Gear For The Great Outdoors

As the sun lingers for longer and the school year winds
up, it will become nearly impossible to keep your little ones indoors – take
the high temperatures and verdant foliage of summer as a sign that it might be
time for a rugged outdoor adventure. Whether you turn to camping, hiking or
even just a walk in the park, check out this week’s roundup of outdoor summer
essentials! —

For braving the urban jungle: Whether you’re packing the car
for a trek to the wilderness, or simply braving the crowds to stock up on
summer snacks – every city mom on-the-go needs a sturdy tote, equipped to
withstand equal parts heat and summer shenanigans. Brooklyn’s
own Stanley & Sons’ Waxed Canvas & Double-Sided Camouflage HBT Tote Bag couples a
roomy interior with durable waxed canvas and a cheeky dash of rugged
camouflage print – go ahead, put some couture into your camp gear!

$235, hickorees.com

For summer sleepovers: What would summer vacation be without plenty
of slumber parties, camp-outs and exciting vacations far and wide? Make
sure your pint-sized campers still manage to get a good night’s rest with L.L.
Bean’s Flannel Camp Pillow! Complete with a classic plaid pattern – in a
variety of handsome colors – this plush pillow packs right up into a handy
drawstring bag.

$15.95, llbean.com

For a bug-free summer: It’s a fact – no one can deny that
one of the only downsides to a blissful vacay to the country during the summer
months is the ever-present threat of pesky mosquitoes! Searching for the
perfect ‘skeeter repellent that won’t give off a toxic aroma? Outscent’s This
is Not Bug Spray offers up a totally natural parfum oil guaranteed to keep your
sun-kissed skin safe from bites, long
after the sun goes down – this scent is sophisticated enough for an upscale
summer soiree and understated enough for a low-key evening around the
campfire with your family.

$50, brookfarmgeneralstore.com

For the healthy snacker: It’s no secret that both a weekend
in the woods and a fun-filled afternoon in the city require a certain level
of tasty fuel. It’s easy to give in to sugary snacks – like ice cream, cotton
candy and chips – but take heart in yummy options from Brooklyn-based
Grassroots Granola. With flavors like peanut butter and fruit & nut,
these au naturel bars are the perfect combination of grab-&-go convenience and homemade heartiness – perfect for road trips, play dates and everything
in between!

$30 for a pack of 10, grassrootsgranola.com

Mia Weber is a
blogger and independent media producer. For more on Mia, see our
contributors list to the right. She can be reached at sopresh.blog@googlemail.com and found on Twitter at @SoPreshBlog.