2018 Best Gifts for Outdoor Families

It’s that time of the year again….the seasons are changing and we are gearing up to keep warm and comfortable as winter hits. We also start thinking about what to gift those we love.

I hope you start with TIME first. It is the foundation of strong families and, sadly, what seems to slip away first.

We put together this guide to help you find the GEAR (and fun stuff) you need to spend that time together outside. Know that all these products come personally recommended by us and our Team.

Check out this guide and then be sure to head here for ALL our guides for 2019 – our team has worked hard to gather our very favorite recommendations.

As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Want more ideas? Find all our gift guides here!

Family Fun + Biking

Woom 3 Bike

The WOOM 3 is our favorite bike for preschoolers transitioning from a balance bike to pedals. The more upright stance gives young riders confidence as they learn to ride. We also love the color-coded hand brake, steering limiter and ultra light frame.

Buddy Pegs Jersey, Books & Hats

Hamax Caress

The Caress is my favorite bike seat. It is super easy to adjust, works even on my 29″ Cruiser Bike with fatter tires and is the only seat I personally feel comfortable having my child in when I bike. We recommend for children aged 1 -3 years.

Family Outdoor Fun

Hamax Outback

The Outback has bike/ski/stroll/jog capabilities with a large cockpit, adjustable handle bar and is THE easiest multifunctional stroller to switch between accessories.

We love that the skis lock into place so you can push OR pull with them.

Another bonus? Their strolling wheel is the smoothest I’ve seen even on dirt roads. Read our full review here.

Spring Free Trampoline

Truly the safest trampoline on the market, we have been extremely impressed with this one. Safety is their number one priority and it shows in the details. This is for those families that said they “would never have a trampoline” (like us!)

It works awesome in ALL weather conditions. We simply plow a path to it all winter long and let the kids (and us) continue to jump, despite snow and ice.

Slackers Ninjaline

We recommend this year after year because it is perfect for the backyard OR to bring camping.

Outdoor Education

Think Outside Boxes

My kids think THIS is the best gift idea for outdoor kids this year….and for every year. It’s hands-down our favorite subscription box option for outdoor kids and the gift that keeps giving all year long.

The tools/items included in the boxes are top-notch quality, include comprehensive learning and truly do encourage kids to get outside.

My kids reach for their pack with all their supplies again and again. Worth every penny!

Books, Books, Books!

We love books that encourage an outdoor life. Here are some of our very favorites. Also check out the following lists of others we recommend:

Winter Gear

Veyo Mittyz

Our favorite mittens for toddlers, these are cute, warm, stay on and keep little hands super warm. Best for ages 6 mo – 4.5 years.

TOBE Gear for Kids

I always say TOBE is our “bombproof gear”, made to handle serious abuse from adventurous kids (and adults!) Read our full review here.

TOBE Outwear for Kids Who Are Tough on Gear

Stripes Gear

My favorite poly-pro base layers for toddlers through adults. The stripes are adorable, they are very warm and comfortable. My biggest tip? They are not made to go in the dryer so hang dry!

See our full review here!

Use code “mountainmama” for 10% off! No expiration date.

Winter Gear for Kids 2017/18 - What They're Wearing!

Level Nine Defiance Ski or Snowboard Package

L9 has the best deals in ski packages for the whole family. That coupled with the fact that they know their gear, have excellent customer service AND truly want to help families get on the slopes is why we shop with them every time we need ski gear.

Shred Dog Gear (go here for 25% off!)

My kids love their SHRED DOG gear and as a mom, I there are number of things I personally LOVE about their premium gear, such as:

Adjust-a-Fit™ — the sleeves of both their jackets and the pant legs can be extended for growing kids but also retracted for hand-me-downs!
Elite-level waterproofness and breathability – a lot of brands claim it, but they really deliver
Soft and pliable so kids can easily move around and play hard but also durable with knee, cuff, and hem reinforcement on the pants
The versatility of the layering system – the shell is great for spring skiing, the shell and puffy zipped together is a cold winter jacket, but the puffy insulator jacket is perfect for 3-season or year-round use

Read our full review here.

Wee Woollies

My kids are in Wee Woollies literally every day or night year-round. They are super soft, lightweight so great for a base layer or pajamas and keep kids warm AND cool thanks to the amazing properties of wool. Available for babies – age 10.

They are slim fitting so sizing up a bit works just fine. If you treat them right, they’ll last through a few kids. I LOVE that they are something I can throw in with the rest of my laundry.

Jan & Jul Fleece-Lined Gear

I just discovered Jan & Jul this winter and love their fleece-lined rain gear. In fact, the suits especially totally work as snow gear if you live in a more temperate climate or are ok with layering.

They’ve been fantastic for early winter which tends to be muddy and wet AND cold here. Suits, jacket/pant separates and mittens are all available. We’ve done some serious laying-in-a-puddle testing and they have performed fantastically.

Therm Outdoor Splash Magic Jacket

Therm has fantastic gear that truly is waterproof. The Splash Magic jacket is fleece-lined (breathable option also) and has a design that shows up only when wet. Every kid thinks this is the coolest thing. Based in New Zealand, we love this company and ALL their products. Available on Amazon!

Villervalla Snow Gear

I LOVE LOVE LOVE this gear from Biddle & Bop. It is what I recommend to all my friends who are looking for great gear for their kids, but don’t want to spend a fortune.

Not only is it cute, it’s warm and super durable, has a great hood, adjustable wrist cuffs and bib straps and just overall amazing quality. And that hat – it’s THE best and warmest I have found for little kids. I am ordering more for our family!

We also recommend their shells to layer under.

Ella’s Wool TUBES and Base Layers

The Ella’s Wool TUBES wool pants can be worn on their own (no-itch at all) or as a great mid layer in the winter. I love the bright new colors this year. We have them for all our kids and use them daily to keep them warm.

Also don’t miss their base layers – they are a great heavier weight while still remaining incredibly soft and warm. Available for babies and big kids (up to size 12) too!