Gifts for Outdoor Kids from REI

child cross country skiing at sunset

Outdoorsy families like to give outdoor-related gifts. Most kids are going to be thrilled with toys, but you can give them a gift that reinforces their love for the outdoors when you find something that delights them AND is useful. Our family does a mixture of outdoor related gifts and personal hobby related gifts for … Read more

Sleeping Pads for Families 2024

None of us like the feeling of waking up on a flat air mattress in the middle of the night. We can tough it out, but it still makes for a cruddy night. Sleep is universally accepted to be important, right? Many folks’ number one fear of camping is being unable to sleep. They have … Read more

Camping Gear for Kids

children and teens sit around a campfire in the dark at a campground

Camping Gear for Kids Camping is one of our families’ favorite activities in the summer and fall. We like to go to local state parks, and then plan longer trips to campground further away. We read blogs and articles with our kids and teens about places we haven’t been, and then decide which new spot … Read more

Camping Gifts for Kids 2022

Camping Gifts for Kids Camping related gear are a great gift idea for kids. Many times, camping related gift items will far outlive the average junky toy and often, camping and outdoors related gifts serve to help equip children to enjoy the outdoors in new ways. In this post, the focus is not on the … Read more

Woods Lookout Tent Review

young girl stands in front of tent

Woods Lookout Tent Review For years I have looked for a tent that felt impossible to find. I wanted a large tent that could fit at least 5 people AND gear. The tent needed to be waterproof, stable, and with good ventilation. I wanted it to have a rainfly that covered the whole tent. I … Read more

5 Recipes for Car Camping

peppers, onions, and chicken cooking on a grill

Easy Recipes for Car Camping Hot dogs and baked beans, hot dogs and baked beans, hot dogs and baked beans….The classic fuel of many camping memories. One meal like that feels nostalgic and filling, but a week of hot dogs and beans…well, thankfully there are better options. I have been trying out the Magma Crossover … Read more