While getting outside may seem more complicated with an infant or toddler along, outdoor time is important for both baby and mama. Scientific studies show that time outside can be helpful for boosting cognitive function, promoting relaxation, and reducing stress. And exposure to natural light during the day may even help your baby sleep better at night!
Being properly prepared for your outdoor adventures with baby can help things go more smoothly. Check out this gift guide for recommendations for some of our favorite things for getting outside with the littlest members of our families. These items make great gifts for the adventurous mama-to-be or the outdoor baby in your life.
If you’ve shopped for baby items, you know that endless options abound. But, with so many choices it can be hard to know which ones are actually worth the money. After spending thousands of collective hours outdoors with infants and toddlers, the Tales of a Mountain Mama Team has tested A LOT of baby gear. Here is a collection of some of our favorite things for outdoor babies.
As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, we earn from qualifying purchases.
Outdoor Baby Gear for Mama
The right gear can make outdoor adventures with baby a breeze. Here are a few of our team’s favorite things for mamas who love to get outdoors with their babies.
Milk x Whiskey Adventure Proof Diaper Bag
One challenge when getting outside with baby can be figuring out how to pack up all the things you’ll need for your adventure. But, the Milk x Whiskey Adventure Proof Diaper Backpack makes it easy to bring along all the essentials.
It comes with a removable baby changing station and side-access cooler that all packs into a comfortable, sturdy backpack. TMM Team member, Kara, says it’s “like a Swiss army knife of diaper bags.” Read her full review of the Milk x Whiskey Adventure Proof Diaper Bag on the blog.
Wildelore All-Phases Fleece
The Wildelore All-Phases Fleece is the perfect cozy sweater for pregnancy, postpartum, breastfeeding, and beyond. It features side zippers to accommodate a growing baby bump, and has convenient nursing access so you can easily feed baby outdoors. It also has plenty of pockets for stashing essentials.
For pregnant and breastfeeding mamas, having apparel that fits well and is super functional for this phase of life can be comforting during a time when your body is going through a lot of big changes. We love that the Wildlore fleece is pretty and functional enough to wear long past pregnancy and breastfeeding as well! Check out our full review of the Wildlore All-Phases Fleece on the blog.
Favorite Outerwear for Babies
A good outer layer is essential for keeping baby warm in dry in cold, wet weather. Water-proof booties make sure baby’s toes stay cozy. Here are some of our favorite options.
Stonz Rain Suit
Stonz rain suits are made of lightweight wind-proof, waterproof material for keeping baby dry in wet weather. Reinforced knees & bottom, a loose fit, and extendable cuffs help this suit last longer. It also comes in a variety of fun colors and is made without harmful chemicals, which is a major plus!
Stonz Snow Suit & Bunting Bag
Stonz 2-in-1 snowsuit easily transforms into a cozy sleeping bag with a few zips and snaps. Its water-resistant outer shell and cozy fleece lining are great for keeping baby warm and dry while playing and napping in cold weather. And as an added bonus, when this suit gets dirty, you can just toss it in the washing machine.
Stonz Baby Winter Booties
Stonz weather-resistant, fleece-lined booties keep baby’s feet cozy and dry in winter weather. These booties are easy to slip on & off and their two adjustable toggles secure them on wiggly little feet. Non-slip soles are another nice feature, helping to prevent early walkers from falling in slippery conditions.
Warm Layers for Outdoor Babies
Layers are important for keeping baby warm and comfortable in the winter months. Check out this post for lots of great tips for layering kids up for cold weather. Here are a few of our favorite things for keeping baby warm when temperatures drop.
Iksplor Baby Base Layer Set
Iksplor Baby Base Layers are made of soft, breathable, moisture-wicking and temperature-regulating merino wool to help keep baby dry and comfortable. The top features built-in hand mitts to protect little hands from cold and sun exposure.
This base layer set comes in several different great color options. It’s available in sizes 0-3 months to 12-24 months and is perfect for the littlest explorer in the family (they also have bigger sizes for older kids and adults). Check out our review of Iksplor Adventure Wear here.
Reima Aurora Base Layer Balaclava
This cozy balaclava is great for protecting baby’s head and neck from the elements. It’s made with merino wool, which is soft, warm, and helps to regulate baby’s body temperature. Baby can wear it on its own, or layer it under a snowsuit or jacket hood when it gets really cold outside.
Milk x Whiskey Baby Tumbler Grid Fleece Hoodie
This stylish hoodie is perfect for outdoor adventures with baby! Grid fleece makes it extra durable and prevents piling, helping it hold up through lots of wear and washes. It’s soft, breathable, and wicks moisture to keep your little adventurer dry and comfortable.
This mid-weight hoodie can be worn on its own or layered in colder weather to keep baby cozy while camping, hiking, or playing outdoors. The attached hood helps protect baby’s head from the elements. Sizing starts at 3-6 months, and toddler, youth, and adult sizes are available too.
Accessories for Outdoor Babies
Coverage for baby’s head and toes are essential when going outdoors to help provide warmth and protection from insects and UV rays. Here are a few accessories we love.
Jan & Jul Trapper Hat
Keep baby’s head and ears warm even in the coldest weather. This insulated hat is temperature rated to 5℉ (-15℃). It’s lined with soft faux fur and has a water-repellent and windproof shell. A velcro chin strap helps to keep it in place.
This hat features an adjustable elastic cinch that is perfect for growing little ones. We also love that it’s stain resistant and machine washable for easy care.
Check out our review of Jan & Jul Snow Gear to learn more about their cold weather outerwear for kids.
Sunday Afternoons SunSprout Infant Hat
Sunday Afternoons sun hats are a TMM team favorite. This infant hat provides UPF 50+ and has a nice, wide brim so it offers great sun protection for baby’s delicate skin. It’s lightweight and packs up well, making it easy to stuff into a diaper bag or backpack. It’s also easy to wash and dries quickly.
Nui Organics Merino Wool Infant Socks
Soft and cozy socks keep baby’s feet warm. Merino wool naturally wicks moisture to help ensure your little one’s feet stay dry and comfortable. This pack includes 5 pairs of infant socks in various shades of blue.
Clothes for Outdoor Babies
Baby clothes made from high-quality, durable materials perform better and last longer. Here are few options we love.
First Peak Seawool Flannel
First Peak baby clothes are thoughtfully designed with durable, sustainable materials that are naturally odor and stain resistant. Their Seawool Flannel is one of my favorites. It’s the perfect cozy layer to toss into your backpack in case baby gets chilly while you’re out adventuring. Check out my full review of First Peak baby clothes here.
Ella’s Wool Tubes
Ella’s Wool Tubes leggings are made with soft merino wool to keep your little one warm and cozy. They are designed to be worn as a second layer over top of a base layer for extra warmth. But, they also can be worn alone, or as PJs during cold weather camping trips.
These durable leggings also feature roll down cuffs to help them fit growing little ones longer. Check out our review of Ella’s Wool Tubes here.
WildHaven Wools Art Collage Baby Tees
These hand sewn, one-of-a-kind tees are made with Merino wool. They are light, quick-drying, moisture-wicking and provide UPF 50 protection, making them the perfect shirt for outdoor adventures with baby. They are a great layer under rain gear, a cozy jacket, or a hoodie to help keep baby warm and comfortable in all types of weather.
Baby Carriers for Everyday Adventures
Babywearing makes getting outside with baby so much easier. And it has benefits for both mama and baby too. Being snuggled up next to their parent is soothing to baby, especially when they’re tired, grumpy, teething, sick, or just needing some extra comfort. With the right carrier, babywearing also allows for hands-free, discreet breastfeeding, on-the-go.
These are a few great soft structured carriers for everyday use and various outdoor adventures, such as taking your older kids to the park, or going for short walks. But, for longer hikes, especially as baby gets heavier, you may find a framed baby backpack carrier to be more comfortable.
Líllé COMPLETE Airflow Baby Carrier
The Líllé COMPLETE is a great all-purpose carrier that allows you to carry babies & toddlers in 6 different positions. The Airflow style features breathable fabric to help keep baby cool.
This was my go-to carrier with my first two kids. Both my partner and I used it to comfortably carry them from the time they were just a few weeks old through toddler stage. I found it to be comfortable enough to wear around the house and on shorter adventures, but also on longer hikes too.
Amphiba Baby Neptune Carrier
Amphiba Baby Neptune Carrier is a versatile soft structured carrier that is a great option for active mamas. One of my favorite features is that it’s waterproof, making it the perfect carrier for baby wearing at the beach, pool, waterpark, and on rainy day hikes. I also love that it has spacious pockets to stash all your essentials. You can read my full review of the Amphiba Baby Neptune Carrier here.
The Mumsie Baby Wearing Overalls
The Mumsie is a cute pair of overalls and a baby carrier all in one! It’s available in many different colors and styles to fit your personal taste. These overalls can also be worn during pregnancy, as the adjustable straps easily accommodate a growing belly.
Baby Carriers for Hiking and Backpacking
For many of the TMM team members, a good backpack baby carrier is a must-have baby item for hitting the trail with your little one. Unlike a soft-structured carrier that puts most of the weight on your shoulders, a framed carrier distributes baby’s weight more evenly, which many people find more comfortable when hiking long distances.
You will have to wait until baby is around 6 months old and has good head control to wear them in this type of carrier. But, once they’re old enough, your little one will likely appreciate being higher up on your back so they have a better view during your hike. Another bonus of this type of carrier is the additional storage space, which certainly comes in handy for stashing all of baby’s essentials. Here are two of our favorite framed carriers.
Deuter Kid Comfort Carrier
Deuter’s Kid Comfort Carrier fits a wide range of body types comfortably, making it a great choice if more than one caregiver will be using it. It can carry kids up to 48.5 lbs (22 kg) and has plenty of exterior pockets for all your baby gear. A suspended mesh back panel that keeps the wearer cool, comfy pillow for naps, and convenient kickstand are other features we love.
Check out our full review of the Deuter Kid Comfort Carrier here.
Osprey Poco LT Carrier
Osprey has a few different versions of their framed baby carrier, including the Poco (their original baby carrier), Poco Plus, Poco LT, and Poco SLT. These carriers vary in price, and each have specific features that may make them better suited to your lifestyle.
The Osprey Poco LT is more compact, and lightweight than the Poco and Poco Plus. It has a built-in UPF 50 sunshade that can be stored in a zippered pocket when not in use, as well as a large pocket and a lower storage compartment.
Read our full review of the Osprey Poco LT Carrier here. You can also find our Osprey Poco Plus review here.
Baby Wearing Outerwear
Baby wearing is a convenient way to bring baby along on all sorts of adventures. But, when the weather is cold and wet, dressing them in the all the layers needed to keep them warm can make it more challenging for them to fit comfortably in the baby carrier.
Baby wearing outerwear is a great solution to this issue and there are lots of great options available. Here are a few of our favorites.
Mamalila Babywearing Rain Cover
This wind and waterproof cover can be worn over any type of baby carrier in both front and back carries (except a framed carrier) to keep baby dry in wet weather. It folds up nice and small, so it can be tucked into a pocket or backpack in case of unexpected showers. It also features a folding hood and inside pockets for baby’s feet.
WeWilDy Confluence Babywearing Jacket
WeWilDy (formerly Mountain Marsupial and Wanderling) is a waterproof, wind proof jacket you can wear over your favorite baby carrier to keep baby warm and cozy in both front and back carries. When baby panel is removed, it can be worn like a regular jacket, making this a jacket you can use long past your baby wearing years.
Check out our review of this baby wearing jacket here (Note: we reviewed this jacket a few years ago when the company was called Mountain Marsupial).
The Cozy Cloak
The Cozy Cloak is a fully functional adult jacket with an extension that fits over most child-carrier backpacks. It was created by two parents who love getting outdoors with their little ones, year round, but hated having to bundle them up in all the layers. Made with wind-proof, water-proof, breathable material, it keeps the parent and baby dry and warm during cold weather adventures.
Read our review of the Cozy Cloak here.
Strollers Active Mamas Love
Strollers are a great option for bringing baby and lots of gear along your outdoor adventures without having to carry all the extra weight. But, not all strollers are a good fit for active mamas. These are a few options that are designed with adventurous families in mind.
Bob Revolution Flex 3.0 Jogging Stroller
This stroller was designed to go off-road. It features a SmoothShox™ suspension system and padded seats for a smoother ride for your little one. Use it from birth to 75 lbs — though smaller babies will have to ride in an infant car seat (car seat adapter available, but not included).
Other features we love include the multiple pockets and extra-large cargo basket underneath the seat for lots of storage, as well as the UPF 50+ canopy that protects your little one from sun and rain. This stroller is also easily collapsible for more convenient storage and transport.
Burley Encore X Stroller/Bike Trailer
The Burley Encore X is a versatile 2-in-1 stroller and bike trailer that can be used for walking, jogging, biking, and skiing. It features UPF 50 tinted windows, a sunshade, and a weather-resistant cover to keep your little one comfortable in all types of weather. It even has extra storage space for baby gear & snacks. We also love how the trailer can be used from 6 months old to about 7 years old (or 40 lbs).
Veer All-Terrain Cruiser Stroller Wagon
This rugged wagon is perfect for all-terrain adventures with your little ones. The two built in seats each have their own cup holder and snack tray, as well as 3-point harnesses. Another convenient feature is that the wagon folds up easily for convenient storage and transport when not in use.
The wagon holds kids up to 55 lbs and 45 in tall. You can use it with smaller babies too, but will need to purchase an infant car seat adapter, as it’s not included.
Portable Tents & Beds for Outdoor Naps and Play
Portable tents and beds are a game changer for trips to the beach, camping, outdoor outings, and travel. They provide sun protection and keep bugs from bothering baby while they nap.
Once baby starts crawling, portable tents are a contained place for them to play so that they can’t eat sand, rocks, or anything else they might find on the ground. Portable beds are also a safe place for baby to sleep while camping or traveling. Here are a few options we love.
KidCo PeaPod Travel Bed
The KidCo PeaPod is a lightweight travel tent that packs up into a carrying case making it easy to bring along on outdoor adventures. It’s made with UV protection to help protect little ones from the sun and when zipped keeps insects from bugging baby. Check out our review of the KidCo PeaPod Travel Bed here.
The California Beach Co. Pop ‘N Go Playpen
The Pop ‘N Go Playpen pops up easily and is nice & roomy, so baby has space to crawl around and play, but can’t get to all the sand, dirt, rocks, etc. that roaming babies love to put in their mouths.
Lotus Travel Crib
The Lotus travel crib is lightweight and packs into a backpack carry bag for easy transport. It features a side zipper for quick access and can be used for sleep or play on the go.
Blankets and Sleeping Bags for Outdoor Babies
Whether you’re going camping and need to keep baby cozy on chilly nights or just want an extra layer to keep baby warm while tucked into the stroller, here are a few good options.
Nui Organics Koha Merino Baby Blanket
This Merino wool blanket makes a perfect baby gift. It’s temperature-regulating and soft, helping to keep baby comfy and cozy.
Morrison Outdoors Little Mo Baby Sleeping Bag
The TMM team loves Morrison Outdoors Sleeping bags for the whole family. This baby-sized version is great for keeping the littlest members of the family warm while camping, even when nights get chilly. We love that it has sleeves to help keep baby’s upper body cozy too.
Check out our review of Morrison Sleeping Bags here.
Nui Organics Shortwool Natural Lambskin
Lambskin is cozy and soft, making it a comfortable place for baby to lay. Like wool clothing, lambskin rugs naturally help to regulate body temperature and absorb moisture, keeping baby warm when it’s cold out and cool and dry on warm days.
Feeding Baby Outdoors
Being able to feed your little ones when they get hungry is essential for helping any adventure go smoother! Here are a few things that make feeding baby while outdoors a little bit easier.
Cake Maternity Cotton Candy Nursing Bra
For active, breastfeeding mamas, a good nursing bra is a must-have for outdoor adventures with your nursling. The Cake Maternity Cotton Candy Nursing Bra is a great option. It offers support for light-medium activities, like walking and hiking.
This bra is adjustable, wire-free, and is made with soft material so it’s extra comfortable. One-handed clips and drop down cups make access quick and easy, so you can feed your little one without hassle.
For more tips and nursing bra recommendations, check out our post, Nursing and Pumping on the Go.
Pura Kiki Stainless Steel Insulated Baby Bottle
This insulated bottle is perfect for keeping drinks warm or cold while out on an adventure. And when your little one outgrows a baby bottle, the nipple can be switched out with another Pura silicone lid to make a sippy bottle (great for toddlers), straw bottle, or sport bottle.
Haakaa Silicone Fresh Food Feeder
This Haakaa feeder is perfect for feeding baby on the go! Fill it with any soft food (fresh fruit works great) and pop it in your backpack for an easy snack.
Getting Outside with Babies
Getting out with the littlest members of your family can feel daunting at times, but is definitely worth the effort. We hope these gift ideas will make it easier for you or a loved one to enjoy some time outdoors with their baby!
Looking for more outdoorsy gift ideas?
Related articles
- Hiking in Cold Weather with Babies
- Diapering in the Outdoors
- 9 Tips for Postpartum Mamas Getting Outside After Baby
Gifts for Outdoor Babies
© 2024, Tales of a Mountain Mama. All rights reserved. Republication, in part or entirety, requires a link back to this original post and permission from the author.