Blog Post
Mother’s Day Gifts an Outdoorsy Mom Actually Wants
Mother’s Day has a tendency to drift into the same familiar ideas: spa vouchers, candles, bath sets, flowers that last a week.
And while those can be nice, they often miss the point for a very different kind of mom, the one who would rather be outside.
The outdoorsy mom doesn’t want more things that sit on a shelf. She wants things that help her get outside more easily, more often, and with less friction. She wants gear that keeps up with real life: muddy trails, wet weather, snack stops on logs, and kids who never want to head back.
So here’s a different kind of Mother’s Day gift guide, focused on what actually gets used.
1. Something that helps carry the load
Outdoor time with kids often means carrying snacks, water, spare clothes, and sometimes a very tired child. The Poco Carrier is our go-to for long hikes. My 2 year-old daughter and I are able to comfortably go on "Mama and Daughter" hikes using ours. We've had it since she was one and our only regret was not getting one sooner.
2. A stylish and practical beach bag
I think I've seen every Mom in our town with this bag at the beach, but for good reason. The Sande Kids backpack can fit everything I need and more for beach days. Particularly useful for days when it's just my daughter and I. I'm more of a backpaul kind of gal, but they also have a very stylish mesh bag that I've heard rave reviews about too.
3. A comfortable chair
I've had this chair since before I was a mom. The REI Flexlite Camping Chair has been to festivals, campfires, picnics, and beach days. Not only has it served me well for 10+ years, but now it's because my favourite chair to use when my daughter wants to nap on me at the beach. It's perfect for breastfeeding moms so you're not forced to sit on the ground when trying to feed on adventures.
3. The ultimate running stroller
Now this is a bit of splurge item, but the Thule Urban Glide 3 stroller is my lifeline. I'm a runner, so for me this stroller has been my ticket to freedom. It is so unbelievably smooth (every one of my friends that has tried it responds with "OMG!" when they feel the suspension). We've put over 5,000km per year on our stroller (so around 10,000km on it in total now), and it's still working fabulously.
My hot tip for any running mom expecting a baby: SKIP THE TRADITIONAL STROLLER. You don't need it. Get this and you will thank me.
My other hot tip: If you feel ready to run but are worried about the bouncing for younger babies, get the car seat adapter so that you can keep bub safely in the capsule while you run. This allowed me to start running with our daughter when she was 10 weeks old (after approval from both of our doctors, of course).
4. A nice rain jacket
It took me a year of freezing in the rain to realise that not only should I get my daughter the appropriate rain attire, but that I should actually invest in some decent gear for myself. This REI Trailmade Rain Jacket is perfect for mama's to stay warm and dry while puddle jumping with their little humans.
5. A protective sun hat
The only part about being outdoors so much that I struggle with is the impact on my skin. In order to avoid coming home looking like absolute tomato every day, I make sure I'm always wearing a hat, especially in the Australian sun. Bucket hats are all the rage again (I think), and I love this stylish Cotopaxi Tech Bucket Hat.
6. A massage
Being an outdoorsy mom can be exhausting and tough on the body. My personal request for Mother's day every year? A massage. 90 minutes of bliss, alone. Highly recommend.
And a big shout out to all the mamas out there, I see you. Doing the juggle, showing up in the rain, carrying all the things, and still finding ways to get outside with your kids. Wild Sprout exists for these moments, because outdoor childhoods are built by mothers like you, one ordinary day at a time.
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