You are on or hitting the road and then Christmas rolls around – eeeek, what am I meant to buy the kids…
It’s all a little overwhelming when you need ideas for yourself and on-top of that you often get asked by friends and family what to buy for your kids too. You want to keep ‘things’ to a minimum on the road and you don’t want to seem ungrateful for gifts you are given, but what are some ideas for things your kids will actually need and use?
Here is an extensive list of ideas for you including some coupons I made for my kids to cash in along the way. Find the link below to download these and use them yourself.
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Exploring Presents
Kids have so much fun being outside and exploring, so why not help them get even more into the great outdoors by purchasing them a magnifying glass like the one from Amazon or a pair of binoculars to scope out animals and walk further on those families hikes as they are distracted by zooming in on the world around them.
Another present my boys have loved is a bug catcher. They haven’t caught anything more than a dead centipede and a fly, but they have had many, many hours of entertainment from this.
Giving your children a treasure bag also allows you to minimise the amount of ‘things’ they collect. Once it is full they must leave a treasure behind to put in a new one. We have reused bags that the boys pyjamas came in, however there are some cool personalised bags out there that I think would make a fabulous gift.
Personalized Mesh Sea Shell Bag. Image: Wanting Studio
When it comes to collecting and preserving treasures and memories a flower drying kit or a travel journal from Little Aussie Adventurers might be exactly the present for your child.
Magnifying Glass. Image: Amazon
Adventure Presents
Continuing with adventure let’s look at water activities.
If your planning on spending a chunk of time around rivers, lakes, the ocean or pools, I’d definitely consider some of the following gifts for your kids.
If your head to QLD or the WA coast a snorkel kit will be used frequently and well worth the money. After a load of research we opted for the standard snorkel and mask for both our kids. To start our 3 year old off we used the Zogg Phantom mask and now he is learning on a normal snorkel like his brother.
Tahwalhi Junior Tide Dive Snorkel. Image: BCF
Having the ability to get on the water with a stand up paddle board (SUP) (this is the one we have here. You could opt for solid hull kayak or try an inflatable kayak allows for a new level of exploration. With some blow up SUPS you can get seats and paddles to set them up like a kayak also.
Tahwalhi Inflatable Stand-up Paddle Board 10’6″ Image: BCF
Body boards are also right up there for kids. They offer hours of fun for all ages with smaller kids on the shore line or out with the bigger break for those more experienced.
With hitting the ocean there are definitely parts of the country and times of the year where you will need a wetsuit. Check out this small family run Australian owned business for their toddler wetsuits – Move 2 Change. You can always check out the bigger surf brands too.
Kids Wetsuit Full Length Steamer – Jungle. Image: Move 2 Change
While we are talking about beaches a trusty bucket and spade is an awesome gift. We really like the flexible ones from Coast Kids as you can literally fit them anywhere and they don’t break. If your after your old school bucket, you can’t pass up the cheapies at Kmart.
Palm beach bucket. Image: Coast Kids
While traveling a heap of people spend time fishing. I won’t pretend to know anything about it but my little guys and their dad are keen to learn.
Getting a fishing rod and tackle box are all awesome presents for those hitting the road. We purchased rods and accessories from BCF. To go with your new rod we got fishing shirts for our little fella from Little Ripper Apparel and I found an awesome First Nations collective (Yarn) where I found fishing shirts for my husband and 5 year old.
Ocean Fishing Shirt. Image: Little Ripper
If your planning to stay at caravan parks, pool toys are light, don’t take up much space and are a friend magnet. We love the Wahu ones. The trusty pool noodle, I personally think these are a must have. Whether it’s playing in a pool, used as support for snorkelling or floating down a stream these beauties are well worth the couple of dollars they will set you back.
WAHU Surfer Dude. Image: Amazon
Outdoor and Sport Presents
If you are already sorted for the water activities, what about other things that aid family time. I love playing continuous tennis with my 3 year old. It helps his eye, hand coordination and I can let of steam if I need to. You can get a decent one from Kmart for just $12. A cricket set is a great way to get others involved and meet new friends. Beach cricket has always been an Aussie favourite. In the same vain soccer balls and footy balls, frisbee and grip-ball are always an easy and fun gift that’s guaranteed to be pulled out of the tunnel boot often.
Oh, I should add to this category Monster trucks and dump trucks (I love the brand Green Toys). Nothing beats playing outside in the dirt. I can just see my kids imaginations run wild creating jumps etc.
Indoor and Car Ride Presents
Ok so what about when it’s raining or it’s a long drive day?
You can’t go past including a deck of cards in your set up. Travel games like Sequence are a favourite of ours, but honestly the kids don’t play with much inside other than Lego and magnet tiles. Both have been amazing additions to the van and we will be cleaning out other toys prior to Christmas as they just don’t get used often enough, with the exception of the Bluey Caravan and Heeler 4WD Family Vehicle that my 3 year old LOVES.
In saying that puzzles are great and can be stored in glad bags and colouring-in books and pencils can often be a hit.
For those a little older a beautiful travel journey/diary would be a sensational gift.
Technology Presents
As kids get older technology plays a bigger role in their lives and therefore opens another category of gifts you can give. Our kids at 3 and 5 already love podcast and story times on Spotify. Gifting a yearlong Spotify Premium Subscription so the kids can skip the adverts would be a great gift.
With online games big amongst kids/tweens and teens, iTunes gift cards can be a way for them to have the ability for in game purchases. Other ideas for big ticket items include new phones to stay in touch with friends, iPads, laptops etc and of course Headphones to go with them so you don’t have to listen to whatever they are listening too! Our go to place for this type of purchase is JB HI FI and we always negotiate.
If you have adventure going kids, or kids who are into photography or capturing memories, a camera or Go Pro would be up there on the Christmas list too.
Lastly and more of a family present but some love setting up a movie on a big screen so a Projector would be ace for this! Check out the KickAss brand projector that you can pick up for about $130 on promotion. While talking about movies a fun little movie night hamper with all the goodies etc in it could bulk out any present.
Clothes and Shoe Presents
We are all out there trying to chase the sun, but the Australian weather is unpredictable, I’d recommend packing a raincoat. Shoes kids can shower in. Our kids much prefer Crocs to thongs as they are easier to run around in and I like the fact it’s a covered toe. Boots like Blundstones – the initial cost seems dear but our boys have not taken their boots off their feet for 2 months. I found them the cheapest here but prices are always changing so have a look around. I’d recommend if you can, go into store to try them on and then buy online or negotiate the price in store.
Crocs Unisex Kids classic clog. Image: Amazon
A light weight hooded Turkish towel like the towels from Stoked NZ. I picked up these for the whole family when visiting my sister in NZ, but they are by far the best thing I purchased before leaving for this trip and I absolutely love them. While we are talking towels. The sand free beach towels from Newlyfe are also great.
Paradise kids Towelies. Image: StokedNZ
I was hesitant to by rock shoes, I think they look a bit silly, but I caved and purchased some cheap ones. I’m glad I did as we have used them often. The cheap ones from Big W (kids) and Anaconda (adults) have worked well for us though and I am glad I didn’t spend anymore.
Hat, peak or broadbrim. Plenty of Akubra style hats out there that are fun, fashionable and functional.
You cannot travel Australia without at-least one pair of swimmers. There are so many designs and styles that this one really is personal choice.
Rash vests are a smart choice for being sun safe. I never realised but making sure rash vests are fluorescent colour so kids can be seen in the water more easily in case of unforseen incidents. Check out these ones by Bronte Co. On a side note the boys boardshorts from Bronte and co are second to none and also a great gift.
Father and Son Black & White Board Shorts. Image: Bronte
Other Cool ‘Stuff’ presents
Hammock – my little guy is getting on of these this year, there are lots out there. It’s great to relax in, offer a space for time out but also something to climb.
River Blue – Recycled Hammock with Straps. Image Nakie
Head torches or good hand held torches are a must when camping and caravanning so might as well get these for Christmas. Night walk, caves and exploring go hand in hand with this lifestyle.
Walkie talkies offer kids a little bit of supervised freedom. Being in contact lets them feel independent and they are definitely fun to use. They also double as a ‘marriage saving device’ when reversing the van.
For the first part of our trip we were all over the place with food and snacks and I could not bear the ‘I’m hungry’ one more time. I got some lunchboxes and pack these daily. The often go on ½ price. They have been a life saver and great for self help with the kids. I’ve also seen people create snack boxes out of tackle boxes which is super fun. I think these are a great gift.
Camping chairs are another uber practical gift, but buying or upgrading a chair is a perfect present for someone who loves the outdoors. There are a plethora of places to buy chairs and will come down to personal preference and budget. We opted for the light weight Oz Trail Cape series chair and love it, but DYOR on this one.
Stocking Filler Presents
Zooper Dooper (iceblock) holders. You can pick these up cheap on eBay, but also look out for the personalised ones from places like Label Like a Boss.
Cast iron jaffle iron for the fire pit is a great stocking filler and can be used to make both sweet and savory jaffles.
Cast Iron Jaffle Iron – Double. Image: Aussie Traveller
And while we are talking about fire, making a camp fire goodies kit (hot choc, mug, marshmallows, marshmallow roasting sticks, fun socks etc) is a great stocking filler too
I’d also highly recommend the kids take along their scooters and bikes, which would be an awesome big ticket gift if your kids don’t have them. We nearly adopted the either/ or mentality on this one and glad we didn’t. They have used them both enormously.
Remember, my fun Camping and Caravanning Coupons are available for you to download for free below. If you’re giving them as a gift be sure to give the corresponding cash to the parents to be able to fund the present!
Please leave your comments below if I missed anything or you found this a helpful resource.
Absolutely loved this roundup – so many clever, practical ideas that make travelling lighter and more enjoyable with kids (I’m definitely grabbing those flexible buckets and snorkel recs!).
As someone in the off-grid power space, I’d also suggest a portable lithium battery setup as a great gift for adventurous families. We’ve seen heaps of vanlifers and campers appreciate having reliable 12V power for fridges, lights, and even charging devices – makes life on the road so much smoother. If anyone’s curious, we’ve put together some compact battery solutions over at Muller Energy that are perfect for caravans and camper trailers.
Thanks for such a helpful list – bookmarking this for future Christmases!
— Ruben
Muller Energy – Best Lithium Battery in Australia