Adventure Headlight
A battery-powered headlight perfect illuminating your for outdoor explorations. Not a toy, recommend 8+.
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Backyards, sidewalks, the sky
Anywhere
Nature isn’t only out on the trail. It’s in the backyard, along the sidewalk and in the sky overhead: robins, ladybugs, earthworms and the oak down the street. Picks for little explorers wherever you live, and wherever you’re headed.
8 picks · ages 0–5
On the shelf
All year round
Kid Explorer Kit
We've been on the lookout for a duratble, intuitive, not-too-plasticky, somewhat nice-looking explorer kit. This Robud one checks a lot of those boxes. Complete with binoculars, compass, tweezer, magnifying glass, bug containers, a small cage, and more, nascent biologists will find plenty to do with this. Good for 5+. Older ones shouldn't find the neutral design too kid-like.
Our World
This is a clever one - an illustrated introduction to planet earth, Our World is a boardbook that uses magnets to stand itself up as a page-turnable globe. A lovely way to learn about diverse ecosystems. The littlest ones will like the colors and chunkiness of the book, but toddlers and early readers will really enjoy learning from this one.
Raccoon figurine
We started putting this raccoon figurine on the regional pages, but realized this is one of the few creatures that actually lives across the entire US - from Miami to Seattle - and seem to enjoy the urban life wherever they go . A true North American native, raccoons are so adaptable for a few reasons: omnivorous diet (they'll eat anything), dense fur (keeps them hot or cold, as needed), dextorous paws (almost like hands). So wherever you are in the US, there's probably a raccoon not too far away.
Sand Play Set
Sturdy bucket and sand tools for the beach, the sandbox, the mud, rainy days... the toddlers will know what to do with it. We like that it's durable, made from recycled plastic, BPA-free, and manufactured by Green Toys in the US.
Songs of the Birds
Songs of the Birds is a lovely illustrated book that teaches us about different birdsongs, using audio recordings. Explore different habitats in North America and the winged creatures you can find there. A perfect companion for backyard bird identification, no matter where you live.
The Children's Book of Birdwatching
The Children's Book of Birdwatching is great for grown ups too. It's filled with useful information to begin identifying birds around you, as well as activity ideas and expert advice. Lot's of content; better for 6+.
Up in the Garden and Down in the Dirt
Kate Messner's "Over and Under" series is wonderful. This one, "Up in the Garden and Down in the Dirt" is no exception. While it features a landscape with four seasons (so, that may not be recognized by little sub-tropical dwellers), it's an excellent exploration of garden critters and the role they play in growing plants that every backyard gardener will recognize. Great for ages 4+.
Nothing for that age on this shelf yet.