Give the Gift of Adventure
There is no greater gift than the spirit of adventure. It truly is a gift for life. And you can give it in a thousand ways, even in the midst of a pandemic!
There’s a growing body of science which tells us it’s important for kids to regularly get active, outside and in touch with nature. It’s good for their well being, good for their development, helps them appreciate the natural world and provides opportunities to experience and learn about risk.
If you want to encourage someone you know to get out, get active and adventure then here’s some ideas for adventure gifspots, kids outdoor gifts and best camping gifts we think may help nurture that adventurous spirit and develop a richer appreciation of the natural world and our place in it.
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An Adventure Book. Books are a simple way to start talking about adventures. With a book you can plant ideas about things to do, introduce adventure activities, find out about amazing places you can go, even start learning a new skill like a language. Here’s a few of our favourite adventure book gifts for younger kids.
The The Boys’ Book of Adventure is boyish in character but not just for boys. It’s full of activities to ignite the imagination and get kids thinking like adventure heroes. Once they’ve figured out how to deal with the challenges and sticky situations in this book, they’ll likely be keen to test these hard-won skills in a few sticky situations of their own making. If they prefer fiction then why not try one of the Bear Grylls Mission Survival series of stories of outdoor heroics. Or point them towards old favourites like Swallows and Amazons, set on an island in England’s Lake District. Or for very little ones, what about Enid Blyton’s Famous Five books: five kids and a dog off out having adventures on their bicycles, like in Five Go Adventuring Again.
A Mountain Whistle. A small but important gift that’s good for more than just annoying people. A Mountain Whistle is an essential piece of outdoor kit. Get the kids one and teach them how and when to use it to call for help in an emergency. You may regret it around the house, but it could save the day if they end up in trouble outdoors.
Pocket Handwarmer. It’s not always easy to persuade kids out on a cold winter’s day. But if it’s a chance to try out their new Pocket Hand Warmers or Feet Warmers, well that’s something different! When there’s a chill in the air little things like this can tip the balance between staying in and getting out. Our youngest heats her up in the microwave every day before school. It was one of the cheapest Christmas stocking presents she ever got.
Waterproof Gloves or Socks. Of course it’s not just the cold that can put kids off; wet hands and wet feet aren’t much fun either. But they can be a thing of the past with a pair of magic SealSkinz Waterproof Gloves or Waterproof Socks.
Silk Balaclava. These are great for SAS games but also brilliant for outings on cool days or as an under layer when the thermometer dives. Braver souls could use this Silk Balaclava for camouflage on a night hike or to keep your head warm while sleeping out. In this family we are big fans of Buff and have the cotton version for wrapping around our pillows on camping trips while the winter versions keep our heads warm. More about that on the next page.
A Headtorch. Kids love torches, for reading under the covers, lighting a den or exploring the house with the lights out or in a power cut. So, why not equip them properly? Buy them an LED Head Torchand take them out to test it on a local night hike. Head out on a local trail, perhaps one you know well to start with, and see how unfamiliar even the most familiar places can be on a dark night with only a torch to light the way. They’ll love strapping it on their head and leading the way, like a proper explorer. An inexpensive adventure present.
A Spork Kit. Small children will love the novelty of this – a cross between a spoon and a fork. You may find they want to eat with it every day. Sporks are one of the best camping gifts you can give and they won’t set you back more than small change. They are great for picnics too. For that extra special person, or those with destructive tendencies, you could even go for the ultimate ultra-light, ultra strong Titanium Spork.
A Wee Bike. If you want to go big with a little one, then there is no greater freedom than that of a bike as a gift for adventure. For those just starting out, how about a Wee Ride Deluxe Balance Bike, a great way get toddlers starting to learn to ride. Or if they’ve mastered balance and want pedals, brakes and to ride like a grown up, then you won’t get better than an Isla Bike.
Cycling: a gift for adventure