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Christmas gift ideas for free spirited kids

Christmas· Travel Accessories and Reviews

29 Nov

As I stood and watched the switching on of the Christmas lights in our local town, I soon realised that – dare I say it… Christmas is just around the corner. I am yet to start my Christmas shopping – I am well and truly a last-minute shopper. I guess that you could say that planning is not really my style, but maybe this year I will be different? We are usually the family rushing around on Christmas Eve buying last minute essentials, and always trying to get last-minute tickets to our local Christmas events. With three little ones in tow…. I guess I really could try to be organised. As a family, we love to ‘collect memories and not things’, but equally I love to see their little faces when they open the door and realise that the big man in black boots and a red suit has stopped by our house. Our kids love to spend time outside, so this year I have come up with 10 Christmas gift ideas for free spirited kids who love the great outdoors.

 *Please be aware that some of the items mentioned in this gift guide have been gifted, all opinions and thoughts are my own*

 

Mud kitchen

I am so excited about this gift. It is such a wonderful concept, and you can really let your imagination run wild. A mud kitchen! A child’s dream! My kids spend hours making potions and lotions and mud soup in our garden. I know it’s messy, but I also love kids to have mud on their clothes, sand in their hair and smiles on their faces. Mud kitchens are available from a number of retailers. This beautiful mud kitchen has been made for our little boy by the dad of one of my best friends. Its just beautiful.

 

Gardening tools

The girls both love to help out in the garden. A couple of months ago I designed a small corner of our garden for the messy play, with the mud kitchen, tyres for digging and planting, and a little tree stump stool and table. Needless to say this gorgeous pink gardening kit is a must have for Christmas for my girls. This set includes a metal bucket, fork, trowel, gardening gloves, and wooden markers, and comes in a gorgeous gardening bag and is available from www.findmeagift.co.uk.

RRP £13.99

 

Wellies

This leads me on to Wellington boots. Definitely a must have for any outdoor loving child. These wellies are from Kidunk and I absolutely love them. We have tested them over the Autumn and they get a huge thumbs up from our little girl.  They come in three colour options – red, yellow and blue. They are fleece lined to keep little feet warm, and have a drawstring toggle to keep sand, water and mud out……genius.

RRP £18.99 available online

 

Hape teepee

I love this beautiful Teepee tent – red.  It is great for both indoor and outdoor play and encourages role play and the use of imagination. It folds for easy storage and has accompanied us on many a camping trip over the Summer months.

RRP £54.99 available from Argos.

Ages 3+

 

Hape trail rider

This four-wheeled Hape trail rider will be perfect for our little man. It is designed for children who can not yet cycle, but are raring to go off on a little adventure! It is small enough to take away on our campervan travels to allow our youngest to gain confidence, have fun and explore on a smooth, flat and open space.

RRP £92.90 Available from Amazon
Age 12 months+

Pedal Racer 

I spotted this pedal racer recently, and I cannot wait for our eldest to give it a try. It is described as a cross between a classic bicycle and a modern skateboard. The idea is to perfect footwork, balance and arm movements to gain momentum. I’m thinking it may take a few hours of practice, patience, determination and balancing but once the skill is mastered it could lead to hours of fun……

RRP £24.00 Available from www.findmeagift.co.uk

 

Dressing up outfits

Anyone who knows my family will know that you can often find our girls climbing a tree or jumping in the mud in their wellies and tutu combo. Kids love fancy dress, don’t they? It is all about a sprinkling of magic, a huge amount of imagination and an abundance of fresh air. We have been a longstanding fan of Toadstools and tippytoes, a beautiful online shop  where you will find delightful tutus, fairy wings and beautiful magical craft kits.

 

Water play

We are big fans of water play toys in our house. They are great outdoors on those warm and sunny afternoons, great to use in a mud kitchen 🙂 and much loved indoors in the bath or sink. We often take a little bag full of toys away with us in our campervan for the kids to play on the beach or in the pool.

We love the Hape happy bucket set. Available online from Argos, and retails at £12.99

Hape Rainy Day Catching Set. A lovely colourful bath set featuring a fun umbrella theme. The idea is to drain water through the holes, and to throw the ball into it to score points. Available online from Argos. RRP £17.99

 

Midi Flyte Betty

When we spotted the Midi Flyte Betty I knew it would be popular with our little ones.  This gorgeous case is a great size for travel, has rock ‘n’ roll steering and the scooter folds away and locks in place making it easy to store. It is a fab concept when travelling with little ones… literally a case of scoot and go – what a genius idea to keep kids active and carry their luggage at the same time. Our eldest is going to love this, and will be fab for our weekends away that we have planned over the winter months.

Flyte is currently available in two different sizes (mini and midi) online and from other good retailers including Argos.

RRP £69.99

Ages 4-8 years

 

National Trust family pass

As you have probably gathered we are a family who love to spend time outdoors. We have asked for a National Trust family membership for Christmas. It is such a lovely idea for those who love the great outdoors.  You get free entry to over 500 beautiful places, and free car parking at most National Trust car parks. We love to spend time together as a family away from the screens, and this is a great gift to encourage quality time outdoors and to collect those wonderful memories. Head to the National Trust online for prices and more information.

As parents, we are great believers in ‘collecting memories and not things’…..An afternoon spent outdoors in the fresh air, mud, sand and water and just making memories ….for us is priceless. We try not to place importance on gifts if we can, but I do love to find gifts that encourage outdoor and active play, or that will be useful when camping or travelling.
I would love to hear any more gift ideas for children who love to spend their time outdoors.

 

I do love to hear what you think of my blog, do leave a comment. You can find us over on Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest and Twitter.

18 Comments

Previous Post: « Our favourite Christmas days out in Staffordshire and Cheshire
Next Post: Planning a family friendly holiday »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Cathy (MummyTravels) says

    December 8, 2017 at 12:41 pm

    Some really fun ideas and great ways to get kids outdoors – plus fleece lined wellies, what a brilliant idea!

    Reply
  2. Emma Raphael says

    December 8, 2017 at 7:54 pm

    Lots of lovely ideas there… We do the memories not things part of gifts as well, I often buy people experiences, especially when they don’t actually need anything! Need to get my Dad to make my toddler a mud kitchen, that’s amazing!! 🙂

    Reply
  3. Claire at Tin Box Traveller says

    December 9, 2017 at 7:27 pm

    I love the mud kitchen and our annual present from my parents is a National Trust pass – can’t beat it!

    Reply
  4. Lisa (Travel Loving Family) & Trips100 Editor says

    December 10, 2017 at 8:41 pm

    I LOVE that mud kitchen and I know my kids would too;) We are also big fans of experiences over gifts but agree that its nice to have that wow factor with gifts on xmas day!

    Reply
  5. Nell (Pigeon Pair and Me) says

    December 10, 2017 at 9:28 pm

    Ooh, I’ve been eyeing up those tutus for a long time! So fabulous. There are some lovely ideas here, but my favourite is still the handmade mud kitchen. x

    Reply
  6. Daisy - Dais Like These Family Travel Blog says

    December 10, 2017 at 9:47 pm

    Fab selection of gift ideas. I LOVE the look of the scooter bags – amazing!

    Reply
  7. Ting at MTM says

    December 11, 2017 at 9:19 am

    Some fantastic ideas here. We were brought an NT membership around 6 years ago and have never looked back! It’s a great gift for a family

    Reply
  8. Talya says

    December 13, 2017 at 11:55 am

    I love this gift guide so much! I had no idea you could even buy mud kitchens – how fab!

    Reply
  9. Anosa says

    December 13, 2017 at 1:34 pm

    I am so loving this gift guide, both my nephew and goddaughter could do with some wellies and loving how colourful the yellow ones are

    Reply
  10. Helen says

    December 13, 2017 at 1:48 pm

    Oh wow I LOVE that mud kitchen – such a fun way to bring the indoors outside and my daughter would have so much fun making a big mess 🙂

    Reply
  11. Sonia Cave says

    December 13, 2017 at 7:25 pm

    The mud kitchen looks so gorgeous and is right up our street.

    Reply
  12. Claire says

    December 14, 2017 at 8:05 am

    Aww, sounds like a great list for the little ones. The tutus are so adorable 🙂

    Reply
  13. Fi Ni Neachtain says

    December 15, 2017 at 12:02 pm

    These are all gorgeous gift ideas! I have two very wild, free-spirited, outdoor-loving boys who would love all of these gifts.

    Reply
  14. fashionandstylepolice says

    December 15, 2017 at 8:34 pm

    My kids love playing dress up. I think I need to get them some more dressing up outfits. Great items here.

    Reply
  15. Kara says

    December 16, 2017 at 4:33 pm

    I want to get mine a Flyte case, they are such a great idea aren’t they

    Reply
  16. Zena's Suitcase says

    December 20, 2017 at 4:53 pm

    I love all these ideas, especially the scooter flight case. I think that would be a big hit with my kids

    Reply
  17. Stephanie says

    December 20, 2017 at 8:54 pm

    Fantastic ideas, my twins would like a lot of these!

    Reply
  18. Jess Howliston says

    December 21, 2017 at 8:04 pm

    These are all such fantastic idea’s! I definitely have a free-spirited, puddle jumping, mud loving little lady who would absolutely love that mud kitchen!

    Reply

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Vanlife Family • Travel


Ad🌟Top Tip 🌟

Fairy lights dotted around a
Ad🌟Top Tip 🌟

Fairy lights  dotted around a climbing frame
 
= A few more extra hours outside over the winter months 

Add in a flurry of snow ....

#1000hoursoutside 

#wickeyadventure #wickeyplaytime #lockdown3


🚐Vanlife with kids 🚐

I often get messages a
🚐Vanlife with kids 🚐

I often get messages asking “where do you all sleep” and where did your toddler or baby  sleep in the camper ?

We bought our #t5 when our eldest was just 2, and we have had to adapt as our family has grown. We didn’t have the roof converted until much later so we tried a fair few sleeping options! 

I thought It might be helpful if I listed all of the sleeping options we have tried in our vwT5 because I often get questions about sleeping options with young kids.

⭐️Our new born baby slept in a sleepyhead in the camper as it was easily transportable and worked as  crib.

⭐️ We then found a deluxe travel cot that fit perfectly at the base of our rib bed and this worked from about 6 months 

⭐️We then moved on to a toddler inflatable air bed placed again at the bottom of our bed. We  found the toddler beds fit perfectly across the width of the van 

⭐️moving on we purchased a hammock that fitted over just the driver and passenger seat  and this worked great from about 3+

⭐️ Finally as our family grew... We  had our pop top roof added and the children slept well in the roof. We had a safety net fitted to the opening  of the roof and this allowed all our children to sleep in the roof safely and gave us some peace of mind - particularly as our son was young.

I’ve linked my post in my stories but do let me know if you have tried any other options that work for young children, particularly if you don’t have an elevating roof! Always here if I can help with anything or if you have any questions.

🌈


A vintage rainbow 🌈

Mucho love tonight - hope
A vintage rainbow 🌈 

Mucho love tonight - hope you are all doing okay x


💫Still one of my most favourite captures 💫

💫Still one of my most favourite captures 💫 

Just popping on to wish all of you a Happy New Year 💕

Here we are .... Still hanging out in tier 4, (but hey I have three lovely days off 🤩) we have all got this🙌🏻

For now I’m going to keep dreaming, planning, doing a bit of vanlife shopping and redesigning our campervan 😂 (so if any of you lovely vanlife peeps can share and tag me in a picture of your interiors I would be eternally grateful). 

Hey I may even get this dissertation done 🤣

If it’s okay I’ll keep sharing the little bits in between, and of course our van life tips and tricks over the new year, until we can explore once again. 

Thanks for sticking with us - happy new year to my faves, lots of love and stay safe 

The Otis and Us tribe xxx


🌲 And that’s me signing off for Christmas. 🌲 

Let’s hope 2021 brings some sunshine, plans, adventures and a glimmer of hope. 

To all my lovely friends, family and wonderful vanlife peeps, thanks so much for all the love and support this year. 

Wishing you all a Happy Christmas and New year from Otis and Us xxx

Ad / We are still loving our @wickey climbing fram
Ad / We are still loving our @wickey climbing frame, and so grateful to have this wonderful play area in our garden for the kids since the lockdown number two. 

It’s my last day of annual leave today. So we have spent the afternoon adding a few fairy lights to the MultiFlyer climbing frame - sprinkling a bit of magic and festive cheer out in the garden....

Moving on to the the camper next :) it definitely needs some fairy lights and a tree - Don’t you think? 🌲 

#wickeyadventure #wickeyplaytime #vimage


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Ad🌟Top Tip 🌟 Fairy lights dotted around a Ad🌟Top Tip 🌟

Fairy lights  dotted around a climbing frame
 
= A few more extra hours outside over the winter months 

Add in a flurry of snow ....

#1000hoursoutside 

#wickeyadventure #wickeyplaytime #lockdown3
🚐Vanlife with kids 🚐 I often get messages a 🚐Vanlife with kids 🚐

I often get messages asking “where do you all sleep” and where did your toddler or baby  sleep in the camper ?

We bought our #t5 when our eldest was just 2, and we have had to adapt as our family has grown. We didn’t have the roof converted until much later so we tried a fair few sleeping options! 

I thought It might be helpful if I listed all of the sleeping options we have tried in our vwT5 because I often get questions about sleeping options with young kids.

⭐️Our new born baby slept in a sleepyhead in the camper as it was easily transportable and worked as  crib.

⭐️ We then found a deluxe travel cot that fit perfectly at the base of our rib bed and this worked from about 6 months 

⭐️We then moved on to a toddler inflatable air bed placed again at the bottom of our bed. We  found the toddler beds fit perfectly across the width of the van 

⭐️moving on we purchased a hammock that fitted over just the driver and passenger seat  and this worked great from about 3+

⭐️ Finally as our family grew... We  had our pop top roof added and the children slept well in the roof. We had a safety net fitted to the opening  of the roof and this allowed all our children to sleep in the roof safely and gave us some peace of mind - particularly as our son was young.

I’ve linked my post in my stories but do let me know if you have tried any other options that work for young children, particularly if you don’t have an elevating roof! Always here if I can help with anything or if you have any questions.

🌈
A vintage rainbow 🌈 Mucho love tonight - hope A vintage rainbow 🌈 

Mucho love tonight - hope you are all doing okay x
💫Still one of my most favourite captures 💫 💫Still one of my most favourite captures 💫 

Just popping on to wish all of you a Happy New Year 💕

Here we are .... Still hanging out in tier 4, (but hey I have three lovely days off 🤩) we have all got this🙌🏻

For now I’m going to keep dreaming, planning, doing a bit of vanlife shopping and redesigning our campervan 😂 (so if any of you lovely vanlife peeps can share and tag me in a picture of your interiors I would be eternally grateful). 

Hey I may even get this dissertation done 🤣

If it’s okay I’ll keep sharing the little bits in between, and of course our van life tips and tricks over the new year, until we can explore once again. 

Thanks for sticking with us - happy new year to my faves, lots of love and stay safe 

The Otis and Us tribe xxx
🌲 And that’s me signing off for Christmas. 🌲 

Let’s hope 2021 brings some sunshine, plans, adventures and a glimmer of hope. 

To all my lovely friends, family and wonderful vanlife peeps, thanks so much for all the love and support this year. 

Wishing you all a Happy Christmas and New year from Otis and Us xxx
Ad / We are still loving our @wickey climbing fram Ad / We are still loving our @wickey climbing frame, and so grateful to have this wonderful play area in our garden for the kids since the lockdown number two. 

It’s my last day of annual leave today. So we have spent the afternoon adding a few fairy lights to the MultiFlyer climbing frame - sprinkling a bit of magic and festive cheer out in the garden....

Moving on to the the camper next :) it definitely needs some fairy lights and a tree - Don’t you think? 🌲 

#wickeyadventure #wickeyplaytime #vimage
If this year has taught us anything, it’s defini If this year has taught us anything, it’s definitely to not take anything for granted. To take each day as it comes and to enjoy the simple things in life, finding  joy in those ordinary moments. 

I don’t need reminding of this but family and friends are everything. As are good old hugs. (I miss hugs!) And plans. Blooming love a plan. 😍

So ill keep on bobbing on here if that’s okay? I’ll keep planning, writing about our campervan adventures and sharing our van life love and outdoor life. Because we have to have hope and we have to keep dreaming.... 

Hope you are all doing okay, sending a virtual hug if you need one this weekend. My inbox is ALWAYS open, always.
🚐 4 years! 🚐 4 years blogging!! Wowzers tha 🚐 4 years! 🚐

4 years blogging!! Wowzers that has flown by!! 

I’ve had lots of new followers lately so thought I would pop on and say hello and tell you a little bit about us.

I’m Katy and I am behind Otis and us travel blog. I started the blog during my maternity leave - really because I love taking photos and wanted  a place that the kids can look back on and to document our van life adventures. I  am a full time specialist nurse and also currently working on an MSc. I am a whirlwind and life is definitely jam packed but I wouldn’t have it any other way :) 

We love our beautiful T5!! We have made so many memories and taken some wonderful roadtrips over the years. We haven’t managed to get out in the van much this year, but hey I’ve still been dreaming ... hopefully next year🤞🏻🤞🏻

We have three free spirited kiddies who love nothing more than a road trip,  sleeping in the poptop roof, exploring, beach life and toasting marshmallows. 

Mr Otis and Us, what can I say? The chilled one who has so much patience😆. He drives the many miles, lives on coffee and never ever says no to my crazy road trips and ideas. 

So here we are - the Otis and Us tribe, popping on to say hi. 
 
Thank you so much for following along, for all your interaction and love. It means the world. I love to hear from you all, every message and every comment. Thank you 🙏🏻 

Hope you will stay with us for 2021 , 

Stay safe 

Katy xx 🌈

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