The Outdoors Kids Christmas Gift Guide 2023
Christmas Shopping time!
Yup, it’s that time of the year.
The adverts on TV exist only to a soundtrack of Michael Buble, or one of those songs that’s really well known, but sung really slowly in a croony voice which magically makes it christmassy…. (except that it doesn’t)
IT’S CHRISTMAS SHOPPING TIME! And if you’re after some inspo for the outdoorsy kids, then here you’ll find gifts for the kids who live to be outdoors!
I’ve tried to cover a decent age bracket, right up to the teens (particularly with the experiences) as well as a decent range of prices, so check them out!
There is a great range of small businesses included, so make sure you check out their websites. All the links are included in the blog!
NOTE! I have provided some of our recommendations from our own tried and tested kit. Some of the items were gifted as part of a PR advert or as part of brand representation on our Instagram and Facebook pages. However, I have been put under NO obligation to include them in this blog, so those items included are items that we DO thoroughly recommend and have been put to the test by ourselves.
This blog contains previously gifted PR items, and affiliate links. As an Amazon associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Gifts for the Kids who Hike
Well, it was the obviously the place to start! I mean have you even LOOKED at our website?! So here are the gifts for the kids who get their boots on and go a-stomping!
A Rucksack
The perfect gift for a budding hiker, why not gift them the ability to carry around their own snacks, drinks and coats, leaving you blissfully hands free? See? A double whammy of a Christmas pressie! BOOM!
The kids'‘ first proper rucksacks were Deuter rucksacks from Little Trekkers (previously gifted). They have plenty of space, pockets and a cute animal design too, so a great little gift. Check them out here.
Now the kids are a little older, we have upgraded to a slightly larger version of the Deuter Rucksack, which comfortably fits everything they need for a day out on the moors!
Both sets have walked many miles and are still in tip top condition, which is high on my priority list as a parent! They fit snacks, a water bottle and extra layers in comfortably (plus they have stick pockets… sorry SIDE pockets!)
A Compass
Even if they have absolutely no idea how to use it, a compass FEEELS important. And a kid who feels like they are an important part of the process, enjoys the process a whole lot more. Even if it involves a hike!
For the older kids, it’s a great place to start learning some basic navigation skills. We bought our compass from Decathlon, so why not check out what they have to offer (purchased as part of a PR visit). No idea how to use a compass, or need a refresher? Then check out this super helpful video over on the Ordnance Survey website.
A perfect stocking filler for a budding navigator.
Map
Just like the compass, a map is a great gift for a budding explorer and a great way of getting them well and truly involved in the hike plans. Why not spend Boxing Day plotting a New Year'‘s Day hike? Allow them to choose the place, plot the route and help to navigate?
We are never without our OS Maps, but why not make it EXTRA special by creating your own bespoke version?
You could create your own personal map with your favourite family walk, or with a family challenge for the new year perhaps? Check out the Ordnance Survey Custom Made Maps right here! (I am an Ordnance Survey Champion and this is an affiliate link. Products featured below were gifted as part of a collaboration)
Two sizes of the Ordnance Survey Custom Made Maps
Pocket Kite
Honestly, this is a genius bit of kit to have in your rucksack for when you are having a bit of a …. ‘hiking burnout’ moment. Find a spot thats flat (not on the edge of a precipice obvs…) and pray for wind! (I can help you out there, Ilkley Moor is a fab place to fly a kite and is virtually never without wind…. b’aht ‘at and all that!!)
We have the pocket kites from House of Marbles, and I think they make great stocking fillers. You can find the pocket kite here. Sure, they can tangle up, but in all honesty I am yet to find a compact kite that doesn’t! (As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases).
Hape Pocket Swing
Just like the pocket kite, the Pocket Swing is a COOOOOL thing to have in your rucksack! You need to either find yourself two sturdy trees (although we actually think it works better hanging from a branch) and hook it up! It packs down to the size of a kiddy sized rugby ball (the best comparison I can think of!) and easily fits inside an average sized rucksack.
Our pocket swing is featured in the picture at the top and if you want to purchase your own? Check out the swing on the website! (Amazon affiliate link)
A Storm Shelter
Bear with me on this one.
As a hiker, I carry around an emergency storm shelter in my backpack in case the worst happens, somebody falls, is injured and can’t be limped down the mountain we’re on! It’s an essential piece of kit.
But… who knew it would also be an epic place for a picnic on top of a big ‘ol hill? Sometimes it’s a bit chilly to sit, a bit windy or a bit wet? This is great. But that’s just the adult’s view.
Because the kids LOOOOOOOVE this. In fact I actively have to refuse to bring it out on every occasion. Because they love a picnic in the storm shelter!
You. Are. WELCOME.
Conquer Lake District Patches
These are an absolutely fabulous way of incentivising a climb (and yes, I know it’s not YORKSHIRE but they are too good to miss out!) Who doesn’t love collecting badges?!
Check out the Conquer Lake District website for the patches (and check out what else they have to offer as well because their stuff is FAB!)
The Helm Crag Conquer Lake District Patch on ACTUAL Helm Crag!
Gifts for the Kids who Camp
The Wild Guide
Now. Bear with me, because this is definitely pitched at adults (it being an adult’s book and all). But why not grab an adventurous family present from which to choose your next adventure?
With ideas for wild camping, wild swims, secret spots and cool history, my kids genuinely sit for HOURS looking at the pictures and figuring out a cool place they want to visit next. In fact, it’s a camping trip must have!
So grab a gift that’s great for all the family! Find the Wild Guide to the Yorkshire Dales and Lakes on the website (affiliate link).
Toast’d Kits
These kits are a must have for a camping trip (or for any trip to be honest!) They come with a flameless heater, and all the yummy bits you need to make toasted marshmallows (or s’mores, they have one of those too!) So expect chocolate that melts in the sun (no heating required), sprinkles, a liberal helping of marshmallows, skewers, the WORKS! They can even be used indoors.
A brilliant present for a camping kid! Check out the Toast’d Kits website here. (This product was gifted in return for an honest review. Hint. We loved it hence why we featured it!)
The whittling kit from Wild Kids
Wild Kids Adventure Kids
This is a fabulous small business specialising in adventurous kits for kids. With items such as Whittling Kits, Bushcraft Tins, Fire Lighting Kits and Den Building, we are now the proud owners of two kits and we 100% recommend them.
For clarity, one of the kits we have was given to us by Wild Kids through our Instagram page, but before that, we already owned the Bushcraft Tin and we loved that! We only agree to work with companies who we genuinely love, and this is one of them!
Wild Kids has a great mix of stuff for adventurous kids on their website, good to check out!
Pocket Frisbee
I LOVE our pocket frisbee. It’s rubber and it folds down to…. well pocket size! Space saving and with some cool designs to choose from, this is a cool little stocking filler to have as a permanent feature in the rucksack!
Check them out on the website! (affilate link)
Rubbastuff PACMAT Picnic blanket
I don’t go anywhere without the kids’ personal picnic blanket from Rubbastuff. They are LITERALLY the best idea of all time. And I’m not exaggerating.
They pack down to be pocket sized and they are waterproof underneath. They have holes for tent pegs to hold them down, they are big enough for a person to have their own personal spot and they are just great. we have a black and white printed version, and they have been washed a GAZILLION times. They wear incredibly well and quite honestly are as great as they were when they arrived! Can you tell we love them? They are a fab purchase for a festival as the little ones fit in a handbag…. and yes, I’ve tested that out too!
Check out the Rubbastuff website and also go and see the map picnic blankets they have!
Dobble
This game goes everywhere with us!
And the fact that it is in a handy tin, means that it doesn’t suffer the same fate as many other card games that come in boxes that get damp and fall apart!
Check out the solo picnic blanket from Pacmat!
Gifts for the Kids who are happiest outdoors
No big flashy adventures here, just happy being outdoors!
Treasure Trails
These are a cool way to get kids outside and learning, even about places they’ve been to a hundred times before!
We have used the Bolton Abbey and Ambleside Treasure Trails and there are riddles to solve, puzzles to complete and lots of clues to find along the way. All the routes and trails vary dependant on which one you have, and there are plenty to choose from country wide! My two are 6 and 9 and handled it well. In terms of age recommendation, from our experience we felt that any younger and the trail would perhaps miss the mark, but this is a gift that is suitable for kids, teens AND adults!!
Take a look at the treasure trails website for more information.
Catkin and Co. Cards
We LOVE the Catkin and Co range. From incredible pocket sized nature flash cards to full on poo creation sets, this fabulous Yorkshire business is run by the WONDERFUL Catkin Lady (our name for her!) and is definitely worth checking out. She even sells amazing forage your own Christmas Wreath sets!
The kits are suitable for the very young upwards and as an adult, I genuinely learn LOADS from these pocket sized pals! You can find out so much about the world around you from the birds to the bees and the trees in-between!
So check out her lovely website!! There is so much that’s new for 2023, including some fab keyring cards! Love them because it means you won’t ever lose one! Check our the Catkin and Co. Christmas range by heading to the website!
The Catkin and Co. Fungus Cards!
Den Kit Co
This was one we bought for the kids last year for Christmas, a den building kit! And it is such good fun, and such a great idea! Check out the website for what’s on offer, but think Bear Grylls, woods, bushcraft and den building!
Geocache App
Why not create a lifetime’s worth of adventures by downloading the Geocaching App? There is a whole load of features in the subscription version that will have you on the hunt wherever you go!
And believe me, this app has got me out of all kinds of moan-fuelled situations!
Bug Box
I’ll admit. I don’t think we’ve ever NOT had a Bug Box! These pocket-sized pals are brilliant for whipping out in an emergency, ‘look! An interesting bug’ moment, or to try and stem the cries of ‘I’m bored!’
We love our Hape bug box, and have had it for years. It’s lasted remarkably well. Here’s the link! (Affiliate link).
Yorkshire Experiences and Gift Vouchers
One of the things that drives me NUTS about Christmas is the amount of stuff! Not just that it’s a total overwhelm, but also that it just creates a lot of…. well, STUFF! Stuff to find a home for, and sometimes stuff that just doesn’t hit right and that ends up going to the charity shop.
So how about a gift of something to do? It may well get dropped to the bottom of the present pile on the big day, but there is nothing better than something to look forward to!
And in Yorkshire, we have a lot of things to look forward to!
Kilnsey Pony Trekking Centre
Pony enthusiast? Then check out Kilnsey Pony Trekking Centre. Located in Upper Wharfedale, near Grassington, you can arrange for a gift voucher or book a pony trekking experience through the Kilnsey Pony Trekking Centre. With treks suitable for the over 4s, they are a great way to enjoy the Yorkshire Dales, and a fab Christmas Gift too!
Rest assured, you need absolutely NO experience to be able to enjoy an experience. But if you are a seasoned rider? You can get a gift voucher for lessons too.
Find out more at the Kilnsey Pony Trekking Centre, and from our post over on Instagram.
How Stean Gorge
This is one of our absolute FAVOURITE places in the world and this is the perfect experience for a kid who wants to push their limits.
How Stean Gorge is a place for ADVENTURE! Great for older kids (the main activities have a height restriction), you can do the only Via Ferrata in Yorkshire, you can go gorge scrambling, abseiling, caving and much much more! You can book a slot for just the two of you or for a full family. Edie’s first attempt at the Via Ferrata was at age 8.
How Stean Gorge do vouchers, or you could book an experience! Check out the How Stean Gorge website, and also our post over on Instagram to find out more.
Walking with Nidderdale LLamas and Alpacas
Nidderdale Llamas and Alpacas
The Nidderdale Llamas offer a trek experience like no other! Suitable for ages 7 upwards, they offer a Junior Trek Experience, or a half or full day trek along with many others! You can read all about our experience at Nidderdale Llamas earlier this year on the blog.
And you know what? They also do vouchers! Check out the Nidderdale Llamas here! Or maybe you might want to adopt one!
Stump Cross Caverns
We are a big fan of caves! And Stump Cross Caverns near Pateley Bridge is ace. Why not book a trip for a treat? Unlike the other show caves in the Yorkshire Dales (which are equally as awesome, let’s not forget that!) Stump Cross Caverns offers a private hire cinema, along with a cafe serving hot meals, drinks, a private dining pod (with a cracking view) AS WELL as doing epic tours of the caves!
We think it’s a great experience! Why not grab a gift voucher?! Check out the Stump Cross Caverns website to find out more?
Raven Tree Top Adventures
The perfect adventure for budding thrill seekers! Located behind Aireville Leisure Centre in Skipton, this treetop adventure experience is fantastic fun!
And yes…. I think you’ve guessed it…. they do VOUCHERS! Check them out on the Raven Tree Top website right here!
Yorkshire Dales Guides
This is the ULTIMATE adventure experience.
This company were recommended to us earlier in the year by our guide at White Scar Cave and then AGAIN by the guides at the Gaping Gill Winch! Caving, climbing and outdoors adventures in spades is what’s on offer here, but we were particularly interested by the caving experience!
They do a caving experience for complete beginners, including the kids and when I made an enquiry about us doing this earlier in the year with the kids on my own, they were able to accommodate us for a private session. Whilst we didn’t get round to it this Summer because we were just too busy it’s definitely on our list for next year and with Ez showing a LOT of enthusiasm for caving, I think it’s a must!
Check out the Yorkshire Dales Guides website to grab a gift voucher!
Harrogate Climbing Centre
The Parthian Climbing centre in Harrogate are offering gift vouchers for this Christmas.
We had our first encounter here very recently, as they offer a NICAS course there which Edie asked for, for her birthday. We were mightily impressed with the range of walls and they offer beginners climbing experiences with instructors.
Head to the Harrogate Climbing Centre website to find out more about their gift vouchers!
Clip and Climb in Ilkley
This is a super way to introduce younger kids (and older too!) to climbing and full blame Clip and Climb for my two’s love of climbing! (In the best possible way of course!)
They do gift vouchers, so check out the website!
Forbidden Corner in Leyburn
This epic Yorkshire Dales attraction offer gift vouchers on the Forbidden Corner website and even better, you can get them emailed to you for an instant last minute gift idea!
So why not treat somebody to a day out that they will seriously never forget! You can read our blog telling you everything you need to know about the Forbidden Corner here!
The attraction closes in December until Easter, so bear that in mind!
Studfold Adventure Farm
Another top Yorkshire Dales attraction! This stunning place is found in Nidderdale, near Pateley Bridge and offers gift vouchers for their seasonal trails!
They are available through their book your trip option on the website and you can find out more on the Studfold Gift Voucher page. You can read about our trip to Studfold Fairy Trail on the blog.
Abseiling and the Via Ferrata at How Stean Gorge
Adventurous Christmas Presents SORTED!
Now you can sit back, relax and wait for the elf to arrive…… (HA! Just kidding, there’s no relaxing on the run up to Christmas!)
Whatever you end up doing this year, have a great Christmas and happy New Year!
