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Des Moines Outdoors

Des Moines Outdoors

The Best Nature Gifts for Kids of All Ages and Stages

DSMOutdoors

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Kids nature
Image credit: EKATERINA BOLOVTSOVA

Whether you’re buying for kids who love the outdoors or want to give the gift of curiosity, you’re in the right place! We’ve found some of the best hands-on nature gifts for kids of all ages and stages. 

From bug-catching and adventure kits to microscopes, science kits, and nature books, our list will help you wrap up the perfect nature gift for any young adventurer. 

Outdoor-themed gifts encourage kids to explore and are an excellent way to develop kids’ interests in nature and science. 

So if you’re ready to find some great gifts, read on to discover some of the best nature gifts for kids of all ages!

Related Gift Guides:
• Gifts for Nature Lovers
• The Perfect Camping Gifts
• Gifts for Hikers
• Best Backyard & Patio Gifts
• Gifts for Bird Lovers
• Iowa Gifts for Everyone
• Gardening Gifts For Dad
• Camping Gifts for Mom

Nature gifts for preschool-age kids

Educational Insights GeoSafari Jr. Talking Kids Microscope

The youngest explorers will love the close-up look at colorful images and slides of nature objects on this talking microscope!
Ages 3+

talking microscope

Kids Outdoor Adventure Nature Explorer & Bug Catching Kit

Kids love exploring the outdoors with backpacks full of gear that help them discover their surroundings! The kit includes a bug-catching kit, magnifying glass, hat, compass, and more!
Ages 3+

Kids Outdoor Adventure Kit

Nature Bound Bug Catcher with Habitat Bucket

This is the perfect gift for kids fascinated by insects. It comes with everything they need to catch and study bugs, like a net, magnifier, jar, and activity book for learning about insects.
Ages 3+

Bug Catcher and Habitat

Kids Gardening Tool Set

This kids’ gardening set has the tools young kids need to help in the garden or start their own plants! The kit includes a tote bag, garden tools, a watering can, pots, gloves, and more!
Ages 3+ 

Gardening Tool Set

Fisher-Price S’more Fun Campfire Playset

Kids can “go camping” indoors or out with this adorable and fun campfire playset! The set includes wood, a “fire,” s’mores, wearable bear mitts, and more.
Ages 3+

Kids Campfire Playset

Nature gifts for kids ages 3-10

Small Discoverer Outdoor Exploration Set – Kids Adventure Pack

Young adventurers can put on their packs and head outdoors to see what they can find! This fun adventure pack has binoculars, a compass, a whistle, magnifying glass, and more.
Ages 3+

Kids Outdoor Adventure Pack

The Original Outdoor Nature Scavenger Hunt Card Game for Kids and Families

A nature scavenger hunt is ideal for hiking, camping, or backyard discoveries! There are several ways to play, and it comes with various cards and a drawstring bag.
Ages 3+

Kids Nature Scavenger Hunt

Walkie Talkies for Kids

What’s more fun than exploring outdoors with walkie-talkies?! These have a built-in flashlight, 22 channels, and a 3-mile range.
Ages 3+

Kids Walkie Talkies

Real Binoculars for Kids

These binoculars are designed with kids in mind! They are durable, easy to focus, and lightweight, so kids can get a better look at the wonders of nature!
Ages 3+

Kids binoculars

Flower & Leaf Press

Make art out of leaves and flowers found outdoors! Kids will love making their outdoor finds into artwork!
Ages 3+

Kids flower and leaf press

Nature gifts for kids 8 and up

Light-Up Terrarium Kit for Kids

Here’s a terrarium that includes everything kids need to start a mini garden, like seeds, sand, and little garden decorations.
Ages 6+

Kids terrarium

National Geographic Student Microscope – 50+ pc Science Kit

This microscope kit is the real deal! It has 20x and 50x magnification with 50 accessories, like slides, tweezers, and even brine shrimp eggs!
Ages 8+

Student Microscope

National Geographic Break Open 10 Premium Geodes

This excellent activity comes with a learning guide. So, not only do kids get the fun of breaking open geode rocks, but they can learn about how they’re formed too!
Ages 8+

Break Open Geodes

Sunprint Paper Kit

Make art with the help of the sun! Found objects in nature can be turned into prints with this fun nature activity.
Ages 6+

Sun print kit

National Geographic Starter Rock Tumbler Kit

Here’s a genuine rock tumbler kit for the young rock collectors on your list! It comes with everything you need to polish a rock, including the polishing grits (and some gems!).
Ages 8+

Rock Tumbler Kit

Outdoor books for kids

The Berenstain Bears’ Big Book of Science and Nature

Kids can learn all about nature from Professor Actual Factual and do fun science projects. Ages 3-6

Berenstain Bears' Big Book of Science and Nature

On the Nature Trail: What Will You Find?

Kids can take this award-winning book outdoors to discover and learn through activities, art, scavenger hunts, and games! Ages 4-8

On the Nature Trail Kids book

Nature Journal: A Kid’s Nature Journal

The author describes this journal as more like a nature workbook encouraging observation. It also has plenty of space for writing and drawing. Ages 6-12

Nature Journal for Kids

The Wonders of Nature

Here is a colorful, awe-inspiring children’s nature encyclopedia of sorts! It includes facts, history, and even stories about objects in nature. Recommended for ages 5-9

Wonders of Nature Book

Exploring Nature Activity Book for Kids: 50 Creative Projects to Spark Curiosity in the Outdoors

This activity book is full of fun ways to discover and learn about nature. It has 50 hands-on projects and activities kids can do outdoors! Recommended for ages 5+

Exploring Nature Activity Book for Kids

Ultimate Bugopedia: The Most Complete Bug Reference Ever

This award-winning, colorful National Geographic book is all about bugs! It’s a fun and easy way for kids to learn all about insects. Ages 4+

Bug-opedia

Nature Anatomy: The Curious Parts and Pieces of the Natural World

Here’s a beautifully illustrated book with nature facts and activities that inspire curiosity. Also, check out the accompanying workbook/journal for older kids and adults. Ages 4+

Nature Anatomy Book

Survivor Kid

Know a kid who loves to explore the wilderness? This book gives them the information, practice activities, and survival skills they need if they are ever lost or in a sticky situation. Ages 8+

Survivor Kid Book

Inspire young adventurers!

When our kids were growing up, we loved buying gifts that got them outdoors and sparked their curiosity! It helped them see the outdoors in new and fascinating ways. And, of course, they had great fun exploring and learning. As young adults, they still love nature!

So, no matter what age you’re buying for, you can’t go wrong with nature gifts! Hopefully, nature gifts will inspire your young explorer to get outdoors and experience nature in new and fun ways.

Related:

  • Free Fall Scavenger Hunt Printables: Fall Fun for Kids and Adults
  • Camping With Kids: How to Get Ready for Fun and Relaxing Kid-Friendly Camping
  • Try a Fun Winter Scavenger Hunt to Beat Cabin Fever! [+ free printables]
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Filed Under: Other, Outdoor Gifts & Essentials

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Des Moines Outdoors is a site dedicated to helping you find the best of everything outdoors in the state of Iowa. We’re native Iowans that, for over 25 years, camped, hiked, biked, and explored our home state. We encourage you to do the same.

There’s so much more to see and do in Iowa than many people imagine! Our goal is to help visitors and residents alike experience the best of our beautiful state.

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