It’s fall, and you know what that means! Crisp temperatures, shorter daylight hours, football season…and Christmas time rolling around before most of us have the chance to put away our Halloween decorations!
A lot of outdoor-related gifts can be on the more expensive side, because of specialization, unique materials, or other reasons. If you have an outdoorsy family but the idea of giving such gifts is overwhelming to you because of a limited budget, don’t worry!
As a mom of seven, including two in braces and one in college, working within a budget is definitely on my mind. Below are lots of ideas of budget gifts for outdoor families, many of which we either already own and love, or are on my gift-giving list for this year.
It’s absolutely possible to give meaningful, special, and useful outdoorsy and adventurous gifts, even within a budget!
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Holiday Traditions
Christmas and winter traditions are some of the best of the year! Here are a couple of special budget-friendly items that lean into some classic traditions.
REI Trailmade Fleece Pants
If your family enjoys matching pajamas under the Christmas tree, these cozy fleece pants are the perfect outdoorsy upgrade! They are soft and comfy enough to wear as lounge pants while opening gifts, but also great for hiking in chilly temps or hanging around a campfire.
They come in kids’ sizes, as well as sizes for both men and women, so you can continue your coordinated tradition!
Thermarest Compressible Pillow
A comfy camping and travel pillow is an ideal Christmas gift for any adventurer! My husband and kids love having them–SUCH an upgrade from our original backpacking “pillow” method of sleeping on our clothes bag.
We love everything we own from Thermarest, for how comfortable and long-lasting it is! Thermarest definitely knows how to do sleep gear for camping. Also suitable for those traditional post-present naps next to the Christmas tree. 😉
Craftspring Adventure Tent Ornament
Maybe your family tradition is adding a fun new ornament to the tree each year! This soft felted ornament is the perfect way to commemorate a fun year of camping as a family.
It’s such a joy to look back at the tree and see the ways your family has spent time together outside over the seasons and years. They aren’t just ornaments, they’re also prompts to reminisce about special family memories.
Gifts Under $100
In a world of seemingly endless ways to spend hundreds of dollars in minutes, here are some ideas that won’t break the bank but will still impress!
Outdoor Comforts
Winter doesn’t have to mean uncomfortable and depressing! The right gifts can bring relaxation and peace along the way.
Big Agnes MtnGLO Tent Lights
My kids were so excited when I pulled these out for our fall camping trips! They are battery powered with a USB plug-in option, so you can take them to off grid camping locations.
The colorful light string is mild enough to leave on all night for those dark potty runs. We used them inside our tent for four full overnights with no battery issues.
REI Flexlite Camp Chair
We love these chairs for camping and backpacking trips, but also to toss into a day pack for any outdoor adventure where you might enjoy relaxing in a chair for a few minutes. It weighs less than two pounds, sets up in less than 2 minutes, and holds up to 250 pounds.
REI Campwell Pack Cooler
Sometimes those cool weather mornings turn into sunny warm afternoons, even in winter. I love this cooler for easy transport of cold sodas or chicken salad sandwiches on a wintry hike.
Dreaming of Adventure
Christmas is a great time to start planning and dreaming for future adventures!
Susie Bay Stand Up Paddleboard for Kids
This inflatable paddleboard does fluctuate in price from just under $100 to a little over, but either way, it’s a great price for a really fun piece of equipment. My girls had an absolute blast paddle boarding this fall–fun in placid water, and even more fun in some small choppy waves!
Awesome Maps Bucket List Adventure Map
Maybe the last thing you need is more travel locations on your bucket list, but this map is such a neat way to see notable adventure spots all over the world. Keep adding places to your dream list!
National Parks Pocket Atlas
This one is at the top of my list for my husband this year. He loves maps and national parks, and he can easily tuck this small atlas in his adventure pack so he can make mental plans for his next national park just about anytime.
Warm Winter Fun
I do not like to be cold. These are some great ways to get the most out of cold months while staying cozy and comfortable.
North Face Montana Mittens
I used to always wear gloves in snow, but several years ago I switched to mittens and they keep my hands so much warmer. A long day in the snow no longer means painfully cold fingers!
Sometimes I will wear cheap cotton gloves underneath if I know I’m going to be taking my mittens off a lot to retie shoes or zip coats, but the mittens make such a big difference.
Akova Women’s 1/4 Zip
Use this shirt as a base layer under a heavier coat, or pulled over a t-shirt in moderate temps. And while you’re on their website, check out their kids’ shirts as well! The soft graphene material is our family’s favorite for quick dry apparel.
Reima Uumaja Insulated Jacket
Not only does Reima apparel actually keep kids as warm and dry as promised, but the items are truly durable and able to be handed down still in good condition after hearty use. As a city dweller who wants her kids easily seen on our neighborhood street, I also personally really love the ultra-bright reflective strips on Reima outdoor wear!
Gifts Under $50
Dropping a little lower in price doesn’t mean these gifts won’t be treasured!
Winter Campfires
Winter time is a fabulous time to enjoy time by a backyard fire pit, or even some snowy camping for the hardiest among us!
The S’mores Company S’mores Caddy
This super cute cooler caddy is both fun and practical. Normally I spend a frustrating amount of time root around in our kitchen bin for all the s’mores supplies, but now I just grab this caddy and we’re all set for roasting!
The S’mores Company Glow-In-the-Dark Skewers
My kids jump to snag one of these skewers asap! They are adorable and the glow-in-the-dark feature is always a plus on a winter evening.
Biolite Luci Solar Lantern
We also love these lanterns for camping. They are lightweight, so good for backpacking as well, and the LED light is bright but pleasantly softened by the inflated lantern so it’s not as jarring as some.
Travel Adventures
Christmas gift-giving is a perfect opportunity to lean into your travel dreams or the dreams of a family member.
National Parks Adventure Journal
If your kids love to journal, or maybe you would love for them to start, this journal is a beautiful and gently prompted way to get that ball rolling. It also becomes a scrapbook of memories over time!
Yeti 20oz Rambler Tumbler
Every adventurer needs a great travel tumbler, and if you adventurer enough, eventually you will leave one somewhere and need a replacement. There are lots of fun colors available to choose from!
Mini Crock Pot Lunchbox
A friend of mine brings this along to cool weather park playdates with her warm lunch inside! It is designed for a single user, but 20 ounces is plenty of space for chili for a few young diners, or a few hot dogs. Heat at home and it stays warm for a while, or with a car adapter, it could be warming while you hike or play!
Miscellaneous Adventures
Sometimes being an outdoorsy family means relaxing inside between adventures, and sometimes it means prioritizing safety so you can have the most outdoor fun.
Subpar Parks Jigsaw Puzzle
One of my family’s favorite things to do on vacation is pull out a puzzle between hikes or ocean swims. This collection of 1-star national-park-review art designs in one 1000 piece puzzle is perfect for adventurous families.
Wishouse Walkie-Talkies
We take an annual camping trip with a group of families, and every year, the walkie-talkies keep the kids busy for hours, playing hide and seek in the woods and roaming the campground. The only downside is if you forget the extra batteries.
Airhead Kids’ Life Jacket
If you are a boating family or enjoy jumping into lakes and rivers all summer, a great life jacket is essential! These US Coast Guard-approved jackets come in all sizes, from infant up to adult, with kids’ prices ranging from $45-$55.
Gifts Under $25
If you have a lower budget than the items above, don’t despair! Here are some ideas that can fit nearly any Christmas budget.
Outdoor Memories Loading
Our family loves to record memories of our outdoor adventures! Whether photos, videos, or words put to paper, these memories will be treasured for many years to come.
Ubeesize Portable Tripod
This lightweight tripod is just right to toss in a backpack for an outdoor adventure! Wrap the flexible legs around a tree branch or set it up on a rock with your phone attached, and capture a family memory with ALL of you in the photo!
Mini Digital Camera
This tiny camera is keychain size and just a few grams in weight! Not a fancy heavy camera for a professional, but ideal for kids who love things that are little and cute, and can easily clip onto their backpack or belt.
Rite In the Rain Weatherproof Notebooks
My daughter used these on the Appalachian Trail to keep up her journaling. The waterproof pages were ideal for changing weather conditions!
Warm Hands and Feet
Enjoy those wintry activities with warm extremities without breaking the bank!
Antsang Wool Socks
These wool socks won’t last as long under really tough conditions as some of the pricier brands, but it was our go-to brand for some of our family on the Appalachian Trail because of how soft they are. For the typical outdoor adventure, these work great for a great price, with several pairs in one package!
Smartwool Socks
If you want to splurge a little bit on a longer-lasting single pair of wool socks, Smartwool is a great way to go! They come in lots of fun patterns and hold up to pretty heavy use.
MCTi Sherpa Mittens
I bought these mittens several years ago, and was so happy! My kids’ fingers were warm, they didn’t cost an arm and a leg, and they still are in great condition after being handed down through multiple winters.
Outdoors For Everyone
You don’t have to be an extreme outdoors family to enjoy some quality time hiking, camping, or just hanging out in the fresh air!
Subpar Parks Playing Cards
Take campground rummy to an amusing level with these playing cards covered with 1-star reviews of our national parks. Even America’s Best Ideas are disliked by someone!
Remote Control Paper Airplane Kit
Maybe your family’s best times outdoors happen in your own backyard or the playground down the street. Grab a ream of paper and this airplane kit, and spend a few hours launching homemade creations.
Travel Jewelry Pouch
I have two daughters who enjoy camping, and also enjoy bringing earrings and necklaces to coordinate with their camping outfits. This little jewelry pouch makes it possible for your glamorous adventurers to have their cake and eat it too, without losing favorite earrings in a tent or cabin.
National Parks Sticker Set
Stickers are another way to create a time capsule of memories on a water bottle, a bear can, or a laptop. Which ones have you visited, and which are still on your list?
Stocking Stuffers
Add a few of these fun smaller items to your outdoor adventurers stockings, or to yours!
Stax Wafer Interlocking Containers
Use these colorful containers to easily carry spices, condiments, or even skincare products in small quantities.
Nite Ize S-Biners
These double-clip carabiners are so helpful and versatile! We love to use them to clip camp shoes to backpacks, but there are endless uses.
Burt’s Bees Lip Balm
There’s never a bad time for a few new tubes of lip balm, but the dry winter months might be the best season to pick them up and toss them in a stocking.
Vanilla Bean Marshmallows
The holidays are a great time to try out a fun treat for a special occasion. Try these tasty special marshmallows in hot cocoa or to dress up some winter s’mores.
Honey Stinger Waffle
Try the delicious original, or get one of each of the flavor options and do a family taste test on Christmas morning.
Tony’s Chocolonely Bar
I love these bars not just because I love chocolate, but also because the bright wrappers remind me of Gene Wilder Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. Win-win!
Egg and Pancake Molds
Put these in morning stockings, and once the dust settles on gift-opening, the kids can use their new molds to make you breakfast. Just have them oil the inside edges for easier removal!
Long-Handled Titanium Spork
Upgrade that regular size spork to a long-handled one, so you can scrape out every bite from a tasty backpacking meal without getting your hands dirty.
Pinnacle Foods Italian Sausage Pasta with Red Sauce
Speaking of a tasty backpacking meal, this one is so good! Normally we save money with Knorr Sides and Pasta-Roni, but for a Christmas splurge, tuck this into a stocking.
Love Is the Best Gift
I know it’s super cheesy and cliche, but it’s so true! The cozy early morning and loving faces surrounding the tree or other holiday setting have lingered with me from my own childhood far more than any physical gift I received.
This season, enjoy that precious time with your family and spend some of it outdoors!
Looking for more outdoorsy gift ideas?
Best Budget Gifts for Outdoor Families 2026
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