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'Tis the season to get your offspring cool new toys and gear, including a few things you can play with, too. Here's ten that we highly recommend for the active kids in your life.
–Jeremy Spencer and Will Palmer
Burton Chopper Snowboard, Grom Boots, and Freestyle Grom Bindings: Start 'em young with this flexy board that has raised edges to make turns as easy as possible, for kids as small as 35 pounds. It also comes with a voucher for a free lesson and lift ticket at selected resorts. The bindings are made of ultralight polycarbonate, and the boots have an EVA footbed that makes room for feet to grow. Board, $170; boots, $80; bindings, $85; burton.com
Columbia Snow-Raid Gloves: Kids love snow. These waterproof, breathable, poly-fleece-lined gloves come in four youth sizes and cinch at the wrist, making young hands agile enough for snowball making and warm enough for hours on the slopes. $30; columbia.com
Crumpler Baby Anchovy Pack: If you can saddle your dog with a backpack, you can surely school a wee tyke in the pleasures of packing it in. Includes two cup holders on the sides and reflective striping for higher visibility at dusk. $55; crumplerbags.com
Fuzion Electron: I [WP] go running; my eight-year-old son rides alongside on this four-wheeled scooter. For this one moment in time, we are perfectly in sync. In a few more years he'll be taking it to the park to meet up with his buds and flip tricks, or however you call it these days. $60; fuzionscooter.com
HQ Yukon Stunt Kite: For older kids (and adults, of course), stunting around with a fast, durable kite is a blast. This one is made for beginners. Great to bust out at a riverside picnic or to ride the wind on a blustery day. $60; funwithwind.com
iBert Safe-T-Seat: The iBert updates an old, and good, idea: Stick the littlest ones on your bike where you can see them, right under your nose. Not for bigger kids, but perfect for giving tykes their first taste of cruising along on pedal power. $95; ibertinc.com
Schwinn Joyrider Trailer: This double bike trailer has ample room for two kids and gear, comes with integrated sun and rain shields, and quickly converts to a stroller (not a jogging stroller but fine for walking). $400; schwinnbike.com
Skuut: Imagine a munchkin-size bike with no drivetrain, and you've got it. The adjustable, multi-size Skuut teaches kids to ride sans training wheels, by focusing their attention on balancing. Cool! $95; skuut.com
Sorel Icepack Boots: The perfect winter boot for kids, with a waterproof shell, speed lacing, Thinsulate-lining to keep them warm down to 25 below. Plus, it's light and flexible enough for booking it through the woods. $55; sorel.com
Wham-O 60th-Anniversary Frisbee Set: No explanation necessary. Includes a 150-gram Ultimate disc, a 140-gram all-sport disc, and the awesome beginner/short-distance original, the Pluto Platter. Also see the 200-gram Heavyweight, for serious chucking. $30; wham-o.com
