Thoughtful gifts for curious minds, muddy boots and wild imaginations.
Every year, I watch hundreds of children arrive at Ambleford, and one thing never fails to surprise me: it’s rarely the expensive toys or elaborate equipment that capture their imaginations. More often, it’s a stick, a piece of string, a handful of clay or the opportunity to make something with their own hands.
At Ambleford, we believe childhood should be full of adventure, discovery and the freedom to explore. We see first-hand how much children gain from learning practical skills, taking sensible risks, getting muddy and discovering what they’re capable of.
So, this Christmas, I’ve put together a collection of gifts that reflect what we believe in. Things that encourage children to get outdoors, make things, ask questions, develop new skills and, perhaps most importantly, put down their screens. Also – if you buy from Amazon then we get a little Christmas gift too (yes, I know we all love to hate Amazon).
These aren’t necessarily the latest toys or the most fashionable presents. They’re the sorts of things we’d love to see children unwrapping on Christmas morning because we know just how much enjoyment and learning they can inspire.
I hope you find something here that sparks a little curiosity, inspires a new adventure or simply gets someone outside.
Nature detectives and explorers
A practical gift for supervised dusk adventures and camping. Petzl are a trusted brand for headlamps and torches into the miliarary and so this kids version is sure to be great.
From £27.00
Carson MicroBrite Plus Pocket Microscope
Examine leaves, insects and natural textures at high magnification. A genuinely pocketable microscope for casual inspection and STEM exploration.
From £17.99
Fifty Things to Do with a Stick- by Richard Skrein
A must-read for anyone with an adventurous spirit, a yen to whittle and chop, and a desire to get out into nature and play with sticks! Richard is a friend and mentor to Ambleford and all his books are highly recommended.
Also see:
Rock tumbling can be a fun hobby as it can turn quite plain finds into something magical. the transformations can be remarkable. This looks like a good starter kit with everything you need to learn this new hobby.
£49.00
Little makers and practical skills
A genuinely useful manual woodworking tool for supervised projects. This tool is essential for any next level whittlers.
£5.00
A practical introduction to food preparation with adult supervision. Opinel are a great French makers of knives and this set is wonderful.
£42.50
A good quality first whittling knife in a greaa sheath at a really good price point. We use these knives at Ambleford – so, they are trusted! The blunt point makes them a much safer option for a first knife.
£8.00
A wonderful little knife that is perfect for real outdoor skills but still small enough for little hands. This kit also comes with a fire starter. Mora is also one of the most trusted brands for bushcraft knives.
Currently on sale £36.99
Woodland adventurers
A great addition to a supervised woodland base camp and from a real trusted brand. DD tarps and hammocks are the real deal.
£19.95
A versatile shelter for den building and camping. Yes, it’s not cheap but the old saying is buy once, buy well. DD tarps are about the best around. the 3×3 is a good allround size too.
£44.95
A real navigation tool for map-reading adventures. This is listed as a starter compass but does everything you need for a great price. Silva are also suppliers to the British army.
From £11.99
Forest Fundamentals Beast Fire Starter
The large fire starters are actually better for smaller hands and this one is huge. Forest Fundementals have some really great quality gear and I use this one personally.
£18.99