experience gifts

  • GIFT GUIDE, HOLIDAYS

    Experience Gifts for Kids

    Now more than ever, kids want our time and attention. Plastic toys break and get thrown away. Experiences last forever. This year, with so many supply issues and the price of “stuff” going up, consider giving the gift of your time and experiences at fun locations in your area. Not only are you shopping less and more local, but you’ll make lifelong memories and help your kids try new things! Today, Wendy Cox, California photographer and mom is here sharing all kinds of ideas for fun and unique experience gifts for kids. The outdoorsy active kids in your life will love them all, plus, they usually offer opportunities for the whole family to spend time together.  And that’s the gift that keeps giving. 

    Experience gifts for kids

    With the holidays upon us, you’ve most likely been searching Amazon for gifts to give your kids this year. Then you look up from your phone and see a pile of toy cars on the floor, a tea set with only 2 cups left at the play kitchen, dolls, trucks, and rocket ships with missing astronauts strewn throughout the living room. Do they really need one more toy?

    The problem is, you want them to have the magic that comes with opening a beautifully wrapped present, but you don’t want to live with any more clutter. How do you make both a reality?

    Solution- experience gifts. There are so many ways to give gifts that don’t require any more clutter in your house. This list of experience gifts for kids will open your eyes to a variety of gifts that won’t just get thrown in a closet but will allow you to create lasting memories with your children. The truth is, they don’t want things- they want YOU, your time, and your attention. 

    Botanical garden/arboretum season pass

    Season passes to a local botanical garden or arboretum are great for any outdoorsy kid and family. Many botanic gardens have an area created especially for children. The majority of the gardens also participate in a reciprocal program, which means that if you purchase a season pass to the botanic garden in your area there are many other gardens that you can access with your pass in other areas. It’s the experience gift that keeps on giving! The American Horticulture Society also sells passes that give you access to gardens across the US. Botanic gardens are also located in countries around the world.

    Sporting events 

    One of our family’s favorite experience gifts to give the kids are tickets to a sporting event. Take them out to the ballgame! Baseball, basketball, football, soccer, gymnastics, diving, lacrosse – the list of sporting events you could take your children to is endless. Choose a sport (or a team) that your child is interested in and gift tickets this holiday. 

    It doesn’t have to be a professional game either. Think about supporting a local college or high school. How about tickets to a sporting event hosted at your alma mater and show them around campus. You can sometimes get season tickets to your local minor league baseball team for less than the price of one major league game. There are also usually mini-packs of tickets available around the holidays so you can spread the games out over the season. You could even purchase a ball or jersey from the team and wrap that to put under the tree along with the tickets. 

    Amusement parks

    Tickets to an amusement park (or the mecca of all amusement parks…Disney) make a great gift for a child. Let’s face it, the magic of Disney is a real thing. Watching your child meet Mickey Mouse or their favorite princess for the first time is a priceless experience. But it doesn’t have to be Disney – there are amusement parks across the country with a variety of options. If you live close to an amusement park consider a season pass so you don’t feel the need to go and stay until closing. If it’s a bit of a drive, a one day pass could be sufficient. For the little ones, amusement parks with water features are fun. For the teenagers, choose an amusement park with lots of big roller coasters. 

    Family fun centers

    On a smaller scale than an amusement park, many cities have family fun centers. This is usually something like mini-golf, go-karts, maybe even bumper cars or bumper boats. Other fun centers do ninja courses, laser tag, indoor rock climbing, arcades, ziplines, high ropes courses, etc. Sometimes they sell yearly passes, but even a night out for mini golf and frozen yogurt afterward is appealing to most kids. 

    Road trips

    Taking a road trip with your kids is always a fun adventure! You could coordinate the destination to somewhere that interests them or make it a first. What is your child interested in? Find a location, museum, destination, or adventure that promotes that interest. Or take them somewhere that they can experience something in nature for the first time. If your child has never been to the ocean, find a beach house to go to. If they’ve never seen snow before, plan a trip to a ski resort. Include them in the planning and map out the route together. Who knows, you might even find your way to the biggest ball of yarn or something equally impressive!

    When I was in elementary school I was obsessed with the Little House on the Prairie Books by Laura Ingalls Wilder. One summer my grandparents took me (just the three of us) on a trip from California to Missouri (the place where Laura wrote all of her books) and back. We stayed in KOA’s along the way, and it was unforgettable!

    Camping

    Have your kids ever been camping? This could be your chance. I truly believe that there is something incredibly magical about sleeping in the great outdoors. Gift your child the experience of camping – it just might change their life! 

    If it will be their first time camping, the excitement will be through the roof! If your kids have been camping before, use this as an opportunity to try a new campsite to change it up. When they’re old enough, you could make this trip special by giving them a specific task. For example, wrap up a flint and steel and tell them they’re in charge of making the campfire this time. Chances are they’ll want to make a fire the minute you drive up to the campsite!

    Cabins/yurts/glamping

    If tent camping isn’t your thing, there are lots of other fun options! Who doesn’t love staying in a cozy cabin in the woods or by a lake? How about a yurt with an open-top where you can see the stars at night? Maybe it’s the coziness of the wooden beams or the rustic feel, but kids love experiences like this! Yurts and glamping tents are also becoming more and more prevalent at campgrounds across the country. Getting away from home even just for one night will excite your kids more than you might think. Add that excitement to an epic location and it’s an experience gift that puts any remote control car to shame!

    Backpacking

    For the extra adventurous family, try backpacking as an experience gift. Backpacks and backpacking gear are available to rent at some sporting goods stores like REI, but if you plan on making this a tradition you could buy a backpack as part of the gift. There is a great sense of satisfaction that comes from knowing you were able to carry everything you need to stay alive for a couple days. Backpacking teaches perseverance, mental strength, and so many other important life skills. This is an experience gift that has lasting positive effects for your child’s health as well as the health of your relationship with them. Here’s a great post on how to get started backpacking with kids and everything you need to pack. 

    Water activities 

    Sure, it’s winter, but that doesn’t mean we can’t look ahead to warmer days and plan our experience gifts accordingly. Now is a good time to plan ahead and book fun water activities like canoeing, rafting, paddleboarding, kayaking, sailing, etc. Maybe there’s a reservoir near you that has inflatable trampolines you can purchase tickets for. How about a tubing company that will take you down the local river. Rent a pontoon boat for the day and cruise your local lake. Or gift sailing lessons so that your kids can learn a valuable skill. These gifts will teach patience as your kids wait in anticipation for the time when they can cash in on their gift!

    Lessons/clinics 

    Has your child been asking you to sign them up for a specific sport such as tennis, basketball, soccer, or dance? Do they have a favorite activity that they can’t get enough of? Now is the perfect time to get them on the roster, or even get one-on-one attention in a specific sport. The skills they learn will mean so much more than any toy. This could be something like horseback riding lessons, a private hitting/pitching lesson, rock climbing lessons, ice skating, or dance lessons. A couple of years ago my son was gifted private swim lessons and it was such a great experience for him.  

    Classes/courses

    Maybe it isn’t sports that your child is really into, but something like painting, baking, or pottery. Local rec centers often have a variety of classes that offer great exposure to different areas that your child might want to try. In my experience, the cost is reasonable, too. If you aren’t worried about cost, try looking into private companies to see if they have a course for your child’s age group. Sometimes courses can even be done online – there are lots of online courses for kids on photography, art, music, and more. 

    Restaurant date

    Experience gifts don’t have to cost a lot of money. It could be as simple as a dinner out at their favorite restaurant, but just with mom or just with dad. Make it extra memorable by getting dressed up in your fancy clothes. Especially if you have more than one child, this gift will make all the difference. It’s difficult to find the time in the business of our lives to really sit down and listen to one child for an extended period of time. This provides the perfect setting to do just that. You could even let them choose the restaurant. Don’t be surprised at how long the smile stays on your child’s face after a night out with you and only you!

    Dinner/meal at home

    This doesn’t sound that exciting at first, but if you have a child that likes to cook or bake like my daughter does this could mean the world to them. Let your child plan the menu, find the perfect recipes, then go shopping for the ingredients together. You could even make a centerpiece for the table and bring out the good china and linen napkins. Or, set a blanket out in the yard and make it a picnic. Kids love getting the opportunity to show off their skills and be helpful. Serving a meal that they made (start to finish) will make them so proud. Chances are, years down the road she’ll say, “Remember that one time when we …” and think back on this experience fondly!

    Musical performance/concert

    For the musically inclined kid, a concert might be the perfect experience gift. There are indoor and outdoor venues all over the world that play all different kinds of music. Gift tickets to your child’s favorite band or singer. If your child plays an instrument, consider purchasing tickets to a performance where that specific instrument is featured. Local symphonies often put on family-friendly performances (sometimes to movies) that are perfect for kids. 

    Drive-in movie

    Drive-in movie night is always a really fun experience for a kid. Winter is my favorite time to take the kids to the drive in because it gets dark so much earlier, and they can still get to bed at a reasonable hour. (The mom in me is always concerned about bedtime!) We do live in a fairly temperate climate though, so if you have to plan this one for a warmer season, that works too. Grab some cozy blankets and their favorite snacks and you’ll be set! If you don’t live near a drive-in, check out this post about hosting your own family movie night.

    Museums 

    Children’s museums are absolutely amazing experiences and passes/tickets to one would make a great gift for a child or a family. I can still remember going to the children’s museum as a kid because I had so much fun! These places are built specifically with kids in mind, so take advantage of them if you have one in your area! In addition to children’s museums, there are science museums, space museums, art museums, and the list goes on. While not all museums are made specifically for little ones, many at least have a children’s area. Teenagers or tweens that have specific interests would appreciate you taking notice of what is important to them.

    Ice skating

    Make the magic of the holidays last a little bit longer with a trip to the ice rink! Buy a season pass or just go for a couple of hours, but ice skating is an experience that no one should miss out on. Ice skating is something that the whole family can do together. Depending on where you live, you could find outdoor ice skating rinks or even frozen ponds so you get the fresh air while skating. Oftentimes these places also have fire pits for warming up (or making s’mores), as well as hot chocolate and other goodies. 

    Rock climbing/bouldering

    Have you ever been to a rock climbing gym? My kiddos have been asking to go back for months because they had such a great time! Rock climbing is a great activity because it is adaptive to many different skill levels, and it gives your children the opportunity to try and try again until they reach the top. Many climbing gyms offer open climb time for kids in a “kid-friendly” climbing area. Or, you could sign up for lessons and learn proper climbing and belaying techniques in the big gym. If you want the real deal and have children that are able to, bouldering is also a fun option. 

    Laser tag

    Laser tag is a super fun and active game for kids (and the whole family). Some arcades or family fun centers have a laser tag option, other places specialize in laser tag. If you’ve never played before, you’re in for such a fun time. One of my sons is asking for a laser tag kit for Christmas this year. Whether you have the kit at home or not, laser tag is so much fun! (Alternative option: paintball.)

    Ziplining

    Ziplining is a great activity for any little adventurer, but not for the faint of heart. If you have a daredevil child or one that’s really into pushing the limits and trying new things, ziplining could be a fun experience gift. Be sure to check on the height or age limit at your local zipline location. Sometimes, depending on the course, the company will have certain limits in place, but if your children are eligible then I highly recommend trying the ziplines. Last January my family and I did a nighttime zipline course over the river that was lined with Christmas lights and we had so much fun! And if heights bother you, maybe now is your chance to let your children see you face your fears! 

    Zoo/animal experience

    Zoos also make really fun experience gifts for kids. Where else can you go and see lions, tigers, and bears all in one day? The zoo is a huge hit with the little ones, but if it’s been a while, I bet even your teenagers would have a good time at the zoo. Our local zoo offers the chance for kids to “adopt” an animal – they receive a certificate and a stuffed animal that represents the animal they adopted. The money goes towards feeding and caring for the animal. Sometimes zoos offer classes or camps that teach kids how to care for animals. Some zoos even offer special experiences like behind-the-scenes tours or the opportunity to be a zookeeper for the day. If you have a little one that’s really interested in animals, this would make a great gift! 

    Aquarium

    Even if you don’t live near the coast, you might have an aquarium near you. Seeing all of the living things that make the water their home is astounding. Tickets or season passes to an aquarium could be an amazing experience gift. Aquariums can be pricy, so a special trip to the aquarium is usually a big treat for our kids. Aquariums are great learning experiences as well, as we all learn something new every time we visit. 

    Driving range or Top Golf

    I never imagined my kids getting into golfing much, but one of my boys really loves going to the driving range! Gift certificates to your local driving range would make a great experience gift for a kid that’s into golf. Some smaller golf courses charge a small fee to rent a club and a big bucket of golf balls, so it might not be as expensive as you might think. Or, if you have a Top Golf location near you, a gift certificate there might be a fun experience for the whole family. You can rent a bay and challenge each other to any of the fun games! 

    Batting cages

    Even if your kids have never played baseball or softball, a trip to the batting cages can still be a hit (pun intended). Most batting cages allow you to set the speed of the ball so a beginner can still be successful. Alternatively, you can increase the speed if you have an experienced batter on your hands. Most kids who have played on a baseball team before will tell you their favorite part is hitting the ball, so batting cages give you just the best part. Don’t forget to step up to the plate yourself for a few pitches and show the kids how it’s done (or what not to do). 

    Photo session

    If you have a child who loves to ham it up for the camera, a professional photo session would be the perfect experience gift. It could be a mommy and me session, daddy and me session, individual session, or even a best friends session. Photographers can also set up fun experiences for your kids based on their interests. For example, a photo session at a professional ballpark or at a dance studio. Maybe the photographer could come take photos of them doing a sport that they love or at one of their games. Can you order prints and hang them on the wall or the fridge. Make a book for them to flip through anytime they like. Studies show that children who have their photos on display in their homes have overall better self-esteem. 

    Experiences matter

    The list of experience gifts you will want to give your children will change over time as they get older and their interests change. One thing that will remain constant is the fact that when you spend time with your children, those experiences will shape them into the people they grow up to be. There are so many things in the world today that want to influence your children. If you want to be the biggest influence in their lives, that is going to take time, not things. This year, invest in gifts that show them you’re willing to put in the time for them. Plan to do the one-on-one activities as well as the whole family adventures. Next year instead of a bunch of lost or broken toys, you’ll have a photo album full of smiles.

    What are your favorite experience gifts?

    About the author

    Wendy is a married momma living in central San Diego, CA, raising 4 human kids, 2 goat kids, 4 chickens, and one grumpy cat. She enjoys gardening, hiking, camping, backpacking, going to the beach, and generally getting out-of-doors. Wendy is a family photographer and also works at several local elementary schools as a garden educator. She dreams of traveling to all 50 states and beyond, and believes that there is great beauty to be found in all parts of the earth, we just have to open our eyes to see it.

    You can find more from Wendy online in the following locations:
    Instagram: @wendycoxphotography
    RWMC posts: Wendy Cox

  • 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. 

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    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?