Now we are venturing out into the great outdoors once more, it is time to shake off that winter reserve and start taking back those freedoms. Breathe in that fresh air and celebrate life once more – whether that’s enjoying a spit roast, relaxing on a beach, camping, going for a hike or simply cruising the local park. Here is our ultimate guide to essential items to revel in the great outdoors. Let the good times roll…
The great outdoors – must haves
Unseen Footwear – Unisex Series
Unseen Footwear have added some gorgeous footwear to their Unisex Series. The highlight of the new styles is the Trinity Tech – an update on the brand’s Trinity model, this time using new materials and a technical Vibram® sole unit to fuse together style and functionality. The all black design is sleek and looks at home in the gym, on the road or on a night out. Trinity Tech is available in 11 different styles (including a Selfridges exclusive) to suit any type of occasion. All the components of each new model and style from the Unisex Series are sourced within a 20-mile radius of the 4th generation finishing factory in the Civitanova region, Italy.
From Unseen Footwear
Price | varies
L001 x L002 from Lacoste Footwear
Offering style, comfort and cultural vibes to daily wardrobes worldwide, L001 x L002 unites past with present and the future – bringing archive elements from Lacoste’s rich tennis history into the contemporary. The L001 takes Lacoste’s rich tennis heritage and twists it into an utterly modern shoe; an instant classic that bridges cultures and eras.
The L002 is a very special court sneaker, designed specifically for women. It is a shoe for the urban adventurer, ready for wherever the city takes her. The shoe plays on the L001, nodding to Lacoste’s tennis history and the brand’s rich archive of clean, elegant design, while speaking to a new generation. The shoe has an eye-catching chunky outsole, an exaggerated version of that found on the L001. Both sneakers are available in a range of colours.
From Lacoste
Price | From £90
AVI-8 P-51 Mustang Hitchcock Automatic watch
AVI-8 specialise in taking a deeper look into the shape and form of an aircraft and tell some of the incredible stories behind aviation to create watches. The vision is to produce watches that are functional yet enjoyable to wear, which also tell a story of both man and machine.
The brand new Hitchcock Automatic is built from our iconic 43mm P-51 Mustang inspired case, featuring a crown guard echoing the engine exhaust of the aircraft. With a beautifully contoured shape, it has been designed to look and feel
comfortable. Drawn from both the cockpit and body of the P-51 Mustang, the Hitchcock’s multilayered dial blends modern watch- making sophistication with vintage aviation elements to create a super clear dial. In a tribute to Hitchcock’s
heroics outside the cockpit, the case back features the words “Ten Goal Tommy,” referencing his 10-goal handicap in
polo too.
From AVI-8
Price | £275-£290
Lacoste
With the 2020 Olympic Games in full swing, Lacoste trainers are a celebration of a summer of sport. This timeless Lacoste trainer is comfortable with synthetic leather uppers feature breathable mesh linings, with tonal laces. An Ortholite footbed and cemented outsole construction ensure comfort and fit. The sole is nice and chunky and of course it comes with that signature croc logo.
From USC
Price | £65
Rush Charge portable battery banks
Rush Charge has developed a range of super-chargers to keep up with on-the-go power demand especially outdoors. Rush Charge uses state of the art technology like wireless charging, solar energy, UVC-sanitation and combines high quality, innovative technology with trend-led designs and colours, and super fast, wireless charging. With a 2500 mAh battery capacity (that is loads), the Rush Charge Air is small, compact and portable. It comes pre-charged ready to give juice to your smartphones, tablets and small electronic devices on the go. Recharge your Rush Charge with your smart phone charging cable.
From Rush Charge
Price | From £39.99
Buy a Gift
Want to get out and about but unsure what to do or perhaps you want to send a gift to a loved one, then why not choose an experience via Buy a Gift? Whatever your budget or inclination, there’s bound to be something here that fits the bill as the selection seems endless. There’s Afternoon Tea experiences, driving and flying adventures, bungee jumping or skydiving, short breaks galore, spa retreats … but we particularly love the Tree Top Challenge for two. Explore the canopy of tree tops as you encounter a series of obstacles from zip wires to Tarzan swings to challenging crossings and tunnels.
From Buy a Gift
Price | £66 for two adults
Electra Commute MIPS Bike Helmet
It seems we’ve all taking up cycling during lockdown with a whopping 1.3 million people in the UK having purchased a bike in 2020, a 63% increase according to the British Cycling Association.
There’s nothing better than riding around on a bike, seeing what’s around you and breathing in some fresh air as you also contribute to your daily exercise programme! So as you pump up your tyres from their winter hibernation, don’t forget to wear the best cycling helmet you can afford in case you have a bump in the road. Electra offers a range of helmets that are as stylish as they are safe, choose from a variety of styles and colours. So stay safe as you sail around your world!
From Electra Commute MIPS Bike Helmet
Price | From £76.99
The great outdoors – BBQ time!
Traeger Pro Series
The American Traeger brand developed their first wood pellet fuelled barbeque over 30 years and have been producing their grills ever since. So for those who prefer the taste of wood-fired cooking – from steaks to pizzas – then a Traeger Pro 575 grill is probably the one for you or if you’ve a little more money to spend maybe the Timberline which offers the Rolls-Royce of grilling might be your choice. Both models offer an enhanced controller that uses patented WiFIRE® technology. WiFIRE® allows you to monitor and adjust your grill anytime, anywhere from the Traeger app on your smartphone.
If you’re looking for a more portable and compact travel grill solution perfect for camping or a smaller balcony, their new Ranger features Traeger’s Digital Arc controller with an added keep warm mode to make sure your food is ready to eat whenever you are. All you need to do is pop it on the table and power it up for versatile outdoor cooking to perfection every time.
From The BBQ Shop
Price | From £899
Weber Barbeques
Nothing says that summer is here than the scent of a sizzling spit roast – so for any aspiring garden chef, which of the many barbeques on the market should you go for? Well, the Weber brand has been creating outdoor grilling products since 1952 and has elevated the art of the BBQ master through constant innovation with new barbeques, techniques and expertise.
For home grilling there’s their stand-up full-sized and medium-sized barbeques, depending on the size of your garden or patio. For those on the move however, they’ve launched the Weber Traveler® – a handy portable, foldable, gas barbeque. So if you are venturing into the great outdoors, this might be your best bet and financially, the most cost effective.
From Weber
Price | Weber Traveler – £439.95
The perfect BBQ with James Strawbridge and 44 Foods
Cornish chef and sustainability expert James Strawbridge has partnered up with online farm shop 44 Foods to share his top tips to ensure you’re spit roasting to perfection. As well as low and slow embers, James recommends the specialist bundles from 44Foods – the producers of high quality, fresh produce which is all ethically sourced, sustainable and delivered to your door from a host of amazing produce partners.
44foods.com
Bundles from £23
MEATER Plus thermometer
Already invested in a BBQ but want some help in ensuring that everything is cooked to perfection, then use the Meater Plus as your grill-assistant. It’s a no fuss meat thermometer that is simple to set up and use with a smart guided cook system ensuring tasty, succulent and satisfying results every time.
From Meater
Price | From £99
Rubies in the Rubble
Rubies in the Rubble are a lovely companion to a barbeque as they make sustainable condiments that save delicious ingredients that would usually be rejected by others in the supply chain simply for being the wrong shape, size or surplus to demand. Their range of ketchups and relishes are made with fresh fruit and vegetables sourced directly from farms whilst their mayo is made with aquafaba, a plant-based alternative to eggs that is usually thrown away. So, feel good about squeezing that ketchup bottle – less waste, more taste. Buy direct or from the major quality supermarkets.
From Rubies in the Rubble
Price | From £2.99
The great outdoors – Picnicking with the best
As Somerset Maugham once said, “There are few things so pleasant as a picnic eaten in perfect comfort.”
Dukeshill summer goodies and hampers
Dukeshill are most famous for holding the Royal Warrant to the Queen for their cured hams. As well as producing a wonderful array of top-quality cured and fresh meats, they also offer smoked fish, cheeses, puddings, hampers and much more. They also have a range of food and wine to help you enjoy these long summer days for picnics, BBQs and more. The Holiday Welcome Box is a superb selection of their best sellers from ham to breakfast foods, cakes, cheese and a cheeky Rose Vino Frizzante.
Arabica Picnic Kits
Arabica have two delivery picnic kits packed with Middle Eastern meze that are great for al fresco feasting. The Arabica Picnic kit is designed to share with a seasonal selection of crudités, crunchy pickles, silky hummus, smoky baba ghanoush, and a beetroot and yogurt dip, as well as a feta salad with pistachio crumb and orange blossom vinaigrette, green wheat freekeh salad, pita crisps and baklava. The larger kit includes a bake-at-home boregi (a traditional feta and spinach -filled filo pastry). Best of all, everything arrives fully prepped and ready to enjoy.
shop.arabicalondon.com
Price | From £50
Global Wakeup cup
Love sustainability and looking for stylish products to use for your picnic, then Global Wakecup offer the perfect solution – cups, water bottles, lunch boxes, bamboo cutlery and straws and more. Their insulated Zero Waste Lunch Bag keeps meals fresh and cool all day and is easy to clean and super lightweight. It includes a washable, waterproof vegan lunch bag, a reusable cutlery set and a bamboo water bottle – pretty perfect for that metropolitan picnic. There are also Digital temperature check bottles for keeping drinks either cool or hot and a self-cleaning water bottle which eliminates bacteria, viruses and mould. How did we live without them?
From GlobalWakeCup
Price | £40
Smidge Lunch boxes
They say, if you only buy one lunch box then let it be this one – the stainless-steel lunch boxes with style. Sealable, leakproof and oven and freezer safe, it’s likely to be the last lunch box you will ever need to buy. To clean, simply pop into the dishwasher. They also offer water-bottles and dishwasher friendly chopping boards!
From Smidge
Price | From £15
Ibérica X Estrella Galicia Picnic Hamper
Desperately missing your Spanish holiday, then why not order one of the Spanish Restaurant group Ibérica and premium Spanish beer brand Estrella Galicia’s delicious picnic hamper? Experience a little touch of Spain before you can visit in person with a selection of five premium cheeses, toasted bread with tomato, organic olive oil crisps and charcuterie, washed down with either a perfectly chilled beer or a glass of wine. Glassware, openers, cutlery are all included, handily packed inside a hessian bag.
From Ibérica Deli and Wine Shop
Price | £40 with beer / £55 with wine
The Knot Churros
Combine the great outdoors and this pudding paradise in South Kensington, London. As the name suggests they specialise in churros. However they’re baked churros, not fried, and they’re totally vegan too as they don’t use egg or dairy. There are also desserts, milkshakes and even a churros afternoon tea. They can prepare all these for you to picnic in the park nearby too. Take your camera too as the cafe is filled with 3D flower walls, flamingos and even a hammock.
Macknade Picnic Hamper
A family run business dating back to 1847, the Macknade Picnic Hamper is ideal for relaxing in the sunshine with friends and family. Options include standard or vegetarian picnics for two and you can always add in an optional bottle of Kentish bubbly to celebrate freedoms gained! Expect Perello olives, Mortuacienne Cloudy Lemonade, Peters Yard Peppercorn Crispbread, Yorkshire Blue Cheese, Weald Smokery Ham (pre-packed), Somerset Brie, Whitstable Chutney Spicy Fig & Plum and a Sausage Roll. If this is not to your taste, other picnics are available.
From Macknade
Price | £35
Montezuma’s
Spread the summer love with traditionally British chocolate bars, available in a variety of flavours. Treat yourself or someone special and show your loved ones what to eat this month. With utter indulgence as it touches the tongue, these moreish, smooth and creamy delights are the perfect pick me up to make someone’s day and let you know that summer is well and truly here to stay. Our favourite is the cheeky, a dark chocolate with lemon and coconut.
From Montezuma’s
Price | From £2
The Cherry Tree Luxury Afternoon Tea Box
For the ultimate picnic treat, why not order a luxury afternoon tea box from Cherry Tree Preserves? This luxury treat includes a selection of different scones from the Dorset Sweet Scone to a Basil, Sea Salt and Cheddar Scone and a Smoky Tomato and Cheddar Scone. There’s Devonshire clotted cream, jars of sweet preserves and chutneys, a vintage cheddar cheese truckle, premium strawberry jam and lemon and lime curd and cracker bites. You can even give the tea as a gift to a friend or loved one as it includes a handwritten gift card too if required.
From Cherry Tree Preserves
Price | £35
Cecily’s Plant Based Cornish Ice Cream
What day out in the sunshine would be complete without some ice-cream – preferably from Cornwall? Well, Cecily’s has a wide range of different flavours perfect for everyone – flexitarians, vegetarians, and vegans – as they are dairy free too. Better still, they can deliver to your door – free if you buy six tubs or more – guaranteed to arrive frozen due to their sustainable packaging of denim – yes recycled denim. With seven Great Taste Awards, Cecily’s is perfect for anyone seeking ways of reducing their intake of dairy and animal products. Organic Chocolate orange swirl anyone?
From Cecily’s
Price | From £5.95
The great outdoors – Drinks
Nuet Dry Aquavit
The world’s first premium aquavit has arrived on British shores, just in time for Norway day on 17 May. Developed in Oslo over 6 months, and more than 100 test distillings, Nuet Dry Aquavit has been designed to work with tonic and even in a martini. Nuet, which translates as ‘the now’, is created from grapefruit peel and blackcurrant influences accompanying the traditional caraway, along with a fresh, smooth finish. This is a smooth, fresh, citrusy liquid that comes in at 43% ABV so it is up there with our favourite gins in terms of strength and character.
Nuet has partnered with several bars across the capital, including Hide and EKTE Nordic Kitchen where each bar will be serving special Nuet cocktails to commemorate the launch of Nuet and Norway Day. For anyone that can’t make it to the capital for Norway’s national holiday, you can purchase a limited edition Nuet gift set, featuring a commemorative bottle and branded Nuet glasses), available on 31 Dover priced at £39.95.
Lot 42 Premium Hard Seltzer
Inspired by and named after a piece of land on Prince Edward Island, Canada, Lot 42 is designed to be served as a mixer, with the extra kick of another shot. It is pure and really fresh with just 0.2 carbs, 0 sugar and is gluten-free, vegan and kosher. The blueberry and lemongrass is our favourite and they also do a zingy huckelberry and ginger.
lot-42.com
Price | £33 for 12 cans including delivery
Tidal Rum
If there was a drink that defined the great outdoors, Tidal Rum would be it. This golden aged rum is infused with Pepper Dulse (locally known as the truffle of the ocean) foraged during spring tides around the coast of Jersey. The golden aged rum blend is slowly aged in oak casks and infused. The result is a beautifully complex and refined craft rum balanced with deep, earthy truffle flavours from that oak-smoked Pepper Dulse seaweed. This complex and refined drink also has multiple layers of subtle, smoky coastal flavours. Who needs a holiday?!
tidalrum.je
£34.95
Wine Basket with Leather Handle
Dining al fresco and wanting to carry your bottles of wine in style? Well, this intricate wine basket, fitting up to six bottles, is beautifully handcrafted with naturally dried palm leaf. The strong sewn leather handle makes it a sturdy basket that will last.
From Planet Nature
Price | £43.99
Buck & Birch cocktails
Scotland’s wild food and drinks innovators Buck & Birch produce a range of premium, proper bottled cocktails all made from wild ingredients sourced from walkable distances in The Lothians. Their philosophy is to share and celebrate the amazing hidden ingredients that flourish in our natural surroundings, carefully curating ingredients expertly crafted by nature into unique drinks like the Adventurer Pack which includes 5 bottles (150ml each). Our fave was the Aelder Sour with Aelder Elixir, Islay whisky and citrus.
buckandbirch.com
£40 (Adventurer Pack)
Cocchi Negroni In A Box
Prefer cocktails to wine? Then this stylish portable version of the world’s most iconic cocktail – the Negroni – is the right fit for you. The winning trio of Cocchi Vermouth di Torino, London Dry Gin and Campari follows the traditional Negroni recipe, and the Vermouth di Torino gives luxurious velvety, rich notes to the drink.
This boxed cocktail can be transported anywhere and instantly upgrade home drinking occasions with a touch of Italian style.
From The Whisky Exchange
Price | £39.95 for a pack of five
Cocktail Porter
Cocktail Porter has launched a monthly letterbox subscription kit and new summer serves, just in time for fun in the great outdoors. What makes Cocktail Porter exciting is that they bring a real sense of artistry and craft as their ingredients are sourced or foraged from the previous month and blended with premium spirits, handcrafted infusions. The new summer range includes the Paloma Picante Don Julio Blanco Tequila with picante syrup, grapefruit soda water, dehydrated pink grapefruit and pink Himalayan salt.
From Cocktail Porter
Price | Subscription from £20.00 a month (6 months minimum)
Microplane Premium Classic Zester
Need some zest to make that cocktail zing a little more, then don’t forget to pack the iconic, long-lasting, rasp-like Premium Classic Zester used, and loved, by professional chefs, TV cookery show presenters and passionate home cooks around the world. They’ve also released a Limited-Edition range for extra style and panache. Choose from leopard, camouflage to neon.
From Harts of Stur
Price | From £17.95
Salcombe Brewery
If a good crisp West Country cider floats your boat, then your go-to companion should be Salcombe Brewery’s Ocean Cider – a full-bodied, traditional cider with a medium dry taste for some light, sparkling refreshment. Alternatively, try their Gluten-Free and Vegan Sun Drop ale – very quaffable, it has an intensely fruity and citrusy aroma, packed full of all the flavour you would expect from a regular ale.
From Salcombe Brewery
Price | £31.20 for a case of 12 Ocean Cider 500 ml / £24 for a case of 12 Sun Drop 330 ml
The Royal British Legion Champagne
Life for many in the Luxuriate Life office is not worth living without a bottle of bubbly and hot off the presses comes news of The Royal British Legion’s champagne – a Brut, Rose and Blanc de Blanc – part of the charity’s 100th anniversary celebrations this year. The first bottles will be despatched on 15th May, the charity’s official anniversary, so we can raise a glass or two with pride to remember those who do so much to protect us.
From Eminentwines
Price | From £45
Sipsmith Paul Smith
We’ve always held a special place in our hearts of Sipsmith London Dry Gin so imagine our joy when we heard they’d got together with no lesser designer than Sir Paul Smith. It seems a Smith match made in heaven as that limited-edition gin bottle design is the prettiest we’ve seen in a long while – for gin-lovers and fashionistas alike.
From Sipsmith.com
Price | £49.99
Maison Mirabeau Prêt-à-Porter Canettes Rosé to Go
If you don’t want to take a bottle of wine out with you, the lighter option might be to opt for Maison Mirabeau’s quality rosé to go. This sporty little peachy-pink number offers fresh fruit aromas and a nice crisp acidity – and comes in a can, perfect for picnics, beach visits, poolside and other places where glass isn’t such a good idea.
From Waitrose
Price | £3.49 – 25cl
Dash Sparkling Water
If you prefer a soft drink, what about trying the Dash infused sparkling water or Mixer ranges? They take the really wonky fruit that would otherwise be thrown away and mix it with British spring water and some bubbles or soda water. There’s no calories, sugars or sweeteners and there are a range of flavours ideal for summer sipping including peach, blackcurrant, raspberry, lemon and cucumber alongside some flavourful combinations too – what about Rhubarb and Fiery Ginger? And the can is recyclable too.
From Dash
Price | Mixers from £11.99 for 12 cans – 200ml / Infused water from £14.99 for 12 cans – 330ml
Jukes 8 alcohol-free Rosé
Designer Matthew Williamson has joined forces with Jukes Cordialities to create a popular, Provence Rosé-inspired Jukes 8 alcohol-free drinks. Made from carefully developed recipes, Jukes Cordialities carefully blends the finest, natural fruit, vegetables, herbs, spices and flowers with organic apple cider vinegar. They are aromatic and complex and they have the same flavour silhouette as fine wine, just without the booze or calories.
The great outdoors – Preparation
Bedroom Athletics – Vegan Sandals
Bedroom Athletics has just launched a collection of vegan sandals, designed in the UK and made in Spain. The sandals include simple slides, smart wedges and two-strap mules in classic neutrals, animal print and more, all in vegan friendly materials.
If you are into wedges, their Inoro wedge is embracing the metallic look with all the style and comfort of the Inis but with a generous single bar strap. Choose from three gorgeous metallic shades – metallic silver, rose gold and metallic gold.
From Bedroom Athletics
Price | £40
Science of Skin Solution for Bites
Come the sunlight, comes those pesky midges and mosquitos that we try arduously to avoid – the inevitable consequence of summer living. If you are unfortunate enough to have become their lunch, then tend to your wounds with Science of Skin Solution for Bites (£8.99) for quick relief. The easy-to-use rollerball applicator will allow the quick-dry formula to repair the skin and calm the itches with aloe vera and green tea extract.
From Lloyds Pharmacy
Price | £8.99 for 5 ml
PopSockets x PanzerGlass™ PopHit Package with Swarovski® Silver Crystal PopGrip
Now that we are out in the great outdoors again, we need to protect our phones. The easy to install, impact-resistant PanzerGlass screen protector (it looks great too) comes with a built-in CamSlider to protect against scratches, whilst the chic Swarovski Silver Crystal PopGrip offers glitzy and glamour. It even includes a Spray Twice A Day Screen Cleaner (developed in collaboration with the Danish Technological Institute) with no perfume, ammonia, alcohol or parabens that removes dirt, grime and grease without damaging the screen’s sensitive display coating.
PopSockets.co.uk
£29.99
Potette 2 in 1 Portable Potty range
Need a potty in a hurry? Why not bring your own? The award-winning 2 in 1 Potette Plus is already a favourite with parents out and about for good reason, the hygienic and easy to use portable potty and toddler toilet seat in one helps little ones as they transition from learning to use the potty, to toilet training and up until they are confident enough to use the bathroom independently. It also conveniently folds flat in a carry bag to store in your backpack.
From Potette
Price | From £16.99
Powerstation Mini
Are you and your kids addicted to your gadgets? Then take along a Powerstation Mini as a small, powerful and premium way to keep your devices charged when meeting friends and family outside.
From Zagg
Price | £39.95
Groov-e Venice Portable DAB Radio with Bluetooth Speaker
Like some sounds wherever you travel – then pack up this portable radio with Bluetooth, perfect for people who travel light and are on the move. It comes with DAB and FM technology so you can tune into 20 pre-set stations whilst also having a Bluetooth wireless playback so you can easily connect with any of your other devices for your own personal play lists.
From Groov-e
Price | £29.99
Polarn O. Pyret Lightweight Kids Waterproof Shell Jacket
The new collection from Polarn O. Pyret is made for spring days and hours of play. For walking, exploring, going to school and everything in between, their new lightweight shell jacket is 100% waterproof and 100% made for those unexpected April showers. Easily packable, you can keep it handy when you’re on the go to keep your little one dry in sudden downpours. This sustainable Swedish childrenswear brand has been going since 1976, producing unisex clothing for babies and kids that’s made with love, made for play and made to last.
Available in minty green or a pink floral print, we adore this shell jacket with its fully taped seams, which is ideal for play in any British weather. Breathable and with pre-shaped sleeves for the best fit and freedom of movement, this garment is also made with an eco-friendly technology that’s free from PFCs.
From Polarnopyret
Price | £45
Sisley Sun Care
With over 25 years of expertise in sun and anti-aging research, Sisley-Paris offers a comprehensive range of sun care products that combine protection and skin care to ensure your skin remains undamaged when taking off for an adventure. It’s very high protection factor slows the appearance of wrinkles and dark spots and stalls loss of skin firmness.
There are a range of products available, including self-tanning lotions, but for those who are highly sensitive to the sun, there’s Sunleÿa GE Age minimising global sun care SPF 50+. For sensitive areas around the nose, lips, ears, eyes and cheekbones, the Super Stick Solaire SPF 50+ Teinté is perfect. For the body, there’s Super Soin Solaire Silky Body Cream SPF30 which is a youth protector sun care product.
From Sisley
Price | £190 for Age Minimising global sun care – 50ml / £80.00 for Super Stick Solaire 15 g / £126 for Super Soin Solaire Silky Body Cream – 200 ml
ALL TIGERS
Now we are heading back out into the sunshine, let’s put some colour back into our makeup bag by switching to the bright shades available from ALL TIGERS, a vegan & cruelty-free makeup brand that uses natural and organic ingredients. Offering a wide range of eyeshadows and nail lacquers, go for the optimum killer pout with one of 12 intense and powerful lipstick shades offering a gorgeous matte finish complete with staying power.
From Superdrug
Price | £21.80
The great outdoors – keeping the kids happy
Happy Hopper
Looking for something to keep those energetic little ones under control as you laze on the grass under the sun? What about a Happy Hopper? These inflatable animal hoppers are great fun (choices range from dragons, to unicorns and doggies), brightly coloured and very lightweight.
From Hippychick Baby Toys & Gifts
Price | £27.95
Learning Resources
For an educational edge to a day out, learning when playing, why not look at the products offered by Learning Resources. We particularly love their 5-in-one Outdoor Measure-Mate, its the perfect way to introduce the concept of measurement in an outdoor setting. There’s a trundle wheel for distance, vertical measures, spirit levels and more – all robust enough for the most gung-ho child.
Binoculars are always popular with youngsters so the GeoSafari® Jr. Kidnoculars® Extreme™ allows users to hear what you see! Their world is magnified with 3 x no-focus binoculars with sound amplified with a built-in microphone.
Alternatively, the MathLink® Cubes Numberblocks 1-10 Activity Set allows children to build their own Numberblocks characters, (stars of the award-winning CBeebies series), using MathLink Cubes. They can follow 30 hands-on activities linked to the episodes, and play along as they watch episodes and learn.
From Learning Resources
Price | £32 – 5-in-1 measure-mate / £22.50 – GeoSafari® Jr. Kidnoculars® Extreme™ / £20 – MathLink® Cubes Numberblocks 1-10 Activity Set
Phlat Ball
What a great name for a toy! The Phlat Ball is thrown like a disc and caught like a ball – a unique outdoor toy that transforms from a nine-inch flying disc to a six-inch diameter ball when you throw it. Its soft plastic, flexible material provides you with a comfortable grip for active play and it comes in three bright colours too so no excuses if you miss the catch!
From Argos
Price | £10
Super Wubble (with pump)
For a ball that is bigger that we are, go for the Super Wubble. It looks like a bubble, it plays like a ball. Suitable for ages 6 and over, this is the strongest Wubble Ball ever made and it’s squishy, squashy, super soft and lightweight – inflated to up to 80 cm, perfect for outdoor fun. When the day is done, it simply deflates to store in a backpack.
From Amazon
Price | £19.20
All imagery courtesy of the brands featured. Leading image courtesy of S’well/Unsplash.