Gift Ideas To Encourage Outdoor Play

Are you looking to unplug your children this Christmas?

With warmer days upon us and Christmas planning becoming a priority it’s time to start thinking about kids gift ideas. Of course, we tend to love the ideas that get everyone outside and playing together as these are the gifts that ultimately keep on giving.

Not sure where to start with your gift buying. Here are our suggestions for Christmas gift ideas to encourage kids to be active and explore outside …

Gift ideas for nature lovers

These natural, mud-based playdough and slime mixes are suitable for indoors or outdoors. Safely formulated from real mud, they provide tactile and sensory play experiences which help children develop their fine and gross motor skills, scientific thinking and language development - all disguised as mud play! 

Believe it not, playing with slime has many benefits and because this slime is natural, it is compostable. A toy that doesn’t generate waste is a real winner. 

 

This soil based playdough is easy to prepare and so versatile. Children can add glitter, seed pods, petals and other finds for unique creations. 

Other gift ideas for nature lovers include:

• a bug net and insect identification book,
• compass,
• binoculars or
• a copy of the National Geographic Kids Magazine.

Oh, and don’t forget the gumboots. Durable, supportive and easy to pull on, they make a colourful stocking filler. 

Gift ideas for creative outdoor play

This earth fizz has it all - earthy colours, gritty texture and popping mud bubbles. This is a gift that is sure to encourage curiosity and creativity. This earth fizz could be used to create scenes from outer space, erupting volcanoes, swamp habitats, magical brews or even in exotic cooking. So regardless of your child’s interests it makes an exciting gift. 

If not too diluted, leftover earth fizz can be reused as an earthy coloured paint.

Creative kids might also enjoy:

• rock art pens,
• a toolbox and tools,
• a flower press or
• a book on how to fold and fly paper airplanes.

These gifts are perfect for keeping everyone occupied over the long summer break. 

Clothing for outdoor play

You’ve found all these great gifts to encourage outdoor play, so don’t let the weather stop your kids from using them. Our timeless waterproof jackets make the perfect companion for an outdoor kid. They’re lined for added style and warmth and have a waterproof outer for rainy days. 

Sunglasses also make a trendy stocking filler and help protect your little one from the elements. And if your children are like mine and love a spontaneous adventure, you can never have too many hats. 

Gift ideas for sporty kids

What’s Christmas without a slip 'n' slide or fishing rod? These gifts work well for all ages and help keep everyone active.

We’ve been given some great lawn games and we play them lots over summer. They really are a great gift as they can be used year round and encourage fun, family rivalry. Molkky and Cornhole are favourites at our place. 

Other classic, affordable gifts that encourage movement and build coordination include:

• a yo-yo,
• mini trampoline,
• roller skates or roller blades,
• balls,
• hula hoops or elastics.

Other gifts that promote outdoor play

These are the big-ticket gifts that siblings can use to play together for years to come or spaces that will become the central hub when cousins and friends visit.

Think a cubby house, a mud kitchen, kayaks, climbing frame or a zip line kit. 

 

Don’t forget to add your MakeMud products for the most talked about cubby or mud kitchen in the street. 

Kids Gifts: Buy Now, Pay Later 

We offer a range of payment options including credit card, PayPal, Google Pay, Shop Pay & Apple Pay. And if you are looking for flexible payment terms, then why not finalise your gift purchase using Afterpay or ZipPay.