Outdoor Adventure Summer Gift Guide

Summer is here, and Christmas is coming!

We’ve designed this gift guide to help you find the perfect unique gift for the child in your life who has a spirit of adventure, and loves being outdoors, discovering and exploring.  

From activities and adventure kits; to shoes, shorts, shirts and sunglasses; to books, backpacks and bikes; we have found the most beautiful, well designed, quality items that encourage and inspire outdoor adventurous play in your wild ones.  Each item is built to last, from brands we love.  We’re excited to see what these gifts can inspire in your adventurous children this summer.

 

Sand Shaker Shorts

Where better to start than Wild Island Apparel’s sand shaker shorts, specially designed for exploring in all summer long.  Your kids won’t want to take off these comfiest of shorts, and their durable, thick 100% cotton construction means they will stand up to all sorts of tree climbing, rock hopping and adventure testing, before throwing them in the washing machine and putting them on again for whatever tomorrow’s adventures will bring. Available in two colours in sizes 2-8.

Shop The Sandshaker Shorts here

 

Babiators Sunglasses

Did you know children’s and babies’ eyes get 3 times the sun exposure of the average adult?  With all that time exploring outdoors in the Aussie summer, they need good quality (and good looking!) sunglasses, that are made tough to last every adventure you take them on.  That’s Babiators. Sizes range from 0 - 12 years.

Shop Babiators Sunglasses here

  

Bobux Shoes

Bobux Shoes love good design, and they love challenging themselves to design shoes that are both stylish and good for kids.  We’re into that.  They are podiatrist endorsed, practical and come in a huge range of gorgeous designs.  Our current summer favourites are the driftwood navy for ages 2-5 and the soul chestnut sandal for up to 8 year olds (pictured below).

Shop Bobux Shoes here
 

The Dreamer Tee

An Australian summer means living in tee-shirts all summer long.  With our collection of four nature inspired, gender neutral, muted tones, and unique original artwork, your little Dreamer will be all set for seeking out their next summertime adventure.   Crafted from super soft, comfy and durable 95% cotton with a little 5% spandex stretch, these are the perfect everyday tee for any adventurous 2 – 8 year old girl or boy.

Shop The Dreamer Tee here

 

Activities, Tickets and Passes

If you'd love to give those adventurous kids in your life the gift of time spent together, rather than a physical gift, look into tickets or a season pass to your local zoo, wildlife or national park, or for older kids, a ropes course or lessons in surfing or stand up paddle boarding, or a day snorkelling or kayaking. 

 

 

Fjallraven Backpack

Big adventures need supplies, and with a gorgeous backpack, your little wild ones can carry their own snacks, spare clothes and all those treasures they collect (brilliant, right!?).  We love the beautiful kanken kids backpack that is durable, light, water and dirt resistant.  It's also versatile, with straps that can convert from bag to backpack.  From a small town in Sweden where mountains and forest meet the sea, Fjällräven is an outdoor clothing and equipment company that’s committed to making nature more accessible, while creating functional, durable and timeless pieces. Right up our alley. 

Shop Fjallraven kanken kids backpack here 

 

The Small Folk Flower Press

Bring some of the beautiful flowers and pieces of nature your little ones have found outside back inside, and discover it in a different way, by creating something beautiful and lasting with The Small Folk’s gorgeous flower press.  Each press is hand crafted in Melbourne from of hard-wearing materials to ensure stable pressure & long-lasting use.  The Small Folk are passionate about encouraging children’s wonderment about their world, enhancing imagination and inspiring creative play.  Their website is full of beautiful gifts.

Shop the small folk flower press here

 

Windswept Pullover

Put the Windswept Pullover into that gorgeous backpack, and even when the sun begins to fade, the wind gets up, or a day in the surf turns into a bonfire on the beach, your wild ones will be prepared for exploring a little longer.  This soft and cozy 100% cotton knitted pullover is available in sizes 1-8. 

Shop the Windswept Pullover here

 

Minnow Designs Swimmable Shoes

Summer means climbing on rocky foreshores, clambering over slippery rocks at waterholes, inspecting rockpools with coral and sharp shells, and running over hot sand.  These Australian designed neoprene beach booties protect little feet from these elements, while maintaining a sense of style, so those little wild ones can freely explore sand and sea.

Shop Minnow Designs Swimmable Shoes here

 

Books

Whether it’s a classic like ‘Magic Beach’, a practical guide, a beautiful story or a non-fiction to help them learn about their latest favourite animal or place, a book that inspires outdoors adventures is a classic gift.  We love ‘The Kids' Outdoor Adventure Book’ which is packed full of things to do in nature for kids of all ages, including checklists, challenges, outdoor games and fascinating facts to get kids running outside to find their next adventure, ‘Finding Wild’, a lyrical picture book inspiring children to claim the 'wild' wherever they can find it, and ‘A walk in the Bush’ a beautifully illustrated story encouraging kids to look and listen for the quirky sights and sounds while exploring the great Australian outdoors.

Shop these books at booktopia here

 

Rainseeker Jacket

Whether you’re in the middle of the wet season in the north of our beautiful country, chasing warm summer thunderstorms, or want a stunning rain jacket ready for when the weather turns wet, Wild Island Apparel’s Rain Seeker Jacket is 100% waterproof, wind protective, and a fave amongst both boys and girls who love the thrill of running in the rain.  Available in sizes 2-6.

Shop The Rainseeker Jacket here

 

Kinderfeets Trike, bike or balance bike

Bike riding is a great outdoor activity any time of year, and we especially love the kinderfeets balance bike, or for littler ones, the Kinderfeets tinytoy 2 in 1 balance bike.  This beautiful and durable bike converts from a trike to a balance bike and has a height adjustable seat to make it last as your little one grows and learns. 

Shop Kinderfeets Balance Bike and Trikes here

 

Seedling outdoor explorer kit

From the tiny world of the ant, to the power of our weather and the miracle of the caterpillar, sometimes you don't need to venture past you own backyard to 'find your wild'.  This kit has everything to help kids get out, explore and observe, from a magnifying glass and LED headlamp, to a bug checklist and sketchpad and pencils to keep a nature journal, all bundled up in a canvas carry bag.

Shop Seedling Outdoor Explorer Kit here 

 

Discoverer Pants

Let’s face it, even in summer, it’s not always shorts weather.  And on those days, Wild Island Apparel’s Discoverer Pants, in unique yet muted gender neutral tones, are the perfect combination of durable, comfortable and stylish.  Designed for movement and everyday adventures, they’ll easily take you from wilderness wandering and tree climbing, to lunch dates or afternoon barbecues with friends.

Shop the Discoverer Pants here

 

We can’t wait to see and hear about the adventures your little wild ones get up to this summer, decked out in Wild Island Apparel and inspired by their outdoors adventurous gifts. 

 

Make sure you’re following us on instagram and facebook @wildislandapparel and don’t forget to tag #wildislandapparel with your stories of adventures!

 

Happy shopping, merry Christmas, and enjoy an adventure-filled summer holidays!