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Summer!! There is something so enjoyable to us about getting the family out into the great outdoors. It gives us a chance to put the tablets and other electronics down and recharge ourselves and our connections with each other.
Kids are born adventurers! They love to explore and discover and learn. “Going outdoors” for us can mean a variety of things. It can mean swimming, hiking, fishing, sitting around a campfire, etc.
Check out these 10 products that we have found come in handy when taking the kids on outdoor adventures.
1. Puddle Jumpers – If you have followed me for any length of time, you know that we are HUGE fans of Puddle Jumpers by Stearns. (Our readers love them too. Check out this Facebook discussion we had about them over the weekend!) Lily used hers from the age of 2 until she became an independent swimmer. Now Landon has one and he LOVES it. He puts it on willingly and loves to kick and swim around next to us. The Puddle Jumper keeps his head above water which gives him the confidence to gain more independence in the water. Puddle Jumpers are US Coast Guard Approved as a Class 3 Flotation Device. Stearns also makes a great line of traditional life vests for kids – perfect for boating.
2. Screened Sun Shelter – If you plan on spending any amount of time outdoors around a central location, screened shelters are a must-have. Set up a screened shelter at your campground, the picnic grove, your backyard.. wherever you happen to be hanging out.
We have a screened canopy tent that we love to set up next to our camper. It gives the whole family a shady spot to retreat from the sun and bugs. We took our outdoor mat and the picnic table at our campsite and placed them inside this spacious 12×12 shelter. The kids played inside the tent (which we loved because we had a visual on them while it also kept them contained). We ate our meals under the shelter as well. It was easy to put together – less than 15 minutes from box to fully assembled.
3. CamelBak Hydration Packs – Going on a hike? Keep the kids nice and hydrated PLUS eliminate the need to carry a water bottle with these backpack-style hydration packs.
4. Mosquito Repellent Bracelets – If you have kids who are susceptible to bug bites but you hate to spray them with chemical-laden and/or oily bug sprays, consider trying these mosquito bracelets. Lily is usually a mosquito magnet and we have had great luck with the bracelets. Sometimes she’ll wear one on her arm, sometimes her ankle. I like to bring these when we go camping and also send them with her to pony camp. Here is a DIY version you can make using essential oils!
5. Tent with Dark Room Technology – There are two reasons that I tend to say NO to tent camping with kids… BEDTIME and MORNING TIME. Simply put, most tents offer little-to-no sunlight blockage. This means it can be hard to get the kids to sleep before the sun goes down (which isn’t until after 9 pm during the height of the summer before it really gets dark). THEN after you’ve already had a late night, guess who is awake when that sun just barely starts to peek over the horizon? YUP! THE KIDS! Let’s not forget that tents get fairly hot inside from all of that sunlight beating on the outside all day.
If these hang-ups keep you from tent camping with kids, you need to check out this Quick Setup Tent with Dark Room Technology and Screen Room. The tent uses Dark Room Technology to block 90% of sunlight. What does that mean? Earlier bedtimes and sleeping in a little longer in the morning. YAY! We also love the screened in porch area on this tent. If the bugs are bad it will give mom and dad and nice spot to relax while the kiddos fall asleep.
6. Quality Sleeping Bags for the Kids – My kids have both had basic sleeping bags before. They are okay for sleepovers at their cousin’s house, but they won’t keep them snuggly warm when camping outside overnight. Quality sleeping bags are also nice to have for outdoor movie nights when the temps can dip below 60 F in the Summer.
There are several features that we love about Coleman Youth Sleeping Bags. They are thick and durable, plus each bag lists a temperature rating. The bags are machine washable (huge bonus in my book). The Kid line fits kids up to 5 ft tall while the Youth line fits kids up to 5 ft 5 in tall.
7. Outdoor Games including Cornhole – From horse shoes to cornhole to ladder toss, these games are so much fun for ALL ages! You can pick up sets online or at local retailers.
8. First Aid Kit – Because well? Kids! Outdoors! Bumps, scrapes and cuts go hand in hand with little explorers. Pick up a basic first aid kit and toss it in your backpack or diaper bag so you’re prepared for any minor injuries that might occur. We made DIY dollar store first aid kids for our RV and car.
9. Quick-Release Bug Catching Tool and Magnifier – Your kid may or may not be into looking for BUGS. I have one kid that is terrified of bugs, the other thinks they are totally cool. If you have kid who loves to study insects, this is a neat nature-friendly tool – Carson BugView Quick-Release Bug Catching Tool and Magnifier.
10. Rolling Cooler with PLENTY of Room – Keep ’em hydrated allllll day long, plus have plenty of room for YOUR drinks! Whether we’re horse showing, camping, or beaching we ALWAYS take plenty of drinks with us. A great choice is the Coleman Portable Rolling Cooler!
Off-road meets hydration with this HUGE 50 quart (holds 84 CANS!) with durable wheels and a telescoping handle. Wheel this cooler with ease wherever your next adventure takes you. Even more impressive is that the cooler will withstand temps of up to 90F to keep your drinks cold for FIVE DAYS.
Need a seat? The cooler doubles as an extra place to sit AND features cup holders on the lid.
What are YOUR must-takes into the great outdoors with kids? There is so much fun camping stuff out there these days!
Great list! That shelter is HUGE! Perfect for a family!
Thanks!!
Yes – the shelter is so roomy!!