’s 200 feet in the air! Best for outdoor use, no batteries required; easy, fast assembly. 

    Pogo stick

    Another old-fashioned retro way to bounce and work on your coordination is with a pogo stick. This one is designed for kids age 5 and up, between 40-80 pounds. Pogo sticks are great for developing coordination, balance, muscle tone, and staying active.  It has foam-covered hand grips and sturdy foam-covered metal frame for comfort and safety. 

    Jump ropes

    Jump ropes are such fun outdoor toys. There are so many benefits of jumping rope! It improves balance and coordination, exercises parts of the brain related to reading, memory, and alertness, inspires creativity, and encourages teamwork, collaboration, and friendship. Plus, it gets kids outside and moving! We like these classic colorful jump ropes in a 6-pack, so each kid has their own (and there’s usually a few extra to share with friends). 

    Photo credit: @capturing.herringtonPhoto credit: @meganrigdonphotography

    Bubbles and sidewalk chalk

    There are not many outdoor activities that are more classic than sidewalk chalk and bubbles. Bubbles are fun and exciting, but they are also an activity that enables science learning, artistic exploration, a lot of movement, and DIY projects. We’re got a great post all about the most fun ways to play with bubbles (including recipes for giant bubbles, glow-in-the-dark bubbles, and colorful bubbles). Throw in some sidewalk chalk, and your kids will be entertained for hours!  

    Kites

    Children absolutely love flying kites and it’s easier to do than you think. Flying a kite is one of those activities that people often talk about, but never get around to doing. We want to change that and challenge you to take your kids out for a kite flight! We’ve got a great post on kite flying with kids, where we walk you through the steps of how to choose a kite for kids, how to launch, fly and land a kite, plus explain all the benefits of kite flying. Here are some great tips for flying a kite and ways to make your kite flying extra fun!

    Cars and trucks

    There’s a lot of fun to be had with good old-fashioned cars and trucks outside. My kids love taking their HotWheels cars to the park to race them down the slides, on the sidewalk, and around the playground. When it rains, the Tonka Truck always gets dragged out and filled with mud and rocks and worms! For older kids, consider remote control cars and trucks (and even boats!). There are some really fun off-road remote control vehicles that are so much fun to watch do tricks and stunts. 

    Photo credit: @stephanie.b.collinsthings for kids to do in the backyardPhoto credit: @sara_mccarty

    Creating an outdoor play area

    Outdoor table

    An outdoor table is a must for any backyard. A table is a perfect spot to do schoolwork, paint, make crafts, have lunch/dinner, or play games. We use our outdoor backyard table for everything! During this stay home order, outdoor family dinners have been a saving grace for us. We light tiki torches around the yard and pretend we’re dining al fresco on vacation. If our backyard was a bit larger, I would love to have a separate outdoor kids picnic table that is smaller and easier for them to use for their projects and snacks.

    Photo credit: @jrcozylifewooden outdoor clubhousePhoto credit: @sara_mccarty

    Clubhouse or treehouse

    When my oldest turned 2 (nearly six years ago!), we bought him a wooden outdoor clubhouse. While a bit pricy initially, this thing has taken a beating and is still standing and one of our kids’ favorite places to play in the backyard. They’ve used it as a restaurant, a shop, a hideout, a pirate ship, a library, and everything in between. The possibilities are endless and this is a great way to encourage unlimited creative and imaginative unstructured outdoor play. If you want a less pricy version, this clubhouse might be a good option. (We bought ours at Costco, so check them out there, too.)

    Bird feeders

    While not necessarily an active activity, birdwatching is one of my favorite things to do in the backyard. We’ve set up a few bird feeders around our yard and the birds and squirrels keep us constantly entertained and watching, whether we’re inside or out. We’ve gotten to know our neighborhood birds and love figuring out their colors and calls. Here’s a great post about setting up bird feeders and creating a “nature window” where you can watch them and learn!

    4-person dome tentPhoto credit: @sara_mccarty

    Best outdoor toys for backyard camping fun

    Tent

    There’s something super fun and exciting about setting up a play tent in the backyard! If you already have one that you use for camping, by all means, break it out and get it set up for the kids to play in. It’ll entertain them for hours! If you need a tent, this 4-person dome tent is relatively inexpensive (only $53!) and can be used on camping trips or set up in the backyard for camping. Let your kids learn how to set up the tent by themselves and practice putting it up and taking it down at home.

    backyard toys games and activities for kidsPhoto credit: @sara_mccarty

    Hammock

    A hammock is a perfect addition to your backyard this season. Not only can the kids play in it, swing and have fun, but when they’re all tuckered out, a hammock is a great place to read, relax, mediate or take a nap. Hang your hammock in a quiet shady location and use it as a getaway spot for anyone needing some chill-out time. And no worries if you don’t have two properly spaced trees, you can get a hammock with a stand.

    best outdoor backyard activities for kidsPhoto credit: @sara_mccarty

    Firepit

    While not a toy, a firepit is a great addition to any backyard and great for the entire family. Having a fire in the evenings is one of our family’s favorite backyard activities. We love roasting hotdogs and marshmallows over the open flame. We love sitting around the fire telling stories or singing songs. There’s truly something magical about spending time with those you love around a fire. We used to have a very simple outdoor fire pit, but we recently upgraded to one of these amazing smokeless firepits for the backyard and we love it! 

    Photo credit: @arevook

    What are your kids’ favorite outdoor toys?

  • BIKE, FAVORITE GEAR, OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES

    Best Balance Bikes for Kids

    Learning to ride a bike is all about good balance and coordination. Developing these skills is the key to getting a child to learn to ride a bike safely and quickly. Balance bikes are great for young kids just starting to learn how to ride a bike. Today, we’re talking all things balance bikes – from the difference between a balance bike and a pedal bike, the benefits of balance bikes, and how to choose the right balance bike for your child. Plus, we’ve rounded up the best balance bikes out there and we’re giving you our full review of each. Let’s go balance biking! 

    {Post contains affiliate links}

    Learning to ride a bike

    Do you remember learning to ride a bike? Maybe your parents helped you by holding on and running alongside of you. Or, maybe you rode a bike with training wheels until you were more than ready to master biking without them. Whatever the case, you probably started biking with a traditional pedal bike (and probably one with training wheels). Balance bikes weren’t really a thing back in our day, but they’re prevalent now and for a good reason. Many experts believe that balance bikes help young children develop those good balance and coordination skills needed for bike riding much better than a pedal bike with training wheels. And there are a lot of other benefits of balance bikes, as well. Let’s take a look! 

    best balance bikes for toddlers

    Difference between a balance bike and a pedal bike

    A balance bike is a bike without pedals. It has most of the essential elements of a traditional bike (frame, fork, handlebars, wheels, etc.), but it has no drivetrain and thus no need for pedals. Kids straddle the bike, just like a regular bike, but instead of pedaling, they push off the ground with their feet to move forward and place their feet down to stop. Their legs remain on the side of the bikes and their feet on the ground, so they hold the bike up – there’s no need for training wheels or stabilizers. Since they’re in control, they can develop their balance and coordination first, before progressing to a bike with pedals.

    Balance bikes are also relatively low to the ground. Because kids need to reach the ground with their feet to balance the bike and move it forwards, balance bikes tend to be lower and smaller than traditional pedal bikes. The seat is low to the ground, putting their torso in an upright position so their feet can reach the ground. Being lower to the ground and the low center of gravity gives kids a much more secure feeling and helps with their balance, as they don’t feel as top-heavy or struggle as much on turns. 

    Kids progress differently on a balance bike than on a pedal bike. On a balance bike, kids begin by pushing off the ground and walking the bike. Once they’ve mastered that, then they progress to running with the bike, lifting their feet, and striding and gliding. Once they know how to safely pull their feet up off the ground and stay going and balanced, they’re pretty much ready for a pedal bike. 

    Photo credit: @tkphotographychicago

    Balance bike vs. training wheels

    While there’s no right or wrong answer here (and every kid is different), there are some benefits of starting kids out on a balance bike over a bike with training wheels. However, this depends on a lot of factors, including your child’s age, comfort, skill level, coordination, etc. 

    A bike with training wheels is held upright by the two small outrigger wheels. These wheels are usually set up a little higher than the rear wheel, which means that the bike tips a bit from side to side as the child’s weight transfers from one training wheel to the other. Kids tend to learn to lean on the training wheels, creating a false sense of balance. In order to ride without the training wheels, a child must unlearn how to ride unbalanced and then learn how to ride while balanced.

    Balance bikes tend to be better for younger riders. Because they’re so simple to use and there’s no learning curve, balance bikes tend to be more intuitive for smaller/younger kids to use quicker. They weigh less than normal bikes, which means they’re easier for even the smallest kids to manage and maneuver. By taking the work of pedaling out of the equation, little kids can concentrate on the more tricky skills of staying balanced and moving. 

    Best age to introduce kids to a balance bike

    Like most things in parenting, there’s no magic number as to when you should start kids out on a balance bike. Toddlers as young as 18 months or two years old can start their balance bike journey. That being said, there are balance bikes made for all sizes of toddlers, preschoolers, and grade-schoolers, so it’s basically never too late to start. 

    Introducing a balance bike early will allow your toddler to learn to ride independently from the very start. Starting them young will not only allow them to happily ride their bike independently for all of their toddlers years, it will also allow them to move up to a pedal bike by age 3 or 4. 

    How long do kids ride balance bikes?

    Kids generally ride balance bikes for 1 to 3 years, depending on the age they start, their coordination and athletic ability, and their developmental readiness. 

    A child that starts riding a balance bike as a young toddler may take several months to sit and run confidently on their balance bike. But, that child could then spend a few years enjoying the bike. Children who start later (2-4 years old) will pick up how to ride a balance bike more quickly. It’s totally up to you (as the parent) and your child how long they remain on the balance bike before moving onto a pedal bike. 

    Things to consider when buying a balance bike

    If you’re convinced that a balance bike is a good fit for your child, there are quite a few things to consider before purchasing. Not all balance bikes are the same and you should pick a bike that is best suited for your child and how they’ll be using it. Here are a few things to consider: 

    1. Balance bikes are not one-size-fits-all

    Balance bikes come in all shapes and sizes. Many brands even carry an entire line of balance bikes for toddlers of varying ages, sizes and abilities. You should make sure the bike you’re purchasing is best suited to fit your child and will be able to adjust with them as they grow. Many bikes will give an age range for quick sizing, but not all kids are the same size at any given age. The best way to ensure a proper fit is to measure your child’s inseam. Then, compare it to the seat height of the bike. Look for a bike with a minimum seat height that is equal to or slightly less than your child’s inseam.

    2. Price can be a factor

    There are a wide variety of balance bikes on the market, and they run the gambit of prices. Balance bikes range anywhere from $80-$300, and a lot of times, you get what you pay for in terms of quality and durability.

    A more expensive bike will usually be lighter, longer-lasting, and have more safety features. These brands usually use better quality parts, have better warranties/customer service, and will often have a better resale value. Cheaper bikes can often look like their more expensive counterparts, but the quality and attention to detail suffer. They may not last as long or have many of the better features that quality brands offer. However, if you know your child won’t be using the bike for long and cost is a big deciding factor, a less expensive bike may be a good option. That being said, you can usually find good-quality balance bikes on resale websites and in bike shops for a fraction of the original retail price. 

    3. Air tires or foam tires?

    Many tires on balance bikes are made of solid foam rather than air. This can make a big difference in how the bike rides. Higher quality/price bikes will have air tires/wheels, with alloy rims, and hubs with steel spokes. Budget balance bikes tend to have puncture-resistant solid foam tires. Pneumatic (air) tires provide more cushioning and grip, while foam tires offer little to no cushioning and less traction. Air tires with a wide tread also give better grip on rough surfaces, while those foam tires with a narrower smooth tread will roll faster and be less grippy. If your child will be riding their bike on any surface other than pavement, the air tires are a valuable upgrade. 

    4. Do you need handbrakes on a balance bike?

    Balance bikes can come with no brakes, rear hand brake only, or both front and rear hand brakes. Without any kind of braking system, kids naturally learn to stop a balance bike with their feet. This is okay at slower speeds when your kids are really little, but as they get older (and start riding harder and faster), a handlebar brake lever could help them stop faster (and save money on buying shoes)! 

    Small toddlers and little riders just getting started with a balance bike (around 18 months old) do not have the coordination required to use a handbrake.  At this point, the handbrake is a bit worthless because their feet will do the work for them (they’re not going fast, anyway). Therefore, if you’re buying a balance bike for a tiny toddler that won’t be riding the bike for very long, a handbrake may not be needed (it affects the price). 

    However, by the time your child reaches about 2 1/2 – 3 years old, they will be able to use the handbrake (and may actually need it). Plus, it is good practice for older toddlers and children getting ready to transition to a pedal bike, so they learn the proper way to brake. If your child is going to use their balance bike for a long time (several years) or you’re starting them after 2 1/2 years old, a braking system is probably a good idea. 

    Best balance bikes for kids

    We did some serious digging into the best balance bikes on the market for kids. The brands we’ve listed below are the ones our Creative Team members tried and tested on their own kids over the years or that we received glowing feedback on from our online community. We’ve listed 13 quality brands below that all make excellent quality balance bikes for toddlers. The difference between many of these bikes comes down to a few key features (air or foam tires, presence of handbrakes) and basic size/shape/weight.

    There’s no one right bike for everyone – we hope that our research helps you narrow down the hundreds of choices out there to just a few, depending on what features you’re looking for, the size/age of your kids, where you’ll be riding it, and how much you want to spend. Our favorites are as follows:

    Best balance bike brands for toddlers

    Here’s a detailed breakdown of each of the brands we chose to include in our best balance bikes for kids roundup. Many other brands were considered; however, we chose to only include the best ones to help you narrow down the field. Here’s what we liked about each of them (listed in alphabetical order).

    best balance bikes for kids - burley mykick

    Burley

    Price: $129

    Pros: We love all the Burley products we’ve tried (Minnow, Encore X), so the Burley MyKick balance bike was high on our list. It has a durable steel frame with a low stand-over height, and tool free adjustment for the kid-sized seat. Adjustable handlebars with comfortable rubber grips, quality, spoked wheels and comes fully assembled out of the box.

    Cons: The bike has rubber/foam tire (not air tires) and no handbrakes. 

    best balance bikes for toddlers - banana bike GT

    Banana Bike

    Price: $59-$69

    Pros: The Banana Bike is a great budget-friendly balance bike option for kids. The Banana Bike balance bike line has two options: GT and LT (with the LT being slightly smaller with foam tires). The GT version has pneumatic (air) tires with great grippy treads that can be ridden in various terrain. They both have the classic banana-shaped step-through frame design that makes it easy for small riders to mount. 

    Cons: There’s no steering limiter on the bike’s handlebars, so the handlebars can overrotate while riding. No handbrakes. 

    best balance bikes for toddlers

    Belsize

    Price: $169

    Pros: The Belsize 12 balance bike is somewhere in between a budget-friendly balance bike and a top-of-the-line bike. It comes with pneumatic (air) tires that offer great traction in all kinds of terrain. The weight of the bike is only 6.4 lbs, and the bike has an ultra-lightweight aluminum alloy frame with kid-specific geometry and quality parts. It’s a larger balance bike and the bike’s frame is taller than some others that are step-through, so this bike is better suited for taller toddlers and older kids. 

    Cons: Higher price for no handbrakes or quick-release seat post clamp. 

    best balance bikes for kids and toddlers

    Eastern Pusher

    Price: $140

    Pros: Made by BMX, the Eastern Pusher is a super light (only 4.6 lbs) and durable push bike for your little ripper. The Eastern Pusher is built up with easily adjustable quick-release clamps to grow with the rider. Sealed bearing wheels, a super lightweight alloy frame, one-piece handlebar/stem combo with quick release for easy adjustment, and soft rubber grips with larger ends to aid in handling. 

    Cons: Foam tires and no handbrakes. However, we’ve heard that when put to the test, the tires are non-marking and have relatively good traction. 

    best balance bikes for toddlers - early rider classic wooden bike

    Early Rider

    Price: $169-$249

    Pros: Early Rider has a few options when it comes to balance bikes for kids under 5 years old. The Early Rider Lite and Classic are both beautifully-crafted gorgeous bikes, made with an eco-friendly wooden marine-grade birch frame, with a faux leather saddle, air tires, and a 100 pound weight limit. The Early Rider Charger 12 is perfect for younger children that want to get off the beaten path. The low-slung lightweight frame with a minimum seat height of just 12 inches is great for little ones. It has a beautiful brushed finish with aluminum hubs and axles with sealed cartridge bearings. Internal cabling for an optional rear brake upgrade. 

    Cons: Pricey. But, well made with a high-resell value and last for years. 

    best balance bikes for toddlers

    FirstBIKE

    Price: $116

    Pros: The FirstBIKE Street balance bike is a great option for kids up to 5 years old. This balance bike has a brake and comes with air tires, ideal for urban areas with concrete, stone, or packed dirt surfaces. It’s extremely safe (award-winning for safety), lightweight, and durable (weatherproof). There’s an additional/optional LowKit, that allows toddlers to ride from an earlier age (starting from 22 months old) and another optional SKISet. which can turn the bike into an upright sled! 

    Cons: This bike is best for young toddlers (2 to 3 years) as the flexible composite nylon frame tends to bend when maxed out. Not the best option for taller or older preschoolers (4+). 

    best balance bikes for kids and toddlers

    Frog Tadpole

    Price: $210-260

    Pros: Frog Bikes makes a line of balance bikes that come in 3 sizes, depending on the height and age of your child. The Frog Tadpole Mini is the smallest balance bike out there and one of the very few with 10-inch wheels for the teeny-tiniest of riders (1 and 2-year-olds). The classic Frog Tadpole bike is designed for 2 and 3-year-olds, with a 12-inch wheel. And the Frog Tadpole Plus is designed for 3 and 4-year-olds (14-inch wheel). All their bikes have low seat posts, air tires, rear handbrakes, and a quick-release seat post for easy height adjustment. 

    Cons: High price tag and hard to find online (sold out nearly everywhere).

    best balance bikes for toddlers

    Prevelo

    Price: $199

    Pros: The Prevelo Alpha Zero is another top-of-the-line quality balance bike option for toddlers. This is a lightweight balance bike with a sleek brushed aluminum frame. The bike has an easy-to-pull and easy-to-reach handbrake, with internal routing for the brake cable to keep the bike looking clean. It has quality air tires with 12-inch wheels, adjustable quick-release seat clamp post, and kid-friendly hubs to keep out the muck and mud. 

    Cons: Pricey. Although, these bikes tend to have a very high resell value and can be used for years and passed down from kid-to-kid. 

    best balance bike brands for kids

    REI Co-op

    Price: $139

    Pros: The REI Co-op REV 12 kids’ balance bike is a quality, no-frills, durable option for little kids. It’s made with a lightweight aluminum frame and has pneumatic (air) tires with good traction. There’s a handle of the back of the seat for a bit of extra parental assistance. It’s simple, durable, and only weighs 9 pounds. It’s a great choice for REI co-op members and usually available to purchase with your membership discount. 

    Cons: No handbrakes, no quick-release seat post clamp for height adjustments, no steering limiter. 

    best balance bike brands for kids

     

    Spawn Tengu

    Price: $250

    Pros: Spawn is a quality brand that makes fantastic mountain bikes for kids. The Spawn Tengu 12 is the rugged off-road mountain bike version of a balance bike. It’s built like a real bike and not a plastic toy, with quality bike components such as an aluminum frame, chromoly forks, sealed alloy hubs and a real Tektro v-brake with a tiny, reach-adjustable, easy-action lever. The bike has big treaded tires and a quick release seat post for easy adjusting. It’s an extraordinary bike. 

    Cons: Super pricey. And, unless your little shredder is tearing up the trails, this bike is probably more “bike” than most toddlers need. 

    best balance bike brands for kids

    Strider 

    Price: $89-$179

    Pros: When you think of a balance bike, you may immediately think of Strider balance bikes. Strider bikes start at a super competitive price point and are durable and adorable. Their 12-inch wheel line of bikes is made for kids 18 months to 5 years old. There are three options in this line, with different features and prices. The Strider Classic is the smallest bike for kids 18 months to 3 years old. The Strider Sport and the Strider Pro options are the same size and work for kids up to 5 years old. The Sport has a steel frame, and the Pro has an aluminum frame. All the bikes are lightweight and come with an extended seat post and a quick-release clamp to make seat adjustments easy.

    Cons: All the bikes in the Strider line have polymer foam tires and do not have handbrakes.

    best balance bike brands for kids

    Woom

    Price: $199 – $269

    Pros: No matter the age or size of your kids, Woom bikes are at the top of the line for quality and our top bike for the best overall balance bike for kids. The Woom 1 balance bike is the smallest bike in their line-up and perfect for toddlers as young as 18 months. The Woom 1 Plus is for riders 3 years and older (or taller toddlers). The bikes are designed for toddlers with a lightweight aluminum frame, a low point of entry, long seat post, adjustable seat height, handbrakes, and rubber tires (air-filled) with steel spokes. 

    Cons: Pricey. While the excellent quality makes these balance bikes worth it, the high price tag may turn off many families. 

    best balance bike brands for kids

    Yedoo TooToo

    Price: $199

    Pros: The Yedoo Too Too balance bike is a high-quality bike that fits even the tiniest riders. This bike comes in a wide range of fun bold colors with reflective dots, making it one of the best-looking bikes on the market. The bikes come with extra-wide handlebars for optimum control and safety. pneumatic (air) tires, hand brakes, a low point of entry, and a lightweight, durable steel frame (8 pounds). 

    Cons: The seat post isn’t as easy to adjust as other balance bikes in this price range. 

    More biking resources

    If you’re interested in reading more about biking with kids, here are a few posts you should check out:

  • BIKE, FAVORITE GEAR, OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES

    Make Biking Fun: 30+ Accessories for Kids’ Bikes

    Biking is a fun outdoor activity for kids and a great way to get kids active and support their independence. Riding a bike is also a great way to teach your child about their surroundings and make them more mindful of their neighborhood and location. If you want to take your biking fun to the next level, here are some cool gadgets, gizmos, and accessories for kids’ bikes. We’re sharing 30+ fun and creative ideas for accessories for kids’ bikes, which will add hours to their outdoor biking fun! From bike speakers and lights, to toys and safety items, we’ve rounded up the best accessories for kids’ bikes we could find!

    {This post contains affiliate links}

    30+ fun accessories for kids bikes (for toddlers to teens)

    Safety accessories for kids’ bikes

    Headlight + taillight – Add an extra level of safety to your child’s bike with these USB rechargeable bike lights.  The headlight and rear lights feature a one-touch switch with four different lighting modes: full brightness, half brightness, fast flashing, and slow flashing. The silicone mount straps tightly fit around many size seat posts, handlebars, seat risers, backpacks, helmets and stretch to keep lights secure and firm. Versatile enough for cycling, hiking, camping, or any outdoor activity.

    Bike bell – Every kid needs a fun bicycle bell on their bike. Bike bells come in many fun designs, shapes, sizes, and colors. We like this dome mini brass bell, which has a loud clear tone. It fits handlebars between diameters 21mm – 23mm (0.83in – 0.90in) and installs in just one minute. 

    Bike horn – If bells aren’t your kids’ thing, how about a horn? This polished stainless steel horn is non-fading, durable, and weather-resistant. The rubber ball is soft for use and has an unmistakable honk sound to let everyone know you’re coming. Easy to install with a hex key/screwdriver on the handlebars of your child’s bike.

    Bike safety flag – Increase the visibility of your littlest cyclist’s bike with this heavy-duty fiberglass pole and attached orange safety flat. The pole is strong enough to handle strong wind, tree branches, and other possible impacts. Easy to install 2 piece design with a maximum height of 6ft. Make family bike rides much safer for all riders.

    Bike lock – Keep your child’s bike secure when not in use with a fun, colorful bike lock. This 5-digit resettable combination chain lock offers 100000 combinations for added security. Super easy to set and reset your combination. These bike locks have bright, colorful silicone covers, which are scratch-proof and weather resistant. 4 foot long and 1/2 inch thick cable is long enough for securing in most locations. 

    safety accessories for kids bikesPhoto credit: @kristcx

    Fun accessories for kids’ bikes

    Wire bike basket – Whether your child wants to bring their stuffed animal along for a ride or collect rocks while they’re out exploring, bike baskets are really fun kids bike accessories. This basket is made from durable metal wire, with a rust-resistant coating and adjustable sturdy hook loop straps. Ready to install and remove without any additional installation tools. They also come in multiple solid colors.

    LED bike wheel lights – Gain visibility from all directions with these colorful #1 best-selling bike wheel lights and make yours the coolest bike in town. These lights are waterproof and durable, with 2 modes for creating different effects (constant or flashing). They have long-lasting batteries and are easy to install with no tools required. Come with a free manufacturer’s lifetime warranty and 24/7 support. 

    Personalized license plate – Let your young rider pick their favorite word or phrase and have it printed on a custom mini state license plate! These personalized vanity license plates are aluminum and printed with UV-resistant ink. Waterproof, rustproof, and lightweight. 7 x 4 inches and comes with 4 predrilled holes, ready and easy to attach.

    Handlebar streamers – If you want a simple way to add some colorful flair to your bike, check out these fun bike handlebar tassels. The ribbon streamers will fly and dance in the wind while riding. They easily insert into the handlebars of most kids’ bikes, tricycles, and scooters. And they come in a variety of colors. If you want sparkly iridescent ones, the Dimension bicycle streamers are another great option.

    Reflective spoke skins wraps – These spoke tubes are covered with a reflective film, which reflect light and helps with the safety of cyclists.  The tubes come in a variety of colors, so your child can decorate their bike wheels with their favorite colors. They’re easy to install and easy to clean. 

    Spokester bicycle noise maker – If your kids love noisy motorcycles, turn their bike into one with a Spokester noisemaker. Do you remember sticking playing cards into your bike spokes to get that loud sound? This little gadget does that for you! This fun bicycle accessory for kids adds realistic motorcycle exhaust sound with just a snap! The durable plastic lasts for hundreds of miles and won’t damage your bike wheels like clothespins or plastic bottles.

    Bike graffiti chalk set – Turn a bike ride into an art project by attaching this chalk holder frame to your bike and leaving a chalk trail behind. The device can be attached to any bicycle’s rear frame tubes so that your child can make colorful pictures when riding down the street, cruising in the lane, or winding on the sidewalk. 

    Training wheels – These Wald training wheels support riders until they’re ready to ride on their own. For single-speed bikes, the 5 1/2″ diameter plated steel wheels with rubber tires are intended for use by riders weighing up to 100 pounds. The new frame adapters enable this wheel set to be mounted on bicycles with .75 and 1.00-inch rear frame tubes and both 16-inch wheels and 20-inch wheels. 

    Kickstand – Many kids’ pedal bikes don’t come with a kickstand. If that’s the case, consider adding a kickstand to your child’s bike to keep it better protected. This kickstand is made of high-quality aluminum alloy, which is rust-resistant, waterproof, and durable. It’s easy to use, and sturdy. Has a wide non-slip rubber foot pad to ensure more resting stability and protect the floor from scratches.

    Handlebar grips – Kids’ bike handlebar grips tend to wear out or get torn up quickly. If you need a replacement or an upgrade, these mini handlebar grips are comfortable and shock-absorbing made with soft rubber. The oversize bar end helps keep your little one’s hand away from the ends of the grip and also serves as extra cushion when the bike falls over on the side. Designed with a 22.2-mm or 0.87-inch inner diameter to be compatible with the majority of children’s tricycles, scooters, balance bikes, and push bikes.

    Police sirens and lights – Calling all safety patrol! If your child is ready to enforce the traffic laws in your neighborhood, add these fun LED police lights with a siren to their bike! Not only are they a fun way for kids to engage in pretend play, but they also add safety to your ride. 

    Bicycle pinwheels – Add a fun personal touch to your little rider’s bike handlebars with this colorful pinwheel that spins as you pick up speed on your bike. Fits most bicycle handlebars and is easy to attach. 

    Gel seat cover and cushion – Kids’ bike seats can be uncomfortable. Most are made from very hard rigid plastic or inexpensive plastic that rips or tears. This gel-cushioned seat cover is the perfect bike accessory for uncomfy seats. The foam and ultra-soft gel bike seat cushion can reduce vibration and accelerates cooling. Has an anti-skid design, which keeps you away from the trouble of sliding or shifting at high-speed riding. Easy to pull and lock the drawstring and suitable for kids’ bikes.

    Water bottle holder – If you want to keep your child hydrated on a bike ride (and don’t want to have to carry their water bottle), look into these easy-to-install water bottle holders. The holder can be easily locked in different positions of the bicycle by adjusting the claws directly by the manual rotary handle. No need for screw holes on the bicycle. Suitable for holding all kinds of water cups, water bottles, bottles, cans, etc. 

    Mountain bike pedals – An easy way to add color and customization to your child’s old bike (or even a new bike) is by replacing the standard pedals with fun ones. These mountain bike pedals are made of strong nylon fiber and high-strength chromium-molybdenum steel ingot, which is impact-resistant, wear-resistant, corrosion-resistant, and durable. The pedals have a fully-sealed bearing that keeps the main shaft away from water and dust. Each pedal has eight anti-skid nails to increase friction and prevent foot slipping, with reflectors that greatly improve safety.

    Bike gloves – While not as important as bike helmets for safety, gloves can keep your child’s hands from getting skinned in the event of a crash. These gloves are sized for the smallest of cyclists riding single-speed bicycles, from 1 year old up to 8 years-old.  They’re designed to keep your kids’ hands comfortable and protected while engaging in their favorite sport. With a soft thumb material for wiping runny noses and loops at fingers for easy removal. 

    Bike bubble machine – Turn your kid’s bike into a portable bubble-maker with this attachable bubble machine. You can install the bubble machine under the bicycle saddle when riding. Pour the bubble solution in, press the switch, and enjoy a bubble trip. It’s lightweight, runs of 4 AA batteries and makes hundreds of bubbles!

    Bike cones – Add some fun colorful cones to your bike riding to take the fun and games to the next level. These little cones may seem simple, but you’d be surprised how much kids love using them to make obstacle and challenge courses. They can swerve and race through the riding zone and use them in all kinds of creative ways to make up games, races and courses for the whole neighborhood. 

    30+ biking accessories for kids - toddlers through teens

    Bike accessories for older kids

    Handlebar bicycle bag – If you have an older kid that isn’t into the basket but could use storage, consider a handlebar bike bag. This bag mounts securely either on your handlebars or under your seat with a two-point buckle attachment. Attaches to all types of handlebars. Has a stiff inner shell that helps the bag maintain its shape. Is made from heavyweight polyester construction to ensure durability.

    Speedometer/odometer – Any tech-loving kid (or speed demon) will appreciate this fun bike accessory. This is better for more mature kids, as it will encourage them to ride more to see their distance rack up and top speeds noted. Automatically wakes from sleep mode upon sensing vibration in the bicycle. Bright LCD display to easily view ride statistics. Small size, lightweight, wireless, waterproof design makes it convenient and durable. This bicycle computer measures speed, distance, and riding time.

    Crankbrothers multitool – Older children, teens, and tweens are mature enough to be able to help with the maintenance of their bikes. This multitool includes ten tools, which are perfect for beginners, tune-ups, and chain adjustments. It comes with a disc-brake rotor-friendly Torx T-25 wrench, seven hex wrench sizes, a Phillips and a flat head screwdriver. 

    Bike repair stand – Speaking of bike repair, if your older child is interested in bicycle repair and maintenance, a repair stand may be very useful. This stand has a 360-degree rotatable clamp with a lever to hold your bike steady, with adjustable height. The aluminum alloy frame holds a max load of 60 pounds (more than most adult bikes). The big tray has a customized place for tools, with a magnet to collect screws and nuts. Super steady base with rubber feet won’t scratch the floor. 

    Camelbak hydration packs – If your child’s bike frame isn’t large enough for a water bottle holder (or if your older child wants to carry more water, snacks, and other stuff), we highly recommend the Camelbak Mini MULE hydration pack. The pack is small enough for kids to carry 1.5L of water (best for 5-year-olds and up). It’s lightweight with a built-in safety whistle, extra storage pockets, and reflective accents for visibility in low-light environments.

    Rearview mirror – If your child rides their bike on the road or anywhere with traffic, consider adding a rearview mirror for safety, so they can keep an eye on what’s behind them. This durable convex mirror has a diameter of 3.23 inches with a bendy shaft to easily adjust the mirror angle. 

    Bike ramp – If your little daredevils are ready to add some air to their biking skills, a portable bike ramp is a blast! This ramp is solid, durable, and stylish, with an astonishing width of 23.62 inches and weight capacity of 3 adults. It has a slip-resistant finish, non-slip rubber feet, and adjustable height for bike jumps with BMX bikes. It’s portable and easy to store. Assembles in 1 minute, no tools required.

    Bluetooth speaker – Add some fun tunes to your bike rides with a wireless Bluetooth speaker. The UE Roll 2 Volcano is both waterproof and shockproof, which means it can withstand a lot of abuse when you’re outside on the trails. It attaches anywhere and has a super long (up to 9 hours) rechargeable battery life. Comes in many different colors. 

    Photo credit: @arevook

    For more biking content

    If you’re interested in reading more about biking with kids, here are a few posts you should check out:

    What are your favorite kids’ bike accessories?

  • FAVORITE GEAR, NATURE SCHOOL, OUTDOOR SCHOOLS

    Demystifying Outdoor Schools: The Next Big Thing in Early Childhood Education

    Outdoor schools are gaining in popularity and sprouting up across the US and Canada. Now more than ever, parents realize the benefits and importance of their kids spending time outside, in the natural world, and learning through hands-on nature-based education. But, what exactly is an outdoor school, where do you find one, and what do kids need to wear to attend? We’ve got all the answers to these questions and more! 

    everything you need to know about outdoor schools for kids

    Getting acquainted with outdoor schools

    Recently, I had the opportunity to chat with Alyssa Marsh, one of the founders of the newly launched Outdoor School Shop (ODSS), on the Run Wild My Child Podcast. I got to pick her brain on all things outdoor school-related. Over the last few years, I’ve heard more and more about “outdoor schools” and outdoor education in general, but I did not know a lot about the whole outdoor school movement in elementary education. My kids attend a traditional school, and there are not a lot of outdoor schools around where we live. 

    However, outdoor schools are gaining in popularity and sprouting up across the US at an unprecedented level. Even before the pandemic, outdoor school numbers were increasing, but now more than ever, the benefits of spending the majority of school-time hours outdoors is readily apparent to parents. 

    Outdoor School Shop’s mission is to outfit (forgive the pun) families and outdoor schools with the right outerwear so that gear never becomes the reason a child is not happy and thriving at outdoor school. In addition to selling all things waterproof, warm, and durable, ODSS is a big proponent of educating everyone about the concept of outdoor schools, how they’re different, where to find one, and how to dress for attending one.

    Since we’ve received so much positive feedback on the episode and lots of really great questions about outdoor schools, I’m here to share a little about what I learned while chatting with Alyssa on the podcast. I also encourage you all to listen in for all the details!  You can access the podcast recording on Apple podcasts on our podcast webpage or whatever app you use to get your podcasts.

    What are outdoor schools?

    According to Alyssa at ODSS, outdoor schools fall into the following categories: forest schools, nature preschools, farm schools, Waldorf schools, select Montessori programs, and traditional schools, which have pivoted to outdoor education due to the pandemic. 

    Forest schools are the most intensively focused on outdoor time, with some programs conducting the entire school day outside no matter the weather.  Nature preschools spend at least 30% of their day outdoors and infuse their curriculum with nature as the steady theme.  Students at farm schools spend between 30 to 50% of their time outdoors and ground their learning around the farm’s ecosystem.

    At Waldorf schools, the outdoor curriculum often includes forest and farm early childhood programs, school gardens and outdoor horticulture.  Many Waldorf schools also have dedicated forest kindergartens. The amount of time spent outdoors at a Montessori school really depends on the school’s individual mission, so make sure you do your research if outdoor time and focus is important to your family. 

    Finally, there is a lot of movement in more traditional school programs to get outside, whether that’s a couple of hours a day or a more dedicated approach to outdoor education. It is worth taking a minute to investigate what options your local school district may be offering, and if there aren’t any, maybe you could get a conversation going? 

    Photo credit: @star_child_nature_school

    The number of outdoor schools is growing!

    The number of outdoor schools in North America has grown exponentially over the last couple of years.  Prior to the pandemic, numbers of outdoor schools were on the rise, but the onset of COVID really pushed numbers to grow at an unprecedented rate.  Not only were more outdoor schools being formed, but traditional schools and otherwise mostly indoor education started moving outside at a rapid pace. Exact stats are a little hard to come by, but according to folks at the North American Association for Environmental Education, the number of nature-based preschools grew at least 500 percent in the U.S. since 2012. 

    Photo credit: @wildwood.forestschool

    Where to find an outdoor school near you

    With the growing demand for kids to spend more time outside, outdoor schools are popping up in cities and towns across the US. It can be hard to find a great outdoor school in your area (as they usually don’t have a big budget for advertising), but ODSS is here to help. ODSS has built an online directory of outdoor schools in North America.  This is the most comprehensive directory out there, with 1000+ schools and growing every day. 

    The outdoor school directory focuses on schools for toddlers to 12-year-olds. It also includes outdoor daycares for the littlest ones. Run Wild My Child is happy to co-host that very same directory on our website as well. To use the directory, just enter your zip code and select your town from the results in the drop-down.  You will be provided access to all the schools within a 20-mile radius of your town. 

    I entered my zip code, and there was only one result, but I am hopeful lots of you are going to get much more impressive results!  There are parts of North America that are far ahead of other areas in terms of outdoor school presence, but I’m hopeful that we will all catch up soon!  This is a growing and exciting movement in education and one that we feel will greatly benefit our kids. 

    Benefits of outdoor schools and outdoor education

    There are many compelling reasons for your child to attend outdoor school but let me walk you through the highlights.  Children (all of us, really) need time to thoroughly explore our thoughts, feelings, and relationships. When they spend time outdoors, children are able to develop a deep understanding of their world, the environment, and everything in it. Through imagination and exploration, their world opens to endless possibilities. (Source: Magnolia Forest Preschool).

    A growing amount of research and study on outdoor education for young children has become available over the last 30 years. It is well documented that children’s development can be enhanced greatly outdoors in a number of areas. The following are some of the top benefits that outdoor learning and outdoor activities, in general, provide for children (source: Upper Manhattan Forest Kids).

    • leadership
    • imagination and creative thinking skills
    • motor skills and gross muscle development
    • independence
    • self-confidence and resiliency
    • strengthened immune system
    • increased spatial sense and awareness
    • beneficial to children with attention/control issues

    Want to read more about the benefits of outdoor school and infusing your child in nature?  ODSS has a fantastic, curated “Book Nook” with lots of great titles – wonderful options for kids too!  

    Photo credit: @littlebugsnaturepreschool

    What do kids wear to outdoor schools?

    If you think that an outdoor school would be the perfect fit for your child, you are likely wondering what kids wear to outdoor schools. Outdoor School Shop has you covered on this front! They carry top-notch gear that comes highly recommended to ensure that your child is always comfortable, warm, and dry and able to focus on the experience and not the weather. 

    ODSS scoured the market, interviewed countless outdoor educators, and test-drove the gear on their own kids. They came up with a shop stocked with the best selection of outerwear for outdoor school students. However, when I say “best”, I do not mean the most expensive! That’s not always the case. “Best” means best-suited to the environmental demands that outdoor school will require from your child’s outerwear, depending on your location and the weather you experience there.

    Best-suited is different for kids in different locations. Outdoor school students in Florida dress differently than those in Vermont. This is why ODSS created extremely handy gear checklists specific to each region of the country that addresses this question.  The checklists are free and available on their website.  ODSS has also worked hard at producing a super helpful primer on how to dress our children in layers for efficient body heat regulation.

    Photo credit: @muddyrivernatureschool

    Outdoor schools create future stewards of the natural world

    At Run Wild My Child, we’re really excited about the possibilities that outdoor schools bring to families who want their children to be outdoors and experience the wonder and beauty of nature from an early age.  We know first-hand the benefits of raising kids outside and the importance of spending time in nature. The hope is that this early exposure to forests, farms and other outdoor locations will create a bond between the child and the natural environment that will never be severed.  Outdoor schools are helping create the future stewards of our world! 

    Photo credit: @forestfolkacademy

    Have you ever considered an outdoor school for your child?

  • FAVORITE GEAR, HIKE

    The Best Baby Carriers for Hiking & Outdoor Adventures

    As outdoorsy mamas (or at least moms that spend a lot of time outside), we get asked a lot about gear recommendations. The Run Wild My Child team that brings you the articles on this website is made up of 30+ writers, all parents on a mission to spend time outside with our kids and help inspire and encourage other parents to do the same. Between us and all our kids, we’ve tried and tested a TON of gear, equipment, clothing, shoes, etc. and we love sharing our recommendations with you. Today, Lea Reynolds, New Mexico nurse, Army vet, and mom of two (including a newborn), is here sharing all the details on the best baby carriers for hiking and outdoor adventures. Each recommended product has been thoroughly tested and tried by Lea and her family. She’s sharing the best baby carrier for newborns, long hikes and hiking with toddlers.Best Baby Carriers for Hiking - Newborn through Toddler Recommendations

    Best baby carriers for hiking and outdoor adventures

    Are you a parent new to adventuring and want to know what carrier best suits your baby or child?

    Are you an experienced adventure parent that wants to upgrade or make changes to your current setup?

    This article is for you! I’m so excited to chat with you today about the best baby carriers for hiking and adventuring. My husband and I have tried and tested many child carriers over the years. As military veterans and experienced adventurers, we’ve made it a priority to take our children on every exploration we set out on from the beginning. We now have two little ones that we adventure with, so we’ve got experience from newborn through toddler.

    Choosing the best baby carrier for you

    A good baby carrier can make adventuring with two littles not only possible, but fun! But there are a ton of options out there and it’s not always easy to know what you want or need. Plus, it’s hard to know what will last more than a few months (babies grow quickly) and what to spend your money on that will hold up to outdoor adventures and be comfortable. 

    Today, I will talk about the pros and cons of three fo the best baby carriers for hiking and what ages they best suit. I’ll help you choose which baby carrier is the best for you, depending on what type of outdoor adventures you’ll be going on and the size/age of your child(ren). 

    Each of the hiking baby carriers discussed below will help you be more comfortable and confident adventuring outside with kids. A good carrier can make all the difference and inspire you to get out there and have fun on the trail. That’s what adventuring with your kids should be right? So let’s get started!

    The Osprey Poco Plus

    The Osprey Poco Plus is probably the best hiking child carrier on the market. This carrier allows infants from the time they can hold their heads up to about 46 lbs. We have used this carrier with our son since he was an infant and now it’s used to carry our baby girl who is 6 months old. This carrier has a fully framed and padded cockpit area, which surrounds the adjustable seat for safety. It has a lightweight metal frame that allows for transitioning on and off the back easily and safely. Easy-to-use buckles and straps for adjustments. It’s made with soft flexible and breathable materials, with ventilated side panels for comfort when it’s hot.

    Osprey Poco Plus pros:

    The Osprey Poco Plus is very versatile and allows for maximum comfort for both the adult and child. It’s fully adjustable to my body frame (I am 5’3 and 130 lbs) and to my husband’s (5’9 and 170 lbs).  There are footrests on either side of the carrier, so that your child can have their feet resting instead of dangling like soft-shell carriers.

    The storage on this carrier is phenomenal! There are two mesh pockets on either side where I put snacks and toys for my baby. There is a large compartment with a zipper at the bottom that I store my DSLR camera, diapers, wipes, and a change of clothes for baby girl. This completely eliminates the need to carry an additional backpack. It has a mesh back lining to keep you cool on those hot summer days and even has a hydration pack compartment.

    It’s also easy to put on by yourself, which means I can hike solo with my child without needing someone to help me get the carrier on and off. It has a sunshade (stored when not in use) that has come in handy many times while we were hiking desert trails and fly-fishing up and down rivers. It also adjusts as your child gets bigger. The adjustable seat accommodates infants to toddlers.

    I cannot rave enough about how much I love this carrier! It makes adventuring with babies so much fun! It’s a must for any parents with infants to toddlers. This carrier has taken us on some pretty epic adventures. We’ve hiked some steep trails, visited National Parks, fished some raving rivers and most importantly, we exposed our babies to the beauty of the world and all it has to offer. This carrier is perfect for pretty much any adventure!

    best baby carriers for hiking with kids

    Osprey Poco Plus cons:

    This carrier can be heavy for those that are not used to hiking with a load. If you are not used to carrying a lot of weight on your back, you will want to practice and get used to the frame of this carrier. My husband and I have hiked with a lot of weight on our back in the Army so we are used to it, but if you are just starting out, it’s good to start with short hikes and adventures and build up to it. 

    Although the maximum weight limit says 46 lbs (or 4 years old) it’s very heavy when carrying a toddler. The weight of the actual carrier itself is roughly 7 lbs. And then add a toddler’s weight to that (especially if you have a large toddler, like mine) and it can get really heavy. (Although, I should also mention that carrying a toddler in anything is hard. Once kids can walk, they really enjoy hiking on their own and don’t want to be restrained.) We do have a carrier for him that allows him to rest on long hikes (see below).

    Another con to this type of baby carrier is that you have to wait until your infant can hold their head up before you can/should use this product. This carrier is definitely not meant for newborns or the littlest of hikers. You’ll need to use an alternative method of carrying your little baby (see below). 

    Finally, the Osprey Poco plus is a bit pricy and may not be an affordable option for everyone. This carrier retails for $340. If you’re going to be doing a lot of hiking with your kid(s) over the years (and will use this for multiple kids), then the price is definitely worth it. It will last a long time and can be resold for quite a bit of what you paid for it. We purchased our older version on Facebook MarketPlace for a fraction of the current retail cost. When buying used, make sure to check all straps, buckles, handles, etc. for holes, rips, wear, tears, stains, damage, etc. You’d be surprised what awesome gear you can find used.

    best kid carrier backpacks for hiking

    Ergo Baby 360

    The next carrier we will talk about is a soft-shell baby carrier called the Ergo Baby 360. There are several similar baby carriers out there, but we love this one. It is so comfortable and can sit baby in 4 different positions; facing parent, facing out, hip carry, back carry. We have used this one for each of our children when they were infants. It has taken us on some amazing adventures and I will continue to use it until its time comes to an end. This carrier is best suitable for hikes with newborn-toddlers, walks around the neighborhood, walks on the beach, and comes in handy when you have other children. 

    Ergo Baby 360 pros:

    The Ergo Baby 360 is very comfortable to wear and fully adjustable for different body frames. It’s really light-weight and comes in a variety of colors and patterns. It can carry your baby in 4 different positions as they grow and depending on what’s comfortable for you both. It has a sun-shade cover to keep baby’s head out of the sunshine and comes with a pillow that allows newborns to be carried safely. We took our baby girl on her first hike when she was just 1-week old and if it hadn’t been for this carrier, we would have had to carry her or would have resorted to a paved trail that was stroller accessible. 

    best baby carriers for outdoor adventures - newborn babies
    1 week-old baby in Ergo Baby 360

    Ergo Baby 360 cons: 

    The orginal version of this carrier is best suitable for colder weather. It can get a little toasty for baby in the summer (and we live in New Mexico, where it can get really hot). Ergo Baby does make a cool mesh version of this same carrier, which says that it keeps you and your baby cooler on hotter days.

    It’s rated for up to 45 lbs but it’s definitely not as comfortable once they hit that weight, even on your back.  We transition to our Osprey Poco Plus once they outgrow this one.  This carrier is also a little hard to put on and load the baby by yourself. 

    baby infant carriers for hiking
    Tropical forest hike in Hawaii with our Ergo Baby 360.

    Trail Magik Toddler Carrier

    As our kids get older, we needed something to help us carry our toddler. The last carrier we use is relatively new to the market. It’s made by a family-owned company called Trail Magik. It’s a soft-shell carrier that is durable and specifically made with toddlers in mind. It retails for $95. During transit it’s folded to the size of a small water bottle & weighs just ounces. When needed, The Trail Magik Carrier can attach to the front of your backpacking backpack so you won’t miss a beat while your little hitchhikers get their rest on. It allows your toddler to rest comfortably, while not displacing your hiking backpack. 

    Trail Magik Toddler Carrier pros:

    This toddler carrier is very lightweight, foldable, and durable. Helps toddler rest on longer hikes, once they need a break. It also allows you to carry two children at once (if you’re feeling like Super Mom!).

    We were skeptical of the claims of being able to carry your todder comfortably at first because we all know how heavy toddlers can be. The thought of attaching our 35 lb toddler to the front while carrying 45 lbs + on our back, seemed absurd, but we needed something specially made for toddlers. We purchased this carrier recently and tried it out on our strenuous 4-mile hike in Taos, New Mexico. With an elevation gain of 1,030ft. , we knew our toddler would not last the entire hike on his own so we knew we needed something to help him along the way. Our son made it to 3.5 miles before needing help and boy were we ecstatic to have this carrier.

    My husband attached him to his pack and we made it the alpine lake. We enjoyed our alpine lake hike so much, we failed to capture photos of us hiking to the top with our son in this carrier. Here is a photograph of it from another hike. 

    Best hiking carrier for a toddler
    Steep, rocky climb with baby and toddler.

    best hiking kid carrier for toddlers

    Trail Magik Toddler Carrier cons:

    Unfortunately, the Trail Magik baby carrier is not great for prolonged use or really long hikes. You have to have weight on your back to counter the front weight this means wearing a carrier on your back or a hiking backpack with some good amount of weight in it. The weight of your toddler can cause shoulder discomfort if used for too many miles in one hike.  

    best baby carriers for hiking with toddlerscarriers for hiking with kids

    Find the baby carrier that works for you

    There is an abundance of baby and child carriers on the market. It is important to find the one(s) that best suit you and your family. Different carriers are made for different activities and the age/size of your children. Finding the most comfortable carrier is sometimes a lesson learned through trial and error. If possible, I highly recommend trying on and testing any carrier before purchasing. You can always try out a brand at the store and then buy it second-hand elsewhere. This gives you the option to ask questions about the product and get to know all the features before purchasing. 

    My family and I love to hike, fish, and explore some pretty epic places. The carriers listed above have made it not only possible with our children, but fun! There is nothing better than the look on your child’s face when they reach the top of a steep and long hike, or reel in a fish and they are able to witness it right on your back. The right baby carrier allows you to continue doing the adventurous things you love while your children come along. I stand wholeheartedly in these carriers and know that they will continue to take us on epic adventures. 

    Happy adventuring!

    More resources about hiking with kids 

    If you’re interested in more great content about hiking with kids, be sure to check out the following posts:

    Do you use a baby carrier for hiking?
    Which brand do you recommend?

    About the author

    Lea is a dedicated wife, adventurous mother, Registered Nurse, and Army veteran. She is from New Mexico and strives each and every day to get outside with her wild toddler and newborn baby girl. She and her husband Brandon both served 8 years in the Army and it was during that time their love for the outdoors and seeing the world was born. When they had their son, that passion only intensified. They love to fly fish, overland in their Jeep, hike, surf, and capture these moments on camera. Lea is a professional photographer on the side and you can always catch her with her camera in her hand. Their goal is to influence more families in their rural state of New Mexico to explore the beauty of the SW while educating them on photography tips, medical tips like First Aid, outdoor safety and gear, etc. 

    You can find Lea online in the following locations:
    Instagram: @wildstokefam
    Website: Wild Stoke Fam
    RWMC posts: Lea Reynolds

  • FAVORITE GEAR, OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES, SKI/SNOW, WINTER

    Gear Review: Best Kids’ Gloves and Mittens for Outdoor Play

    With the winter cold always comes the battle over wrangling my kids into gloves or mittens. Over the years, we’ve gone through countless pairs of kids’ gloves – from the cheap ones grabbed at my local Target to the expensive ones that I special ordered from the best gear companies. As you can imagine, not all gloves are created equal. Some actually keep my kids’ hands warm and dry, while others got tossed in the bin, never to see the light of day again. Today our Creative Team member and Ohio homeschooling mom of four, Leslie Alvis, is here to help you choose the best kids’ gloves or mittens for outdoor winter play. With some help from the rest of our team, she’s rounded up, thoroughly tested, rated, and reviewed a wide variety of kids’ gloves and mittens to help you get your crew dressed for the weather and outside to enjoy it.

    Mittens Hero image

    Glove and mitten season

    For many of us across the Northern Hemisphere, it’s that time of year again: those days when the weather makes getting kids outside a lot more complicated. The colder temperatures of the winter months always seem to surprise us with their biting chill. Driving winds, cold drizzles, and icy snowflakes all add a unique challenge to getting kids outside.

    Getting your crew dressed properly for winter weather can be overwhelming! But it’s also incredibly important. When it’s cold outside, your child’s head, ears, hands, and feet are most prone to cold exposure. Extremely cold weather can cause two potentially serious conditions: hypothermia and frostbite. To ensure they stay toasty and warm, make sure you have heavy socks, waterproof boots, waterproof gloves, a scarf, and hat, and/or ear muffs on hand depending on changes in weather. For older children and toddlers, gloves are needed when the weather is 40°F or lower. 

    Kids Mittens

    The battle over mittens

    Getting mittens that fit to stay on a child can be a real chore. Finding ones that actually stay on a child’s hands and keep little fingers warm and dry is a super-parent challenge. I think covering my kids’ hands is the final and most important step to getting them out the door in cold weather, but sometimes it’s also the hardest one.

    I can’t count the times I’ve had a toddler meltdown on the floor, fully dressed for the snow except for their hands, while I frantically try to find a pair of gloves that fits or that one missing mitten. Nor can I count the times a child has dissolved into tears outside because their gloves came off or got soaked through. Once their hands are freezing, my kids inevitably decide winter is for the birds. They’re ready to hibernate indoors by the woodstove with a cup of hot chocolate until spring.

    And while hot chocolate by the fire is one of the great joys of winter, so is the magic of tromping through frosty woods, catching snowflakes on your tongue, or sledding down a snow-covered hill. But having warm, dry hands seems to be the key to kids enjoying the wonders of the outdoors world during the winter months!

    So here’s our round-up of the best kids’ gloves and mittens to help you get your child geared up and outside for winter. We’ve tried and tested gloves from a variety of companies, price points, and materials to find all our favorites to share with you. 

    kids gloves

    Kids’ gloves vs. mittens

    Before we get started, let’s take a minute to discuss the question of gloves versus mittens. Which is best for your child? I have to say, a lot depends on your child’s age and the activities they will be doing. For younger children (babies, toddlers, preschool-aged kids), I will always go with mittens. They are SO much less frustrating for both you and your child! Trying to get ten tiny fingers into the correct finger holes in a pair of gloves can reduce both a toddler and their parent to tears. I personally think mittens help keep little fingers warmer, too. Mittens are great for sledding, making snow angels, hiking, and generally running around outside in the cold weather. 

    As your kids get older, it seems like gloves vs mittens choice becomes a matter of personal preference. Some older kids prefer gloves, and some prefer mittens. Sometimes, the choice depends on the activity. For instance, mittens might be better for skiing (when you just need to hold a ski pole), but warm gloves are preferable for an activity that requires a lot of finger coordination and fine motor skill, like making snowballs for snowball fights. 

    Kids mittens

    Features of kids’ winter mittens and gloves

    When shopping for kids’ winter gloves and mittens, you’re sure to come across a variety of terms and descriptions. Some may be obvious, and others may be a bit tougher to know what they mean. Here’s a quick run-down of all the common terms you’ll see used to describe kids’ gloves and mittens. 

    Convertible – We discussed the difference between gloves and mittens above, but convertible gloves give you the best of both worlds. This is a fingered glove with a mitten cover. The glove part is usually thinner, and not insulated. The mitten cover folds over the fingers for additional insulation, making it a versatile option for different types of weather.

    Fleece-lined – Fleece-lined gloves provide a soft and comfortable interior. Fleece is lightweight insulation that adds warmth, but not bulk. It allows the digits to move with a great deal of freedom inside the glove or mitten. 

    Shell mitts – These mittens aim to provide waterproof breathable protection in snowy/wet environments. Shell mitts are usually lightweight, flexible, durable, quick-drying, and compressible for easy storage. They are often layered over top of medium-weight gloves, glove liners, or thicker mittens.

    Ski glove – Ski gloves are specially made for skiing. They are usually thicker, with more insulation than a regular winter glove. Ski gloves are usually made with a grippy material, such as polyurethane or leather, on the inside (palm) of the glove/mitten for help gripping ski poles. They stand up well in super cold wet weather and are usually waterproof with a lining (sometimes removable) that wicks moisture.

    Synthetic materials – Synthetic materials are man-made materials such as nylon, polyester (including fleece), polyurethane, neoprene, and spandex. Man-made materials are lightweight and durable and these characteristics make them suitable for producing dependable winter gloves that are budget-friendly, waterproof, breathable, and insulated.

    Waterproof – Some gloves and mittens contain waterproof breathable membranes that make them either partially or fully waterproof. Waterproof gloves and mittens shield off rain and snow. Ironically, this may not be enough for keeping your hands warm and dry because if the material isn’t breathable enough, moisture may build up inside the gloves from body heat, which can make your kids’ hands feel wet and cold. The waterproofing of the outer surface of gloves can also be increased by the application of a hydrophobic coating. Waterproof is different than water-resistant (which won’t stay dry too long with kids playing in the snow). 

    Glove and mitten care

    One of the drawbacks of many waterproof gloves and mittens is that they require special care. While researching for this article, I realized that many of these products call for handwashing and line drying (or even dry cleaning) your kids’ gloves and mittens. At best, that’s a nuisance. At worst, it just won’t happen!

    We’re all busy parents here. And while doing what’s “best for the proper care of the gloves” would be ideal, no one has time for that. I’ve often thrown all our gloves and mittens into the washer and dryer with the other snow gear without a second thought. The faster it’s clean and dry, the better, right? 

    The reason why many waterproof gloves and mittens are labeled “hand wash” and/or “line dry” is to protect the waterproofing and material. While this is important, The good news is that sending your kids gloves and mittens through the washer and dryer won’t necessarily ruin them. If your kids’ mittens or gloves (or any of their other outdoor gear) are starting to lose their waterproof qualities, you can treat them with waterproofing spray and they’ll be good to go again! 

    Wet kids Mittens

    The best kids’ gloves and mittens for outdoor play

    We had the opportunity to try out quite a few pairs of gloves and mittens this winter. We’ve already experienced quite a bit of snow this winter in Ohio, so we’ve been putting them all to the test. We also gathered a few kids’ gloves and mitten reviews from members of our Creative Team, in order to give you the most comprehensive gear review we could. Here are the brands that we tested and reviewed (more information and pros/cons of all of these brands below):

    Winter Mittens

    Reima Ote Mittens

    If you’re planning to have your little one out for long adventures in the cold, this may be the one mitten you want. These mittens are waterproof, dirt-repellent, and fleece-lined. They slide on easily and stay on well. Designed and crafted by one of the leaders in European children’s outdoors gear, Reima clothing is created with children’s safety and comfort in mind.

    What we love: These are definitely the best toddler glove we tried. With a wide long cuff for extra-long wrist coverage and a drawstring to keep snow and cold from sneaking in, these mittens keep kids’ hands warmer and drier than I thought possible. My preschooler has played directly in icy water in these gloves and not a bit of water penetrated through. Her hands were still snuggly warm and dry when we came inside—therefore, she was still happy. For a child who perpetually hates going outside in the cold, this was a major breakthrough!

    What we don’t love: The price tag for a pair of mittens is steep. At $45 a pair, they may be too costly for many families—especially those of us trying to outfit several kids. On the other hand, the quality of these mittens promises durability and they’ll probably last quite a few seasons. 

    The other problem with the Reima mittens is that their label reads “Dry clean only.” Since winter play here in Ohio doesn’t only involve fluffy white snow, but also a ridiculous amount of mud, our mittens get filthy on a regular basis. Sending kids’ mittens to the dry cleaners isn’t really practical for us. Instead of dry cleaning, I’ll try hand washing these when absolutely necessary.

    Best Kids Winter Mittens for Outdoor Play - Veyo Mittens ReviewPhoto credit: @sara_mccarty

    Veyo Kids Mittyz

    Veyo Mittyz are a great mitten option for younger kids, babies, and toddlers. They’re some of the warmest mittens out there for little kids. Mittyz are a unique design and are high-quality, durable, and soft. With a variety of bright animal designs, different colors, and styles, they’re fun and exciting for kids.

    What we love: They don’t have a thumb hole, which makes getting them on a toddler SO much easier. They are long and generous enough that they can be worn over bulky coat sleeves. They tighten in 2 separate places with adjustable toggles for extra protection from snow – a strap at the wrist and a cinch at the base of the mitten. For the most part, they stay on a toddler’s hands very well and will keep your kids’ hands very warm and dry (waterproof and fleece-lined).

    What we don’t love: Our only issue with the mittens is that due to their thickness and lack of opposable thumb, there’s a loss of dexterity and fine motor skills when wearing them. It’s very hard for kids to do much with the mittens on – they can’t even hold a water bottle or pick up sticks. My older kids get very frustrated with wearing them and end up taking them on and off a lot (which defeats the purpose). This is less of an issue with babies, toddlers, or little kids that may not need to use their fingers os much. 

    Best Kids Mittens - Veyo Mittyz ReviewPhoto credit: @sara_mccartyNorth Face Gloves - gear review - gloves for kids

    North Face Osito Etip Glove

    Cozy and flexible, these gloves are perfect for keeping hands warm but still usable. Sometimes kids need a glove that isn’t bulky and waterproof, but that will still protect their hands. These gloves definitely fit the bill and are a great option for kids that just need warmth. They’re so soft and warm, with palm grips and e-tips on the fingers. (Even though I’m all for keeping kids off devices to enjoy the great outdoors, we all know there are times when it’s handy to be able to make a phone call without freezing fingers!)

    What we love: We’ve found these to be perfect for being active out in the cold, when not actually playing in the snow or water. My daughter loves these gloves for walks and bike rides. They’re easy to get on and off, without the thick lining that many waterproof gloves have that’s always getting tangled up. Unlike thicker gloves and mittens, they allow for a lot of finger movement, so there’s great dexterity. And they come in a variety of color options to match any outdoor ensemble.

    What we don’t love: Since they aren’t waterproof, they aren’t a one-glove-for-every-occasion fix. Otherwise, their only drawback is their price. At a little over $40, they’re definitely on the pricier side for a pair of gloves. However, they are well-made, durable, and do a great job protecting small hands from cold and wind. With the solid North Face brand name and reputation behind them, you know you’re getting a quality product.

    Kids Mittens

    Snowstoppers Mittens

    We tried out these popular mittens to see how they rank against more expensive brands. With a price tag of less than $20, they are decidedly more affordable than some of the others we’ve tried. They are made from waterproof materials and insulated, but the materials feel much lighter and less durable. When my daughter stuck her hands into an icy puddle (what is it about kids and water—even ice water?), she could feel the water seep through around the seams. However, they’re still reasonably warm and seem to hold up okay to the average snow day.

    What we love: The price point of these mittens brings them into the price bracket I usually spend on a pair of kids’ mittens. They offer some protection against the wet and cold and might be ideal for a climate where snow days are only an occasional thing. They come in a variety of fun colors; here they’re pictured in fuchsia.

    What we don’t love: The materials and synthetic insulation aren’t as strong and thick as some of the other brands we’ve tried. However, this brand does offer a ski and snowboard glove that is a heavier weight than the original.  Also, these mittens lose points in the “easy to get on” category. The extra-long cuffs, although designed to keep wrists warm, make these mittens a challenge to get on. I don’t know how getting on winter gear goes in your house, but in our home, it’s usually a tornado of misplaced hats, socks that need to be tucked in, and zippers that need to be zipped. Then finally, when we’re all sweating and about to cry, the mittens have to go on. I really, really love a mitten that goes on easily and independently. My seven-year-old can’t get these ones on by herself, which frustrates us both.

    Putting on Mittens

    Marmot mittensPhoto credit: RyAnn Peverley @mountain_mama4

    Marmot Glade Mitts

    by RyAnn Peverley

    What we love: As a family from the PNW that basically lives in the snow during the winter months, we have tried so many brands and styles of kids’ gloves. And the pair I keep coming back to is the Marmot Glade Mitts (also available in a glove version for older kids). We think these are the best gloves for kids and the best ski gloves for little ones. They’re the only pair of gloves we have tried that actually stay on my son’s hands, keep the snow out during skiing and snow play, and breathe so his hands don’t get cold from sweat. They may seem a bit pricey at $36, but they are well worth it. 
     
    We love the pull-on loop, the elastic wrists, and the glove clip to keep them paired up when not in use. The other thing I really appreciate about these gloves is the lifetime guarantee that Marmot offers for all of their products. These are hands-down some really great gloves. 
     
    What we don’t love: These gloves are machine-washable but they need to be line dried, which can be a pain. It’s not always possible to wait for wet gloves to line dry before kids want to head back out into the snow to play. However, the natural dying ensures the longevity of the gloves, making them last much longer and ensuring you get your money’s worth. 
    Columbia kids' gloves

    Columbia Kids’ Core Glove

    Columbia specializes in outdoor gear and they know how to do it right, while keeping things reasonably affordable.

    What we love: The Columbia Core gloves are basic, durable, all-activity gloves to keep your kids’ hands warm and dry all winter. Warm and waterproof, these fleece-lined gloves have been a big hit in our house. They fall into the mid-range price point, selling for about $30, offering quality and durability.

    What we don’t love: A common problem with waterproof kids’ gloves, the fleece fingers inside these gloves take a long time to dry out after washing. If they do get wet inside, you’re not going to be to able to get these dry and right back on your child’s hands. Otherwise, we haven’t had any reason to complain about these gloves!

    N'Ice mittens

    N’ice Caps

    From Sara Lesire

    What we love: We like the N’ice Caps mittens (also available in a glove version) as they offer warm mittens and waterproof gloves perfect for winter fun without breaking the bank. They offer a good mix of keeping hands safe and dry while at a price point that is affordable enough to replace when kids inevitably outgrow them. I think the gloves wash well. I wash them in the washing machine and air dry. They do take a little while to dry because of the inner lining though. 

    These mittens also last well. My daughter has had hers for 3 years and they just now have some seams pulling loose. They also are sized generously and have adjustable wrist straps so they can fit well for growing kids for several seasons. 

    What we don’t love: While the lower price point means that they aren’t quite thick enough for extreme cold, my kids have played happily in the snow for long periods. They’ve even worn them to visit the Lake Geneva Ice Castles in below zero temperatures.

    Additional options: N’Ice Caps also makes a 3M Thinsulate-lined fingerless convertible glove/mitten. The gloves have fingers that are half finger length. There is a large fleece flap that can cover the half fingers, allowing the gloves to be converted into mittens. The thumbs are full length and are fully enclosed. This might be a nice super warm mitten option for older kids that want the warmth, plus the option to remove the mitten and have all the dexterity of a fingerless glove. 

    Best Kids Mittens 2022Photo credit: @midwestnomadfamilyLL Bean Mittens

    LL Bean Mittens

    What we love: LL Bean has a long history of producing high-quality outdoor gear for kids and adults alike, and these mittens did not disappoint. They are warm and waterproof, even after playing in wet snow for a long time. No cold hands here! The insides are soft and they’re easy to put on. The adjustable wrist strap helps keep cold air and snow out. This series is available in both glove and mitten styles, too, for whatever your child prefers. At $25 a pair, they are also reasonably priced and a great value. 

    What we don’t love: Once again, these mittens call for special care. The label instructs hand-washing and line drying. While this will lengthen the mittens’ life, it’s also a bit of a pain. 

    Climbing tree

    MCTi mittens

    What we love: We found these MCTi mittens to be a durable and warm mitten option for a very reasonable price. At $20, they rate Amazon’s Choice for boys’ skiing and snowboarding mittens. They have a cozy fleece lining and waterproof outer layer with PU leather across the palm. They also have a handy clip-on string to keep them connected. 

    What we don’t love: These mittens have an extra-long wrist coverage with elastic closure, but it isn’t quite wide enough to fit over some coat sleeves. It’s also too bulky to fit under coat cuffs. This is obviously very frustrating when you’re trying to get a small child dressed for an outdoor adventure. 

    Magic Wool Gloves

    Polarn O Pyret Magic Wool gloves

    What we love: I gave these lightweight gloves a try because of their wool content. I was very curious how that would affect their performance and if it would provide more protection for little hands than your basic $2 pair from Walmart. (You know, the type kids layer two at a time when they’ve soaked through all their other gloves and don’t want to quit playing in the snow? Or the kind you toss into your bag for when someone inevitably gets to the hiking trail without any gloves?) We found them to be amazingly soft and reasonably warm. The 45% wool definitely adds some extra substance to them, but they’re still very lightweight.  

    What we don’t love: These gloves are cozy but definitely not waterproof or thick enough for a seriously cold adventure. They do, however, provide a quick and easy-to-pull-on option to keep small hands protected for short periods of time. Polarn O. Pyret also makes a Waterproof Shell Mitten that can be worn over the wool gloves (0r on their own) to keep hands protected from getting cold from water and snow. They’re an additional $25-$28 per pair. 

    Wool gloves

    2022 kids’ mitten and glove reviews

    Hopefully, these reviews give you a place to start in the vast market of kids’ mittens and gloves! There are a lot of choices out there when it comes to the best winter gloves for kids. With so many options, we hope we’ve given you a helpful gear review for some of the best kids’ gloves and mittens on the market. Having the right gear (and particularly a good pair of gloves) can help your outdoor adventures and activities be a whole lot more comfortable and enjoyable. If you live in an area that experiences a cold winter, investing in a solid pair of gloves can make all the difference.

    Our goal here at Run Wild My Child is always to help you get your kids outside, no matter the weather. Because you know what they say: 

    “There’s no such thing as bad weather–only bad clothing.”

    About the author

    Leslie is an Ohio farm girl and chaser of light, children, and sometimes chickens. She’s a lover of Jesus, wife to her high school sweetheart, and a homeschooling mom of four wild rascals who love the great outdoors as much as she does. As a family, they love hiking, camping, fishing, and just about any outdoor activity. She and her husband are just beginning the process of building a homestead from the ground up, doing most of the work themselves. Leslie has a lifelong obsession with writing and capturing everyday life from behind the lens. Follow along with their homesteading, homeschooling, and everyday adventures on her Instagram account.

    You can find more from Leslie in the following locations:
    Instagram: @c_l_allofus
    Client work: @lalvisphotography
    Leslie’s RWMC posts: Leslie Alvis

  • FAVORITE GEAR, GOOD FOR NATURE, INFORMATION, OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES, WINTER

    The Best Merino Wool Base Layers for Kids and Toddlers

    We’ve all probably heard people rave about how merino wool is the best base layer for kids when playing outside in cold weather. But why is that? What’s so great about merino wool and why is it so expensive? Is it really worth it? And if so, which brands are the best? Our Creative Team member Somer Pickel, Appalachian mom of a whirlwind toddler, had the chance to test out seven brands that all make wool base layers for kids. She’s sharing her findings on how they hold up to rough and tumble outdoor toddler play, along with her review on the quality, colors, pricing, thickness, durability, and sustainability of each brand. 

    **This post was sponsored by the following merino wool companies: Chasing Windmills, Iksplor, Nui Organics, TK Clothing, Simply Merino, Wee Woollies, and Woolino. Product was provided as compensation for review purposes. All opinions expressed and photos herein belong to the author. 

    Guide to Merino Wool Base Layers for Kids - the best wool base layers for kids
    Merino wool is nature’s wonder fabric. It keeps your kids warm in the cold and cool in the heat.

    Layers for the win

    Here at Run Wild, we strive to be your go-to resource for all things that help get kids outside. We’re real-life parents who are keenly aware of how difficult it can be to get kids out the door.  Especially when the weather isn’t ideal. And once outside, you need to keep them out for longer than a few minutes. Because let’s be real, when the crew is finally outside, you’re only going to last as long as your most uncomfortable member. The only thing worse than being cold is your child being cold or even just worried they are.

    With winter on the horizon, we are here to help you avoid unnecessary stress regarding dressing your kids in all their winter layers. Layers, layers, layers. I’m sure you’ve heard over and again how important it is to layer your child when out in winter weather.

    Benefits of layering

    Kids will stay warmer outside in cold weather if they wear layers. Layering helps trap and warm the air between the layers of clothes, which keeps kids insulated and warm. Layering also allows them to adjust their clothing depending on the weather, activity, or situation. They can take off a layer if they’re doing something active, or put on an additional layer if they’re cold. 

    Typically, kids need three layers for cold-weather outdoor play: 1) a base layer to wick away moisture; 2) a mid-layer to insulate and help retain heat and maintain body temperature; and 3) a shell or outer layer to protect from water, wind, rain, and snow. Base layers are usually long-underwear/thermal type clothing that fits close to a child’s skin. The middle layer is great for fleece or other sweatshirt-type material. And the outer layer is a warm waterproof coat or shell. You can always add additional layers or thicker layers if the temperature drops. Or shed layers when there’s warmer weather or your kids are active. 

    A base layer makes all the difference

    A thermal base layer is the very bottom layer of clothing that kids wear.  They’re also called thermals or long underwear. You may have even had some as a kid – they were usually made of a waffle-weave cotton material. Cotton is a poor insulator of body heat and performs horribly if it gets wet (from snow or sweat), so it likely didn’t keep you all that warm for long. Luckily, now, most children’s base layers are either made of wool or synthetic materials. 

    A good quality base layer is imperative if you’re going to be spending a lot of time outside in the cold. It can help keep a child warmer than a huge thick puffy coat. But unfortunately, base layers for kids are some of the most overlooked pieces of kids’ winter gear. It’s easy to remember that kids need a coat, snow pants, and boots. However, if you are committed to spending quality time outside with your kids, you need to be prepared to invest in the best base layers for them.

    You’ve probably heard everyone recommend wool layers as your base layer (even over synthetic base layers). But why? What’s so great about wool? And why does it cost so much? We’re here with the answers as to why wool is a great option for your base layer needs. We tried and tested a variety of brands of wool layers and are here to give you the scoop on each of them.

    Woolino Merino Wool
    Merino Wool is insulating when it is cold and cooling when it is hot. Pictured wearing Woolino size 3t (child is ~30lbs and 38 inches).

    What is merino wool?

    Humans have used wool for clothing for millennia, and have been selectively breeding sheep for superior fleece for hundreds of years. Merino wool comes from breeds of sheep that produce extremely fine wool fleece. These fine fibers provide the wool more flexibility, giving it a strong yet buttery soft, and comfortable feel. Given their natural origins, merino wool fibers are biodegradable. The sheep are typically sheered once a year, which also makes wool a renewable sustainable resource.   

    As a mom who cares about the health and future of our planet, I find these facts quite alluring. However, it’s how well merino wool keeps my child safe and comfortable that’s truly won me over.

    Merino wool is naturally breathable and can absorb large quantities of moisture. It can absorb a third of its weight before it even feels wet! As the fibers absorb moisture vapor, they move it away from the skin. That means when it’s hot out, the merino fiber evaporates the vapor outside the fabric—which will help keep your little one cool. When it’s cold out, the vapor condenses inside the fibers and puts off heat, even when wet, which helps keep your child warm.   So, yes, you heard that right. Merino wool kids base layers can be worn year-round and aren’t just for cold weather conditions.

    Qualities of merino wool

    Other fabulous positives about merino wool are that it’s quick-drying, odor-resistant, and stain-resistant. This makes it perfect for puddle jumping and exploring creeks! The fabric is also much more durable than cotton, machine washable, hypoallergenic, and naturally UV resistant.  Did you catch that last bit? Yes, merino naturally blocks UV rays—some brands listed below tout a UPF of 50! Can you say, hello, reef-friendly sun protection?!

    Merino woollies are extremely functional as base layers for cold days, as pajamas, or even as stand-alone clothing for warm days, making them a triple-threat and three times as useful. The form-fitting design of merino wool base layers means that it’s an easy option for wearing under other clothing without a ton of fuss from your little ones. 

    Nui Organics Merino Wool
    Merino wool is by far the most versatile fabric for enjoying the outdoors in any weather. Pictured wearing Nui Organics sizes XS in women’s and 3t in children.

    Merino wool is an investment

    For many families, merino base layer/pajama sets are a bit of an investment (the brands listed in this article range from $63 to $109 USD). Although merino’s durability, versatility, and sustainability justify their cost over time, the initial price tag can be a hard pill to swallow.

    It can be hard to spend a higher amount on kids’ clothes when you know your child will likely grow out of them in a season. This is especially true when buying for multiple quickly growing children. However, while investing in a wool winter layer can be pricy, they usually last a long time, making them suitable for handing down to another kid (or reselling second-hand).

    Getting your money’s worth

    Wool layers are also great for handing down, recycling, or reselling.  If you have multiple kids, wool layers can be passed down from one kid to the next (they’re very durable). Sometimes wool layers are saved for generations and passed down to grandkids (talk about a long-lasting investment).

    Lots of brands offer wool base layers for kids that are designed to last longer with cuffs that can be rolled up or down so that your child can get multiple seasons of wear out of one size.

    For me, this makes merino wool the best option for sustainability and keeping clothing out of landfills. 

    Pro tip: To save some money on new items, you can sign up for the newsletter for many of these companies and receive info on sales, special officers, Black Friday deals, seasonal discounts, free shipping offers, off-season sales, and more. You may have to be patient and willing to purchase in the off-season, but the discounts can pay off! 

    Iksplor Kids' Merino Wool Base Layers

    Best brands for wool layers for kids

    There are a lot of brands out there that sell merino wool layers. So, how do you know which one you should buy? The good news is, most of the brands in this lineup are small parent-owned and operated companies. They’re all reputable brands that make high-quality products. And because they’re parents, they also know the pricing struggle all too well. Multiple brands have designed wool sets with features for growing children in mind or affordable options for moving on to the next size.

    Here are the brands of merino wool layers we tested and our top picks for the best merino wool brands for kids (alphabetical order):

    1. Chasing Windmills
    2. Iksplor
    3. Nui Organics
    4. Simply Merino
    5. TK Clothing
    6. Wee Woollies
    7. Woolino

    Tried and tested (by a very active toddler)

    In preparation for this article, I reached out to the above-mentioned brands about testing their products. Each of these brands produces merino wool base layers specifically for children. We have since been thoroughly testing the woollies since late summer. And when I say thoroughly, I mean I put the wool on my toddler and set her loose in the forests, creeks, and alpine balds of Southern Appalachia.

    My child is a force of nature, so she’s given them some real wear and tear. Personally, I can’t think of a better fabric durability and kids’ baselayer tester than a toddler.   So, here is our review of each brand and how they tested. 

    Chasing Windmills Children's Merino Wool Base Layers
    Chasing Windmills offers their base layers via a direct-to-consumer model. Pictured wearing size 4t.

    1. Chasing Windmills

    About the brand

    Chasing Windmills is a small family owned and operated company located in Denver, CO. When browsing their website, it’s easy to see they are deeply committed to environmentally friendly and sustainable values. Chasing Windmills was born by a mother-father team (of twins) out of respect for Mother Nature’s goodness, and their commitment to minimizing their impact naturally follows.

    They source traceable wool from pasture-based sheep roaming freely in mountainous New Zealand and Australian meadows. Their merino is certified by ZQ Merino, the Global Merino Quality Assurance Program, and the Responsible Wool Standard. The RWS program focuses on five cornerstones: protecting animal welfare, preserving land health, protecting social welfare, traceable chain of wool custody, creditable certification by professional third-party auditors, and stakeholder input and engagement, including animal welfare and environmental experts.

    Their partners in merino meet strict animal welfare, environmental, and economic sustainability standards.  Mindful of their eco-footprint, they purchase carbon offsets to ensure that renewable energy projects and greenhouse-gas-capture projects offset the environmental impact of their home office and shipping. 

    Chasing Windmills Children's Merino Wool Base Layers
    Chasing Windmills Merino Wool Base Layers’ knee pads are extremely functional

    Why we love this brand

    I love Chasing Windmills’ beautiful earth-toned colors and classic designs. The owners explain that they choose their colors consciously to avoid passing fashions—and hopefully last multiple siblings/children. My kid absolutely glowed in our local forests in the golden amber color gifted to us for this article. I love the natural hue and she loved its brightness.

    The Chasing Windmills’ woollies are the only merino wool set in this lineup whose fabric is obviously ribbed. The ribs are extremely soft and seem to give the woollies a bit more flexibility. They’re of excellent quality and great for outdoor activities.

    My favorite aspect of Chasing Windmills’ wool base layers is that they have reinforced knees (hallelujah!). As a toddler mom, the knee patches are a weight lifted off my shoulders. My child wears woollies year-round, day and night, over and over. Eventually, even the best quality clothes start to give under that sort of pressure. Inevitably, the first place she blows through in her wool sets is the knees. The extra protection from the get-go is hugely appreciated. I know the patches will save me the time I would’ve spent patching them. I should also point out, the knee patches are extremely well done. They blend nearly seamlessly into the pants. Even though they add an extra layer of durability, they aren’t bulky in any way.

    Chasing Windmills Children's Merino Wool Base Layers
    The knee patches add extra protection without any bulk.
    Chasing Windmills Merino Wool Base Layers' knee pads are extremely functional
    Chasing Windmills’ golden color of glows in forest environments.

    Sizing, price, and options

    Chasing Windmills’ merino wool base layers for kids are made in the USA with 100% merino wool (18.5 micron, 200 GSM). They are available in a size range of 3 months to 12 years.

    The company sells via a direct-to-consumer site model that allows them to offer its products at more affordable prices. The thermal long-john wool layers are sold in a set (long sleeve shirt and pants) for around $77 in a variety of different colors.

    Their product line includes base layers, mid-layers (sweatshirts, hoodies, pants, skirts, etc.), neck warmers, socks, beanies, swaddle blankets and crib sheets. They also offer women’s sets in a wide size range that look delectable.   

    Shop the full line on the Chasing Windmills website.

    Iksplor Kids' Merino Wool Base Layers
    Iksplor is a children’s merino wool base layer company that designs and makes all products in the USA. Pictured wearing size 2t.

    2. Iksplor

    About the brand

    Iksplor is a small family-owned and operated company based in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. Their mission is to create easy-to-use and care for clothing that helps get kids outdoors and wherever their childhood adventures take them. On their website, it’s obvious that the sisters are passionate about their commitment to sustainability.

    Iksplor makes its products from 100% ZQ certified merino wool (18.9-micron, 200 G5M). ZQ wool is from New Zealand and certified to very high standards for the welfare of sheep, land, farmers, farmworkers, and of course wool quality. ZQ reports each and every fleece is hand-selected by highly skilled “wizards of wool” for fiber quality prior to certification.   

    Iksplor Kids' Merino Wool Base Layers
    Merino woollies are extremely functional as base layers or as stand-alone clothing.

    Why we love this brand

    Iksplor sets are offered in some really fantastic colors. My kiddo was gifted the raspberry color and let me tell you, she loves them (and so do I). The bright color drew her in immediately. She was literally clapping while jumping up and down! And I love how visible she is in fields and forests. I never have to wonder where she is when she’s wearing these woollies, which makes hide-and-seek extra comical.

    Some of my favorite aspects of the Iksplor set are its 50 UPF sun protection, long-fitting limbs, and torso, thumbholes, and flatlock seams. These woollies are perfect for string bean kiddos like mine. The long features really stretch out the wear time for quickly growing children and move exceptionally well with my always rolling and wallowing toddler. This feature will let us get extended wear out of one size of wool layer. 

    The fabric of these merino woollies is quite soft and thin, but somehow substantial, even so. The thin close-fitting features make for perfect base layering in colder months and cool sun protection in warm environments.

    All the products are high-quality and hand-me-down ready. But, if you don’t pass them on to another when your kiddos are done with them, you can send them back to the company (no matter the condition) and receive 20% off your next order. Once receiving the wool, it’s repurposed, reused, or composted.

    Iksplor Kids' Merino Wool Base Layers
    Iksplor Merino Woollies move great with ever-bending kiddos.

    Sizing, price, and options

    Iksplor makes their base layers in a size range of newborns through 12 years.

    The wool base layer set (long-sleeve shirt and pants) sells for around $89 (0-24 months) and $109 (2-12 years). 

    In addition to base layers, the company makes beanies, neck warmers, and a swaddle/adventure blanket.

    Shop the full line on the Iksplor website.

    Nui Organics Merino Wool
    Nui Organics’ merino wool base layers are heavenly soft but still durable. Pictured wearing size 3t.

    3. Nui Organics

    About the brand

    Nui Organics makes a wide range of beautiful, functional products and wool base layers for kids. They’re a company founded on ethical, sustainable practices. The company takes special care to lessen its impact on the environment, even in the smallest details—like recently changing its product labels to biodegradable fabric and using compostable mailers.   

    Nui was founded in 2004 by a New Zealand mom with a small collection of organic merino wool baby blankets. The company’s guiding philosophy has always been to make something good, that causes no harm, and provides a safe, natural alternative to something that didn’t. They partner with factories in Bulgaria, India, and Lithuania that are committed to sustainable development and fair social conditions within the apparel industry. 

    Nui Organics Merino Wool
    When buying Nui, parents can rest easy knowing their children’s clothing doesn’t contain any harmful chemicals or additives.

    Why we love this brand

    Nui’s merino wool thermals are insanely soft to the touch, which I am guessing is due to using 17.5-micron fiber. For reference, human hair is around 100 microns. This makes it some of the softest merino wool on the market. 

    One of my favorite features of Nui’s kids’ wool base layers is the extra-long cuffs on the arms and legs. The long cuffs allow you to size up and get multiple years of wear out of each woolly set, even with growth spurts on the horizon! Our kiddo has been wearing the same set of Nui woollies for about 18 months and still has plenty of growing room left in them.

    Nui has also added knee patches to their woollies, which I am a HUGE fan of. The knee patches aren’t only adorable; they’re extremely functional—especially for crawlers or those who wear the woollies as stand-alone garments rather than underlayers.   

    In the last few years, Nui has made the shift to making clothing that is simpler and more timeless. Their color palettes are beautiful and perfectly complementary. The complementary colors and high quality make Nui the place to go if you’re into building your child a functional capsule wardrobe.  

    Nui Organics Merino Wool
    Children’s merino wool base layers with knee patches will save you time and money in the long run.

    Adult sizes are now available

    Now, to all you fellow Mamas out there researching and buying your kids’ top-notch gear while YOU are still squeezing into the same base layers you’ve had since high school (please tell me I am not the only one)…I have great news. Nui Organics has expanded its product line into the adult realm! Now you can get gorgeous merino wool layers for the whole family! 

    The company quite kindly gifted me a set of their new adult merino Tencel blend base layers, in addition to the kiddo merino thermals for this article. And shoo wee, are they soft, comfortable, and breathable. They’re also extremely lightweight and temperature-regulating, making them the perfect base layer/pajama combo to take on any backpacking trip or even wear under my nursing scrubs on cooler days. 

    Nui Organics Merino Wool
    Nui now makes amazing adult merino and merino blend products! These are the merino/tencel blend base layers. Pictured wearing size xs in women’s and 3t in children. 

    Sizing, price, and options

    Nui Organic’s merino wool base layers are available in a size range of newborn to 12 years.

    The wool base layer set (long-sleeve shirt and pants) sells for around $69. 

    Some of their other lines, outside of merino thermals, include merino mid-layer knits, 100% organic cotton thermals, heavenly soft merino silk blends, and the newly introduced merino Tencel blends.    

    Other products (in addition to the wool base layers) include merino wool clothing such as tops, dresses, leggings, shirts, sweaters, socks, cardigans, and booties. 

    Shop the full line on Nui Organics website. 

    Simply Merino Children's Base layers - How to find the best wool base layers for kids
    Simply Merino is small company that designs and makes all products in Vancouver, Canada. Pictured wearing size 3t.

    4. Simply Merino

    About the brand

    Simply Merino is a lovely little family-owned and operated company out of Vancouver, Canada, that makes the cutest wool base layers for kids. The core of Simply Merino’s ethos is community and sustainability. All products produced by the company are 100% merino wool and made in Vancouver. They take special care to gather or produce all other needed materials locally—everything from elastic to packaging.

    This little company is exceptionally waste-conscious. They recycle or repurpose all their fabric in creative ways. For instance, included with our woollies was a personalized and sewn card made with merino scraps. Seriously, does it get more creative than that?   

    All products made by Simply Merino carry the Responsible Wool Standard and OEKO- TEX Standard. These standards basically mean, the company can certify their products are produced ethically and sustainably, without potentially dangerous chemicals—from the sheep to your child’s skin.   

    Simply Merino Children's Base layers
    Simply Merino’s base layers are beautiful colors and are great quality.

    Why we love this brand

    One of the key differences in Simply Merino woollies from the rest of the products featured in this article is that their actual fabric is a bit thicker (18.5 micron, 220 GSM). Honestly, I really like it. It’s still quite soft, just a touch thicker. If we were going out on an extremely cold day, these would be the base layers I would choose. Though it stands to reason, all the woollies in this article could handle any challenge the Appalachians could throw at them.

    If you haven’t already figured it out, I am a sucker for earth tones, and Simply Merino has a beautiful color palate. They sent us a deep forest green color that’s swoon-worthy. An unexpected benefit is that the dark color resisted any staining despite some pretty intense puddle jump testing. I also love how my kiddo blends into the forest with these woollies on, it’s almost like she becomes part of the forest herself.  

    Another difference in Simply Merino from the rest of the pack is, you purchase base layer tops and bottoms separately to allow the option of mixing or matching. While for some this may not seem like a big deal, for the more fashion-oriented children out there, color choice matters (probably too much on some days – #toddlers, am I right?).   

    Simply Merino Children's Base layers -- durable affordable wool base layers for kids
    Simply Merino also makes some adult clothing, from beanies to women’s base layers.
    Simply Merino Children's Base layers
    Simply Merino’s base layers are a bit thicker than others in this line up.

    Sizing, price, and options

    Simply Merino base layers have a size range of newborn to 12 years, and from XS to XXXL in women’s sizes.

    Tops and bottoms are sold separately, so you can mix and match colors. Wool thermal long-sleeve tops are around $37 and the bottoms are also $37 (for a total of $74 for the set). 

    In addition to base layers, Simply Merino makes beanies, neck warmers, nursing pads (!!), tanks, and wool craft/mending materials.  We had the opportunity to test out a couple of their merino beanies. The beanies are great, especially for kids. They don’t fit slouchy but aren’t at all constricting. My little one wore hers for hours without it falling off or her pulling it off due to discomfort. Yay for minor miracles and warm ears!   

    Shop the full product line on the Simply Merino website. 

    TK Clothing Merino Base Layers for children
    TK Clothing’s ‘Grow with Me’ style is extremely functional. Pictured wearing size 2/4t.

    5. TK Clothing

    TK clothing is another small Canadian family-owned and operated company that makes ingenious handmade wool base layers for kids. A major benefit of this company’s small size is that some of their pieces are still made to order and, therefore customizable! Their base layer set is probably the most unique in this lineup, and I absolutely love them!

    The products are real-life actual handmade clothing. If the listing on their site says “handcrafted in North Saanich, BC,” then it’s made personally by Rebecca – a person, not a factory. When you buy from TK Clothing, you are supporting a truly Canadian handmade small business. The merino fabric is sourced from a carefully selected range of suppliers including: a mill in the USA (organic merino), a mill in Australia (one of the few left!), ZQ merino, or Oeko-Tex Standard 100 certified or better. 

    They also have a small selection of products (like laundry soap and socks) that they do not make themselves, but are offered as part of the whole merino apparel package! – The laundry care products are all from Canadian companies, and the socks are from a small family-run business in New Zealand – they did design them all, though!

    TK Clothing Kids' Merino Wool Base Layers - best wool base layers for kids
    My child is on the smaller end of TK’s 2/4 but the woollies aren’t at all baggy.

    Why we love this brand

    First off, the woollies are made in a “grow with me” style. They have long limb cuffs and an elastic-free yoga-style waistband. All of which are easily folded up/down to fit your child through at least two years of growth. This bit of extra length is remarkable and extends the wearing season significantly. It’s ingenious! TK’s sets also look super adorable with contrasting neck, limb, and waist cuff colors.   

    The other most notable difference with this set is that it’s a slightly thinner weight of superfine merino wool (195 GSM). Even so, my kid has worn a pair for six months with no visible wear or tears. But if you’re looking for something thicker, the company also makes layers in mid and heavy-weight merino, too.  

    TK gifted us with a beautiful olive/ochre color set. The colors are rich and earthy, which y’all know I love. I think the contrasting neck and cuff colors add a touch of whimsy and fun, without taking away from the clothing’s simple and classic look. The fit of the “grow with me” style is fantastic. My child is on the smaller end of her 2/4 size and the woollies aren’t baggy. Even without an elastic waistband, the woollies stay in place through frolics and tantrums alike. Did I mention the style is ingenious? Because it is.   

    TK also believes in environmentally aware packaging. So when our package arrived, it was wrapped in paper and tied with 100% cotton string. The string can be composted and the packaging can be recycled. And if you’re local, they even offer pickup from their house (!!!) to save on shipping fees, packaging, and gas. How amazing is that?

    Best Wool Layer Kids Clothing Brands - TK Clothing Merino Wool Base Layers
    TK Clothing’s earth tones blend beautifully in natural settings.

    Sizing, price, and options

    TK’s merino wool base layer sets are ZQ certified and have a size range of 3 months to 12 years.

    The wool base layer set (long-sleeve shirt and pants) sells for around $80. 

    They also have some other unique product offerings. While most are kid-focused, TK clothing makes cloth diapering materials, leggings, hoodies, rompers, dungarees, undies, and some adult merino base layers and hoodies.   

    Shop the full line on the TK Clothing website. 

    Wee Woolies Merino Wool Base Layers
    Wee Woollies make and design their base layers out of 100% Merino wool in Canada. Pictured wearing size 3t.

    6. Wee Woollies 

    Wee Woollies is yet another small Canadian family-owned and operated children’s merino wool brand that makes great kids merino wool base layers. They too design and make their products in Canada from ZQ certified wool that is Bluesign, approved. This means they, too can assure their customers ethical sustainable practices (without dangerous chemicals) from the sheep to your child’s skin.

    Wee Woollies is a fun kid and nature-centric company. A lot of their advertisements feature their own children in base layers running around the beaches of Vancouver Island barefoot, which is just straight-up endearing.  

    The best wool base layers for kids - Wee Woolies Merino Wool Base Layers
    Is there anything more wholesome than a little kid in white long johns?!

    Why we love this brand

    The family also promotes mending of their products before replacement. The company has merino mending kits on their site should anyone be in need. This company likely has the most colorful and cheery woollies in this entire lineup. Each set has adorable contrasting cuff and neck hems. But Wee Woollies takes it a step further in that their gusseted bum is also a contrasting color. And can we just give a shout-out to bum gussets? I can’t think of any population who needs bum gussets more than ever squatting and bending little adventurers.  

    They gifted us a pair of their Polar colored woollies-which are naturally white. Before you start thinking white may not be a good idea, these woollies are beautiful and stand out. With merino’s natural UPF properties, the light color is perfect for hot days spent in alpine environments. They are also a bright pop in our typically densely green southern Appalachian forests.

    There’s something incredibly classic and pure about a little kid in white long johns. I’m positive these are the pajamas my kiddo will wear to bed on Christmas Eve for Christmas morning. They’re just that wholesome. Okay, sorry for the tangent, back to the functionality of the woollies. They’re great.   

    The woollies are made in Canada from 100% ZQ merino wool (195 GSM, 18.9-micron). The wool feels soft and thin but is still incredibly durable. At 195 GSM, these are the woollies I grab when it’s hot and we are headed into exposed alpine environments. They have kept my kid comfortable and safe in all kinds of situations. Wet, dry, cold, hot , and of course glaring alpine sun—these woollies are a great choice.   

    Wee Woolies Merino Wool Base Layers
    Wee Woollies’ bum gusset is one of a kind in this line up. It allows your child to bend and squat to their heart’s content without straining the fabric.

    Sizing, prices, and options

    Wee Woollies have a size range from newborn to 12 years. Though I should probably note that the contrasting bum gusset is just in the smaller sizes (size 6 and down).

    The wool base layer set (long-sleeve shirt and pants) sells for around $84. 

    The company also has merino hoodies, tees, neck warmers, and shortie jams in their product line.  

    Shop the full line on the Wee Woolies website.

    Woolino Merino Wool - wool base layers for kids and the best wool brands
    Woolino specializes in safe sleep products for babies and toddlers. Pictured wearing size 3t.

    7. Woolino 

    Woolino primarily focuses on safe sleep for infants and toddlers. This company is passionate about designing innovative, functional, and most comfortable sleeping solutions for babies using the best fibers nature has created. They love merino wool for all its naturally perfect properties – it’s the finest and softest wool on the planet, it’s exceptionally breathable, constantly renewable, versatile, and altogether unmatched by anything manmade. They make a range of merino wool products from bedding and blankets, to pajamas and their bread-and-butter wool sleep sacks.   The sleep sacks are their jam and where this company truly shines! 

    Woolino products meet the highest quality standards. Everything they produce is made with Woolmark and Oeko-Tex 100 certified merino wool and GOTS and Oeko-Tex 100 certified organic cotton. They use nickel-free YKK snaps and zippers that are also certified to be lead and phthalates-free and carry Oeko-Tex 100 certification. 

    While their wool pajamas may not be their central product, they’re really great. All three of the color offerings are sweet, light colors with solid tops and striped bottoms. They are very reminiscent of classic pajama designs and just plain cute.

    Woolino Merino Sleep Sack
    Woolino’s merino sleep sacks are so versatile and warm, we have taken it backpacking. Pictured wearing 18-36 month size sleep sack.

    Why we love this brand

    For the purposes of this article, we were gifted a lovely light blue set of wooly pajamas. The wool layers are extremely soft, which makes me think they likely have a lower micron (but the wool’s specifications aren’t listed in the product description). They’re also a similar lightweight to most others listed in this lineup.   

    My child quite literally spent an hour climbing up boulders to crawl around on her hands and knees in these woollies. Somehow, they survived unscathed (did I mention toddlers are the best product testers?). All in all, Woolino’s pajama sets are a very solid and adorable base layer for babies and toddlers.   

    But like I mentioned before, Woolino’s sleepsacks are really what the company hangs their hat on, and for good reason. Woolino’s sleep sacks are insanely breathable, durable, and functional. Some toddler models have footie holes that allow your kiddo to stand and walk in the sack safely (and may or may not make your toddler look like baby Yoda).

    When I contacted them for this article, Woolino graciously wanted to gift us a sleep sack too. Given we have used one nightly for the last couple of years, I jumped. Their sleep sacks really are something special and hold up exceptionally well. These products will most definitely last you through multiple children. The one we have used for two years has no noticeable wear—and we’ve even taken that bad boy backpacking!   

    Woolino Merino Sleep Sack
    We have loved our Woolino sleep sack for the last 18 months now.

    Sizing, prices, and options

    Woolino focuses on infant and toddler safe sleep, so their product size ranges from newborn to 4t.

    The wool base layer pajama set (long-sleeve shirt and pants) sells for around $65. The wool sleep sacks range from $75-$99. They usually offer free shipping on orders over a certain dollar amount. 

    In addition to wool pajamas and sleep sacks, the company offers a variety of products such as blankets, bedding, pillows, gowns, socks, pants, bodysuits, sleepers, and lambskins. 

    Shop their entire line of products on the Woolino website.

    Wee Woolies Merino Wool Base Layers - the best wool base layers for kids

    Caring for wool base layers for kids

    Merino wool is durable, but it also needs to be properly taken care of. All of the recommendations in this list can be machine washed on the gentle cycle in cold water with a wool wash like this one. While regular laundry detergent in your washing machine will get your wool clean, it’s may also shrink or damage it. Most laundry detergents have enzymes that are designed to break down biological molecules (food stains), but that also means they’ll break down the biological molecules in the wool. You should also hang dry your wool layers, instead of running them through the dryer to prevent shrinkage. Proper care of merino wool clothes is essential in helping them last!

    Conclusion

    As we head into the colder months and the holidays, if you’re looking for versatile clothing that your children can wear in all situations, check out merino wool. I’ve mainly spoken of wool base layers for kids throughout this article, but there are companies out there making all sorts of children’s products out of wool. From the obvious like wool socks (Nui and Woolino both make fantastic wool socks) to outer layers, and even toys—merino is nature’s best technical and ecologically friendly fabric.

    What’s your favorite thing about merino wool base layers for kids?

    About the author

    Somer is a mama living in southern Appalachia. Somer’s motherhood journey began when her oldest daughter was born with severe congenital heart disease. Avelyn spent the majority of her 18 months of life within a pediatric ICU. Though she lived her life chronically critically ill, Avie was an incredibly loving and joyous child. After her death, Somer and her husband sought solace backpacking a section of the Appalachian Trail. Before long, they discovered their ability to cope seemed to correspond with time spent outdoors.

    When it came time to add another kiddo to the mix, bringing the baby along was never a question. In an effort to celebrate the freedom provided by healthy bodies, Somer has hiked her second-born 2k+ miles. Even so, she doesn’t believe grand adventures are necessary to reap nature’s wonder. They just as often revel in mundane evenings in their backyard. The family believes it’s prioritizing time spent outdoors that’s important.

    Professionally, Somer has spent the last decade caring for veterans on an acute psychiatric unit as a clinical nurse educator. Over the years she’s become a passionate advocate within the intersectional relationships of mental health, wellness, and the natural world. She truly believes there’s healing and strength to be found outdoors for those who seek it.

    You can find Somer online in the following locations:
    Instagram: @somerpickel
    RWMC post: Somer Pickel

  • FAVORITE GEAR, GIFT GUIDE, HOLIDAYS

    Best Gifts for Outdoor Moms

    With the holidays coming up, I thought it was time to update our list of what outdoorsy moms really want to receive. Getting my kids and family outside and adventuring is a top priority, so gear and clothing that helps me do that are always at the top of my list. I’m also a big fan of experience gifts, particularly those that involve nature and being outside, learning a new skill, or about nature. We polled our audience and the members of our Creative Team and put together a big giant list of fun outdoor gear and perfect gift ideas for nature and adventure-loving moms and women in your life. 

    {This post contains affiliate links. We may earn a small commission if you make a purchase through one of our links. Thank you for supporting a small business.}

    the best gifts for outdoorsy mom - gear, clothing & experiences

     

    Gifts for outdoorsy moms (and other nature-loving women)

    We have been working hard to put together the ultimate gift guide for outdoor moms. Any of these outdoor gifts would make great gifts for that special outdoorsy mom (or stepmom, grandma, aunt, sister, friend, neighbor, etc.) on your list. Moms appreciate thoughtful gifts and useful gifts. The recommendations on this list are both. You can use this list for the best mother’s day gifts ideas, as well as for the holidays, birthdays, and special occasions. 

    We know that sometimes moms are hard to shop for. But, we also know that we tend to put the needs of our kids and others before ourselves, so we don’t always have the nicest outdoor gear for ourselves. Having good quality gear for mom is important, though! Moms deserve to be comfortable and have quality items as much as the kids do. 

    We’ve broken down our gift recommendations into three categories: (1) gear, (2) clothing, (3) experiences. For the gear and clothing, we’ve included links to online shops where you can find these items. However, for the experience gifts, we’ve just included ideas. You’ll have to do some research in your location to find a place, destination, location, shop, outfitter, guide, etc. that offers the specific experience you’re looking for. We’ve included as many things as we could to give you a variety of options. There should be something on this list for nearly any outdoorsy woman that likes to play and explore outside, no matter what her interests are. 

    Some of the recommendations are pricy – we know that. We’re big believers in buying quality gear that will last a very long time. We want you to get lots of use out items so that we keep as much waste out of landfills as possible. Sometimes that means a higher price tag. Please know that many of these items can be found at resale shops or online marketplaces at discount prices.

    best women's gifts for camping, hiking, water sports, and outdoor adventures

    Gear gifts for outdoor moms and outdoorsy women

    Camping Hammock – A hammock makes a great gift – especially if you pair it with a long cozy nap! This double camping hammock is perfect for snuggling up with a kid or loved one. If you don’t want to share, there’s also a single-sized hammock.  Both are easy to pack in a backpack for camping, travel, the beach, or the backyard.

    Stanley Classic Growler – There’s not much that tastes better in life than a cold beer by the campfire. But sometimes that’s hard to transport and keep cold. This stainless steel growler is perfect for the job. I love the handle, the color, and the fact that it can hold a serious amount of beer. Keeps beer cold for 24 hours. Fill it up with mom’s favorite microbrew and pack it for your next camping adventure, picnic, or outdoor date night. Bottoms up!

    GoPro HERO Session – I don’t know a single mom that wouldn’t love a GoPro. The GoPro Hero Session model is small, waterproof, easy to grab and go, durable, and perfect for exploring the great outdoors. It has a super simple one-button video/photo function, which makes it perfect for first-time GoPro users. Takes video, single shots, burst photos, and time-lapse pictures.

    E-bike – This is a bit of a splurge item, but e-bikes are amazing! I’ve made a conscious effort to start biking more around our neighborhood and use my bike when running errands. It’s helped me get more fresh air and exercise and helped cut down on carbon emissions and gas consumption. However, hauling kids (especially as they get older and heavier) is tough with all the hills in our area. This e-bike has been a game-changer. Radio Flyer (yes, the maker of the classic little red wagon) has a new line of e-bikes that are specially designed for families! The Flyer L885 bike is beautiful, high-quality, and lets me easily carry two kids (or a ton of groceries or gear) on the back! The charge holds for 50+ miles and it’s so fun! My kids beg to go for rides every day!

    Camping chairs – I’m on the hunt for the perfect camping chair. I want something relatively lightweight (because I have to carry it to baseball games), sturdy, durable, comfortable and not too big and unwieldy. A cup holder and storage pocket for my phone would also be nice. If you want to go top-of-the-line with a camp chair and aren’t concerned with size or weight or price, choose the Yeti Trailhead Collapsible Camping Chair. However, if the sticker price on that one gives you a heart attack, try the GCI Freestyle Rocker or the Kijaro, which comes in a ton of fun colors (I have this one in yellow). If you’re packing your chair, the REI Flexlite camp chair is great. 

    Kayak – If the mom in your life loves water, a kayak would be an incredibly special gift. Kayaks come in a variety of sizes, weights, and price points, so you may need to do a little research before purchasing. If storage space and transportability are an issue, consider an inflatable kayak or a collapsible kayak. If she wants to take a kid along on adventures, consider a 2-person kayak. 

    SUP – Along the same lines as a kayak, a stand-up paddleboard (SUP) is at the top of many of our Creative Team members lists this year. We recommend the inflatable ones from Badfish. The Flyweight SUP is ultra-light and easily packable. Or, the Bote Breeze is another great option that comes highly recommended. 

    Bike rack – A bike rack may not sound like a super exciting gift, but think about all the possibilities and adventures it opens up being to take all your family’s bikes on the road with you! Most bike racks require that you have a hitch installed on your car, so if you don’t have one, that appointment needs to come first. We had one installed at our local U-Haul store. We choose this Yakima full-swing 4-bike mount that swings out so we can still open the back of our minivan without removing the rack and bikes. If you don’t have a hitch, consider a trunk mount bike carrier. 

    Satellite phone – Want to give that mom in your life some peace of mind when she’s out adventuring (solo or with the kids)? A satellite communicator is perfect for any mom that likes adventuring off the beaten path, where service is spotty or non-existent. We recommend the Garmin InReach satellite communicator which has 100% global Iridium satellite coverage and two-way text messaging from anywhere (satellite subscription required). It also has the ability to trigger an interactive SOS to the 24/7 search and rescue monitoring center, should you ever need help. 

    Mirrorless camera – A mirrorless camera has been on my wishlist for years! This Canon EOS full-frame body is perfect for the mom that wants to take more/better photos of her kids, but not have to drag super heavy gear around with her on adventures. It’s compatible with all Canon lenses and is a nice upgrade from my current DSLR. 

    Family tent – We recently upgraded our family tent and I’m so impressed with our new tent, I’m recommending it to all of you. We went with the North Face Wawona 6 camping tent and love it. It has a huge vestibule big enough for all our gear and plenty of space inside for our entire family. Another tent for the whole family with great value is the Kelty Discovery 6 tent. 

    best experience gifts, outdoor clothing and gear recommendations for moms

    Packable blankets – We love this fun and colorful packable down blanket from Rumpl. The Rumple blanket is perfect for traveling, camping, picnics, etc. The bright color is fun and it’s so soft! Or this Classic Wool Blanket Rug Throw from the Tartan Blanket Co. is a must-have. It’s the perfect rugged, durable, year-round blanket for everything from picnics to cozying up by the fire. 

    Osprey backpack – For hikers and backpackers, having the right backpack is key. We love Osprey backpacks that are specifically designed for women. If the mom in your life is into overnight backpacking trips, the Osprey Women’s Aura AG 65 Backpack is one of the best backpacks out there with an anti-gravity suspension system that gives outstanding ventilation and comfort.  If you’re shopping for a new mom or have a little tiny one in your family, consider the Osprey Poco Child Carrier backpack, so you can take your kid along on hikes. If you need a good hiking backpack, the Osprey Hikelite is a great choice for day hikes and has a ventilated back panel to keep you from getting sweaty. If you’re in need of a hydration pack, we recommend the Osprey Salida, which comes in a variety of sizes, depending on how much water you’ll need to carry with you. 

    Lamzac the Original Seat – If you really want to up the comfort and relaxation level while out on adventures, how fun is this unique personal inflatable air lounger from Lamzac? It takes three big “gulps” of air to fill and folds flat so it can be easily taken anywhere. Easier to set up than a hammock, perfect for the beach, parks, festivals, camping, picnics, and backyard lounging. 

    TeamFar 12 Ounce Ceramic-Coated Cups – I love this bright, colorful set of 4 ceramic-coated enamel camping cups/travel mugs. Small (easy to pack), with a heat-resistant handle and wide-mouth design. Perfect for coffee, milk, juice, tea, soup, cereal, hot cocoa, beer, or wine!

    Backpacking cooking system – If mom is a backpacker (or wants to be), she’s going to need a good cooking system or camp stove. We recommend the JetBoil Flash cooking system, which is lighting quick, small/packable, and durable. It has an easy push-button igniter and is compatible with a ton of fun accessories. 

    Dry bags – Moms are usually the ones in charge of packing the gear, snacks, camera, and change of clothes for the kids on outdoor adventures. Set her up for success with these awesome dry bags, so everything on the trip stays high and dry. This dry bag pack comes with 3 in a set of various sizes and is perfect for any adventure. 

    Stasher bags – While we’re on the subject of cooking and bags, don’t forget about Stasher bags. These reusable bags are perfect for packing snacks and eliminating food waste. They’re a bit pricy, which sometimes keeps moms from buying them for themselves, but they make for really thoughtful and useful gifts. 

    Wagon – And speaking of hauling all the gear for the kids, whether it’s a trip to the beach or down to the ball fields, a portable/collapsible wagon to haul all the gear is a great gift idea. This heavy-duty wagon is great for the garden or camping. Wheelz makes the best carts for the beach and battling the sand. This sports wagon is perfect for baseball or soccer moms. 

    Simms waders – Fishing moms are going to love this gift! Give her a pair of high-quality waders so she can get in the water, too. In our opinion, Simms makes the absolute best waders out there for women. And don’t forget to add the wading boots and a fly rod (this set comes with fly rod, reel, and fishing line) to round out the ultimate fishing gift package! 

    Waterproof speaker – Bring your tunes with you (or your podcast or your audiobook) when you’re outside enjoying your adventures. We love the JBL Flip 5 portable waterproof Bluetooth speaker. We take ours everywhere with us. It’s recharge and very durable (trust me, it’s been dropped many many times with three kids). 

    Yeti cooler – I’m a bit obsessed with my Yeti Hopper cooler. I take it with me everywhere! While smaller and lighter than most Yeti coolers, it’s still a bit big for carrying around, but I keep it stocked in the car and filled with snacks and drinks. We also take it with us to baseball games, picnics, and BBQs. 

    Clothing gifts for outdoor moms

    Wool base layers – We are all slightly obsessed with merino wool layers. They are warm, super-soft, and naturally odor-resistant, which makes them the perfect base layer for outdoor adventuring in colder weather. We highly recommend merino wool for kids, but mom deserves to be warm, too! We recommend Kari Traa base layers, which are 100% merino wool. 

    Vivobarefoot shoes – Vivobarefoot is one of our all-time favorite shoe companies because they understand the importance of connecting with nature. They pride themselves on their sustainability efforts and lead the way in creating shoes that last with as little environmental impact as possible. My all-time favorite shoe is their Ultra Bloom lightweight amphibious summer footwear. I personally own these shoes in multiple colors and wear them almost exclusively from April through October. You can usually find them in the Revivo resale shop (where Vivo reconditions and regenerates footwear to keep them out of landfills). 

    Patagonia coat or jacket – The outdoorsy mom in your life deserves an amazing winter coat. Hands-down, Patagonia makes the best, most comfortable, and stylish outdoor gear for women on the market. This is a company I personally and professionally admire and look up to for its ethics and commitment to the environment and sustainability. The Nano Puff is perfect for fall and layering. The Down Sweater Hoody is great for active on-the-go moms. The 3-in-1 parka is the ultimate winter coat. And the Torrentshell rain jacket will make any mom excited about playing in the rain. 

    Gloves – The ultimate ideal winter gloves would not only be insulated, waterproof and windproof, but they’d also be tech compatible so you can still use a touchscreen device without having to take off your gloves. We found a few options at different price points that worked for all these requirements – Outdoor Research Melody Sensor Gloves, Koxly 3M Insulated Gloves, The North Face Etip Gloves, and OZERO Thermal Gloves. 

    Chaco Women’s Outcross Evo Mary Jane – I own these shoes and they’re a favorite. Classic Chaco sandals are great for summer days on the river/lake or at the farm. This waterproof shoe is perfect for hiking/creeking because it feels like a tennis shoe and will keep sand and small rocks out. 

    Hiking pants – A good hiking pant is a must for the active mom that spends a lot of time on the trails. We love Title Nine hiking pants. They come in a variety of styles and colors, for women of all shapes and sizes. Title Nine is a women-owned US-based company that makes amazing clothing for women only. Their clothing is high quality, durable, fashionable, and ethical. 

    Wool socks – If you’re adventuring outside and your feet are cold, you’re going to be miserable. Get mom some nice wool socks for all those wintertime outdoor explorations with the kids. Smartwool makes great hiking socks. As does Darn Tough. 

    Hiking boots – All outdoor lovers need a good pair of hiking boots. There are so many amazing brands out there and this is a bit of a personal choice. If you already know what style and colors she likes, go with that. If you’re looking for a new pair, our team members recommend the following: Teva, Columbia, Keen, Merrell. 

    Vuyori shorts and pants – The Vuyori performance joggers are the most comfortable pants I’ve ever owned. They’re a little pricy, but they’re like wearing butter. They also make a pair of shorts (the Halo performance shorts) that will change your life. Perfect for those of us that usually despise wearing shorts.  

    best experience gifts for outdoorsy mom

    Experience gifts for outdoorsy moms

    If the outdoorsy mom in your life has all the clothing/gear she needs, or is more interested in getting experiences than stuff, don’t worry! We’ve got a huge list of outdoor activity ideas, adventures, lessons, and experiences that should help inspire you to find a thoughtful gift that she’s interested in. Experiences make for amazing and unique gifts that can be tailed to any interest, whether that’s adventuring, reading, gardening, photography, or anything else. Because so many of these are based on where you’ll be doing the activity, we’re not including links, just a list of ideas to get you starting thinking about an adventure you could gift. The best part about having the right gear and clothing is being able to put it to good use – these ideas will help you do just that! 

    • National parks pass 
    • RV rental – check out Outdoorsy.com
    • Beach picnic – there are lots of local companies that will set up (and then clean up) a fully catered picnic on the beach for you
    • Farm-to-table dinner experience
    • Horseback riding adventure
    • Overnight biking trip
    • Paddling adventure
    • Rock climbing lessons/passes
    • Ice fishing excursion
    • Photography course (HelloStoryteller has some great online courses…and a few with us where we pair lessons with outdoor activities for kids)
    • “Mom & Me” photo session with a local photographer
    • Garden center gift certificate
    • Foraging excursion with a local guide
    • Fly fishing casting lessons
    • Airbnb gift certificate for a unique stay (treehouse, cabin, tiny home, etc.)
    • Ski school lesson
    • Pontoon boat rental (or houseboat, ski boat, fishing boat)
    • Campground reservations (or plan a camping trip)
    • Hang gliding lesson
    • Plein air art studio session
    • Pottery making class
    • Gift card to local outdoor adventure store
    • Sailing lessons
    • Gardening class (or Master Gardener class if you’ve really got a green thumb)
    • Ice skate rink rentals
    • Safari
    • Surfing lessons
    • Organized night hike
    • Outdoor cooking class
    • Yoga retreat
    • Cross country ski rentals

    awesome gifts for active and adventurous women and moms

    Mix and match gift packages

    Want to go above and beyond? Package a piece of gear or clothing together with an outdoor adventure for a winning combination! For example, pair the beach wagon with a weekend getaway to the beach. Combine the hammock, tent, thermos, and backpack with a campground reservation. Pair the kayak and dry bags with a paddling excursion. Or do just about anything and get it all on video with that awesome GoPro! Outdoorsy gifts are amazing, especially when paired with an adventure!

    Hey moms, what’s on your holiday wishlist?

  • ANIMALS/WILDLIFE, FAVORITE GEAR, GOOD FOR NATURE

    Letters to the Earth: A Photography Challenge

    ** This photography challenge is sponsored by and in collaboration with Vivobarefoot Kids. **

    Letters to the Earth is a global campaign to raise awareness about climate change. We want to help bring your messages to life and share them with people around the world. We’re co-hosting a photography challenge with Vivobarefoot Kids to raise awareness for the Letters to the Earth campaign, as well as the climate crisis in general. All the info you need to be a part of this is below. We hope you’ll join us!

    Image credit: @swissmountainlife

    Forget not that the earth delights to feel your bare feet and the winds long to play with your hair.”

    Khalil Gibran

    Image credit: @dimples.and.the.blonde

    How the Letters to the Earth campaign began

    In the early spring of 2019, a small group of women came together around a kitchen table to talk about the increasingly dire news of climate and ecological collapse. They were inspired to bring that news to the forefront of the public conversation and get people thinking and talking about the state of our planet.

    In collaboration with Culture Declares Emergency, the British public was invited to put pen to paper and write a creative response to our planet regarding climate change. The invitation was open to interpretation and open to all. Within a month, thousands of letters poured in from all over the world – from 4-year-olds to great grandparents, artists, scientists, nurses. The Letters to the Earth campaign took off!

    ​Now in 2021, Letters to the Earth continues to be a huge success, thanks to the efforts of the coordinators and the support of Climate 2025, a small team of educators, creatives, and publicists, and people like YOU with a voice and a passion for change. 

    Image credit: @kristcx

    The power of a letter

    Writing a letter to the Earth can be a simple and powerful way to deepen our connection with the natural world and the people we are sharing it with. Writing a letter is an opportunity to bring out all your fears, your frustrations, and your love, to process what is happening to the world, and to create something new and beautiful and powerful. 

    A letter can express your hopes or fears for the future.  What future do you want for your children? What do you want to say to the government policymakers about their decisions for the Earth? How can you thank the Earth?  What is your love letter to the Earth? 

    The letters that came in were powerful. They were beautiful and haunting, inspiring and heart-breaking. They expressed love, anger, gratitude, humor, awe, despair, and hope. And most importantly, they all send the message that it’s time for change.

    Image credit: @sara_mccarty

    How the Letters are used

    In 2019, batches of Letters to the Earth were sent to over 50 venues and community spaces worldwide. They organized their own readings on a day of joint action. Some venues opened their doors free of charge to the public, others live-streamed and others took to the streets to read the letters aloud. High-profile readers alongside young people and local communities were involved in the presentation of these letters.

    Musicians such as Yoko Ono, journalists such as Rebecca Solnit, and poets such as Kae Tempest contributed their words. Actors such as Andrew Scott, Paapa Essiedu, Alex Lawther, and Emma Thompson read letters at live events and on camera.

    The campaign facilitated hundreds of cultural organizations and artists to Declare Climate & Ecological Emergency as part of Culture Declares Emergency; the first sector to ‘Declare’ globally.

    This November at the next UN Climate Summit, decisions will be made that will determine the rest of our lives and the lives of generations to come. Now is the time to act to let our world leaders know that we need an answer to climate change and action now.

    A select number of Letters to the Earth will be read at the Summit to showcase a diversity of voices and experiences so as to raise awareness of the climate and ecological emergency and stimulate the will to act. 

    Image credit: @wildstokefam

    A letter in photo form

    This year, we want to encourage and inspire you to take action and write your own letter to the Earth. A letter to the Earth can be written to or from anything – another species, a person, or a moment in time. It could be the Earth, the future, a person in a position of power, the sea, or an animal. You can submit your letters to  http://www.letterstotheearth.com and add your voice to the campaign

    And it doesn’t have to be a physical letter…how about a photo?

    The Run Wild My Child community is filled with photographers, artists, storytellers, musicians, and creatives. We want to see (and share) your IMAGES inspired by this campaign. We hope that your photos will serve as a visual way to inspire others to write letters.

    If a pen is mightier than the sword and if a picture is worth 1,000 words, just think of how powerful your image will be.

    Together we can encourage even more participants to write their own letter and tell their story.

    Feature image credit: @usalongtheway

    Image credit: @meghavelaarphoto

    Letters to the Earth photography challenge

    We are so excited to be pairing up with Vivobarefoot Kids to host a Letters to the Earth photography challenge on Instagram.  

    Starting today, September 8, 2021, we will be featuring your images representing your interpretation of a Letter to the Earth. All you need to do is post a photo that visually shows your message to our planet. You can be as creative as you want! We only ask that your kids be wearing Vivobarefoot shoes or be BAREFOOT in the images.

    In order to participate in the challenge (with a chance to win prizes listed below), all you have to do is:

    1. Post your image to Instagram
    2. Be sure you’re following and tag@vivobarefoot.kids, @runwildmychild and @letterstotheearth_
    3. Use the hashtags #letterstotheearth and #barefootletters

    That’s it! We will close the challenge on October 8, 2021 and work with Vivobarefoot Kids to select winners. Grand prize winner will receive Vivobarefoot shoes for the whole family (up to 5 pairs) and a copy of the Letters to the Earth book, which includes a collection of letters. Select runners-up will win a copy of the Run Wild My Child Earth Day Action Guide. Winners can be worldwide.

    Feature image credit: @roaminggonzalez

    Image credit: @sara_mccarty

    About Vivobarefoot

    We are thrilled to once again be working with Vivobarefoot as a co-host of this photo challenge. Vivobarefoot is a B-Corp-certified footwear brand that aims to reconnect people and the planet. They believe that human health depends on the health of our planet and we are proud to partner with a company that shares our mission of connecting kids to nature in a sustainable way.

    You can find Vivobarefoot online in the following locations:
    Instagram: @Vivobarefoot and @Vivobarefoot.kids
    Website: http://www.vivobarefoot.com

    Image credit: @dimples.and.the.blonde

    We can’t wait to see your messages for a better future.
    ​What do you have to say?

    ** This photography challenge is sponsored by and in collaboration with Vivobarefoot Kids. **

  • BEACH, CAMP, FAVORITE GEAR, OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES, SUMMER

    A Mother’s Guide to Backpacking with Kids

    Are you looking for a way to get off the beaten path and reconnect with nature and your family? Do you love camping and want to take your adventures to the next level? Have you ever considered venturing into the woods to get away from it all for a few days with your kids? Well, then today’s post on backpacking with kids is going to inspire you! Creative Team member and Washington mom of 4, RyAnn Peverly shares her experience backing with her sons. She’s giving us the lowdown on how to choose the right backpacking location, what permits you need to backpack and camp, how to plan your adventure, what (and how) to pack, what to eat, and so much more! This post gives you everything you need to feel confident hitting the trail for your first backpacking adventure with kids. 

    Mother's Guide to Backpacking with Kids - everything you need to know for your first backpacking trip

    Starting our backpacking adventures early

    Camping is one of my family’s favorite pastimes. Loading up the car with tents, sleeping bags, a cooler full of our favorite foods. Camping is a blast no matter where you camp, but every so often we yearn to get off the beaten path and find a little solitude away from the busy campgrounds and everyday noises. Backpacking allows us the opportunity to connect with each other and the world around us in an up-close and personal way. 

    We started backpacking when the youngest was six months old. Back then it meant shorter trips, with mom and dad carrying heavier packs. Now that the youngest is 6 years old, everyone is carrying their own weight, and our trips are getting more adventurous. 

    As my children start to get older, and more comfortable in their own skills, I wanted to teach them about all it takes to put a backpacking trip together. 

    How to plan a mother son solo backpacking trip

    Planning a mother/son backpacking trip

    My boys and I decided that we would go on a “mom and me” trip. Just me solo, with them. I was really looking forward to the time we’d spend together bonding and I was excited to show them (and myself), just how capable I could be.

    We sat down together and started planning our trip together. Backpacking is the perfect adventure to blend hiking with camping. It allows you to explore the area a little more, and spend a night under the stars. There are no designated campgrounds, no bathrooms, or running water. No one else around. And it’s glorious. 

    Because you’re away from your car and campgrounds, backpacking means that you carry everything you need for a camping trip on your back. All food, water, clothing, and camping gear. There’s a lot of packing and thinking ahead that goes into backpacking, so a good plan is key to a successful trip. 

    How to choose a place to go backpacking with kids

    Where to go backpacking?

    Our first step was to choose where we wanted to go for our backpacking adventure. Our favorite resource here in Washington is the Washington Trails Association website. Their website, wta.org, has the most comprehensive list of trails in Washington state. This list of kid-friendly backpacking trips is a great resource. Some of our other favorite resources for choosing a location are:

    • All Trails
    • Local guidebooks
    • National Park websites
    • National Forest website

    Things to consider when planning a backpacking trip with kids

    When choosing a location to go backpacking, we take a few important things into consideration.

    • How many days are we going out?
    • How far do we want to drive?
    • What will the weather be like?
    • How far do we want to hike to a campsite?
    • What type of permit or reservation do we need?

    There are so many questions! For this trip, we decided to return to one of our favorite places, Sand Point out on the Olympic Peninsula. This backcountry camping area lies right on the coast of the Pacific ocean and offers so many opportunities to explore. Since the trip would be just me and the boys, we decided to stick to a shorter, easier trail. At just three miles in, we knew the hike wouldn’t be a challenge and would give us plenty of time to spend the day playing at the beach. 

    How to plan a backpacking trip with kids

    Secure your camping location and get the necessary permits

    After choosing our location, we had to make sure we could secure our campground spot. For this particular location, we needed to get a backcountry permit since we would be camping in a National Park. Areas like National Forests and BLM (Bureau of Land Management) do not require permits or reservations. Wherever you decide to go, be sure to check your local rules and regulations and acquire the proper permits before leaving the house.

    To secure our permit we visited Reservation.gov, made our date selection, and paid the associated fees. In addition to getting our campsite secured, we checked the weather and downloaded a map of the trail and area we were going. The All Trails app (paid version) allows you to download maps to an app on your phone for easy navigation. You can also download and print maps from the National Park and National Forest websites to bring along.

    Backpacking trips are a great way to teach your kids map reading skills. 

    Mother Son backpacking trip - how to plan

    What’s in your backpack?

    Now that our location was set, we needed to make sure we brought everything for a great trip. Since backpacking requires you to carry everything in your pack with you to your campsite, it requires lighter, more compact items. This may mean that not everything in your car camping kit will work.

    5 essential items for backpacking trip

    1. Backpack: This pack needs to be large enough to fit all of your gear inside. As the parent, I generally carry a 45-65 liter pack, and the kids each carry their own day pack. It is important when selecting a pack for backpacking that it fits comfortably. Remember, you could be carrying upwards of 30lbs. on your back. The kids carry their own water, snacks, extra clothes, and their sleeping bag. 

    2. Tent: Car camping tents can be used if that’s what you have, but be forewarned that they are generally bulky and heavy. A good backpacking tent is an investment that can be used for car camping also. This tent made by REI has served our family well for many types of camping trips.

    3. Sleeping bag: Because we live in Washington state (and it gets cold here!) we have decided 32 degree bags were the best buy for our money. A sleeping bag at this rating will take us through most seasons. When choosing a sleeping bag for backpacking take into consideration packed weight, temperature rating and type of insulation. This sleeping bag by Kelty is one of our favorites.

    4. Sleeping mat: Sleeping mats play a key role in a good sleep system while backpacking. If your mat is not comfortable you likely won’t sleep well. The same is true for insulation and keeping you warm through the night. There are a lot of pads on the market, and the choice can be a big one. For our family the kids use a closed cell sleeping mat, like this one. For mom and dad, we chose something with a little more cushion. This is one of my favorites!

    5. Stove: There are so many stove options out there, but for backpacking, we have found that we like to keep meals simple and lightweight. For this all we needed was a stove that could boil water, and make a good cup of coffee. So we chose to bring along a Jetboil stove that comes with a french press kit. How perfect is that!

    Some other fun items to bring along are a hammock, a blow-up lantern, small toys, a book for family storytime, and binoculars. For a comprehensive list of what to bring, I generally print off this great list from REI.

    Mother's Guide to Backpacking in the PNW with Kids

    What to eat on a backpacking trip with kids?

    Our next step was to plan out what to eat on our backpacking trip. The boys and I sat down and made a meal plan together. Because we can’t bring the whole camp kitchen with us, we decided to stick with simple foods. When deciding how much food you need, take into consideration how many days you will be out, and how much energy you will be using. We all know busy and active kids get hungry.

    For breakfast and dinners, we stuck with foods that could be cooked with just boiling water. Oatmeal is a great filling breakfast, and adding freeze-dried berries to it is a fun way to add some flavor and nutrition. For dinner, we chose pre-made dehydrated meals that come prepackaged. They are lightweight and generally have 2 servings in each pouch. There are so many great brands out there (Mountain House, Peak Refuel, Alpine Aire) with fun flavors to try. Our family’s favorites are chili mac and teriyaki chicken & rice. I suggest getting a variety of them and trying a few out at home to make sure you like them and pack your favorites. 

    For lunch and snacks, we stuck with foods we know we love. This is the meal plan we came up with.

    2-day backpacking meal plan

    Meal Day 1 Day 2
    Breakfast At home Oatmeal w/ freeze dried berries & coffee/ hot chocolate
    Lunch Backpackers charcuterie 

    (crackers, baby bell, olives, salami, tangerine/ apple)

    		 Tuna wrap

    (packaged tuna, mayo packet, mustard, hot sauce, celery chunks)
    Snack Dried mango, cliff bars, meat sticks Peanut butter M&Ms, banana chips, salmon jerky 
    Dinner Dehydrated meals x2 At home or restaurant
    Dessert Apple Crisp  Extra snacks in car for ride home

    Backpacking meals grocery shopping list

    • Instant oatmeal
    • Crackers
    • Baby bell cheese
    • Olive or pickle packet
    • Salami or summer sausage
    • Packable fruit (apples, cuties)
    • Meat sticks
    • Salmon jerky
    • M&Ms
    • Banana chips
    • Cliff bar (or other granola/energy bars)
    • Dehydrated meals (Mountain House, Peak Refuel, Alpine Aire)
    • Freeze-dried fruit
      • apples
      • mangos
      • strawberries
      • blueberries
      • raspberries
    • Granola
    • Walnuts
    • Cinnamon
    • Brown Sugar
    • Tortillas

    Easy snacks and meals for overnight backpacking trips with kids

    How to store and pack your food for backpacking

    The first thing we need to know is if there are any regulations on food storage in the area we are going to. Each land management has its own guidelines on how to safely store food. It’s important when researching your location that you find out how you are required to do this.

    There are two general ways to safely keep food out of the hands (or paws) of the animals in your area.

    • Bear canister: A bear canister is a hard-shell plastic cylinder with a lid that humans can screw on and off, but animals can not get inside of. The plus side of this type of storage is that you can leave it on the ground. The con is that these canisters are bulky and take up quite a bit of room in your pack. For our trip we were required to bring this, so we filled it with all our food and a few other supplies so as not to waste space. 
    • Hanging your food: The food hanging method is easy to implement, transport, and is made up of a few easy-to-find components. You will need a bag that closes (we use a dry sack), 50 feet of rope or para-cord, and a rock. The idea is to tie one end of the cord to your bag, and the other end to the rock. Then you toss the rock over a tree branch and use the weight to pull your bag off the ground. Then secure the rock end to another nearby tree. When using this method make sure your bag is at least 10 feet from the ground and six feet from the tree trunk. The con of this type of storage is that you have to have larger trees where you are going.

    Setting up your backpacking camping kitchen

    After food storage had been sorted I asked the boys to help me decide which kitchen items would be helpful for our trip. Since we decided on foods that either didn’t need to be cooked or only required hot water, that meant we could pare down our camp kitchen to a few essentials. Besides the stove we were bringing to boil water, our kitchen kit looked like this:

    • Mug for hot beverages
    • Folding bowl for breakfast and dinner
    • Spork
    • Small pack of wet wipes
    • Biodegradable soap 
    • Small microfiber towel
    • Water filtration system

    best water filtration when backpacking with kids

    Water filtration system for backpacking

    One key factor when you go backpacking is to know where your water sources are. Is there a lake, river, stream nearby? If you are hiking into an area with few (or no) water sources you will need to carry more with you. Our chosen campsite had a freshwater stream that fed into the ocean. This meant we only needed to carry enough water for the hike in, and then would be able to gather and filter more as needed.

    It’s important to filter your water before drinking because all natural water sources carry microscopic pathogens. Ingesting these tiny critters can cause some serious upset tummies. In order to avoid this, bringing along a water filter is necessary.

    There are several types of water filtration systems for camping on the market, but our favorite is a gravity filter. These types of filters allow you to fill a larger “dirty” water bag attached to a filter, which then runs through a hose into your water bottle or “clean” water container.

    how to pack your backpack for overnight backpacking with kids

    How to fit everything you need in your backpack

    There’s a lot of gear and supplies that need to go into your backpack. You need a good packing system in place so that you have easy access to the items that you’ll need first and most often. This will keep you from having to dig through your pack every time you need something. Plus, a well-packed backpack means equal distribution of weight, which helps tremendously when carrying a full pack. 

    You should pack your backpack in layers. The bulkiest items will be on the bottom (the stuff you don’t need access to throughout the hike). The most frequently used items at the top. 

    Here are the levels for packing a backpack:

    • Top
      • snacks
      • first aid
      • map
      • personal items (phone, camera, toiletries, bathroom kit, etc.)
    • Middle 
      • food
      • water
      • stove
      • tent
    • Bottom
      • sleeping bag
      • sleeping pad
      • extra clothing

    Now that we had our plan in place, our gear sorted out, our meals planned, and our bags packed, it was time to head out for some fun!

    backpacking with kids - everything you need to know

    Choosing a campsite when backpacking

    My boys and I had such a great backpacking trip. We enjoyed three miles of hiking among old-growth trees that opened onto a classic Pacific Northwest rocky beach. As we continued hiking down the trail we found the perfect campsite right on a point that allowed us to enjoy the beach as the winds changed direction throughout the day. We worked together to set up our tent and lay out our mats and sleeping bags inside. 

    When camping in our area, there’s a right way to set up your campsite in order to keep everything (and everyone) safe. After setting up our sleeping area, we selected a good spot about 70 steps from our tent to set up a cooking area. It’s important to not get food near your sleeping site to ensure you don’t get any visitors in the night. As stewards of wild spaces, it’s our responsibility to ensure that animals don’t eat human food.

    We also picked out a spot where we would store our food when not in use. Again, this should be at least 70 big steps from your campsite. My youngest had fun counting out the steps and finding the “perfect spot”.

    how to safely set up your campsite to keep food away from bears

    A little potty talk…

    Another topic that must be thought about when backpacking is where one will use the restroom. Unlike car campgrounds, there may not be a toilet when backpacking. Fortunately, our site had a shared pit toilet for the area. But, if you find yourself selecting a location that does not have this amenity, you have two options.

    1. Blue bag system: This system is the easiest, but requires you to carry out your poop when you leave. For this style you will collect your poop and toilet paper in a “blue bag” (essentially a dog poop bag), tie it up and put it inside a resealable plastic bag. You take this with you and dispose of it properly after your camping trip.
    2. Dig a hole: This method is a little more work, but means you carry less out with you. First, dig a hole with a small trowel at least four inches wide and six inches deep. Only put human waste in this hole. When you are done bury the waste and put your paper waste in a resealable plastic bag to dispose of properly after your trip.

    Make sure you use the facilities at least 200 yards (or 80 big steps) from your campsite and all water sources. In my pack, I always carry a “bathroom kit” that I keep stocked with a small roll of toilet paper, travel-size wet wipes, small trowel, resealable bag, blue bags and hand sanitizer. This way when one of the kids needs to go I can hand them the kit and they’re on their way.

    how to go to the bathroom when backpacking - bathroom kit

    Backpacking is worth it

    Backpacking can seem like a daunting task to take on when you are new to the idea. I’ll admit, when our family first decided to start this type of camping, I had my reservations. Will we be able to bring everything we need? Can I actually carry all of that on my back? Will the kids complain too much? What if I forget something? 

    Yes, there’s a lot to consider, but its doable, I promise! With a little planning and forethought, it’s easier than you imagine. After our first few trips I realized that backpacking was an amazing way for our family to bond, not only with each other but with the world around us. We have seen some beautiful places because we were willing to get a little uncomfortable, put in the work, and step off the beaten path.

    A few years ago I may not have embarked on a trip with just my boys. I would have been too intimidated, too nervous, too scared to try something new. But, I have watched my kids grow and strengthen their own skills. I’ve seen them become independent and capable, helpful and thoughtful. We work together so it’s not all on me. It builds their confidence and independence. And I can joyfully say that I look forward to many more backpacking adventures with my boys.

    Have you ever been backpacking with kids?

    About the author

    RyAnn is a mom of four (20, 18, 15, 6) that loves exploring her home in the Pacific Northwest. She works as a youth outdoor program instructor for the Mountaineers Org. in Washington state. RyAnn also loves getting out and adventuring with her family as much as possible. They enjoy traveling around the PNW in their converted Sprinter campervan. On her days off she generally loads up the van and hits the trails for hiking, mountain biking, skiing, or climbing. RyAnn is passionate about instilling love and respect for outdoor spaces in her kids and the youth she is lucky to work with.

    You can find more from RyAnn in the following locations:
    Instagram: @mountain_mama4
    Website: Mountain Mama

  • ANIMALS/WILDLIFE, FAVORITE GEAR, FISH, WATER

    Fly Fishing 101: Fly Fishing Basics for Kids

    Fly fishing is a fun and enjoyable outdoor activity for the entire family. Today, nurse, veteran, and New Mexico mom of two, Lea Reynolds is here with an overview all about the basics on fly fishing with kids. She’s sharing great advice for how to plan a fly fishing outing with kids, how to choose the right fly, favorite kid-friendly fly fishing gear, the basics of casting and landing a fish, plus, a great video on how to tie fly fishing knots. 

    Fly Fishing with Kids: Fly Fishing BasicsFly fishing with kids

    Fly fishing has become very popular over the last few years.  It’s a beautiful and peaceful outdoor activity, but it can be intimidating at first. Beginner fly fishermen (and fisherwomen) are sometimes overwhelmed by the variety, abundance, and price of fly fishing gear. It’s hard to know what flies will work best in your area, how to tie knots and where to go fish.

    Today, I am here to help answer all these questions and get you started fly fishing with your kids. I’m here to teach you the basics of fly fishing with kids, from gear to casting and reeling in that slithering fish. This post will cover 3 categories: (1) planning your fishing outing; (2) kid-friendly fly fishing gear; and (3) the basics of fly fishing.  

    Planning your fly fishing outing

    Before you ever set foot in the water, there are a few things you’ll need (and need to know) so that you can plan your fly fishing outing. A little research and knowledge about the activity and your local area will go a long way to making your fly fishing adventure fun and successful. Most of the information below can be found online (check your local conservation department’s website) or from the helpful folks at your local fly fishing shop. 

    1. Get a fishing license

    It all starts with the basics. If you’re going to fish, you need a fishing license. Do some basic research on what’s required to fish on your state’s website regarding fishing rules and regulations (fish and game). Most states don’t require a fishing license for kids under a certain age, but it’s important to make sure. But if you’ll also be fishing (or even just helping your kids cast and reel in fish), you’ll need to have one. 

    2. Check your conservation department website

    Conservation department websites are also a good place to find helpful information on a wide variety of fishing-related things. On your local fish and game website, there will be rules and regulations governing fishing and lots of helpful information, such as:

    1. Fish limit (number and size)
    2. What types of hooks you can use
    3. What type of bait you can use
    4. Whether we can keep the fish or we have to catch & release it
    5. Designated fishing areas
    6. Resources (casting videos, fly tying basics, etc.)
    7. Fishing ethics
    8. Fishing tips
    9. Recipes (and how to clean and prepare fish for eating)
    10. Fishing events (classes, meet-ups, lessons, etc.)

    It’s super important to make sure you follow these rules (and teach kids to do the same) to protect our wildlife population and the sport of fishing.  This is a great topic to educate our kids so they learn to respect the wild and the rules our conservation departments and forest services have set in place. Lead by example and be a role model for your future little fishermen. 

    Fly fishing rule and regulationsfly fishing gear for kids

    Fly fishing gear for kids

    Choosing the right fly fishing gear for kids can be intimidating (and expensive). However, for the most part, kids learning how to fly fish can usually use their parents’ gear. With the exception of waders/boots and clothing, there aren’t a lot of items that need to be specially geared towards children. That being said, giving a child their own fishing gear that’s their size and they’re proud of is a great way to get kids interested in going fishing.  This post will cover the basic gear you need to get started fly fishing with kids.

    Kid-friendly fly fishing gear

    Again, starting out can be a bit intimidating but if you head to your local outdoor or fishing store, experts can help you choose the best equipment for your skill level. Here are a few of our favorite recommendations for kid-friendly fly fishing gear. 

    How to fly fish with kids

    With fly fishing, it’s all about the movement of the fly or bait. We don’t sit in a chair while waiting for a strike on a distant bobber. There’s not a lot of downtime. It’s constant movement and angles and a million different shots. It’s trial and error and retrial. 

    The art of fly fishing is making a successful cast, matching the water speed with a good drift, and mimicking your fly of choice on the water. It’s part art, part science, and part sport. This is what makes fly fishing so much fun! We are constantly moving around the river or riverbank, casting into different areas, and waiting for the bite! It’s non-stop, which makes it so much fun for kids (and adults), as you’re constantly on the move and actively fishing.

    The basics of casting

    The easiest way to picture a successful cast begins with an image of a clock. Consider 12 o’clock as right above your head. The fly rod is taken back to the 2 o’clock position in a “brisk” backcast, then take a slight pause as the fly line straightens out behind you. Next, make a “brisk” forward cast stopping at the 10 o’clock position to cast the line out in front of you. During the cast, it is important to keep the tip of the rod up.

    fly fishing with kids 101teaching kids the basics of fly casting

    How to choose the right fly

    Fly fishing is different than “normal” fishing. Instead of using live bait, fly fishing uses artificial flies that replicate actual insects that fish eat in their environment. Knowing what’s local, what’s in season, and what fish will eat requires some research.

    There are flies, worms, eggs, and even small fish replicas that we use in fly fishing. Several types of flies can be used year-round, while others are more season-specific. I recommend heading to your local fly shop or sporting goods store to purchase the specific flies you’ll need in your area. A fly shop will help you get to know what’s working well at the time and can make some recommendations based on where you’ll be fishing.

    Sometimes, figuring out what the fish are eating is as easy as looking along the river banks or under rocks. You might be surprised to learn how easy it is to determine what bugs, insects, and larvae are active at the time, and find a fly that replicates what’s hatching or abundant.

    how to choose the right fly for fly fishing teaching kids about fly fishing

    The science behind choosing the fly

    Another great way to learn what type of fliy to use is to go out into the river, pick up a big rock, and look on the bottom of it for insects. This is the perfect way to see what insects are in season (aka “hatching”) and what the fish are eating. Here, my husband grabbed a rock from the river we were fishing and underneath it, a stonefly appeared!

    This is such a fun part of fishing to teach our kids! It’s about observation and discovery. It’s about getting to know your area and doing a little science experiment to figure out what’s working. Our little guy loves his dad’s “bug box” as he calls it. He picks the flies up individually and asks bug/insect each one is and then we try to find a live specimen and match them up.

    teaching kids about science and entomology through fly fishing

    Different types of flies for fly fishing

    • Dry flies (parachute adams, elk hair caddis, blue wing olive, stimulator)
    • Nymphs (hare’s ear, pheasant tail, prince nymph)
    • Streamers (woolly bugger, mickey finn, muddler minnow)
    • Wet flies
    • Eggs
    • Worms

    basics of fly fishing for kidsTeaching kids about science - Fly fishing with kids

    Sink or swim

    It’s important to know which flies are designed to float on the surface of the water and which flies should sink. Floating flies are mimicking a flying insect landing on the water’s surface. This requires us to apply floatant, which aids in the fly’s ability to remain on the surface of the water.

    Your first goal when casting is having the fly land softly on top of the water, similar to how an insect would land. Then, the line and fly both drift at the same speed the water is flowing. If your fly line drifts faster than your fly, you may need to “mend” your line, which means gently whipping the line back a bit to allow the fly to drift naturally (without the fly line pulling it or scaring the fish off). During the drift, a nearby fish may look to the surface and see your fly. Suddenly, it begins to rise believing that a real insect is up for grabs and takes a bite!

    If you are using a worm or even an egg pattern, you’ll want to allow this type of bait to sink beneath the surface. Then you allow the current to move your fly down the stream, hopefully right in front of a fish waiting for it! You may want to put a strike indicator on your child’s line so they can tell if/when they get a bite (this is kind of like a bobber). You can never go wrong using a worm or egg pattern, since most popular fishing spots for kids are fished using these types of bait. 

    How to tie on your flies

    Where to cast

    Fish are smart when it comes to where they hang out in the water while waiting for their food. Look for these areas to cast your fly. 

    • Shallow/shady pockets of water
    • Where you see bubbles (oxygen=fish!)
    • Sides of running water
    • In front of rocks with water running down like a small waterfall
    • Behind rocks or logs (fresh like a break from fighting the current)

    Bites! How to reel in a fish

    Now we’re ready for the fun part! When you feel that tug on your line or see your strike indicator submerge underwater, you know you have your catch! Now it’s time to hood and land your fish! Easier said than done.

    To get a good hook set, quickly lift up on your fly rod to create tension, thus “setting the hook.” Maintain tension on the line with one hand, while you use the other to reel in your line. During this time, you can also use the drag setting on your reel to make things easier. A second option is to simply pull the line in without using the reel. Hold the line tight with the hand holding the rod and let it slip through your fingers as you pull the line with the other hand.

    When you get the fish close, grab your net and position it downstream from your fish. Slowly pull or reel the fish in towards it and you got your catch! Gently remove the hook and remember to keep the fish wet at all times. As long as it’s not super hot, you can lift it out of the water for a super quick photo and then right back in. Don’t forget to enjoy the moment!

    He was stoked when he helped reel this bad boy in!
    fly fishing with kids - how to land a fish
    They were excited to share the fish and hold them in the net

    Releasing the fish

    There is a proper way to release fish back into the water if you decide not to keep it for food. When you take fish out of the river to admire their beauty and take a photo, it’s important to remember time is critical. Don’t leave them out of the water to where they become stressed and deprived of oxygen. Out and back into the water as quickly as possible.

    When you are ready to let the fish go, use your pliers to remove the hook from their mouth. Next, gently place them back in the water facing upstream so that the water flows into their mouth and through their gills. Hold them and allow them to re-energize and swim out of your hand. They may be slow at first and even in a bit of a shock, but after a few seconds, they should start to move their tail and will swim away. Don’t ever throw a fish back into the water, as this could kill the fish.

    Removing the hook with use of fishing pliers - fly fishing basicsHow to properly release a fish - fly fishing basics

    Fly fishing fish species

    You can pretty much fly fish for any kind of fish: bass, catfish, saltwater fish, bluegill, trout, carp, etc. All of the tips above can be applied to any kind of fish.

    My family and I fly fish for trout only. Today, I will describe the different species of trout native to New Mexico. Trout are our favorite type of fish, not only for their beautiful colors and patterns, but their deliciousness! Who doesn’t love some fish tacos?

    Trout can be native to your location or stocked by local farms or conservation departments. Trout love cold water, so they’re more prevalent in cold-water streams. There are many different varieties of trout and they look different. you can catch one or multiple types based on your location.

    We love when we catch different species of trout in one location, and it’s even more enjoyable teaching our kiddo the different names. We let him hold the fish and show him the different patterns and colors. He has learned how to gently hold a fish and even release it back into the water properly. Kids learn to love what they can touch, feel and experience. Fly fishing has given him an amazing opportunity to do just that!

    fly fishing for kids - types of fish
    Rainbow Trout: Distinct pink stripe along the body
    fly fishing basics - how to identify different types of trout
    Brown trout: Distinct red spots along the body
    Fly fishing basics for kids - different trout species
    Cutthroat: Similar pattern to a rainbow trout, but has red cheeks and red jawline

    Trial and error/patience

    Fly fishing is all about trial and error. It’s important to be patient when starting out and to teach our kids the same. Fly fishing can require us to try several different types of flies, casts, and sections of water until we find the right one. Knots happen. Tangles happen. Flies are lost. Somtimes you’ll spend more time untangling line than actually fishing. It’s all part of the process. 

    Fly fishing also requires a lot of moving, walking up and down the river, trying new spots and new shots. If your little one is too young to walk, consider a carrier or a backpack (we’ve used both). If your child’s old enough, you can practice cast with them every now and then. 

    Keep your fly fishing outings light-hearted with no pressure. When your kids start to get frustrated or super wiggly, stop and do something else. Working with young children on casting basics and letting them experience catching fish on a fly rod are great at any age. The most important thing is to make it fun so they don’t get frustrated and completely give up before they’re patient enough to really enjoy it.

    Leave No Trace Principles when Fly Fishing

    Leave no trace

    Fishing is so much fun, especially when our kids’ eyes grow wide in amazement and they learn to love the sport. It’s important we teach our kids how to protect the fish and rivers. This is all starts with leaving no trace. Teaching our kiddos the importance of “pack out what you pack in”, cleaning up trash, and leaving the wild, wild. 

    Fishing with your kids is an incredible way to teach them about nature and conservation. From the “circle of life” lesson that comes with using live bait to the “leave no trace” principle of cleaning up after people, fishing is a way that parents can instill a love of nature and a respect for the environment from a very early age. There are so many little ways to encourage your kids to appreciate the outdoors through fishing. Whether it’s by respecting the fish you catch (and keeping only what you’ll eat) to respecting the fish’s habitat. Teaching your kids to fish helps preserve our natural resources.

    For more fish fun

    If you’re interested in learning more about fishing with kids, be sure to check out a few of our other posts:

    Have you ever taking your kids fly fishing?

    About the author

    Lea is a dedicated wife, adventurous mother, Registered Nurse, and Army veteran. She is from New Mexico and strives each and every day to get outside with her wild toddler and newborn baby girl. She and her husband Brandon both served 8 years in the Army and it was during that time their love for the outdoors and seeing the world was born. When they had their son, that passion only intensified. They love to fly fish, overland in their Jeep, hike, surf, and capture these moments on camera. Lea is a professional photographer on the side and you can always catch her with her camera in her hand. Their goal is to influence more families in their rural state of New Mexico to explore the beauty of the SW while educating them on photography tips, medical tips like First Aid, and outdoor safety and gear, etc. 

    You can find Lea online in the following locations:
    Instagram: @wildstokefam
    Website: Wild Stoke Fam
    RWMC posts: Lea