Skip the Sugar: Our Kids’ Spring Outdoor Gift Pack

This spring, we decided to ditch the candy-filled Easter baskets and try something different—something more lasting, more adventurous, and honestly... way more fun. We pulled together a Spring Outdoors Gift Pack for each of our kids, filled with gear they can actually use on hikes, camping trips, and backyard adventures.

They already had some solid gear, so building this “basket” wasn’t easy at first. But once we laid it all out, it felt like the perfect combo of fun, functional, and just enough surprise. Whether you’re prepping for a camping trip, planning a screen-free weekend, or just want to get your kids outside more, we hope this list inspires your own adventure-ready gift pack.

🌿 Gear We Already Had (And Still Love)

These items have been tried, tested, and are still on repeat for every outdoor day.

• Black Light Flashlight – Perfect for nighttime treasure hunts or scorpion spotting.
• Gatorade Fit – A better-for-them drink to keep them hydrated on the trail.
• Kid-Safe Hand Sanitizer – Gentle on sensitive skin but tough on trail germs.
• Terrarium Kit (2-pack) – A fun way to bring nature home after a hike.
• Noise Cancelling Headphones – Helpful for overstimulated kids or chill travel days. (We used ours for shooting practice from a safe distance—not sure that’s recommended, but it worked for us!)
• Rash Guard Shirt – A must-have for sunny days or creek play.
• Natural Deodorant – Let’s be real: kids get stinky. This helps. And it’s aluminum-free.
• Kids’ First Aid Kit – Compact and easy for them to carry or stash in a daypack. We use ours for the whole family.
• UPF 50 Sun Shirt – Sun protection without constant reapplying. Super soft, wrinkle-free, and easy to pack.
• Kind Bars – Healthy snacks that don’t melt or crush in a backpack.
• Magnifying Glasses – Simple, cheap, and always a hit.
• Magnet Fishing Kit – Hours of fun at the lake or river. Even kids who aren’t into fishing for fish love “finding buried treasure” underwater.
• Butterfly Kit – Adds a nature-learning twist to spring. You can catch your own caterpillars, but this kit has it all ready to go. Watching them grow and releasing butterflies is magical every time.
• Camo Kids Hydration Pack – Encourages independent hydration, and the camo makes them feel cool.
• Portable Microscope – Pocket-sized science fun they can use on the trail.

🧺 What We Added to This Year’s Easter Outdoors Kit

These were the new additions that made this year’s baskets extra special:

• Nat Geo Night Sky Book – Stargazing has become a favorite campfire wind-down activity. It's also perfect for backyard constellation spotting on warm summer nights.
• Camo Bucket Hat – Keeps the sun off their face and ups the explorer vibe.
• Slingshot – Safe fun with supervision and some clear ground rules.
• Glider Plane – Lightweight, easy to fly, and always a campground favorite.
• Neutrogena Zinc Sunscreen Stick – Our dermatologist recommended this one. Non-greasy, zinc-based, and easy for kids to apply on their own.
• Sunglasses – Polarized! Great eye protection for those sunny trails.
• Sleeping Bag (Cool Weather) – Essential for early spring camping.
• Sleeping Bag (Warm Weather) – We actually bought one of each by mistake, but it worked out perfectly for year-round use.
• Compass – We didn’t grab this one yet, but it’s on our radar. Let us know if you’ve tried one! A great tool to spark curiosity and teach basic orienteering.

🛒 Ready to Build Your Own?

Whether you're creating an Easter basket, a birthday kit, or just looking to encourage more outdoor time, this list can get you started. You don’t need to go big—just a few thoughtful, functional items can inspire days of unplugged adventure.

And bonus? No sugar crash.

👉 Don’t forget to grab a copy of our Rusty Lever Kids Bug Journal to pair with the terrarium, microscope, and magnifying glass. It’s the perfect companion for curious kids and little nature lovers.