One of our biggest passions here at Field & Stream is stewarding the next generation of young hunters and anglers. The best way to get kids hooked is to give them gear that makes being outside more fun and helps them build skills along the way. Our editors narrowed down some of our favorite picks for getting kids excited about hunting, fishing, and spending time outdoors. From first fishing rods to kid-friendly binoculars, these are the gifts young outdoorsmen will actually use.
Best Fishing Gifts for Kids
Zebco Dock Demon Rod & Reel Combo
Zebco Dock Demon Rod & Reel Combo
Small enough for kids to handle but tough enough to last for years, the Zebco Dock Demon is one of the best (and most popular) starter combos around. The 30-inch fiberglass rod is easy to cast, while the pre-spooled reel gets young anglers on the water without any complicated setup or hassle.
Huk Kids Rogue Wave Boots
Huk Kids Rogue Wave Boots
The Huk Rogue Waves are our experts’ favorite fishing boots—and it turns out they come in kids sizes, too. Made with a full neoprene and rubber upper and sporting an easy-to-slip-on ankle design, they’ll keep your little one’s feet dry and comfortable all day.
Knockaround Kids Polarized Sunglasses
Knockaround Kids Polarized Sunglasses
Help them spot more fish with a pair of these polarized fishing sunglasses. They’re lightweight, impact-resistant, and feature UV400 protection to minimize glare. Plus, they come in a rainbow of colors for any kid’s preferences, including lime green, blue camo, and sparkly pink.
The World Encyclopedia of Fish
The World Encyclopedia of Fish
They’ll learn everything they’ve ever wanted to know about fish of every kind in this illustrated guide, which includes more than 1,200 saltwater and freshwater species with beautiful watercolor pictures. It covers the gamut from salmon and trout to sharks and marine mammals.
Plano Tackle Box for Kids
Plano Ready Set Fish Tackle Box
Every angler—no matter their age—needs a trusty tackle box. This one from Plano is designed specifically for kids, with two expandable trays perfect their growing collection of lures and baits. Bonus: It’s made of super tough plastic that will stand up to even the most rambunctious kiddo.
Columbia PFG Junior Hat
Columbia PFG Junior Hat
Whether they’re chasing bluegill at the pond or bass at the lake, this Columbia PFG Junior hat offers comfortable sun protection. The breathable cap has an adjustable fit and classic style that’s made for days on the water.
Bassdash Kids Fly Fishing Vest
Bassdash Kids Fly Fishing Vest
If fly fishing is their pursuit of choice, outfit them with this kids fishing vest. The adjustable design will help it fit comfortably over the years as your little one grows (so they can wear it for more than one season!), and it boasts 18 pockets for plenty of storage space.
Best Hunting Gifts for Kids
Vortex Bantam Youth Binoculars
Vortex Bantam Youth Binoculars
These youth-sized binoculars are built for little hunters, with a lightweight, rugged design that’s easy for smaller hands to handle. The 6.5x magnification and wide field of view make it easy to spot deer and other wildlife.
KUIU Youth Gila Hoodie
KUIU Youth Gila Hoodie
For kids who are tagging along on warm-weather hunts, this lightweight hoodie provides UPF 50+ sun protection without weighing them down. The breathable, quick-drying fabric helps keep them cool and comfortable, while the hood and extended cuffs add extra coverage.
Bass Pro Shops Timber Scout Toy Rifle
Bass Pro Shops Timber Scout Toy Rifle
Time to let the backyard hunting games begin. This toy rifle comes with TrueTimber camo, realistic rifle sounds, and eight play shells to load and eject, giving little hunters a fun way to play along.
Haydel’s DR-85 Duck Call
Haydel’s DR-85 Duck Call
One of our experts’ favorite duck calls for beginners, the Haydel’s DR-85 is easy to blow and makes realistic mallard sounds without requiring much practice to get started. Its double-reed design and adjustable wedge make it a great first call for a young hunter learning the ropes.
Sitka Youth Beanie
Sitka Youth Beanie
Keep little hunters warm in the stand with this heavyweight fleece beanie from Sitka. It provides full-coverage warmth with a breathable, moisture-managing design.
Bear Royale RTH Compound Bow
Bear Royale RTH Compound Bow
A great beginner compound bow, the Bear Royale RTH is lightweight, easy to draw, and built to grow with them. The draw weight adjusts from 5 to 50 pounds, while the ready-to-hunt package includes everything they need to get started.
Best Outdoor Gifts for Kids
Yeti Rambler Jr. Water Bottle
Yeti Rambler Jr. Water Bottle
Meet the kid-sized Yeti built to handle the outdoors. The Rambler Jr. keeps water cold with double-wall vacuum insulation and stands up to drops thanks to its tough stainless-steel construction. Bonus: The 12-ounce size is easy for little hands to carry.
Gerber Dime 12-in-1 Multi-Tool
Gerber Dime 12-in-1 Multi-Tool
For the young hunter who’s always tinkering with gear, the Gerber Dime packs 12 tools into a compact, pocket-friendly design. They’ll have everything they need in the field, including pliers, wire cutters, scissors, screwdrivers, a file, and tweezers.
Cobra Kids Walkie Talkies
Cobra Kids Walkie Talkies
These earned our pick for Best for Kids in our tested walkie-talkie guide, thanks to their simple controls and kid-friendly design. The Cobra walkie-talkies offer up to 16 miles of range in ideal conditions, plus a volume knob, two easy-to-select channels, and a call alert—just the thing for kids exploring the backyard, campsite, or woods.
Everbrite Kids Headlamp
Everbrite Kids Headlamp
For kids who love feeling like part of the adventure, this headlamp makes a fun stocking stuffer they’ll actually put to use. The adjustable, lightweight design keeps their hands free for exploring, while multiple light modes let them choose the right beam for the job.
Backyard Adventure First Aid Kit
Backyard Adventure First Aid Kit
Every young outdoorsman (or woman!) should have a first-aid kit of their own, and this one makes being prepared a little more fun. The woodland critter case comes stocked with bandages, hand sanitizer, and antibiotic ointment for everyday cuts and scrapes, along with a carabiner they can clip onto a backpack.
Why Trust Us
For more than 125 years, Field & Stream has been providing readers with honest and authentic coverage of outdoor gear. Our writers and editors eat, sleep, and breathe the outdoors, and that passion comes through in our product reviews. You can count on F&S to keep you up to date on the best new gear. And when we write about a product—whether it’s a bass lure or a backpack—we cover the good and the bad, so you know exactly what to expect before you decide to make a purchase.
EXCITING NEWS
Membership Now Includes
