Southern California Nature Kids Gift Guide
This post is not sponsored, however, I have included affiliate links, including to Amazon. At no extra cost to you, I may make a small commission if you purchase through the links below.
Looking for gifts for your own children, nieces and nephews… or suggestions for grandparents? Here are some ideas:
SOMETHING TO WEAR: CLOTHES -
+ sun hat - my children are each receiving sun hats for Christmas this year. A friend recommended these ones for my daughters (love the ponytail cutout!) and these for my sons.
+ rain boots - for years, I hesitated to buy boots for my children because it doesn’t rain that much in Southern California, right? A few years ago we got a pair for each, and I’ll never go back. Rain boots are great for those rare rainy days, plus we use them on snow trips in the mountains (paired with a pair of warm socks) and to play in the mud. Ours are from Target or consignment sales, but if I were buying new, I’d order a darling pair of rain boots from London Littles.
+ jacket - like the rain boots, my kids survived without a quality everyday jacket (we just used sweatshirts or snow coats), but now that we have nice ones, they use them all winter long. Because they don’t need I really like a waterproof windbreaker style that can work in a variety of weather. A sweatshirt can layer underneath for cold days, but they also work in the spring over a t-shirt. We have ordered these waterproof rain jackets from Land’s End with good results.
+ sun-protective clothing - Did you know they make clothing that essentially has built-in sunscreen? You may have purchased a swimsuit or rash guard with a UPF rating… I love sun-protective clothing because it means I don’t have to put as much sunscreen on my kids - that is not a fun chore! We particularly like Coolibar because some of their fabrics feel very smooth, like normal cotton (not like swimsuit material). I believe it’s the ZnO fabric, like on this kids’ shirt. (Pro tip: I try to order patterns on their sun clothes, not solids, as they inevitably get dirty from being outside, and patterns hide the stains better.)
+ Junior Ranger Vest - my younger children love their Junior Ranger vests for collecting Junior Ranger buttons (free at national parks) or for holding their gear in all the various pockets. If you don’t need the official “Junior Ranger” logo, here is a general outdoors vest available on Amazon
SOMETHING TO USE: OUTDOOR GEAR -
+ water bottle - it seems like we can never have too many water bottles to use around the house and on nature outings. Stickers are a fun addition to decorate it!
+ headlamp or flashlight
+ first aid kit - we discovered Welly bandaids a year or two ago, and they have the cutest bandaids that really work! I haven’t bought the first aid kit yet, but it’s so cute that I think it’d make a great practical gift.
+ binoculars - my son loves the cheap ones that hang around his neck that he got from the San Diego Zoo gift shop (a little like these ones) but these binoculars are just a little more expensive and have decent reviews.
+ backpack - it’s great to have a backpack devoted just to nature outings or trips (not for school). My younger kids have enjoyed the Camelbak mini mule, which has a built-in water pouch plus room for a small snack or hat (best for ages 4-8ish).
SOMETHING TO PLAY WITH:
+ scooters - my kids love their Micro Minis, or a Razor always works too!
+ animal figurines - Schleich are bigger, sturdier, and more expensive. Toobs by Safari Ltd. are smaller and come in a set. My children have both and use both in their playtime, often used with our Magnatiles (we use the knock-off Picasso Tiles and have been very happy with them.)
+ puzzles or board games
+ Air Fort - we gifted the Air Fort (plus a box fan to make it work) to my 5 year olds for their birthdays this year, and it’s been great!
+ nature sensory kit from Chickadee’s Wooden Toys. If you have little ones (3-8), spend a few minutes on this Etsy shop and I’m guessing you’ll find plenty to add to your shopping list! We have gotten kits from this site and they are great quality.
SOMETHING TO GROW
+ butterfly kit
+ window bird feeder
+ gardening gear (for small hands)
+ My Garden Box subscription
SOMETHING TO DO (EXPERIENCES)
+ Zoo Tickets or Membership (SD, LA, Living Desert, etc.)
+ Children’s Museum tickets or membership (Pretend City, Kidspace, Escondido, etc)
+ Aquarium tickets (Birch Aquarium in SD, Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach)
+ pass to CA State Parks/Beaches or OC Parks
+ Quail Mail Club subscription
SOMETHING TO READ (BOOKS)
+ Southern California Nature Guide
+ Wild LA
+ Nature Anatomy or Ocean Anatomy
+ National Parks of the USA
+ Let’s Read and Find Out series
SOMETHING TO EAT
+ snacks for nature outings (applesauce pouches, freeze dried fruit, granola bars)
+ backpacking meals
+
+ s’mores or hot cocoa kit (my kids love evening “hot chocolate walks” around our neighborhood)
+ circle tray stuffed with snacks or candy
WHOLE FAMILY
+ dome climber
+ water table
+ pop-up sun shade
+ backpack cooler / ice bag striped cooler
+ tent, sleeping bags, or hammock
FREE OR UNDER $5
+ nature date with your child
+ Coyote Brush Studios stickers
+ bubbles and sidewalk chalk
+ printable nature scavenger hunt and a box of crayons
+ rainbow prisms
+ seed packets
+ Dollar Tree mud kitchen supplies