Anyone a Forest Ranger? Need gift ideas for a child

[KrisM]

My nephew says he wants to be a forest ranger when he grows up. He's thought this for a year or two now. He turns 7 next month and we're looking for somethings for gifts that would let him play ranger or clothing with ranger stuff on it. I really don't know what I'm looking for, but hope someone here does :).

[Globetrotter]

I've seen forest ranger dress-up clothing in the national park stores! I'm fairly sure I saw it at Yosemite this year. You could google that to see.
All the parks have a junior ranger program, which I assume he's done. They get badges and booklets..

[caleymama]

I like the PPs ideas. Also, not sure if he'd be interested or not but there are some Playmobil sets that would be appropriate. We gave a couple to DDs last year for Christmas. They are part of the "Farm" (http://store.playmobilusa.com/on/demandware.store/Sites-US-Site/en_US/Search-Show?cgid=Bauernhof&psortb1=New&psortd1=2&psortb2=id&psortd2=1&start=0&sz=12) category. We have these two in particular:
Playmobil Forest Truck (http://store.playmobilusa.com/on/demandware.store/Sites-US-Site/en_US/Product-Show?pid=4206&cgid=Bauernhof)
Playmobil Ranger's Post (http://store.playmobilusa.com/on/demandware.store/Sites-US-Site/en_US/Product-Show?pid=4208&cgid=Bauernhof)

Good luck and happy shopping. How great that you're supporting his interests. :)

ETA: My 6yo DD just heard me asking DH if he had any other suggestions and she wanted me to mention this Adventure Camp-Out set (http://www.constplay.com/family/default.htm) from Constructive Playthings that she has. It's not a Forest Ranger specifically, but it is outdoorsy. This from the girl who has been sporting a "Future Park Ranger" t-shirt all summer.

EATA:
Future Forest Ranger t-shirt (http://www.printfection.com/shop/forest/Kids+T-Shirt/product.1980786/show_sideid.3801819)
[/URL]The National Park Service's [URL="http://www.nps.gov/learn/eereadinglist.htm"]Environmental Education Reading List (http://www.yosemitegifts.com/juniorranger.html) might give you some book ideas

[EllasMum]

Caleymama beat me to it! I bought some of the Playmobil Forest Ranger stuff for my friends DS when he was turning 6. It was very popular. :) I think that would be ideal for your situation! Good luck!

[Globetrotter]

Oh yeah, how could I forget? We have a Playmobil cabin playset (comes with a canoe and fishing gear) and I think we bought a forest ranger on a horse. That would be PERFECT! There is also a camping tent set, and you can get animals. You could set up a national park :ROTFLMAO:

[Globetrotter]

forest ranger outfit: http://www.yosemitegifts.com/juraou.html

That's the one I was talking about..

[caleymama]

Oh yeah, how could I forget? We have a Playmobil cabin playset (comes with a canoe and fishing gear) and I think we bought a forest ranger on a horse. That would be PERFECT! There is also a camping tent set, and you can get animals. You could set up a national park :ROTFLMAO:


Don't tempt me!! :p And I'm not even the OP.

Playmobil Cabin (http://store.playmobilusa.com/on/demandware.store/Sites-US-Site/en_US/Product-Show?pid=7099&cgid=Freizeit-Ferienhaus)
Playmobil Tent and Camping Equip. (http://store.playmobilusa.com/on/demandware.store/Sites-US-Site/en_US/Product-Show?pid=7260&cgid=Freizeit-Ferienhaus)
Raccoons (http://store.playmobilusa.com/on/demandware.store/Sites-US-Site/en_US/Product-Show?pid=4205&cgid=Bauernhof), Deer Family (http://store.playmobilusa.com/on/demandware.store/Sites-US-Site/en_US/Product-Show?pid=7887&cgid=Bauernhof), Moose (http://store.playmobilusa.com/on/demandware.store/Sites-US-Site/en_US/Product-Show?pid=7890&cgid=Bauernhof), Elk (http://store.playmobilusa.com/on/demandware.store/Sites-US-Site/en_US/Product-Show?pid=7893&cgid=Bauernhof), Forest Animals with Cave (http://store.playmobilusa.com/on/demandware.store/Sites-US-Site/en_US/Product-Show?pid=4204&cgid=Bauernhof), and so on

[MmeSunny]

My father, mother, grandfather, grandmother, uncle and aunt were all forest rangers. I wanted to be one too when I grew up . . .now I'm a teacher. What happened?

Anyway, my FAVORITE gift growing up was a set of binoculars, flashlight, canteen, butterfly net and bird identification chart that all hung on a tool-like belt for hikes.

Also, great hiking boots are essential for ranger-type hikes. Another idea: a pop-up type tent to play camp-out and a fold up type camp stool. Also a ranger hat and bandana. So cliche, but perfect for kids. A small spade shovel and a couple of cheap tree seedlings to start "reforesting" would be cool.

Good luck. This would be so much fun to go crazy about.

[KrisM]

You ladies are great! The Yosemite store had a lot of other choices, too. I think he might be too big for the outfit, but other parts would be perfect.

I don't know if he plays with the playmobile stuff, but it is really cute. I sent a ton of links to my SIL.

Thanks!

[traumarn]

don't know how much time/how often you get out on trails and such...or how you feel he'd do with it..but the first thing i thought of was a walking stick..with a little leather strap drilled through it...that plus a ranger hat and maybe a scarf would be cool, for a little boy.(andif it matters..i'm a guy- so maybe that shoudl carry more weight!?!?!?lol!!!!)