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Updated for the 2021 gift-giving season!
Last spring, our son and I took our first ever mama-son camping trip. Just the two of us. It was still a little too chilly for camping, but we both received lots of outdoor gear as gifts over the holidays and couldn’t wait another minute to try them out.
Other than this event (where we learned just how windy it gets in Colorado):
… we had a fantastic trip. Over the rest of the weekend, our son made kindling with his new hatchet and made sure our tent was well lit with a new lantern. I roasted marshmallows with my collapsible roasting sticks, and I tested out my Therm-a-Rest compressible pillow.
The Best Gifts for Outdoor Lovers
There’s nothing that spurs excitement for getting outdoors, quite like new outdoor gear. New hiking boots, new equipment for next season’s camping trips, or even tickets for an unforgettable family adventure, the holidays are a great time to spark that adventure in your family!
So why not create that excitement in your family this holiday season with the best outdoor gifts? To keep the outdoor inspiration going all day, every day, we also included outdoor-inspired presents for the indoors.
Happy Holidays outdoor friends!
Gear For People Who Love the Outdoors
Outdoor Gifts for Her and for Him
2. GCI Outdoor Firepit Rocker Chair
It doesn’t get any more comfortable than this around the campfire.
3. GSI Outdoors Java Press (30 fl. oz.)
Another pick from GSI: Fresh pressed coffee, insulated to keep coffee warm on chilly mornings.
A hydration pack, a must-have item for hikers, is a perfect gift for your outdoorsy friends.
6. YETI Rambler 12 oz. Colster Can
Help them keep cans (or bottles) of their favorite beverage cold with a Yeti koozie.
7. Hydro Flask Mug with Insulated Press-in Lid
Chilly mornings at the campground require something that will keep coffee warm. And no one insulates drinks better than Hydro Flask.
8. Corkcicle 12 oz Triple-Insulated Stemless Glass
A wine “glass” for camping is one of my favorite gifts ever.
This lightweight and ultraportable chair goes anywhere but is comfortable enough to settle in around the fire at the end of the day.
Gear That Makes Great Outdoor Gifts for Tweens and Teens
1. Hydro Flask Water Bottle, 32 oz
A Hydro Flask bottle will let them keep their cold drinks cold and warm drinks warm all day long, plus teens love anything they can personalize.
Hydro Flask is also available at REI.
2. The North Face ThermoBall Traction Mule
The outdoor slipper is perfect for skiing or camping – or anytime hanging out outdoors. Insulating and waterproof soles keep feet warm and dry.
We really love Eno hammocks, but we now have another favorite once we discovered Bear Butt hammocks. Any teen will love their own place to chill at the campground.
4. HP Sprocket Portable Instant Photo Printer
We have this on the list of outdoor gifts for tweens and teens because of how often ours gets used on hikes and camping trips. Get instant access to pictures snapped in the wilderness (including selfies!) by sending images right from a phone to this mini printer.
5. JBL Clip 4: Portable Speaker with Bluetooth
Few things make a teen happier than having access to their playlist. This portable JBL speaker will let them listen to music anywhere.
Keep them warm and cozy when camping in the cold with Cotopaxi’s colorful blanket made to hold up in the outdoors.
7. Anker Power Bank PowerCore Slim
As much as we would like to keep teens off their devices in the wild, we know it won’t happen. This power bank will make sure they stay sufficiently charged.
Warmth is also happiness for a teen. Help them stay warm with a rechargeable hand warmer.
And add these Toe Warmers from HotHands to their stockings. They’re single-use but keep toes toasty warm.
Our teens love whittling wood when we’re hanging out at the campsite, so when they got old enough, they each got their own small knife for their camping hobby.
10. Therm-a-Rest Compressible Pillow
A Therm-a-Rest pillow compacts down for camping and travel and comes in fun designs, like this moon print.
One of our teens camps with this “Fun Guy” (mushrooms!, get it?) print we found at REI.
Outdoor Gear that Make Great Gifts for Outdoorsy Kids
1. Smartwool Wintersport Full Cushion Socks in Fun Prints
Polar bear or yeti socks will keep little toes cozy warm in cold weather.
2. MPOWERD Luci Color Essence: Solar Inflatable Lantern
Give them their very own lantern for the campground or even a night hike – they’ll especially love this that one changes colors.
This pint-sized Nalgene bottle is perfectly sized for younger kids to carry their own water – at least for a little bit.
4. Tracks, Scats, and Signs (Take Along Guides)
Make hiking fun for the kids with this guide to identifying creatures in the forest.
5. Artists Collective Reusable Baggies
Let the kids pack up their favorite hiking snacks in these cute reusable baggies.
7. Fitbit Ace 2 Activity Tracker for Kids
Kids are motivated by tracking their activity as much as adults. The Fitbit Ace is made just for the kiddos.
8. Airhead Monsta Trax Kids Snowshoe
The kids will be so excited to get outside in the winter with these fun snowshoes that also make walking in the snow easier.
9. Led Headlamps with Fun Designs
Whether they are coloring at the campground after dark or helping to clean up after a late outdoor meal, a headlamp fit for the kids makes it all easier.
Outdoor Family Gifts
1. Rechargeable Walkie Talkies with 2 USB Chargers
Keep the family in contact when the kids explore around the campground – or even in the backyard.
Add a relaxing place to chill at the campground to their camping and outdoor gear. It packs small and makes a comfy spot to lounge in the forest.
3. MalloMe Marshmallow Roasting Sticks
Perfectly compact roasting sticks so you don’t need to scour the forest when it’s time to make s’mores. The 16 oz Nalgene bottle is perfectly sized for younger kids
4. Himal Collapsible Portable Corn Hole Boards With 8 Cornhole Bean Bags
Bring outdoor games to the campground for a fun camping activity when the family hangs out at the campsite. This one is super portable.
5. Cairn Subscription for New Gear Monthly
It’s the gift that gives all year long. Send your favorite outdoor family a subscription to Cairn, and they’ll get a new surprise every month.
6. Slackline
The kids (and adults!) will be entertained for hours when you put the slackline up at the campsite. This one comes with everything you need.
Give the gift of the outdoors this year with an annual pass to all 63 national parks. Or check out a state parks pass (many are sold online, such as Colorado, California, Maine, and Florida).
8. Pop Up Beach Shelter / Compact Instant Canopy Tent
Give the gift of shade this year! Extend living space outdoors at the beach or campground – a canopy is a perfect addition to outdoor gear.
10. Rally Tyro 2 Composite Pickleball Paddle Set for 4 Players
Pickleball is our new favorite way to get the family out together. Rent a court at your local rec center and have fun paddling the back and forth over the net, even if you don’t keep score.
Related Reading: The Best Camping Gift Ideas for Your Favorite Campers
The Best Gifts for Outdoor Lovers That Inspire Adventure
Outdoor Themed Gifts for Adults
Moon has the go-to guides for camping, hiking, and more around the US. Choose from a variety of activities by state or city.
4. Taylors of Harrogate Lapsang Souchong
When you can’t be relaxing around the campfire, this aromas of Lapsang Souchong tea will make you feel like you are.
5. Ken Burns: The National Parks – Americas Best Idea
Give them the inspiration for their next adventure with the Ken Burns classic on the national parks.
6. Mountains are Calling Coffee Mug
A mug for work or home when they can’t actually be in the mountains.
Let them show their love of camping with this campfire word art shirt (also available in short sleeves and hoodies).
8. And So The Adventure Begins Outdoors Journal
Keep memories of all the adventures in this leather-bound journal.
9. The Bucket List: 1000 Adventures Big & Small
Help them plan their list of adventures to come with The Bucket List.
10. National Parks Coloring Book
We use our coloring book as a national parks checklist and color the parks page each time we visit a new one.
The Best Gifts for Outdoorsy Teens to Inspire Adventure
1. The Carefree Bee (a Collection of 20 Outdoors Stickers)
These outdoorsy stickers are perfect for personalized water bottles, laptops, and more.
When they can’t actually sleep under the stars, they can at least feel like they are.
4. Outdoor inspired bracelets from Pura Vida
From beaches to mountains, the artists at Pura Vida have every type of adventure covered. Can’t choose just one? Try the bracelet club and send her 2 new bracelets every 6 or 12 months.
5. Nature Landscape Design Case for iPhone
Anything related to their favorite device will make a teen happy, so the best outdoor gifts for tweens and teens include an outdoor-inspired way to protect their phone.
Find an outdoor-inspired phone case for Samsung phones here.
Adventurers who do believe will love this tee with an image of the infamous woodland creature.
Also available in long-sleeve and hoodies (in men’s, women’s, and kid’s sizes.)
7. A Book on Foraging
Foraging is getting more and more popular, especially foraging for mushrooms. This book, How to Forage for Mushrooms without Dying, is perfect for inspiring an outdoorsy teen to try something new – safely.
8. Camping-Themed Printed 100% Turkish Cotton Flannel Sheet Set
Give them a cozy night’s sleep with these camping-themed sheets.
9. Wall Pops Never Stop Exploring
Instead of painting, put this removable vinyl sticker on the wall for a little outdoor inspiration.
10. Hydrascape Stickers Flatirons & Longs Peak Infinity Sticker
These long stickers can go just about anywhere, but they look really great wrapped around a Hydro Flask for a 360-degree mountain view. They’re available in different scenes, but we’re partial to the Flatirons & Longs Peak.
Get the Kids Excited for Adventure
Outdoor-inspired gifts for outdoorsy kids for days when they need to be indoors.
3. LEGO City People Pack – Outdoors Adventures
Lego has discontinued this set, but some sets are still available on Amazon.
Kids can work on their balance for snowboarding or skateboarding, even on indoor days.
6. Oh, Beautiful Camping Site: Camping Book for Kids
Or kids who like to hike will love Trekking on a Trail (Hiking Adventures for Kids).
7. Kids’ Outdoor Adventure Book: 448 Great Things to Do in Nature Before You Grow Up
Let them plan their own family’s next adventure (or their own) with this book filled with ideas.
8. Learning Resources New Sprouts Camp Out!
Bring the camping trip indoors with this playset for little ones. Kids that are a little older will love to have a living room camp out in their own little tent with this playset.
9. Large Forest Pine Tree with Bear Wall Decals
Make their bedroom a woodland escape with forest decals, complete with a bear for their bedroom forest!
10. Mudpuppy Forest Night and Day Magnetic Puzzles
This 20-piece puzzle is two puzzles in one – one side has a daytime scene, and the other side is the forest creatures at night.
You Might Also Like: Get Outside! 27 of the Best Outdoor Activities for Families
For the Home
1. 2022 National Park Foundation Wall Calendar
Drool-worthy images that will have you planning your next national park adventure.
6. Acacia Wood Slab Serving Board (set of 3)
The best gifts for outdoor lovers are as functional as inspiring, like these serving boards for entertaining.
9. Portable Campfire: The Original Go-Anywhere Campfire
When not at the campground, they can still get the feel of a campfire at home.
Outdoor Family Gifts that Inspire Adventure
These family gifts for outdoor lovers will keep them inspired for adventure on any day of the year.
1. Ravensburger Yosemite Valley 1000 Piece Jigsaw Puzzle
Ravensburger makes some of the highest quality puzzles, and outdoorsy people will love this one with the iconic national park.
3. Monopoly National Parks 2020 Edition
The classic family game with a theme makes one of the best outdoor family gifts.
What are your go-to ideas for great gifts for outdoor lovers? We’d love to hear about them in the comments!
Click below to save these gifts for outdoor lovers on Pinterest!
Have lots of outdoorsy friends and family on your holiday gift list this year? Find more gifts for outdoorsy family and friends from some of our favorite outdoor families:
The Best Gifts for Skiers from The Brave Ski Mom
The Best Outdoor Gifts of 2018 | Editor’s Choice from Outdoor Families Magazine
A Holiday Gift Guide for Active Kids from Rockies Family Adventure
Outdoor Family Gift Guide – 2018 from Tales of a Mountain Mama
The Best Gifts for Travelers from Traveling Mel
Meaningful Gifts You Actually Want to Give Your Children from Wike Baby
Holiday Gift Guide for Lovers of the Outdoors from Play Outside Guide
Gift Guide for Ski Families from MountainMomandTots.com
Ethical Gifts for the Outdoor Family from Born to Be Adventurous
Gift Guide for Adventure Travelers and Outdoor Lovers from Nomads with a Purpose
The Gift Guide For Everyone On Your List 2018 from Bring-the-kids.com
2018 Ultimate DIY, Handmade Guide for Your Wild Child! from Wilder Child
Your Guide to Cool Camping Gifts and Gadgets for Families from Little Family Adventure
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Wow this is an amazing number of curated gift items for outdoors adventure lovers. Pinned for reference this holiday season!
So glad to hear you enjoyed the gift guide. We found so many great options for outdoor lovers, and many gifts to inspire indoorsy friends and family to get outside!
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Love all the options@ Great Gift Guide
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