It’s that time of year again! This time, I’m DETERMINED to get a head start on my gift list in order to avoid the last minute rush (I say this every year 🤣). We consider ourselves an outdoorsy, nature-loving family, and here are the things either we’ve used and loved over the years, OR these are items on my current wish list.
So, if you’re looking for a few nature-themed gifts for family members this year, save these ideas for the whole family!
Stocking Stuffers and Smallish Gifts
1. Portable Junior Field Microscope
For younger children, this is a good little portable microscope to take on the go, or in a hiking backpack, to help nurture their sense of wonder. (I don’t let my 5 year old “play” with our larger microscope, so this is a good option for her.)
This lovely little portable flower press from Tanglewood Hollow is the perfect size to pack and take on the go.
Simple design and easy to use – just twist the top to attract birds wherever you are. We love bringing this on hikes and nature walks with us!
The perfect stocking stuffer idea for nature lovers. We like the the dual magnifier on this one.
A mini sun print kit for making beautiful nature prints using only sun and water.
This little magnifying glass from Kikkerland is just the right size for taking on the go! We love the dual magnification.
7. Mini Nature Cross Stitch Kit
Great for beginners; includes everything you need to get started.
Collectable playing cards with botanical illustrations and fun foraging facts!
9. Natural Bamboo Grass Whistle
Just insert a piece of grass, blow into the gap and you’ve got a musical instrument.
10. Pocket Water Color Set (for Nature Journaling Outside!)
This is the perfect size for a little nature journaling sesh in the woods, at a national park or in your yard. (And it’s ON SALE!) Winsor and Newton is one of my favorite brands for quality and affordability watercolors.
A tiny glider that follows your child around on breezy days. My daughter loves it.
Nature Study Tools and Crafts
This is my #1 recommendation for family members looking for a “wow” gift for nature- or science-loving kids or grandkids. And it’s on sale right now!
We got this microscope at the beginning of this year and it’s gotten TONS of use. The best part is that you can remove the scope and use it directly on surfaces, or even outside. We love the screen and recording capabilities, too!
This is a great starter kit for your little rock hounds. We have this exact kit and I like how each mineral is labeled, and it comes with an identification booklet, too.
14. Stargazing Kit
This small, portable device helps to quickly identify more than 1,500 stars visible to the naked eye.
15. National Geographic Fossils Dig Kit
Dig kits are hugely popular in my home, and I love that this one comes with a collection of 15 genuine fossils.
16. Flower Press
We have this French Flower Press and love it. We use it all the time to press flowers and leaves – it works much better than a stack of books. It’s easy to use and I love the adjustable screws.
17. Butterfly Garden
If your kids love bugs, this kit is amazing! We’ve completed this butterfly life cycle several times, using this same kit from Insect Lore. Give the kit for the holidays, then use the vouchers that come with the kit to get your live caterpillars in the Spring. It’s amazing to watch your caterpillars form chrysalises, then transform into butterflies that you can release in your yard.
18. Beginning Wood Whittling/Carving Kit
We purchased this great little beginner’s carving kit for my 11-year-old last year and we love it! If you want to be super cautious, you can grab this protective finger tape as well.
19. Earth Paint Kit
Natural watercolor paints made with natural earth pigments – just add water!
20. My Little Museum Kit for Kids
A sweet little specimen box to inspire hands-on observation and exploration.
21. American Bird Calls Deluxe Set
Six handmade wooden instruments specially designed to mimic North American birds.
22. Butterfly Net and Bug Exploration Kit
An extendable butterfly net, magnified bug viewer, bug capsule scissors, and more in this adorable kit from Mama Montessori for little explorers.
Hiking and Outdoor Gear
23. Kid’s Hiking Hydration Pack
My boys have used these for years. Great for kids who don’t want to carry large backpacks while hiking, and for when YOU don’t want to carry everyone’s water bottles. Smallish and lightweight. Pouches are big enough for snacks or a small lunch. We take these snowboarding, too!
These are the perfect size for kids to fill with little treasures from their adventures (think rocks, shells, etc.), or for packing small travel essentials like snacks, chapstick, a magnifier or a compass.
A great all-around multi-tool for those who love the outdoors. Includes a built-in 30x microscope, 8x telescope, fold-out magnifier, directional compass, flashlight, digital clock and emergency whistle. My oldest received this as a gift last year and loves it.
A compact compass that’s easy to use. Attach the lanyard to wear it around your neck.
I have this sling bag (in a different color) and take it from me – it’s the PERFECT size for adventuring (especially if you’re a mama). Big enough to hold a waterbottle, some snacks and other essentials, but not as bulky as a full-on hiking pack. Versatile enough to wear around town, too.
The only water bottle you need for all your travels, hikes and adventures! Holds water AND filters it!
This is the nature journal my kids and I use and love. The paper is the perfect weight for colored pencils or light watercolors, and it’s easy to pop in a bag to take on the go.
We like to take this little pencil roll with us for on-the-go nature journaling (it’s great for road trips and vacations, too!).
31. Bog Boots
The best boots for cold, wet days, or for nature walks near water. Insulated and waterproof!
High-resolution and shock proof, these hold up better than other mini binoculars.
Does someone in your family get a lot of furry visitors to their yard? This wildlife cam is a great gift idea!
Remember when people took pictures with actual cameras?! This is a great gift ideas for kids who want to take photos on hikes and adventures (without the need for a phone).
35. Headlamp Beanie
Perfect for short winter days, and summer nights camping!
A great piece of gear to have if your kids like to get up close and personal with winter streams, puddles and mud. Waterproof waders let them frolic in the water, while keeping them totally dry and warm!
37. Ice Spikes
Year-round hiking becomes much more doable with these crampons.
38. Merino Wool Base Layers for the Family
Beat the cold with cozy merino base layers. Merino wool insulates and breathes.
These lightweight hiking shoes are perfect for day hikes. I wasn’t sold on barefoot shoes, but my husband got these boots for me (because he loves his) and now I don’t want to hike without them! They provide ankle support, traction and protection from gravel, while allowing your feet flexibility, proper toe splay and improved posture. (Size up 1-2 sizes)
Nature Games, Books + Puzzles and More
40. Butterfly Wings Matching Card Game
Match the upper sides and undersides of the wings of 25 butterflies around the world with this beautiful matching card game.
41. Vintage, Nature-Inspired Puzzles
These vintage puzzles from Cavallini Papers & Co are sturdy and beautiful. You can even frame them once you finish for a beautiful, vintage-inspired art piece.
42. Bird Call Field Guide Book
We’ve had this book for years and use it ALL the time. Keep it by an open window, and use it to help identify the birds visiting your backyard. (We have the Western one, make sure you get the correct guide for your region!)
A cooperative board game for the whole family, where players work together to forage for plants and herbal remedies. We love playing this game together, and we’ve all learned so much about medicinal and edible plants through this game!
44. National Parks Scratch-Off Poster
We love scratching off each park as we visit them!
45. Heat-Changing Constellations Mug
Watch the constellations come to life when you add hot water. We love our heat-changing mugs (hand wash only).
46. CAMP Board Game
A great family trivia game for lovers of the outdoors. We love that the trivia questions are scaled based on age.
47. Bug Bingo
Or Bird Bingo Ocean Bingo, etc. A fun way to play your way to learning more about nature.
Match 25 tracks to their animal owners with this fun family game.
Packed with illustrations, quotes, photos and diagrams, this book is a plant-lover’s dream.
50. Cavallini Papers & Co Vintage Poster
The only downside to these is trying to pick just one – I love them all! This rocks and minerals poster is one of our favorites. I love Sarah’s idea for a cheap and easy poster hanger @withhisgrace
51. National Parks Coffee Table Book
The perfect coffee table book for those who love to adventure. We love the colorful photos in this book!
52. Art Forms in Nature Coffee Table Book
Beautiful nature prints for your coffee table or library.
**I am an affiliate of Amazon, which means I receive a small commission from purchases through product links (you don’t pay a penny more!), which helps keep this website going. I only write about things I’m truly passionate about, and products I actually recommend and use for our family.
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