Best Outdoor Gear for Families This Spring

Iksplor's merino wool base layers are our top pick for keeping kids comfortable no matter what the weather throws as them. Merino wool is known for being moisture wicking, providing warmth while also being lightweight.

These base layers can easily be worn under ski clothes for spring ski sessions or as pajamas on your next campout. Merino wool thermals are the go to item for all of our outdoor adventures.

While you are at it, check out their new addition, a lightweight 48" x 48" wool blanket perfect for sitting by the campfire or snuggling up on a windy beach.

Save 20% on your order when you use the code "mtnmama"

Spring brings the showers and flowers, so what better way to be prepared for your explorations than with these adorable women's rain boots. In LA we don't often have the opportunity to wear rain boots, but these Merry People wellies will make you want to seek out a rainy destination just for the fun of wearing these adorable boots.

Designed for everyday wear, these 100% waterproof boots are made out of natural rubber. In addition to being adorable, they are durable and provide good arch support while also keeping your feet warm. The most difficult part will be deciding which color(s) to purchase.

Are you looking to get out camping with the kiddos this spring? If so, you must have one of the world's warmest sleeping bags on hand for your babies and kiddos! Morrison Outdoors offers up these adorable bags that are so perfect for families looking to be outdoors even when it's a bit chilly this spring.

These baby sleeping bags by Morrison Outdoors ensure your little one won't roll out of their bag with the sleep sack style and zipper closure. Apart from camping, these bags are also great for use in your stroller. Available in sizes 6-24 months and 2-4 years as well as 20 degree and 40 degree options.

You have the thermals, you have the boots, and the sleeping bags, now you need the tent! Check out this amazing 6 person tent by UST for your next camping adventure. The House Party tent is a welcome addition to any family camping adventure. With expandable walls, quick setup, and front and rear doors you will have people oohing and ahhing over your tent at the campground for sure!

This 3 season tent offers an amazing amount of interior space for your whole family, allowing space for baby cots, air mattresses and space to move around.

Another wool recommendation here - can you tell how much we love our Merino wool these days? I am a huge fan of wool all year-round, and Merino wool is sustainable and long lasting which is great for grown ups and kids alike looking to add quality pieces to their outdoor sets.

Originally from New Zealand, Nui Organics is known as one of the first sustainable and natural brands for children. Now, they are also known around the world for both women’s and children’s clothes.

This spring we are loving the Merino-Silk blend hoodies for kids (and currently sold out for women). For those of you not sold on wool yet, it is temperature regulating and odor resistant meaning it's perfect for travel and outdoor adventures when you want to pack light, but stay cozy no matter the weather. Don't forget to also check out their amazing wool socks too!

I’m sure you have seen these stylish Tifosi sunglasses all around town. They are sold everywhere outdoor folks shop from REI to my local running shop! The reason.. they are amazing. My son has a pair of the new 2021 Shutout youth glasses and LOVES them. He calls them his police glasses. He wears them everywhere from our bike rides to hikes to even his online piano class.  These are a definite must for kiddos and grown ups too looking to get out more this spring. 

Check out their range of kids glasses and these super colorful women’s glasses perfect for cycling, hiking, running and whatever else you can throw at them. Tifosi Optics offers a variety of cool frames for everyday use as well as for sports. For the price point, the Swanks never break or buckle like other brands in the $25 range. Rest assured your eyes are being well taken care of as well as these are 100% UVA/UVB protective lenses.

You have your base layers sorted, but now you need the outerwear to get you out the door.  Reima is a fabulous company with a focus on providing durable, non-toxic and environmentally friendly gear to enable families to get out and explore more.  Their soft shell pants and jackets make a perfect addition to keep kids warm and dry this spring. The softshell jacket has a fleece liner, detachable hood and are dirt and water repellent. The hiking pants provide UPF 50+ sun protection, are made with quick dry materials and include kid approved zip off legs! 

Save 20% on your order when you use the code “mtnmama”

Looking for some fun to add to your helmets? We are in love with these cute helmet magnets that attach easily to your helmet. Helmet Flair allows you to get creative with decorative helmet accessories. These are compatible with pretty much every helmet out there, without limiting the effectiveness of the helmet! We have the white devil horns and the unicorn horn which are adorable and get lots of comments while out bike riding. Helmet Flair also offers cat ears and a banana (why not!). We love anything that adds fun and creativity to our outdoor adventures and these take the cake. 

Use the code LFA5OFF to save 5% on your order

This portable campfire and grill set from Wolf and Grizzly is a great addition for those who like dispersed camping to those who want/need an additional set up at their established campground. The Campfire Trio is also a great addition for the backyard campout.

This portable campfire is compact, folding up to the size of an envelope! We also love that it contains the coals/wood in a small section making it perfect for cooking on the grill. The grill set includes a grill, fire safe, fire starter and a bag to store it all in. This super light set should be on every families spring gear wish list. 

Has your child challenged you to bike 500 miles this year like mine? If so, you might want this amazing Espin Nesta fold up bike. I know I want it! The Espin Nesta folds up for easy storage, but is also quick and easy to get back on the road. This awesome bike comes with the ability to ride up to 25 miles per hour and up to 40 miles in one charge.  With pedal assist and throttle assistance, this is the perfect addition to any spring bike challenge you might have been subjected to. The included fat tires are ideal for use on paved roads and dirt trails. If you are looking for more of a mountain bike feel check out their Sport electric bike. I literally have dreams about these bikes while trudging up the trails my son pushes me on.

We recently saw this out on the local mountain bike trails and have been obsessed! If you have little ones that you want to get out on the trails, but just not sure how they will manage, the TowWhee bike strap is just what you need.  The main purpose of this bungee cord is to allow you to connect a 2nd rider to your bike without worrying about dangling ropes or accidents because they are too close. The TowWhee adds a soft pull as your kids get further behind. So if you want to get your kids going uphill on adventurous terrain, this is a must for your spring gear collection! Jessica from Bring the Kids says it has been a game changer for her family allowing the kids to go much further on more difficult trails than they normally would have been able to do on their own. 

For sustainability purposes, once your child outgrows the need for the TowWhee strap, it can be used for even more – towing your kayak, connecting inner tubes on the river, or even for walking your dog!

Do you plan on getting out into bear country this spring? If so, this bear spray needs to be in your go kit. The Sabre Bear Spray has maximum stopping power and a reach of 35 feet which keeps you safely out of harm’s way. The other important part of having a bear spray is making sure that it is easily accessible in either a hip or chest holster. No use in having spray tucked deep inside your backpack now is there?

You know what is even better about this set – it includes a practice canister, so that you can learn how to use the bear spray before ever confronting an actual bear. 

No matter where you go with kids, you always need to have food on hand. Since we are all about being as green as possible, we choose to use reusable containers as much as possible. While I have tried many brands through the years, I continually find myself coming back to one of the most trusted names in outdoor insulated gear – Stanley.

We are loving their Adventure Stainless Steel All in One Food jar and the Adventure Stay Hot Camp Crock. The All in One food jar is perfect for picky eaters with the secret compartment to keep things seperate – crackers, granola, you name it! It also includes a spork so you don’t have to remember to add extra utensils when on the go.

The Adventure Stay Hot Camp Crock is the go to item for your spring outdoor events or camping trips. We love to take a ready made meal on our first night of camping and this is ideal for that or park BBQs. Designed to keep things hot or cold, this crock can also double as an ice bucket. LOVE!

What kind of adventure can you have without a Stanley on board? None I say. 

Do you want to get outdoors for a new adventure, but not sure how to go about it? 57Hours is a great resource for hiring a guide for all your outdoor adventures. This open platform will connect you with trained and certified outdoor professionals all over the world. This is a great resource for families looking for safe, personalized tours without the worry of trip planning and route finding! They have all sorts of adventure sports and activities like backcountry skiing, rock climbing and mountain biking. 

While we are long past the years of riding tandem, Kids Ride Shotgun is a great piece of equipment to add to your bike riding arsenal if you have kids between the ages of 2-5. Kids Ride Shotgun believe that it’s much better for kids to ride in front as they are more of an active participant in the process, can begin to gain balance on an actual bike seat with handle bars and can see where you are going to learn navigation. This seems like the coolest bike seat for kids to really get them engaged in riding bikes. I can imagine that if we had this when my son was younger he would have been much more ready to hop on his own bike ready to roar!

Heading out on the road or for a campout this spring? Check out these super fun games and activity books from Cruisin and Campfires for the drive to your campsite, while in the car or even just as you are making your way across town. Designed by mom Kimberly Crossland, these fun activities will keep your kids ages 2 – 7 entertained and busy no matter where you are this spring.

Do mosquitoes eat you alive the moment you step outside? Yeah, me too! This Mozzie Gear Mozzie Jacket is the perfect answer to keep you from itching away all spring and summer long. This lightweight airy jacket keeps the mosquitos, ticks and other biting creatures away while still allowing your clothes underneath to be seen. The hood, zip up front and pockets are great for wearing on the go for backyard BBQs to hiking deep in the woods! I just wish they also had this in children’s sizes as the worst part of spring is slathering on bug spray. 

Use coupon code LFA to save 10% off.

Does you kids seek out every single puddle that exists? Of course they do! To keep the toes dry and mud free this spring, add a pair of Kuoma rain boots to your gear list.

Kuoma produces kids gear that is made to endure the harsh weather, while also providing comfort. Their selection of adorable rubber boots for kids are the perfect addition for puddle hopping this spring.

Want to share your love of the outdoors with everyone? What better way than these awesome vintage tee-shirts from American Backcountry. One of the first who printed on moisture wicking shirts, these guys go the distance to produce quality products. 

I love the Solar Performance Long Sleeves that feature national parks, maps and even some amazing trails. The lightweight fabric offers sun protection with UPF 50+.

Grizzly Coolers are a must have for outdoor enthusiasts. Made in Iowa, the Grizzly is the go to whether you are camping, tailgating or heading to the beach. For those of you in bear country, you will be happy to know these hard sided coolers are bear resistant too!

The rugged Grizzly coolers are awesome looking and come in a variety of sizes no matter what your needs might be. For smaller picnics or day trips consider the Grizzly G20, while those of you looking for camping or bigger get togethers might be interested in the Grizzly G60 or G75. The Grizzly G60 is the go to for long weekend car camping trips, while the bigger Grizzly G75 is great for even longer trips. Holding a ton of ice and supplies inside, this will be your favorite outdoor accessory this spring and summer.  Mel at TravelingMel swears by her Grizzly Cooler that they use every summer on the river.

Are you like us and sucked into the RV craze this year, but don’t have the funds to buy your own? Well here you go, the ultimate in best outdoor gear an RV rental! RVezy.com is a peer to peer platform that allows owners of RVs to rent out their RV to people like you and me. With this market expanding exponentially this year, it’s hard to know who to trust when renting something like this. RVezy is North America’s top rated RV rental marketplace, providing outdoor enthusiasts with a safe and affordable way to rent unique and authentic RVs from private owners.

With rates starting at $47 a night, you are sure to find something that works for your family and your budget. Bonus for families nervous of driving their first RV, you can arrange to have one set up for you at a campground, national park, or other destination.

Fellow outdoor mama, Amelia Mayer (and contributor on this Spring Gear Guide) from Tales of a Mountain Mama is always happy to share tips on how to get kids out on the trail or even the backyard! Her new book offers 35 fun projects and ideas to keep kids active outdoors. Geared towards children aged 6-9, this is the go to gift this spring for outdoor lovers and those you want to get more engaged in nature.