Every year the same question comes around: what do you get the kid who has a closet full of toys they've already forgotten? Our answer hasn't changed — give them a reason to go outside. Our Nature Explorer gift sets pair a place-based activity book with a matching Wild at Heart canvas tote, so the gift isn't just something to unwrap — it's a season of discovery waiting in their own backyard. Here's how to pick the right one for every curious kid on your list this holiday (ages 7–12), and how to make sure it arrives in time.
Shipping in time for the holidays: because every book is printed to order, place your order by December 4 to have it arrive before Christmas. Scroll down for the full timeline.
Why a Nature Gift Set Beats Another Toy
- It's screen-free. No batteries, no charging — just maps, sketching, and a reason to get outside.
- It's personal. Tied to a real place the kid knows and loves, it says I know exactly who you are.
- It's ready to give. Book and tote arrive together, so it looks like far more thought than it costs.
- It's collectible. Start with one state or park, add a new one each birthday and holiday, and it becomes a tradition you share for years.
For the Kid Who Loves Where They Live
The most personal pick on the list: a nature book about the kid's own state. Inside, they track local birds, butterflies, wildflowers and leaves, follow a fold-out map to real spots worth visiting, and solve puzzles and sketching challenges along the way. No trip required — the adventure is right outside the door. There's a set for all 50 states, so you can match the one they call home, or the place your family returns to every summer.
Find Their State
A book + tote gift set for all 50 states — pick the one they call home.
For the Little Hiker or Park Lover
For the family that hikes together — or is already dreaming about the next trip — a national park gift set is the perfect trailside companion. Each one pairs a park activity book with a matching tote, so every young explorer has a job: spotting wildlife, sketching what they find, and checking off the landmarks. Think Yellowstone bison, Zion canyons, Yosemite waterfalls, Saguaro cactus country, and the arches of the desert Southwest.
For the Bug, Bird, or Beach Kid
Some kids already have a favorite. Lead with the guide that matches, and the rest of the set expands what they notice from there:
- The bird watcher. Every set includes a Birds guide to the local species they can spot from the backyard, the trail, or the car window.
- The butterfly and bug lover. The Butterflies guide is catnip for anything with wings — monarchs, swallowtails, and the flowers that bring them.
- The beachcomber. Coastal-state sets add a fifth book, a Seashells guide, turning a beach day into a scavenger hunt.
For the Grandkids Far Away
When the grandkids live across the country, a gift set does something a toy can't: it points them toward the nature right outside their own door, and it gives you something to talk about on the next call. Pick their home state, or the place where your family gathers every summer, and the gift becomes a shared memory instead of one more thing on the shelf.
Stocking Stuffers and Add-Ons
Need something smaller to round out the pile? A single state or park activity book makes a perfect stocking stuffer on its own, and the Wild at Heart canvas tote doubles as the wrapping — tuck the book inside, add a magnifying glass, and you've got a ready-made adventure kit. Building a bigger gift? Pair two neighboring states, or a home-state set with the park you're visiting next summer.
Order by December 4 to Arrive by Christmas
Every book is printed to order, which is what keeps the series so detailed and specific — but it also means you'll want to give it a little runway. Here's the simple rule:
- Order by December 4 for comfortable delivery before Christmas.
- Ordering later? It may still make it — but the earlier the better, especially during the busy holiday shipping window.
- Cutting it close? Reach out and we'll help you figure out the best option.
Frequently Asked Questions
What ages are these gift sets for?
Curious kids roughly ages 7–12. Younger children enjoy them alongside an adult.
What exactly comes in a set?
A nature activity book (or a full state series — four books inland, five for coastal states) plus a matching Wild at Heart canvas tote, ready to wrap.
Which one should I choose?
Start with the place that means something to the kid — their home state, a park you love, or a summer destination. You can always add another later.
How is this different from a regular activity book?
Every book is tied to a real place, with a fold-out map of spots worth visiting. It's a reason to get outside, not busywork for the kitchen table.
Will it arrive in time?
Order by December 4 and you'll have it in hand well before the holidays.
Give the Nature of a Place They Love
Screen-free, personal, and made to last — a book + tote gift set for every state and national park. Order by Dec 4 to arrive by Christmas.
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