Latest And Greatest Kids Gear For 2012

Twice a year we make our way to Salt Lake City to search out the latest and greatest kids gear at the Outdoor Retailer. It’s where big names like Northface and the not so recognized little guys gather to reveal their new lines and inventions. So if you have a local outdoor shop you like, odds are they’re going to this event to see whats new and buy stock to fill their store. Here’s the list of gear that got our juices flowing during this years winter market.

Stainless Steal Baby BottleKlean Kanteen is famous for its line of stainless steal drinking containers and now they’re introducing baby bottles. The line includes a 5 and 9 oz. bottle and three different types of nipples. It can also double as a snack container.

Redesigned Kids Climbing Shoe - Mad Rock has had their fun mad monkey kids climbing shoe around for a while but they just released a new design which makes it more comfortable and user friendly. Priced at an affordable $39.

Kids Snowshoes - Redfeather has some kid specific snowshoes available that fit your toddler to your teenager. $35-$95

Infant and Baby merino wool base layer - stemming from more of a boutique scene are these beautiful infant and baby wool base layers from Nui Organic. The priceline is high but the look and functionality are there. Some of the line is a mix of merino and silk…mmmm yummy.

piggy backpack - This is a similar idea as the piggyback rider we introduced to you last summer but it has an integrated seat for whoever you give a ride to. The pack itself looks a little cumbersome and a bit too heavy but the creator assured us their working on another prototype.

Toddler Ski Helmet - Lucky Bums has a new ski helmet line for kids coming out next fall that features an appealing shape, easy adjustability and great graphics. The toddler helmet especially made my heart melt. This new line will cost a bit more than its original. [image coming soon]

Stylish Rain And Snow Suits - Ducksday is not available in the US as of now but their rain and snowsuits have spread across 100 countries already. And I can see why. The fabrics and designs used are parent and kid friendly. I loved the entire line which is spreading to snow gloves and summer wear!  I’ll let you know when you can get your hands on them.

Gear Hauler That Can Be Pulled By A Car - No longer do you need the huge SUV or truck to get your family, gear and toys to your destination. The Road Warrior is a multi functional light weight sport trailer that can be pulled by any 4 cylinder vehicle. It comes with a sleek looking outer shell but can be used to haul firewood just as easily as your camping gear.

Osprey child carrier - Osprey packs are a favorite of many so when they announced they were coming out with a child carrier I had to see it in person.

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Tough But Cute Girls Winter Boots - Baffin is known for its heavy duty winter boots. Their kids boots usually have a masculine look to them with non-gender colors. This fall they’re introducing a more feminine line of girls boots without sacrificing that well known toughness. They’ve added a more girl friendly sole, cute colors and snowflakes!

[image coming soon]

Funky New Styles From Sanuk - Sanuk’s new line for kids didn’t disappoint this year. They have a kicked back outdoor lifestyle look and all of the new styles are easy for kids to put on and off themselves. I’m sure you moms can appreciate that when you’re trying to make it out the door. Here are some of my favorites…

The Outdoor Retailer Show was the biggest ever this winter and it was so exciting to see kids gear making a nice presence at the show. I’m sure that trend will continue as more and more kids head out into nature. Over the coming months we’ll be reviewing some of these products and having giveaways for you as well. So stay tuned!

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Outdoor Apps I May Try To Figure Out

If you think because I run this website I’m techno savvy you’re mistaken. I don’t even have a smart phone. Which bugs me cause it implies that my phone is stupid…poor little guy, he can’t help it that he doesn’t know where the cheapest gas is.

I’ve tried to remain faithful to my phone but I’m starting to see the major benefits of the smartphone. These outdoor apps may push me over the edge to buy one.

Outdoor Apps I May Try To Figure Out

  1. Dutch Oven Calculator (free) – I was looking through a scouting magazine the other day and came across this one. You just input the size of your pan in inches, the target cooking temperature, and the desired cooking method (bake, roast, fry). The calculator then tells you how many charcoal briquettes to place on the top and bottom of the oven. For Android Users
  2. Moon 3D (free) – This allows you to calculate the moon phase on any given date. So if you want to plan a night hike you’ll be sure to have enough light. For Android Users
  3. Scats & Tracks Of N. America ($1.99) – This app lets you figure out what animals have been on the trail before you. I’m sure my kids would love this one, trying to match up footprints. For Android Users
  4. Star Chart (2.99) - Just point your phone up at the sky and this app will tell you what constellation it’s looking at. Great way to  make your kids think you’re a genius! For Android Users
  5. Backcountry Navigator (9.99) – The most spendy outdoor app I’ve come across but I hear it’s worth it. If you don’t have a GPS this is a great way to see what it’s all about. See where you’re at on a hike using a handy topographic format. You can also save waypoints and share info on social networks. For Android Users
  6. Let’s Go Chipper (.99) – This app is for the little ones in your family. It’s a little cartoon squirrel that entertains and educates about nature through music, movies, coloring pages etc. For i-phone Users
  7. Ski And Snow Report (free) – Gives you snow reports for any resort around the world! For i-phone Users
  8. Pano (1.99) – Allows your phone to take panoramic pictures, perfect for sharing your summit view with friends and family. For i-phone Users
  9. Knot Time (3.99) – Use this guide to refresh your memory on all those useful knots, tying the sled up to the dog, lashing your friends to the outhouse etc. For i-phone Users
  10. All Trails ( Free) – Helps you find trails to explore wherever you may have ended up that day. For i-phone Users

Okay I admit it, my phone has been outsmarted. Maybe it’s time for an upgrade.

So do you have a smartphone? What apps are your favorite?

UPDATE: (1/6/12) Here are some other great apps that many of you have brought to my attention…

  • Ranger Rick Apps (1.99) – Ranger Rick has some new wildlife apps for kids, three in fact. Click The Birdie (ages 7 & up), What Did The Snakey Eat? (ages 2-5), and Raiders Of The Last Aardvark (ages 7 & up). They’re educational games with a focus on nature. For i-phone Users.
  • Google Sky Map (free) – This app turns your phone into a window on the night sky. It tells you the name of stars, planets and constellations. Sounds similar to Star Chart but free!


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Icebreaker Giveaway Winner

LAZY…I’ve been so lazy over Christmas weekend and it’s felt soooo good. But now it’s time to get PRODUCTIVE. Time to lace up my running shoes and pour out the left over eggnog. Time to announce our Icebreaker giveaway winner!

Shelise Lowe you are our winner!!!

Here’s what she had to say…”My six year old LOVES to play outside in the snow.  He will definitely be wearing this in the snow!”

Congrats Shelise! A good way to end 2011 wouldn’t you say? Send me what size your son is and your mailing address and we’ll get this coordinating Icebreaker base layer top and bottom sent out to you.

Thanks to everyone who participated! Have a great day!

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Dressing Your Kids For Outdoor Winter Fun And An Icebreaker Giveaway

In my last post here at Nature For Kids I talked about the frozen waterfall we hiked up to. It was a cold day even in the sunshine but the shade made it frigid. This type of day is a perfect example of why you should dress in several thin layers when you play outside. You can easily regulate your body temperature by putting them on in the cold shade and taking them off when you’re working up a sweat.

2 keys to dressing warm in the outdoors:

  • Read The Tag – Find out what your clothes are made of by reading the tags. (this means socks and hats too) There’s a lot of great options these days, the forever reliable wool, synthetic fabrics, and even treated cottons.
  • Layer Up - Wearing several thin layers is more effective and comfortable than one bulky one. Start with a base layer that will wick away moisture and keep you dry. Then add an insulating layer and then finally add an outer shell that keeps out the wind and rain.

Here’s the layering ritual we have at our house before we go out to play in the snow…

Icebreaker makes AMAZING layering pieces for kids and adults out of 100% New Zealand merino wool.

Our Favorite Features Of Icebreaker clothing:

  • There is a Baaa Code (like bar code) in each garment Icebreaker makes. You get on their website and type in your number to find out which ranch your wool came from to make your garment. We did this with the kids and they loved seeing the videos and pictures of the countryside, the ranchers and the sheep themselves.
  • It’s not itchy like those sweaters your grandma gives you.
  • It doesn’t need washed quite as often and resists odor.
  • No fancy washing instructions required, just wash and line dry.
  • It’s sustainable. Sheer a sheep to make some socks and it grows back to make a coat.
  • Regulates your temperature with easy breathability and moisture wicking properties. (So it can just as easily be worn in the summer)
  • Protects against UV rays and is fire resistant (nice for when you’re around the camp fire)

Scout and Doober were sporting Icebreaker base layershats and socks during our hike. Doober was also wearing the Icebreaker camper hood as an insulating layer. When we got home they just stayed in their base layers to sleep. This went on for a couple of days. We had to force them to take them off so we could wash them. Then they went right back on.
They sent me the Rush 3/4 tights and the Rio Pants. I am in heaven. I put the rush tights on for a trail run in the morning and didn’t bother to take them off the rest of the day. And the Rio Pants are a staple in my wardrobe now. They’re comfy enough for a Sunday afternoon nap but have a style factor that allow you to wear them around town or up to the ski hill.

Here’s what Damon has to say about his Sierra Hood. “When you feel it you can tell it’s not cotton but it’s just as comfortable as cotton. You can tell it’s really durable and going to last a long time. And I like how it looks. It’s nice enough for me to wear to work.”
The price of Icebreaker apparel isn’t cheap. But then neither is the quality or the functionality. Before trying this clothing out I would have been reluctant to buy it. But now that I see how well it’s made and the benefits of this soft lovely wool I’m sold.
Now it wouldn’t be Christmas if we didn’t have a little present for you! We’re doing a giveaway for a kids baselayer top and coordinating bottoms thanks to Icebreaker.
Here’s how to enter to win:
  • Leave a comment on this post telling us where your little explorer will be sporting their new attire.
  • For another entry go visit Icebreaker on Facebook and “like” their page
  • to increase your odds once more visit Nature For Kids on Facebook and “Like” us. If you’ve already liked us leave a comment on our Facebook page telling us your latest outdoor adventure or share a picture.
  • And for one last bonus entry Tweet this post to all your tweeps, peeps, whatever you want to call them.
Be sure to leave a separate comment on this post for each entry you make.
This giveaway ends Christmas Day! The winner will be chosen using Randomizer.org and will be announced Dec. 26th. This giveaway is for Canada and U.S. residents only. So stay warm and here’s wishing you a snow shreddin’, snowball fightin’, snow angel makin’ Holiday!

Gift Ideas For Little Explorers

With Christmas on the horizon I’ve been scoping out some fun outdoor recreation type gifts for our kids. I’m sure Scout would be pleased with any of these American Girl dolls. And no I’m not being paid to put that link on my site. I wish I was. There’s some commission to be made there. :)

They’re priced pretty steep so I’d have to be sure she’d cherish it until she’s 30 and then pass it on to her daughter and her daughter’s daughter before I lay down the cash for it. But how cool are these, a downhill skiier, snowshoer, skateboarder and even a yoga girl! Talk about sweet! *sigh* If only I was little again.

One year my husband and I went shopping for stocking stuffers for the kids without a clue of what we wanted to get. We ended up walking out of the store spending $150 on a bunch of STUFF. We promised ourselves we’d never do that again. So I’ve been making a mental list of some recreation gear that the kids are actually in need of and that I think they’ll be excited to get.

Nature For Kids’ Stocking Stuffer Picks 2011

Von Zipper Misslepop Goggle aqua w/ astro chrome lens OSSigg Water Bottle .3LPatagonia Reversible Puff Ball Bunting chalkboard stripe fennel 0M

Smartwool Kids Wintersport Stripe Sock black LJulbo Looping 2 Sunglasses orange/violet 0-2Hestra Baby Zip Mitt Gloves black earth 0

Skullcandy Agent HeadphonesElement Hexachrome Belt pacific OSBillabong All Day Hat white blue OS

And don’t forget your favorite four footed friend! Kaiser would look good strutting his stuff on the trail with these…And I’m sure the kids wouldn’t mind skijoring behind him this winter.

Good luck with all your shopping! I’m still spinning over the fact that Halloween and Thanksgiving have come and gone. I’ve got some work to do. Enjoy!



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