Rain or Shine Mamma

There's no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothes

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Five Great Christmas Gift Ideas for the Outdoorsy Kid

This post contains affiliate links for your convenience. Read my full disclosure policy here.
November 18, 2013 By Linda McGurk

As much as I love Christmas I don’t like shopping in crowded malls (believe me, I’d rather be hiking in the woods any day) and I don’t like the senseless over-consumption that usually goes hand in hand with the holidays. I solve the first dilemma by buying a lot of my gifts online, the second by trying to keep it simple.

This year I decided to change it up a little bit and try a gift-giving philosophy that I’ve seen online from several sources. It means my kids will get something they WANT, something they NEED, something to WEAR and something to READ. I also added something to DO, since I think the gift of an activity is money well spent. The girls will each get five carefully selected gifts, while I get to keep my sanity = win-win.

If you’re looking for gift ideas for your outdoorsy child, check out my suggestions for some fun and useful things below. And don’t forget to enter the giveaway for $100 in products from clothing retailer Hanna Andersson at the bottom of this post! If you like children’s clothes that are unique, high quality and play-friendly, Hanna Andersson is the place to go. A winner will be chosen on November 25 through a random drawing. Big thank you to Hanna Andersson for making this giveaway possible!

  • SOMETHING THEY WANT

While what they want will vary from child to child, I know my girls will love this Outdoor Explorer Art Kit from Green Rainbow Revolution. Unlike most art kits, it includes a bug check list, an LED headlamp, a magnifying glass and a carrying case, making it ideal for outdoor exploration.

Photo courtesy of Green Rainbow Revolution

Photo courtesy of Green Rainbow Revolution

Or, if your kids like bugs, try the AntWorks Space-Age Ant Farm from the Nature Gift Store. Sure, an ant farm could be a great DIY project but you’ll never be able to duplicate the coolness factor of the futuristic blue gel that this ant colony comes with.

  • SOMETHING THEY NEED

With the Deuter Kikki Pack from REI, preschool-age children will be able to help carry some of their own stuff when you go camping or hiking together. Practical and adorable!

backpack_camping_kiddos

Photo courtesy of Camping Kiddos

Or, if camping is on your agenda, consider getting a junior-size sleeping bag for your child to keep him or her warm. For easy summer camping, this sleeping bag from Lafuma has worked out great for our oldest daughter, but there are many other good brands out there as well.

  • SOMETHING TO WEAR

It wouldn’t be Christmas in our house if there wasn’t a dress from Hanna Andersson for each of the girls under the tree. For the cold season I also really like their Chill Chaser Sherpa Coat, but quantities are running low, so if you want it you need to hurry.

Photo courtesy of Hanna Andersson

Photo courtesy of Hanna Andersson

I’ve also heard a lot of good things about the Kids Rover II all-weather boots from The Original Muck Boot Company. If your kids play in mud and water, these are both cute, comfortable and waterproof.

  • SOMETHING TO READ

The books about the Little Humbugs encourage children to protect nature and are beautifully illustrated by the author, Marghanita Hughes. Start with We’re the Little Humbugs to introduce your child to the adventures of Jasmine the Butterfly Girl, Nika the Gemstone Collector, Flint the Dragonfly Boy and all their friends.

Photo courtesy of littlehumbugs.com

Photo courtesy of littlehumbugs.com

Another beautifully illustrated children’s book with a message about keeping the environment clean is Winnie the Pooh Nature’s True Colors, which my kids ask me to read over and over again. Available from several sellers on Amazon.

  • SOMETHING TO DO

Here’s your chance to let your child try a new outdoor activity, whether it’s something they’ve specifically asked to do or something you think they would enjoy. We’re going to take our girls ice skating at a local hockey rink (ssshhh, don’t tell them!) and since it will be a first for them I’m pretty sure it will be the most memorable Christmas gift of all.

Don’t miss your chance to win $100 in products from Hanna Andersson – enter by using the Rafflecopter below. The winner will be drawn at random through the Rafflecopter and will be notified by email.

What would you buy if you win?

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Here are some more holiday gift ideas – and several giveaways – from my outdoor family blogger friends:

  1. Brave Ski Mom – A Skiing Family’s Letter to Santa *Includes giveaway from ActiveJunky.com (2 $50 gift cards)*
  2. Crag Mama – An All-Weather Gift Guide for All-Year Adventures
  3. AKontheGO – Holiday Gifts for Outdoor-Conscious Families
  4. Tales of a Mountain Mama – Best Gifts for Outdoorsy Families. *Includes giveaways from Wizbang Hats and Teton Sports (Kids’ Sleeping Bag and Pad) + an exclusive discount for Sierra Trading Post*
  5. AKSkedaddle – The 10 Essentials Gift Guide – For Outdoor Mothers
  6. Go Adventure Mom – Holiday Gift Guide
  7. Family Adventures in the Canadian Rockies – Snow Warm! An Outdoor Mom’s Christmas Wish List
  8. Bring the Kids – Holiday Gift Guide by Age *LOTS of giveaways*
  9. Wild Tales of – Holiday Gift Guide for the Young Adventurer
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Related posts:

2015 Holiday Gift Guide for the Outdoorsy Kid. Rain or Shine MammaHoliday Gift Ideas for the Outdoorsy Kid + Giveaways! The BEST Christmas Gift Ideas for Outdoorsy Kids. The complete Christmas gift guide for the nature-loving child in your life. These fun and useful gifts will encourage your kids to get outside and stay active all year!The BEST Christmas Gift Ideas for Outdoorsy Kids + GIVEAWAY Holiday Gift Guide for Outdoor Kids. Rain or Shine Mamma25 Great Holiday Gift Ideas for Outdoor Kids 2017 Holiday Gift Guide for Outdoorsy Kids. The best gift ideas for young nature lovers, organized according to the four gift rule. Gear, books, backyard toys and more! Rain or Shine MammaHoliday Gift Guide for Outdoorsy Kids + Giveaways!
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Filed Under: Gear, Holidays, Play in Nature

Comments

  1. Linda McGurk says

    November 18, 2013 at 11:51 am

    Note to those of you who are entering the giveaway: Due to a technical glitch the comment form is not available at this time. I’m working on resolving the issue, so please check back later or go to https://www.facebook.com/rainorshinemamma and leave a comment under the Facebook post about this giveaway instead.

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“Linda McGurk offers a perfect antidote to the hyper-vigilant, extra-electrified, standardized-tested, house-arrested, 21st-century childhood and the experts who push it. Practical and wise, There’s No Such Thing as Bad Weather proves just that, and much more.”
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  • Is getting your tween or teen out the door an uphill battle? Check out these tips for cutting screen time and adding more "green time" to your child's life! #outdoors #teens #tweens #outdoorlife #screentime
  • 9 tips to get outside with teens and tweens
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  • 9 Safety Tips for Kids Climbing Trees. Does your tree climbing child make you nervous? These tips will ease your own fears and help your child learn how to negotiate risk. Rain or Shine Mamma. #treeclimbing #kids #tree #riskyplay
  • 9 Safety Tips for Kids Climbing Trees. Does your tree climbing child make you nervous? These tips will ease your own fears and help your child learn how to negotiate risk. Rain or Shine Mamma. #treeclimbing #kids #tree #riskyplay
  • 9 Safety Tips for Kids Climbing Trees. Does your tree climbing child make you nervous? These tips will ease your own fears and help your child learn how to negotiate risk. Rain or Shine Mamma. #treeclimbing #kids #tree #riskyplay
  • 9 Safety Tips for Kids Climbing Trees. Does your tree climbing child make you nervous? These tips will ease your own fears and help your child learn how to negotiate risk. Rain or Shine Mamma. #treeclimbing #kids #tree #riskyplay
  • 9 Safety Tips for Kids Climbing Trees. Does your tree climbing child make you nervous? These tips will ease your own fears and help your child learn how to negotiate risk. Rain or Shine Mamma. #treeclimbing #kids #tree #riskyplay
  • 9 Safety Tips for Kids Climbing Trees. Does your tree climbing child make you nervous? These tips will ease your own fears and help your child learn how to negotiate risk. Rain or Shine Mamma. #treeclimbing #kids #tree #riskyplay
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A school in Sydney bans the children from using the playground before school, saying the decision was made to "support positive classroom behaviour and learning." But did anybody bother to actually look into the research on the benefits of outdoor play, both in terms of children's ability to focus and their academic performance...? The parents aren't happy about the decision and I understand why. ... See MoreSee Less

Bondi school parents slam decision to ban outdoor play before class

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A decision to restrict students from using the playground before school started has sparked an angry response.
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📚📚📚Book Cover Reveal📚📚📚A few years ago, I did a poll in my social media channels to see what topic you’d like me to explore in my next book. One of them won by an overwhelming margin: the Nordic outdoor tradition friluftsliv. Well, I heeded your call. I’m pleased to share that it’s now possible to pre-order The Open-Air Life: Discover the Nordic Art of Friluftsliv and Embrace Nature Every Day from just about any place that sells books! The Open-Air Life is for anybody who is longing to lead a simpler, happier and less hurried life. It shows you how to channel the power of nature connection to improve your physical and mental health, as well as your relationship with both other people and Mother Nature. Plus, you’ll learn a few party tricks, like lighting a campfire without matches and cleaning water on the go. At a time when more and more people are starting to appreciate why they should spend more time outside, this book will show you how, with a decidedly Nordic twist.I must say that I LOVE this dreamy cover that the designers at @penguinrandomhouse created. What do you think? Pre-order The Open-Air Life here to support local book stores: bookshop.org/a/79880/9780593420942 ... See MoreSee Less
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Friends, I'm thinking about putting together an outdoor napping guide and would love some input. What would you like to know about this practice? What tools would you need to get started? Hit me with your questions!👊🏼😊 ... See MoreSee Less
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It’s TICK season…🕷 (I know that’s a spider emoji, but you get the idea😅)A lot of people freak out at the sight of these blood suckers and understandably so, considering the diseases they can harbor. But they too are a part of nature and if we want to keep venturing outside during the warmer months (I definitely do and I suspect you do too) we must come to terms with them.If you want to know more about tick prevention, I just wrote a pretty detailed post about it on my blog. Head over to rainorshinemamma.com to learn more and share this post with others who worry about ticks!👌🏻________________________#theresnosuchthingasbadweather #rainorshinemamma #friluftsliv #ticks #tickprevention ... See MoreSee Less
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I missed a meeting Sunday night😬 An informal meeting, yes, but still…I take pride in being dependable and prompt, and I hate to be flakey. I’d like to think that it was because I got distracted when my daughter called from my mom’s house and said she was running a fever, but in reality I got sidetracked well before that. Weekends are my time to zone out from schedules, emails and social media, and spend more time outside, especially this time of the year. So I missed a meeting. But I gained a quiet paddle through pastel waters as the sun slowly descended below the spruces on the horizon. __________________________#theresnosuchthingasbadweather #rainorshinemamma #sup #standuppaddle #sweden #sweden_photolovers #sweden_images ... See MoreSee Less
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Linda Åkeson McGurk
There are a lot of good things about tech, but exc There are a lot of good things about tech, but excessive screen time is taking a toll on children’s physical and mental health today. Many apps and games have built-in mechanisms designed to make them highly addictive and children are even more susceptible to them than adults, since their brains are not fully developed🧠Screens are so ubiquitous in our lives today that it takes conscious effort to balance them with experiences IRL. 

For the past few years, our family has experimented with screen free or screen reduced Sundays. I’m not going to pretend that it’s easy. But if the goal is to increase quality family time outdoors and encourage the kind of creativity that arises from a healthy dose of boredom, it does work🌳

Some other tips to foster a healthy screen time culture in your family are:

✅ Learn how to use the parent controls on your kids’ devices and set age-appropriate limits.

✅ Have certain times or spaces that are always screen free, for example around the dinner table, in the bedrooms and so on, and be sure to be consistent. 

✅ Create a buy-in for the kids by letting them help plan screen free activities for the whole family.

What’s your biggest obstacle when it comes to keeping screen time under control?
________________________
#theresnosuchthingasbadweather #rainorshinemamma #screenfreesunday #friluftsliv #outdoors #greentime
That about sums it up, doesn’t it?☺️ This qu That about sums it up, doesn’t it?☺️ This quote is from Meet the Wild, a new picture book by Lindsay Kellar-Madsen of @the.madsen.littles. Inspired by the outdoor learning and play culture in Scandinavia, Lindsay wrote the book to invite children to explore nature all year round, regardless of the weather. 
I personally love the message and sweet illustrations in this book❤️ If you have a little one in your life, you can buy the book by backing Lindsay’s Kickstarter campaign. Check out her Instagram for details!
_________________________
#meetthewild #picturebook #outdoorplay
📚📚📚Book Cover Reveal📚📚📚 A few y 📚📚📚Book Cover Reveal📚📚📚

A few years ago, I did a poll in my social media channels to see what topic you’d like me to explore in my next book. One of them won by an overwhelming margin: the Nordic outdoor tradition friluftsliv. Well, I heeded your call. I’m pleased to share that it’s now possible to pre-order The Open-Air Life: Discover the Nordic Art of Friluftsliv and Embrace Nature Every Day from just about any place that sells books! (Link in bio)

The Open-Air Life is for anybody who is longing to lead a simpler, happier and less hurried life. It shows you how to channel the power of nature connection to improve your physical and mental health, as well as your relationships with both other people and Mother Nature. Plus, you’ll learn a few party tricks, like lighting a campfire without matches and cleaning water on the go. At a time when more and more people are starting to appreciate why they should spend more time outside, this book will show you how, with a decidedly Nordic twist.

I must say that I LOVE this dreamy cover that the designers at @penguinrandomhouse created. What do you think? 

@tarcherperigee @penguinrandomhouse

#theopenairlife #rainorshinemamma #coverreveal #bookcover #friluftsliv #friluftslivbook
I took my kids on an overnight paddling trip last I took my kids on an overnight paddling trip last weekend and it started out with sunshine and rainbows☀️🌈 Swipe to the last video to see how it ended➡️ 

We had set out to explore the northernmost island in our local lake and while we cruised up there with decent tailwinds, the wind picked up overnight. Going back the next day, we faced strong headwinds the entire time🌊 

For nearly three hours, we paddled in choppy waters, with waves sometimes so high that they splashed into the canoe. We had no choice but to paddle nonstop - if we stopped, we immediately started drifting backwards😩

The thing about being outdoors is that you’re never fully in control of all parameters - trips like these always involve a certain amount of risk. The weather can change quickly, and not always according to the forecast. What we can control is our reaction to the challenge, how we act on it and what we learn from it.

While none of us was happy about the situation, the girls did pull together and did an amazing job paddling💪🏻 And while they both vowed to never go paddling again, I told them that this will make a funny story later in life. They weren’t convinced at the time but I think they’ll come around eventually😅 

Do you have any stories of getting in over your head to share?😃
_____________________________
#theresnosuchthingasbadweather #rainorshinemamma #friluftsliv #openairlife #paddling #paddlingwithkids
Summer is high season for TICKS…🕷 (I know tha Summer is high season for TICKS…🕷 (I know that’s a spider emoji, but you get the idea😅) 

A lot of people freak out at the sight of these blood suckers and understandably so, considering the diseases they can harbor. But they too are a part of nature and if we want to keep venturing outside during the warmer months (I definitely do and I suspect you do too) we must come to terms with them.

If you want to know more about tick prevention, I just wrote a pretty detailed post about it on my blog. Head over to rainorshinemamma.com to learn and share this post with others who worry about ticks!👌🏻
________________________
#theresnosuchthingasbadweather #rainorshinemamma #friluftsliv #ticks #tickprevention
I missed a meeting Sunday night😬 An informal me I missed a meeting Sunday night😬 An informal meeting, yes, but still…I take pride in being dependable and prompt, and I hate to be flakey. 

I’d like to think that it was because I got distracted when my daughter called from my mom’s house and said she was running a fever, but in reality I got sidetracked well before that. Weekends are my time to zone out from schedules, emails and social media, and spend more time outside, especially this time of the year. 

So I missed a meeting. But I gained a quiet paddle through pastel waters as the sun slowly descended below the spruces on the horizon. An hour to myself to just be one with the lake, the light and the promise of the summer that still lies ahead☀️
__________________________
#theresnosuchthingasbadweather #rainorshinemamma #sup #standuppaddle #sweden #sweden_photolovers #sweden_images
This giveaway is now closed. Congratulations @wiet This giveaway is now closed. Congratulations @wietinghannah, you’re our winner!🎊

📚📚📚GIVEAWAY📚📚📚

Have you heard the term "ecohappiness"? If not, this is your chance to learn more! 

Author Sandi Schwartz and I have teamed up to give away a copy of her book "Finding Ecohappiness," an inspirational manifesto and practical guidebook for families to get outside and enjoy nature together. Packed with ideas for outdoor activities like animal yoga, forest bathing, sit spotting, float therapy and nature art, this book is definitely one to add to your collection📕 

How to enter👇🏼
✅ Like and save this post
✅ Follow @rainorshinemamma and @getecohappiness 
✅ Comment by completing this sentence: "To me, being in nature is..."

This giveaway closes on June 4 and a winner will be selected shortly after that. You must be 18 and live in the US or Canada to enter. This giveaway is not associated with or sponsored by Instagram. 

Good luck!🙌🏽

#theresnosuchthingasbadweather #rainorshinemamma #ecohappiness #findingecohappiness #naturebooks #goodreads #naturelovers #ecotherapy #getkidsoutside
Having scientific reasons and explanations for doi Having scientific reasons and explanations for doing things is good and there are any number of ways free climbing benefits our physical and mental health. But sometimes you’ve just got to trust your guts, feel all the feelings and enjoy the joyride🙌🏻🌳

What makes you feel joy in nature?
____________________________
#theresnosuchthingasbadweather #rainorshinemamma #treeclimbing #onewithnature #vitaminn #friluftsliv #optoutside
I’m not going to lie - there are times when my c I’m not going to lie - there are times when my children’s dawdling drives me nuts. Like when they take 45 minutes to finish breakfast even though we’re running late . But I also envy their ability to be completely unhurried and present in the moment, and I realize that it’s a quality that I need to protect🐌

As parents, we need to make space for our children to play, get bored, dawdle, wander, wonder, create, sleep in, be wild and free and watch the clouds go by. Let them be where they are and not push them to achieve arbitrary milestones or condition them to think that a packed calendar is the key to success and happiness.

As always, Ginny of @1000hoursoutside is on point🙌🏻
_____________________________
#theresnosuchthingasbadweather #rainorshinemamma #1000hoursoutside #quote
Did you know that camping for as little as two nig Did you know that camping for as little as two nights straight can help you reset your circadian rhythms and improve your sleep for several weeks afterwards? That's because the natural light helps the body regulate melatonin, a hormone that tells the body when it's time to get up and go, and when it's time to rest and recuperate🌗 

My melatonin levels weren't top of mind when @jeanetteosterman and I started our challenge to sleep outside at least once a month for a year. But I must say, I rarely sleep as soundly and feel as energetic as I do when I sleep under the skies.

Have you ever tried sleeping in a camping hammock? I bought my first one a few years ago and I ❤️ it!
_________________________
#theresnosuchthingasbadweather #rainorshinemamma #friluftsliv #openairlife #sleepingoutside #camping #campinglife #hammock #sleepingoutsidechallenge #freshaireveryday
Raise your hand if you have a teen or tween and fe Raise your hand if you have a teen or tween and feel like you're constantly negotiating/fighting/fretting over your child's screen time👋🏼 

Well, you're not alone😰 

Since 2011, when mobile internet had its breakthrough, teens' and tweens' screen time has increased dramatically. At the same time, physical activity has decreased significantly. The WHO recommends that teenagers get at least one hour of physical activity every day, but in reality 85% of the girls and 78% of the boys globally don't meet the target.

Making outdoor activity a normal part of your daily routine can help  your tween or teen get the exercise and fresh air they need  and lay the foundation for lifelong healthy habits. I'm the first to admit that it isn't easy, but then again, nobody said parenting would be a cakewalk🤪

Hang in there and check out a few of the strategies that help me balance screen time with 'green time'. Do you have any tips to share?
______________________
#theresnosuchthingasbadweather #rainorshinemamma #parenting #parentingteens #parentingtweens #getoutside
“I’m not thrilled about looking older. But wha “I’m not thrilled about looking older. But what unsettles me the most about the 40s is the implication that I’m now a grown-up myself.”
- Pamela Druckerman

Forty-four laps around the sun today and I still find that the passing of time is one of life’s greatest mysteries.
_______________________________
#theresnosuchthingasbadweather #rainorshinemamma #aging #44 
@pameladruck
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