Outdoor Gifts for Kids
Best Gifts for Kids
Give the adventurous kid in your life the gift of the outdoors.
Kids are experts at exploring and playing outdoors, and as adults, we do our best to encourage their sense of adventure. This collection of gifts for kids is perfect for keeping them geared up for all their favorite activities. You don’t even have to worry about expensive growth spurts. This new and used gear can be passed down or traded in with us so you can invest in the next size up.
Our Top Gifts for Kids:
- Rain Jacket
- Gloves/Mittens
- Backpack
- Skiing/Snowboarding Gear
- Hiking Sandals
Rain Jacket
Whether they’re headed to school on a rainy morning or enjoying sledding on a snow day, a rain jacket is a must-have. We love sizing up and using a rain jacket as a weather-resistant shell layered over a fleece or hoodie for growing kids who are between sizes… or tweens and small teens who don’t like wearing coats. Plus, a good rain jacket is perfect for hiking, biking and spring skiing, too!
Gloves/Mittens
Kids might not get excited about receiving a pair of gloves or mittens as a gift (it’s kind of like getting socks), but these are one of those must-have accessories in winter. Plus, you can’t have too many pairs–they get wet after a day on the slopes or sometimes go missing.
Mittens are best for extra-cold temps because they keep hands warmer, but gloves offer better dexterity to manage gear with zippers and buckles. We also love a pair of lightweight gloves with touchscreen material on the fingertips for older kids with phones who need to stay in touch when they’re finishing up at ski school or out exploring with friends.
Backpack
At some point, kiddos will have to learn to carry their own stuff for the family hiking trip. That’s why a small backpack is a great gift idea for kids.
For younger kids, we recommend packs with a 10-15-liter capacity–it’s just enough space for them to carry their own water, snacks, and a rain jacket. We love Fjallraven bags for small kids because their packs are on the smaller side and come in tons of fun colors.
Older kids can handle a pack that is 20+ liters. Look for features like pockets, bungees, straps and weather-proof zippers. We also love a pack with a built-in rain fly. Osprey and Deuter packs are perfect for big kids and teens because they have larger capacity and have features like padded shoulder straps and chest/waist belts to comfortably redistribute the weight (no sore shoulders!). They’re great for hiking and backpacking.
Skiing/Snowboarding Gear
Any kid who loves snowsports would be pumped to receive boots and skis or a snowboard. The best part about buying used is that you aren’t pouring tons of money into gear that will only fit them for a season.
It’s important to consider their weight and height when shopping for gear in their size, plus their age and skill level. According to the Canadian Ski Council, youth skis should come somewhere between their chest and nose. If they’re new to skiing, lightweight for their height, or prefer taking turns instead of boming down the slopes, you’d look for skis that land chest to chin.
Similarly, a youth snowboard should measure somewhere between their chest and chin. Each brand has their own size chart to help you pick the right board length for your kiddo’s age, height and weight.
Shop Kids' Skis & Snowboard Gear
Hiking Sandals
Whether you’re hitting the trails or headed out for a day of paddling on the lake, a good pair of sandals can easily do both. One of our top picks is Keen because their sandals feature quick-dry materials, firmer midsoles for support, rubber outsoles with lugs for traction, and they often have a rubber toe bumper for added protection. Plus, adjustable straps with hook-and-loop closures make it super easy for little hands to manage.
Need more gift ideas for the adventurous children in your life? We’ve handpicked a selection of new and used gifts for kids to help kids of all ages explore the outdoors in comfort and confidence.
