The Most Versatile Outdoor Gear For Toddler Parents

Veer's Cruiser is suitable for all terrains, and transports nearly all ages of littles. Car seats ... [+] can easily snap onto the top for treks with infants, and toddlers are easily secured with a harness.

Transitioning from babyhood to toddlerhood means more mobility and more fun outdoors. But it also likely means some more appropriate gear might help facilitate getting new walkers and talkers out and about in a safe, helpful way. Here are the best pieces of gear to get older babies and toddlers out and about for hiking, camping and weekends at the beach.

Starting from infancy with a bassinet, and transitioning through toddlerhood with an upright seat, ... [+] Bugaboo's Fox 5 might just be the best looking, smoothest stroller ride.

Bugaboo Fox 5

This new stroller is the latest iteration of Bugaboo’s famed, all-terrain Fox series. Coming in a new, cool-mom (and dad) friendly matte black colorway, the Bugaboo Fox 5 makes for the chicest walk through the neighborhood. A simple one-hand fold can adjust the handlebar, recline the seat, or fold it all up to stick it in the trunk at the end of a busy day. Advanced suspension and extra-large wheels might just make the Fox 5 the smoothest stroller-ride yet. For active parents with an eye on their carbon footprint, take note that CO2 emissions have been reduced by 20% for the production of this stroller, by using a mass-balanced, bio-based material.

Kelty's Journey Perfect Fit children's carrier can wrangle any child over 16 pounds, securely, for ... [+] treks long, short, sunny and chilly.

Kelty Perfect Fit Carrier

There is nothing cuter, and more convenient, that plopping a curious toddler into the back of Kelty’s Perfect Fit children’s carrier. Baby is comfortable and secure within a five-point harness and padded aluminum roll cage, and a proprietary suspension system can be easily adjusted to fit mom or dad. For day-long hikes, a zippered, dirty compartment can be used for unsuspected diaper changes and a large, zippered pocket with internal stretch can store extra layers and toys. Handy for any terrain, the pack has multiple grab handles to easily lift and set down the carrier anywhere.

The easiest to open pack-and-play, Veer's Basecamp pops open in a second and provides a shaded, ... [+] insect-proof tent for the outdoor-adventuring toddler.

Veer Basecamp

While the Veer Basecamp might look like it’s just the cutest little baby tent, it’s actually a brilliant invention for curious toddlers who need to be contained outdoors, with shade and insect protection. Think beach days, lake weekends and happy hours in the backyard. Conveniently for the parent who doesn’t have time for major setup and breakdown (everyone), the tent pops up in seconds and packs down just as easily. Once popped open it measures 56" wide x 43" deep x 35" high. Mesh sides all around and a mesh roof mean parents can easily check in on what’s happening inside from any angle. For any popping up on tile or other questionable ground, a separate Air Pad can be purchased to provide a cushy, safe base.

Veer's Cruiser works just as well transporting a toddler, or two, at the farmer's market as it does ... [+] on the trail or through snow or sand.

Veer Cruiser

The Veer Cruiser is a cult product for a reason. Facebook groups are dedicated to it, and those who use one swear by its versatility. Toddlers who are over being trapped in a stroller somehow love the wagon. It can replace a double stroller, act as a super-stroller on any terrain and store a family’s worth of gear, plus an infant car seat. In terms of security and comfort, a three-point harness keeps kids safe and in addition to the standard seating, an extra comfort seat for toddlers is available as an add-on purchase. Seat backs and side walls fold down with one hand for storage, making it fit easily into the trunk or gate check when traveling. It’s a very fun swap for a stroller at the farmer’s market, for neighborhood walks and sand or snow treks where its rugged tires make extra mobility necessary. And double cup-holders mean both parents can store a much-deserved cold brew.

Kelty's lightweight, large and easy-to-pack Sunshade can provide shade in any outdoor environment, ... [+] making any stop along the trail (or backyard) more toddler-friendly.

Kelty Sunshade with Sidewall

Yes, the Kelty Sunshade is an excellent piece of gear for seriously outdoorsy weekends of camping or multi-day festivals, but it’s just as handy for afternoons at the beach and the park. Anywhere that can be made safer or more enjoyable with some shade, the Kelty Sunshade can help. It’s easy to put together, and comes with three poles and stakes to secure the shade to the ground. The shade also includes storage pockets for stashing sunny day necessities like snacks and sunscreen. When opened and in use it covers 78 square feet of space, and when packed into an included backpack weighs 12 pounds.

The Motorola Rock 500 can stream parent-preferred Spotify playlists, or tunes for baby, via ... [+] Bluetooth.

Motorola ROKR 500 Portable Speaker

Nearly every outdoor adventure needs some tunes. The right mood for the pool, the beach, the woods or the lake is often made by a smartly curated playlist. Also any outdoor outing with toddlers can be made more adorable with their sweet dancing to favorite music. The Motorola ROKR 500 portable speaker is Bluetooth-enabled to stream any Spotify playlist and waterproof to protect against toddler-splashing.