Stocking stuffers are some of my favorite gifts to give and also to receive. And my kids adore them, too! I love giving a few useful little outdoors stocking stuffers each year. Here are a few of our favorite stocking … Read More
This post is sponsored by REI. All opinions are my own. Whether we’re planning a winter trip packing list or making sure we have the right winter hiking gear for kids and families right at home, we try to consider … Read More
This post is sponsored by REI. All opinions are my own. The last few years, we’ve tried to make the main gift for our kids for birthdays and holidays some sort of experience – we’ve gifted trips, classes, special activities, … Read More
Pinnacles National Park is both the newest and smallest national park in California, but it packs a punch as one of the most underrated national parks in California! Visiting Pinnacles National Park with kids brings the opportunity to explore talus … Read More
Join us as we learn about Mexico with kids! During this virtual tour of Mexico for kids, we’ll enjoy fun and inspiring Mexico activities. This Mexico virtual field trip as part of the Global Children’s Book Club is a perfect … Read More
We’ve loved the movie The Princess Bride for many many moons and it’s one of the few I quote regularly. It’s just so darn funny! So we thought doing Princess Bride Halloween costumes would be fun for the whole family. … Read More
One of our favorite things about living where we do is that there is such a variety of amazing outdoor activities in the Bay Area. Plus, the weather is perfect to spend time outside for the vast majority of the … Read More
It is truly blowing my mind that my sweet oldest kiddo is 12 today!! Somehow, 12 just seems so old. But he’s so fun, smart, and mature – I know it’s going to be an awesome year. I loved choosing … Read More
Join us we learn about Cuba with kids! During this virtual tour of Cuba for kids, we’ll enjoy fun and inspiring Cuba activities. This Cuba virtual field trip as part of the Global Children’s Book Club is a perfect way … Read More
One of the great things about living in the Bay Area in California is there are so many different towns, each with super unique activities and attractions. We live just over an hour from Monterey, so it’s wonderful to go … Read More
Car Battery Jump Starter I’ve mentioned this device approximately 10 million times because it is so darn useful. I truly think every car should have one inside. We store one in our car and one in the RV and they’ve … Read More
This post is sponsored by REI. All opinions are my own. When we first started hiking as a family, I would generally wear the baby and Dan would carry the stuff in a family hiking backpack. It would include snacks … Read More
Stocking stuffers are some of my favorite gifts to give and also to receive. And my kids adore them, too! I love giving a few useful little outdoors stocking stuffers each year.
Here are a few of our favorite stocking stuffers for outdoorsy kids and families – I hope they’re helpful!
Headlamps are so functional for so many use cases – camping, hiking in caves, reading in bed, or finding things in a dark hotel room. Plus, they’re just fun and my kids love each having one. It’s the perfect hiking stocking stuffer! This 2-pack has excellent reviews and comes out to under $9 per headlamp.
Where to Buy: REI | Amazon | Backcountry
There’s something so fun about drinking water from a stream or other fresh water source. Plus, it’s often a necessity while hiking or camping, and is super helpful when traveling to countries where tap water isn’t safe to drink. This portable water filter straw makes drinking clean and safe water easy and a perfect hiking stocking stuffer!
As my kids like to say, “tape works for everything!” Duct tape has solved so many issues for us, from cars to our home to shoes. It’s great to have on hand. Tenacious tape is newer and less messy, and also comes in convenient patches for quick fixes.
Where to Buy: ![""](http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=preethib7-20&language=en_US&l=li2&o=1&a=B0000DH4ME")
“>Amazon | REI
Every adventurer has different preferences on energy, so investigate a bit to find out what your loved one enjoys. Things like energy gel, trail mix, or electrolyte packets might be a good idea.
Carabiners are imminently useful and we always have some clipped onto each kid’s hiking backpack. They’re perfect for hooking on jackets if they get hot, keeping water bottles from getting lost, and about a million other uses.
Where to Buy: Amazon | REI | Walmart
We always like having a little hand sanitizer bottle on each hiking backpack. These are super cute and great for kids. Or you could buy a separate holder – there are tons of super cute styles (I may stick this one in my own stocking). This one is great for a teenager and I love this classy one for an adult. And this set is adorable for kids (and comes in a 6-pack).
Where to Buy: Walmart | Target | Amazon
Will you be doing some cold weather adventuring? Mitten clips are so useful. This style runs through the sleeves so they stay together and attached to the coat!
Where to Buy: Amazon | Walmart | Etsy
It’s always a good idea to have a few first aid supplies along on a hike or outdoor adventure, and my kids love each having their own small one in their backpacks. This little portable first aid kit is great with a few basics. Or you could get one of these darling little adventure medical kits. I’m getting one for each of my kids’ stockings and adding a few extra medical supplies myself.
Where to Buy: Walmart | REI | Etsy
Speaking of first aid, this Bug Bite Thing is really helpful for removing venom from bites right away to reduce itchiness and irritation. It went in Dan’s stocking last year and has been a staple since.
Navigation skills are great to develop, and a little lightweight compass is perfect for practicing.
Where to Buy: Amazon | L.L.Bean | REI | Walmart
Lips get dry when in the outdoors! I love tucking a lip balm in as one of my favorite hiking stocking stuffers. This is my very favorite, and my kids love flavored ones.
Where to Buy: Walmart | Target | Amazon
My oldest likes to wear a beanie under his bike helmet for chilly mornings so he’ll definitely be getting one in his stocking. There are so many different styles available for every taste!
We stuck these in our kids’ stockings a couple years ago and they were a big hit. They’re a perfect eco-friendly option to keep in a hiking backpack instead of using disposable utensils.
Speaking of insect protection, these mosquito head nets are so helpful when in buggy areas. They fold up super small so they’re perfect for travel and outdoors adventure (or as a great hiking stocking stuffer ;)).
Where to Buy: REI | Amazon | L.L.Bean
Wet bags aren’t just for cloth diapers anymore. 😉 These are great when exploring outdoors to store wet swimsuits, organize stuff in a hiking backpack, or clipping onto another pack. My kids don’t have these so I’m thinking of picking up a few for kids stocking stuffers.
Where to Buy: Amazon | Walmart
Older kids might like a plain baseball cap for this. But if you need a great and useful baby stocking stuffer for a family who loves exploring outdoors, this infant sun hat would make a great baby stocking stuffer – perhaps along with some baby sunglasses. (We have a sun hat from M that I’ll be reusing and including in S’s stocking!)
We don’t often use these compressed towels and try to go with reusable whenever possible, but they can sometimes be helpful while traveling or on the road. I have some extras that I’m going to slip into my kids stockings for emergency use!
Where to Buy: Amazon | Walmart | Target
It’s not the most glamorous of hiking stocking stuffers, but a trowel is very useful for proper waste management when out on the trail. This one is inexpensive and lightweight. If you want a sturdier one, this one isn’t too much more and we love how hardy it is.
These are great for hiking, the beach, a lake, or any other outdoor adventure. An awesome addition to your outdoor stocking stuffers.
Where to Buy: Amazon | REI | Backcountry
This would be a great outdoor stocking stuffer for an older kid or resourceful younger one. Great for performing a variety of tasks.
Where to Buy: Amazon | Walmart
If you have a kiddo or family member who loves biking, a new bike bell could be a perfect outdoor stocking stuffer for kids. (Here’s all our favorite bike gear for families.) Bike gloves would also be great!
We love slipping hand warmers into a gift if we’re headed somewhere cold or need some cold weather hiking stocking stuffers.
Where to Buy: Amazon | REI | Target | Walmart
Walkie talkies are great for giving kiddos a bit of independence on the trail or while out exploring. They’re some of our favorite hiking stocking stuffers and you can split a pack between a couple kids to bring the price well into stocking stuffer range. Split up the pack into two different stockings to encourage partnership and bring down the cost!
Where to Buy: Amazon
These are great to have on hand at home or while out exploring. A collapsible one would be great for adventures out and about.
This is great for the kiddo who loves to examine bugs, rocks, and everything else while out. Such a fun little science stocking stuffer for curious kids.
Heading somewhere hot? Misting fans are perfect to keep everyone happy and moving, including on hot hikes. Our kids are getting these this year as a clue for their big trip gift!
There you have it – some of our favorite outdoors and hiking stuffers for kids & families! Did you find any ideas that will work for your family? Or do you have other great ideas to add to this list? Please let me know in the comments!
Here are just a few items that cost a bit more than a traditional stocking stuffer, but are still really useful and functional, and are staples in our usage. They’d also be great gifts for outdoors families!
Good wool socks are something my kids get in their stockings every year – they’re the perfect outdoors stocking stuffer that get used all the time at home, while traveling, or while exploring nature. This is our very favorite wool sock brand (it’s a small, family-owned business with a lifetime warranty). This is one of my favorite outdoor stocking stuffers!
Where to Buy: Darn Tough | Smartwool | REI DT | REI Smartwool
It’s truly remarkable how many water bottles we’ve gone through. Here are some of our favorites:
I like this hard spout insulated sippy for babies and young toddlers. THIS and THIS are great travel water bottles for younger kids. I also like this one (which is surprisingly spill-resistant, but the straw can get dirty since it doesn’t have a cover).
My older kids LOVE this water bottle; it’s one of our summer travel must haves – it’s a great size, fits in a side pocket, and keeps drinks cold for forever. For adults, I really love the same water bottle my older kids use, and we also love THIS one and THIS one.
My kids love carrying their own in their packs! The stick version of our favorite kids’ sunscreen is a perfect useful stocking stuffer idea. I’ll be sticking a mini version of our favorite insect repellent in my kids’ stockings!
If you have an older elementary and above kiddo, a pocketknife would be great to include with your hiking stocking stuffers. One of my kiddos is getting one for his 8th birthday next week and he’s going to be thrilled!
Where to Buy: Amazon | REI | Victorinox
Speaking of cold weather stocking stuffers, crampons would be great as hiking stocking stuffers from someone in a place with lots of snow and ice (or if you’ll be exploring there).
Where to Buy: Amazon
![]("//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=B0000DH4ME&Format=_SL160_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=preethib7-20&language=en_US")