ArcaMax

By Nicola Bridges

If your kids love camping, they'll love getting gifts of games and gadgets for outdoor play and adventurous fun. From kid-play fake campfire s'mores to night-vision and glow-in-the-dark games, here are some favorites for tots to teens, many that are fun for the whole family to enjoy outdoors.

What's Next? A Life-size Game, M&J Games: In this fun, active, educational and amusing life-size game, which comes with a giant rubbery dice and big weatherproof cards, you and the kids are the puzzle pieces. The special-needs version is great and accessible for keeping neurodivergent kids engaged and entertained.

Let's Explore Campfire S'mores Play Set, Melissa & Doug: This 23-piece pretend-play campfire comes with double-sided marshmallows (uncooked and cooked), toasting sticks, cardboard crackling flames, logs and wooden saw, an activity book, and, of course, pretend wooden chocolate pieces and graham crackers. With a mesh bag, it's easy to carry along for camping trips or outdoor play anywhere.

Outside Inside Axe Throwing, GSI Outdoors: These foam axes include gripper strips that stick to an easy-to-hang-anywhere collapsible target let fast-throwing kid campers and adults connect with their inner lumberjack for lots of outdoor laughs.

Softshell Ice Cream Ball, UCO: Anyone who loves ball toss and ice cream will love getting this ball that makes ice cream in minutes with just a few added ingredients and no electricity required. Just toss it, shake it and roll it for a great dessert activity.

Grizzly Bear Games Play Set, Melissa & Doug: This cute game includes bear heads with sticky snouts and paws with self-stick hook-and-loop tabs to hunt and scoop up bear snacks that include plush toy trout, moths and huckleberries. The map and activity card included also teach kiddos how to spot bears.

Outdoor Knots, Waterproof Plastic Fan Pack, REI: Have fun learning to tie 20 different knots for any situation, from a bowline, butterfly knot and clove hitch to a double fisherman's, sheep shank and timber hitch. The pocketsize card packs come with a belt clip, and each shows easy-to-follow how-to steps and situations for when to use each knot.

Canoe Cribbage Board Set, GSI Outdoors: For anyone who loves the lake, canoeing or camping, this beautifully crafted hand-painted resin board kicks a game of cribbage up a notch. Perfect for rain-day camping, RV or cabin trips.

Toddler Nightvision Binoculars, Smart Kids Planet: Ergonomically designed for tots to hold and with large, comfy eye cups for little eyes, these binoculars feature focus-free clear vision to light up curious children's faces when they see objects brought to life in the dark for some wonderous nighttime entertainment.

Night Quest Voyager Adventure Kit, Wild Life Outdoor Adventures: Keep kids entertained after dark examining the night sky with this kit that contains activities, an illustrated field guide, and tools for stargazing and nocturnal adventures. The kit includes a headlamp, star-wheel planisphere, water bottle, constellation flash cards, glow sticks and glow-in-the-dark stickers.

Zoom Tube Monocular, Nocs: Teens will dig this ultra-compact single optical lens that brings far-away nature up-close and personal. Add an Inspector Microscope 4x Multiplier Lens attachment and they'll be nose-close to flowers, trees and the campsite floor, looking bugs and insects in the eye, magnified fourfold.

Nite Ize Flashflight Flying Disc, REI: You can toss this perfectly balanced, rechargeable Frisbee day and night thanks to its brilliant lights, making Frisbee toss the perfect activity for after-supper camping or backyard barbecue fun.

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WHEN YOU GO

What's Next? $44.99: mj-games.com

Let's Explore Campfire S'mores Play Set, $34.99: melissaanddoug.com

Outside Inside Axe Throwing, $36.95: gsioutdoors.com

Softshell Ice Cream Ball, $44.99: ucogear.com

Grizzly Bear Games Play Set, $37.99: melissaanddoug.com

Outdoor Knots, Waterproof Plastic Fan Pack, $6.76: rei.com

Canoe Cribbage Board Set, $36.95: gsioutdoors.com

Toddler Nightvision Binoculars, $53.99: smartkidsplanet.com

Nightquest Voyager Adventure Kit, $40: jointhewildlilfe.com

Zoom Tube Monocular, $75: Inspector Microscope 4x Multiplier Lens, $35; nocsprovisions.com

Nite Ize Flashflight Flying Disc, $35: rei.com

Nicola Bridges is a freelance writer. To read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com.

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