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Young Nature Explorer & Adventurer Must-Haves!
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items The best way to get kids excited about nature is to get them outside, into nature! These items are perfect for that. Generally organized by age — age ranges are estimates; guardians know best what items are best for their kiddos!
Sections
5
Outdoor Explorer Essentials
Field Guides
Books
Clothes
More!
Outdoor Explorer Essentials
These are must-have items and crafts for little outdoor adventurers. From binoculars to scavenger hunts to DIY kaleidoscopes, you'll find it all here!
2-7 yr. Great way to get kids looking closely at nature! And, there's a Spanish version!
Outdoor Scavenger Hunt Board by Rainy Day Creative
3-7 yr. There are a lot of nature scavenger hunts out there, but this one caught my eye for its flexibility. Not only does it include a scavenger hunt (ranked with difficulties), but it includes nature observation pages that honestly can be used thro...
Nature Scavenger Hunt Bundle PDF by Anka Kids Studio
3-8 yr. Yes yes!!! A great beginner outdoor nature kit that can grow with the kiddos. Mat/tarp, magnifying glass, compass, info sheets, and more!
Forest Trail Kit by Tender Leaf
3-12 yr. This is a great, durable outdoor explorer set! Getting hands-on with nature from a young age is a great way to make the interest stick! I would just caution that the tweezers are a bit dicey — maybe consider removing or teaching how to respectfully touch bugs first!
Outdoor Explorer Kit by Robud
3+ yr. Truly a gift for all ages, this is a great way to appreciate the little things around you. Just make sure you know what plants you're touching first, and that you're allowed to pick them!
My Botanical Press by Tender Leaf
3+ yr. This rechargeable flashlight is cute and ideal for outdoor explorations!
Sea creature Flashlight by Liewood
3+ yr. This is such a great idea!!! A kaleidoscope that helps you find cool stuff in nature! And you can do it again and again! I think I might to get one for myself!
DIY Reusable Kaleidoscope by Dreamer Kids
4-8 yr. Adorable microscope for first-timers!
Field Microscope by Nature Fun
4+ yr. Y'all, these binoculars are COOL. I have a pair that I call my “city binoculars” because they're compact and still high quality. But they're also a great, fun beginner set of bins for kids. Must have! Pairs perfectly with a field guide.
8x25 Binoculars by Nocs
5-11 yr. Great for getting up close & personal when exploring the great outdoors!
Great Outdoors Dual Magnifier by Kikkerland
5+ yr. I love this idea! Great for creativity in the outdoors — and you can use leaves!!
Cork Boat Building Kit by Uncommon Goods
6+ yr. A great way to get kids off screen and learning for themselves!
u-Zoom One Microscope
Field Guides
How do you get to know the world? By looking closely! These field guides will help your kids (and you!) do just that. I'm very picky about field guides, so rest assured that these are the best of the best for kids!
5-10 yr. This little field guide is GREAT! Makes bugs cool, includes a DIY project idea, and is illustrated beautifully. Loooooove!!!! Pairs perfectly with the Explorer Kit, Magnifier, and Microscopes.
A Kid's Guide to Backyard Bugs by Eliza Berkowitz
5-10 yr. Likewise, the tree version of this book is outstanding! I will say that it focuses a bit more on Eastern species.
A Kid's Guide to Backyard Trees by Felicia Brower
5-12 yr. It's hard to find a good field guide for adults, and, it turns out, it's even harder to find one for kids! But this field guide is accessible and drives home some important points. Love it!! Pairs perfectly with a pair of binoculars.
Backyard Birds for Young Naturalists, a Peterson Field Guide
5-12 yr. Got a little birder in California? This is THE BOOK for them! I'm actually super impressed by the ID tips and general design of this field guide for kids! Pairs perfectly with a pair of binoculars.
The Kids' Guide to Birds of California by Stan Tekiela
8-12 yr. This is a perfect field guide as kids get a little older, for those in the PNW. (Looking for “adult” field guides for older kids? Check out my "Essential Field Guides to Understand the Planet!" List!)
Birds of the Pacific Northwest for Kids by Tom Myers
8-12 yr. Likewise, I'm impressed with this wildflower field guide! Perfect for older PNW kids! (Looking for “adult” field guides for older kids? Check out my “Essential Field Guides to Understand the Planet!” List!)
Wildflowers of the Pacific Northwest for Kids by Ashely Erdely
Books
And when the adventurers need a little break, these books teach about nature — inside or out!
0-3 yr. Could there e a cuter pee-a-boo book?
Peekaboo Forest Crinkle Peek-A-Book by Wee Gallery / Surya Sajnani
1-4 yr. This book is AMAZING for exposing babies to birds and birding! I'm very impressed that it highlights North American (East Coast) birds, rather than focusing on far away species. Love!!! There are also “colors” and “opposites” versions!
Birding for Babies Board Book by Chloe Goodhart
1-4 yr. A board book with the iconic illustrations of Charley Harper. Amazing!
I Am Wild Board Book by Charley Harper
2-5 yr. These cards feature Latin American animals in English and Spanish! A great way to help your little one start out strong with two languages!
Spanish-English ABC Animal Flash Cards by Blue Star Press
3-5 yr. A cute interactive book with native wildlife!
Goodnight Beaver Magic Flashlight Book by Katie Button
3-6 yr. Cute little book about the sounds in nature. Very cute!
Nature Parade by Nikki Samuels
3-7 yr. Short but stunning pop-up book about birds!
Pop-Up Birds by Laura Cowan
3-7 yr. A similarly stunning butterfly book!
Pop-Up Butterflies by Laura Cowan
4-7 yr. Adorable book for little birders!
How to Find a Bird by Jennifer Ward & Diana Sudyka
4-8 yr. Part of the Over and Under series, this book highlights the lesser appreciated wetland ecosystem, focusing specifically on the Everglades. Love!
Over and Under the Wetland by Kate Messner
4-8 yr. Another Over and Under book, this focuses on another under-appreciated ecosystem: deserts! Love love love!!!
Over and Under the Canyon by Kate Messner
4-8 yr. A cute little book that introduces kids to climate change and its effects on nature in an approachable way. I first saw this book at a National Park gift shop!
Cony the Pika's Warming World by Sylvester Allred
4-8 yr. And one more in the collection, perfect for kids who are obsessed with babies — and nature!
A Nest Is Noisy by Dianna Hutts Aston & Sylvia Long
4-8 yr. A great way to get kids excited about plants from early on!
A Seed Is Sleepy by Dianna Hutts Aston & Sylvia Long
4-8 yr. Another in the collection, this book is great for an early interest in geology. And, the illustrations are stunning!
A Rock Is Lively by Dianna Hutts Aston & Sylvia Long
5-9 yr. A great intro to Earth and natural phenomena. Also has tips for things you can do for the planet, though it stays a bit small scale. Probably makes sense for kiddos!
Do You Know?: Earth and Nature by Cecile Benoist
6-8 yr. Okay, I'll admit that this is a nostalgia add for me, but I still think about this book a lot and I think that's the mark of an influential kid's book! Learn about the funkiness of nature!
Pink Snow and Other Weird Weather by Jennifer Dussling
6-8yr. A clever book that can be read front to back or back to front! It's playful, a lesson in language, and includes great animal facts!
The Whale’s Tale and the Otter’s Side of the Story by Kate Messner
6-9 yr. Fun facts and activities about the US National Parks!
Kids America's National Parks Activity Book
10+ yr. A great — and fun — book about the importance of birds. Info organized in an engaging way. Honestly, probably would be great for adults, too!
World Without Birds by Nick Lund
12-18 yr. This book should be sitting in the bookshelf, waiting for the child to be old enough to dive in. The Young Adults version is so, so well adapted, too!
Braiding Sweetgrass for Young Adults by Robin Wall Kimmerer
13-17 yr. A stunning graphic novel about the perils pumas face in California and beyond. Amazing, amazing book!!!
Tales of the Urban Wild: A Puma's Journey
Clothes
Some essential outdoor adventuring gear — nature-themed, of course!
3-12 mon (choose size). More than just an outfit, this is a whole set to make baby love mushrooms from early on!
Mushroom Baby Gift Bundle by Chunky Deli
3-24 mon (choose size). I can't bee-lieve how cute this bear coat is! Perfect for 35-50F.
Bear Lightweight Down Hooded Jumpsuit
3-24 mon (choose size). These shark shoes will be the talk of the town! Note that they're leather.
Shark Sebastian Soft Soles by Robeez
6-24 mon (choose size). When it's really cold, this penguin coat will keep your kiddo warm! 25-40F.
Penguin Puffy Down Jumpsuit
1-8 yr (choose size). Recycled material bird raincoat!? Can I get one??
Birds Recycled Waterproof Raincoat by Little Green Radicals
1-8 yr (choose size). Do there need to be two raincoats on this list? No. Could I resist either of them? Also no! Recycled materials.
Flower Meadow Recycled Waterproof Raincoat by Little Green Radicals
1-8 yr (choose size). Cute little tote bag for tiny explorers to fill! Handmade in the US.
Nature Walk Bag by Tiny Twigs Press
2-8 yr (choose size). I think a towel poncho makes every beach or pool day just so much better. Organic cotton.
Singing Whales Towel Poncho by Little Green Radicals
2-14 yr (choose size). I'm kind of obsessed with this rockfish design! And, they have UPF 50+ sun protection and made from 100% recycled fabric!
Rockfish Mid-Length Swim Trunks by Tea Collection
2-16 yr (choose size). So cute! Fish! Sun protection, recycled materials, gives back!
Fish Ruffle Swimsuit by Tea Collection
3-7 yr. Get the message out early!
Toddler Mountain Cap by MiniOlie
4-7 yr (choose size). So this is super cute, with UPF, and from a brand that gives back. A must-have for the pool or ocean!
Turtle Short Sleeve Rash Guard by Tea Collection
More!
And some times you need to sit and write down what you see!
Bugaboo has great, sustainably made strollers, car seats, rockers and more! They aren't particularly nature themed, but they're essential AND each product is named after an animal!
Bugaboo strollers and more
3-10 yr. Sometimes what you need to get kids into nature is… a fun chair to make them excited about going outside and camping!? I think so!
Kid's Sloth Chair by Mountain Summer Gear
2-7 yr. Obsessed! Perfect for a tiny kid's desk or table!
Fox Forest Chair by Tender Leaf
2-7 yr. Hehehe and there's a bear one!
Bear Forest Chair by Tender Leaf
2-10 yr. Cute little desk that can be used for a while!
Desk and Chair by Tender Leaf
3 mon - 5 yr. This little set has the basics for outdoor exploration! The doll is great for 3+ mon — and a perfect outdoor companion, the backpack should fit 1-3 year olds, and the safe water bottle with straw can keep on being used after that!
Polaris Adventure Set by Saro