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Two 6 to 8-year-old kids in the forest catching bugs—a perfect backdrop for outdoor gifts.

Best outdoor gifts for 6-year olds, 7-year-olds, and 8-year-olds

Tools to get your school age kids out of the house and exploring.

Ali Y.
Editor-in-chief

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My youngest is eight. What I love most about this age is how inquisitive children are. They still think parents are cool and don’t have the teenage attitude that shows up as they get older.

Children around the ages of 6, 7, and 8 are also some of my favorites to buy gifts for. At this age, they can learn complex games, form their own social circles, develop hobbies, and get into organized sports.

Building on our general gift guide for outdoor gift ideas for kids, this is a list of my top outdoor gift picks specifically for children around the ages of 6, 7, and 8.

In a hurry? Here are just the top picks for every type of kid:

Several 10, 11, 12-year-old kids riding their bikes outside with helmets on.

Best outdoor gifts for 6 to 8-year-old boys and girls

Climbing rocks

You’ve been watching American Ninja Warrior or Ultimate Beastmaster, and your kids need to burn some energy. It might be time to get everybody out of the house and teach them some climbing skills. 

These climbing rocks/holds are amazing because they don’t require permanent installation and can go directly on a tree. It’s super easy to set up and it’ll give the gift of hours of outdoor playtime.

Scooter

This list would be incomplete without a scooter. As a parent, sometimes it’s you who wants to spend time outdoors, but good luck getting your kids off their devices.

Whenever my kids resist going on a family walk, I tell them they can ride their scooters. Just like that, they magically become more agreeable. Scooters are terrific because not only are they fun, but they can also be just the set of wheels your kid needs to get around to all the neighbors.

Slackline

Moving on to outdoor gift ideas that require some setup, let’s talk about slacklines. Stability, coordination, and balance are all tested when attempting a slackline. With some practice, your kid will amaze you with their new skills as they walk the line. 

If the whole idea of your child walking on a slackline makes you nervous, you’re not alone. Start out with an overhead training line and see your kiddo develop their skills before moving on to more daring acts. This particular gift pick is approved for up to 300 pounds so it’s unlikely your kids will outgrow it anytime soon.

Just a word of caution: If you are not the parent/guardian, be sure to get their permission before buying this as a gift because they may have a different risk tolerance than you do.

Water blasters

Water guns are fun for almost every age, but as kids start to get older, they’re going to want more than a dinky old water squirter. Luckily, you have some gift choices that will get “wowwws” on birthdays.

For some added cool factor, go with a fast-fill option that has good range (bright neon colors don’t hurt, either). My son, who has gone through several dozen water guns over the years, swears by the X-Shot Fast-Fill Water Blasters. Fills fast and squirts more than 30 feet.

Walkie Talkie

Get the neighborhood gang rolling with a set (or more) of walkie talkies. Walkie talkies aren’t exclusively for outdoor use, of course, but when coupled with an outdoor game (hide-and-seek, cops and robbers, or capture the flag), they can take outside fun to a whole new level.

Backyard tent

Create a mini outdoor escapade with a simple backyard tent setup and watch your child glow with excitement. Whether you end up spending the night outside or not (you should try!), a simple tent setup is the type of outdoor gift that fuels imagination and a love of the outdoors.

Archery set

I can tell you from first-hand experience these will entertain your kids for long stretches of time. In the fall, my son and daughter will stuff Target bags with leaves and make their own makeshift targets. The only reason I’m not recommending a specific product is because nothing we’ve purchased is extremely durable. If you’re OK with that, here’s a list of all the archery sets on Amazon.

Pro tip from my 11-year-old: In addition to wearing a handguard, apparently a windbreaker is the best way to protect your arm when using a bow and arrow.

Flying disc toy

Here is an outdoor toy and gift idea that’s practically a winner at every age. Your kids (or let’s face it, you) will have a blast launching flying disks in the air. I like it because it can be great as both a solo play activity and a group activity. This set includes two dinosaur-shaped launchers, eight saucers, and 10 LED flying saucers and gyros.

Snow tube

In the upper Midwest, we get snow consistently every year. My two kids have gone through so many sleds over the years and to be honest, nothing seems to last more than a couple of winters. These inflatable snow tubes/sleds are all the rage right now and my kids swear by them. 

Because they are round, they tend not to tip over. While you can’t really steer them, they are better handling bumps than the hard plastic sleds, which is better for younger kids. They can also do double duty as water tubes in the summer.

Inflatable 9-in-1 bounce castle

Your kids aren’t tiny anymore so a simple bounce house isn’t going to cut it. Enter bounce castle! This 9-in-1 inflatable structure includes a water slide, climbing wall, two basketball hoops, a water gun, and a target practice area. Ideal for multiple kids or if hosting a birthday party.

Kite

Kites make fantastic outdoor gifts for kids aged 6 to 8. They provide hours of playtime and give kids their first lesson in aerodynamics!

11/22/2024 11:30 am GMT

20-inch bouncy ball

When somebody mentions a bouncy ball, you may picture one of those tiny products they make for little kids. Upgrade to something that can handle the weight and energy level of a 7-year-old or 8-year-old, and watch them burn some serious energy. Works great for outdoor play at a park, in the backyard, or inside if you have a carpeted room like a finished basement.

Remote control boat

If you have access to a nearby pond, pool, creek, or beach, why not add to the outdoor fun with a couple of remote control boats? The range on these babies is listed at 328 feet—plenty of room to play, race, and even dive under water.

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Five kids outside chasing a soccer ball on the street.

Sports themed outdoor gifts for 6 to 8-year-olds

Fitbit

If you keep track of your own exercise and sleep, odds are your children are curious and want to mirror your behavior. Gifting them their own Fitbit is a great way to make exercising a family affair. You can see everyone’s progress on the same app—plus keep tabs on your kids’ sleep patterns.

Pugg pop-up soccer goals

As a former 3rd and 4th grade soccer coach, I can attest that these mini goals are must-haves for developing soccer skills. Unlike others I’ve had that require setup (and teardown), the Pugg brand goals pop up in a second and collapse just as easily when you’re done. This is a fantastic gift for the backyard or for taking to a nearby park to practice.

Teeball baseball batting set

It’s a pitching machine for kids! It throws plastic baseballs every seven seconds—perfect for your budding baseball/teeball player to build their skills and hand-eye coordination. Your child can practice outside without the need for an adult to constantly pitch balls. My advice: order an extra set of plastic balls because it only comes with five.

Franklin Sports MLB Kids Pitching Machine
Franklin Sports MLB Kids Pitching Machine
$34.99

Includes 5 Plastic Baseballs & Baseball Bat

Buy on Amazon
11/23/2024 07:46 am GMT

Nerf Vortex

I love when toys have enough staying power to last multiple generations. The Nerf Vortex Aero Howler Foam Ball is one of those gifts that makes you wonder who enjoys it more–the kid or the parent? This is one of the highest rated toys on Amazon and is a slam dunk of a gift item for outside play. Age-wise, I’d say 6-years-old and above because it picks up some speed as it cruises through the air.

Badminton/volleyball set

If you have space in your backyard, an adjustable badminton/volleyball set is the PERFECT gift idea for the whole family. This set comes with adjustable net, poles, boundary markers, racquets, a volleyball, and birdies. Sure you can buy something for cheaper, but the quality of this product is top notch and is worth every penny.

Looking from above on two girls holding a wrapped present on a table.

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