If you’re looking for more Easter basket inspiration, we shared a couple of themed basket ideas here and here.

With Easter just over a week away, we wanted to share a few unique outdoor gifts for kids. I think you’ll agree that these gifts focus on connecting kids of all ages to nature in one form or another. We have something for the artist, the bug-lover, the bird watcher, and the explorer.

1. Insect Hotel – insects love a variety of habitats and substrates for nesting, and that’s just what this insect hotel provides. Once you have insects coming to your hotel, you’ll have some great opportunities to observe and learn about these fascinating creatures and the roles they play in keeping our ecosystems healthy.
2. Folding Shovel – we gave these to the boys last Easter, and they love them! Because these shovels fold up and can be stored in their little canvas bags, they’ve been great for taking on camping trips, to nature play sessions, and for general back-yard explorations.
3. Go Find It Game – we don’t own this one, but have played it with friends. The cards are great because they encourage creativity when asking you to find something “smooth” or “pokey” or “blue”. Go find it.
4. Hummingbird Ring Feeder – #4 & 5 are going in the boys’ baskets this year. I bought them each a pink ring feeder. You place the hummingbird food in the base of the ring, then stand really still, and hope you get lucky! In reality, we have some hummingbirds at our house that “talk” to us. No joke. If their feeders are empty, they will buzz in front of our windows to get our attention. If Calder hadn’t witnessed it, I know I’d still be questioning my experience, but luckily I have him to back me up. Anyway, our hummingbirds are part of the family, and we’re going to try feeding them by hand this year. Wish us luck.
5. Ring Feeder Starter Kit – I added this kit to our cart because it will allow us to fill a few rings and set them up outside for the hummingbirds to get used to before we try to feed them in person.
6. Mineral-based Sunscreen! – gotta have some good SPF, and from all the brands we’ve sampled, this ingredient list comes closest to what we make at home. Want that recipe? You can find it here.
7. Exploring Nature Activity Book – a super cute book that we love when we need a bit of outdoor inspiration.
8. Nets with Telescoping Handles – these aren’t the most durable nets on the market, but I love that they pack up easily and can be stowed away in our camping kit and nature play bags.
9. Bug Box – there’s nothing like a good bug box for allowing your kids to catch AND observe insects. Want to see something fun? Catch some grasshoppers and put them in your bug box with fresh grass. You can watch them eat AND poop. You’re welcome.
10. The Organic Artist for Kids – LOVE this book. I still haven’t tried most of the projects in it, but it’s packed with instructions to DIY your own art supplies using materials found in nature.