Category: Gift Guide

If your children love the outdoors, it is an excellent idea to take them camping. It can be a unique way to make lasting memories and entertain the whole family. There are so many things your kids can do while camping that they might not be allowed otherwise. This is what makes the experience all the more enticing. However, if your little ones are less than thrilled by the prospect of camping, create incentives with some fun gifts. Read on to learn about fun camping gift ideas for kids that will get them super excited for outdoor adventures.

Start with the basics—the sleeping bag

What evokes the idea of camping more than a sleeping bag? Even if you have a fancy tent, a sleeping bag is still a must. There are so many to choose from nowadays. They come in child sizes and can be insulated for extra warmth and coziness. You can pick your kids’ favorite colors, cartoon characters, or pretty much any pattern that comes to mind. If they can pick it out themselves, it will be an even more thrilling experience. This way, they can get excited about the camping trip and have something they personally picked for the occasion.

One of the fun camping gift ideas for kids – a hiking backpack

Another excellent thing that they can shop for with you either online or in-store. Backpacks are kids’ favorites for any occasion. If you get them a special one for camping—they will love it. Backpacks also come in many colors and patterns.

Moreover, it is super practical to have one while camping. Your kids can store their snacks, toys, and water, which will come in handy when you are all on a hike. The backpacks will also be something they are personally responsible for, giving them a sense of importance. Also, you will not have to carry everything yourself, which is always a plus.

A tent is a great way to get your kids excited about camping

We all know camping includes tents—which is already pretty cool—but did you know that tents come in kids’ sizes too? Now that is something no child can resist. They will have their fun and privacy away from the parents, and what kid does not like that? Once you buy kids’ tents, you can practice camping in your backyard. It is a great way to prepare if your kids are not used to sleeping outside before taking the actual trip. They will know what to expect and also get to try out their new cool sleeping bags.

Walkie-talkies are a great gift for kids and parents

If your children do not already have walkie-talkies, you have to get them. This is one of the best camping gift ideas for kids. They can have endless fun playing with these. Test them out around the house to ensure they work properly. You will also be able to check the range this way. When you ultimately go camping, you will know what to expect and how far to let your kids wander off. The walkie-talkies are also an excellent tool for parents. You will be able to track down your kids and communicate with them easily while they are running around. For additional safety on your family camping trip, get the ones with an emergency alarm system.

Nifty camping sets for children

They come in many variations, from bug-catching sets to safari hunting and exploring. They also come in different sizes, and you would be surprised how detailed and expansive they can get for a fairly low price. Camping sets make for great gift ideas for kids as they can contain binoculars, compasses, magnifying glasses, whistles, and many more pieces. It can be a great learning experience for your children as they explore the world.   

What to do with the equipment after camping?

If all the camping gifts for kids got you excited, you might have gone a bit overboard. Remember that all those lovely things need to be put away after the camping trip is over. Your family might be a great fan of the outdoors, but it is not that easy to organize camping as frequently as you would like. In the meantime, you will need to store and take care of the equipment. This can be another excellent opportunity to get your kids involved and teach them how to take care of their things. All their items should be their responsibility so that they appreciate their value more in the future. Once you are done with your camping trip, you want to make sure to follow a few simple steps.

1. Dry your camping equipment. Lots of pieces may go unnoticed and cause issues later on. If you folded your tents at the campsite, you might not have noticed that they were not completely dry. It is essential to take care of this as mold could form if unattended, and you might lose your precious tents.
2. Wash your sleeping bags. They may seem clean but let’s face it—camping trips do not come with a shower. Throw them in the washer and dry them afterward. This way, they will be clean and ready to use next time you go camping. You can also buy a sleeping bag liner that will help to keep your sleeping bag clean. Simply wash the liner after use and this will stop the need to wash the sleeping bag.
3. Store your equipment in vacuum pack bags. All those large tents and sleeping bags can fit nicely in a vacuum pack bag and you can save so much space this way.

Have a fun camping trip

Hopefully, these camping gift ideas for kids inspired you to start shopping and get ready for an adventure with your family. Remember that most camping gifts for kids can be inexpensive, and you can get plenty of fantastic equipment even if you are on a budget. Your kids will have a blast exploring the outdoors, and you will create a terrific activity for many years to come.

This Christmas, that outdoor active woman will really appreciate a gift that goes on giving as she spends time on her favourite trailblazing adventure.   At Outdoor Adventure Store, we are pleased to stock a wide range of gift ideas for those intrepid ‘wild-wimmin’ who enjoy hiking, backpacking, camping, kayaking, snowshoeing, sea swimming, mountain biking and all other trailblazing adventure you care to mention.  Here are seven of the best gift ideas for the active ladies.

Multi Tools

A welcome, quirky and useful Christmas present for anyone who enjoys outdoor life, a multi-tool will fast become an essential part of all the upcoming outdoor adventures.   For the more adventurous ladies, the Squirt PS4 multi-tool is among our best-selling items which is a discreet keychain size but packs far above its diminutive size in terms of usefulness, durability and clever innovation.  While it slips nicely into a corner of her backpack, it will fast become one of her most favoured items.  This is from the Leatherman range of multi-tools that comprise sets with attachments from bottle openers to wire-cutters and knives to rulers.  Check out the choice and be prepared for some ‘gift envy.’

Head Torch

Head torches are the best invention ever!  An absolute must for hiking, camping, trekking, fishing, and for daily life. Reading in bed, working outside at night and all types of winter activity.  Having your hands free on dangerous terrain is a must and in the days around Christmas, when daylight is at its lowest level, a head torch is a brilliant present for the busy woman.

Socks  

 Sock it to her. Socks. Traditionally the go-to ‘I cannot think of anything else’ gift for men, socks are not what they used to be.  A good soft, quick drying, hiking sock engineered for comfort and fit is a must for any serious hikers/trekkers.  Soft Merino wool blends, flat toe seams with extra zonal padding is the type of innovation that has lifted the gift of a well-crafted hiking sock to the top spot for  ‘stocking fillers’, if you will excuse the pun. Find a wide range of socks here:   

Base Layer Clothing

Whether walking, cycling or taking part on any other outdoor activity, a base layer acts like a ‘second skin’.  Base layers give a layer of warmth yet they absorb and evaporate any perspiration and keep the wearer feeling warm and comfortable. There is a variety of base layer clothing to choose from but every piece will absolutely be a welcome warm hug to the wearer. Check out this Helly Hansen set.

Rainwear

Decent rainwear is an investment. Not just an investment in a quality piece of clothing, but an investment in all the future walks, hikes and treks that will be enjoyed all the more as she is  protected from the elements while being comfortable and stylish.  Chose a Gore-Tex breathable waterproof hiking jacket in a snazzy colour and look forward to those post New Year walks. Jackets designed specifically for the female body shape will bring a smile on Christmas morning that will extend right through miles of trekking through snow showers and windy walks.

Trekker Chair

For the outdoor woman who already has it all, there is the unique luxury of her very own trekker chair. This 10oz of portable seating creates a comfy place to rest and recover after a long day hiking. The elastic sleeve edges stretch to fit both the NeoAir and self-inflating pads.    It is lightweight, completely portable and is guaranteed to induce seat-envy in all. Suitable for all outdoor activities, including climbing, fishing and backpacking.

Voucher

You know what she likes but don’t know exactly what she needs.  Give a gift voucher and let her choose the perfect gift for herself from our wide range of stock. Vouchers are available online and instore.

When socks become a welcome present

Why are men so difficult to buy gifts for?  It‘s not a problem that only plagues the opposite sex…, even guys don’t know what to buy for guys and often opt for the predictable vouchers or booze options.   Amongst the universally despised Christmas gifts is the classic pair of socks.  Apparently, a pair of chain store socks says I don’t really care, while a pound store pair of Xmas themed comic sock is never really that funny and just looks silly in February.   But the Christmas sock gift is a much misunderstood present.

SOCK it to me

It is not the choice of gift, it is the choice of sock that is the issue!

A warm, cosy pair of Merino wool hiker socks is the last word in sock luxury. The blend of yarns help make the socks abrasion-resistant while the mix of fibres wick moisture from the inside to ensure dry feet.  Wicking is the technology that keeps feet comfortable when walking and trekking in warmer climates.  A good pair of hiking socks is the gift that keeps on giving (to your guys’ feet!) for the whole year ahead!

For the budding mountaineer who drags his reluctant feet to extremely cold environments, there are amazing Summit Socks.  These little beauties are designed with dense cushioning for extra warmth, extra impact resistance and ultimate comfort.  Even if your man never gets too far beyond the car park on the nearest hill, these are socks that he will love for ever.

HATS off for Christmas

Hats get bad press as Christmas gifts too! This is entirely the fault of the giver and no reflection on the choice, style and quality of hats available.  Save your own footwear by shopping online and check out the great headwear available for the outdoor adventurer on our website.  If the poor guy has only had inferior hat experiences up to now, it is probably your duty to get that one great hat to bring a blissful smile to all those post-Christmas beach walks.     The joy of a light, warm, beanie hat with an internal micro fleece headband, is not to be sneezed at. In fact, it’s so warm, there will be no sneezing, even in artic conditions.  Team it with a classic Polar Buff to maintain body temperature and prevent heat loss.

GIFTS so good, you might just keep them for yourself.

Of course, there are lots of other gift ideas for the outdoorsy types right here instore and online!  Adventurers, hikers and trekkers of all ages will love a thoughtful present from our range of hand torches, head torches, cooler boxes and multipurpose Swiss army knives.   A First Aid Kit for that practical hiker!  A Trangia stove for the hungry hiker!  A flip top thermal mug for the soup eating trecker and some Trekmate protex gloves for the warm hearted (apparently, they have very cold hands!).

An unusual, useful and welcome Christmas present for those who have everything comes in the form of the amazing Jumping Jack.  Never lose your energy again with a jumping jack, portable power back up.  From credit card size to give the phone that extra battery life when hill walking in the wilderness, to  a compact, lightweight yet powerful emergency jump starter and universal battery charger that can bring life back to the  car engine or charge your phone or tablet.  All are small enough to fit in your glove box, handbag or backpack.

Christmas comes but once a year, but an Outdoor Adventure Store Gift will keep giving the love for the years ahead!   Excellent quality and a wide selection of outdoor clothing and accessories will solve all your gift giving problems.   So shop until you drop, get the list checked off and spend the rest of the Christmas shopping days where you prefer to be… having those outdoor adventures!