Road Test: Does the WingFlyer Really Fly?

By Heidi Drake

 

When the WingFlyer box arrived at Play Outdoors, we all wondered: Is it a scooter? A moving stair stepper? An outdoor fitness machine? It sure wasn't a bicycle.

It’s all of the above, actually. Our head Gear Guru, Ben Z., immediately took it for a test spin in the parking lot and deemed it “weird, but fun!” This melding of stair stepper-like pedals and scooter wheels and handlebars is the newest wheeled “toy” to hit the U.S. this past summer, and Play Outdoors was invited to give it a try. I couldn’t wait to take my own test monkeys, Elise (8 ½) and Maya (6 ½) out for a spin.

Sweet Summer Gear for Serious Ruckus Raising

By Heidi Drake

Summer 2011 plans in the Drake house? Get the heck outside and raise a ruckus with the kids! For us, it all starts with a bit of shopping at PlayOutdoors.com.  

Both girls had outgrown last summer's sandals, and Maya had burst into tears when she realized her favorite kid-sized KEEN Newport H2s were too small. We gave them to a friend (they were still in like-new condition after being handed down to us by a friend and used by both my girls!) and picked up a new pair. We all love the improvement to the opening! KEEN said bye-bye to the old, narrow, drawstring-style closure and added a nice, wide, Velcro one. The closed toe makes them school-friendly as well as great for trails and water.

Elise needed new shoes too—our challenge with her is her crazy hot feet! This kid just can't stand most hiking shoes or boots, so I was looking for a hybrid shoe she could wear hiking, biking, or in the water. Merrell's WaterPro Skip is one great multitasker! They're like a breathable sneaker in the front, with trail-ready tread and an easily adjustable heel strap that gives them a sandal-like feel.

My girls love a good dare, so I figured I'd fend off the "We’re boooooored" whining this summer with This Book Made Me Do It from Penguin Books. So far, it's working! Whenever they start to say they have nothing to do, I point them toward the book and they find something they're in the mood for; from science experiments to magic tricks to cooking.

2011 Spring/Summer Travel Gear Picks—Play Outdoors Style

By Heidi Drake

I’m wandering through the Play Outdoors warehouse, checking out all the new family travel gear that’s landed—this stuff is so stinkin’ cool it almost makes me want to have another kid just to try it out. Almost.

A lot’s changed in the 6 ½ years since my youngest arrived. Seriously, a Phil and Teds Lobster travel high chair would have made my life a lot less germy and frantic—this baby clips to pretty much any table or bench for instant seating, and packs flat in its own carry bag. No more wondering if your little one will have a place to chill or chow down, or fretting about unknown germs.

Another deterrent to my getting out more when my girls were younger? I was never able to find a framed child carrier that didn’t eventually break my back or just plain break. Oh, how I wish I’d been able to hike my favorite trails packing one of my girls in a Deuter Kid Comfort child carrier! Lightweight, tough, ergonomic, and easy to adjust for Mom or Dad to use. Too bad Maya's too big for one now...

Boredom is a fun killer on family vacations, so I’ve finally learned to pack interesting travel games and toys to keep my girls entertained on the road or in between bouts of exploring and getting dirty. And, it’s amazing how excited they get to pack their own backpacks or Dakine rolling bags—make ‘em a list and let ‘em go! (Make sure to double check that they didn’t pack nine pairs of socks and no jacket, though.)

Winter Rocks with Play Outdoors Gear

By Heidi Drake

When we enrolled the girls in ski school at Mt. Bachelor this year, we figured we’d be picking up cold, exhausted, cranky kids at the end of the day and heading straight home. What we got were two pumped-up little shredders begging for just one more run. With encores.

On the way home, Maya commented that her new Kids Marmot mittens from Play Outdoors were “awesome!” and her face stayed warm thanks to her “ninja mask” (AKA her Dakine balaclava). I realized the girls’ gear had a huge impact on how much fun they had—they were comfortable and able to focus on skiing.

You want the scoop on some of our faves? Sure, we’ll share.

Maya adores her Lucky Bums Ski & Snowboard helmet (and I loved the affordable price tag: Reg. $40/On sale now for just $32!). It’s super easy to adjust, and its wide design is perfect for my 6-year-old, who is known for her “big-brained” head. She insists on wearing her balaclava even on sunny days ‘cause it keeps her hair out of her eyes. I think she likes the ninja look too.

When it comes to big sister Elise, Patagonia’s been her BFF this winter. Thanks to her Capilene girls’ base layer set and the Patagonia Girls Down Sweater Santa brought her, she’s finally not complaining about being sweaty and hot! She wears her jacket to school and it’s the first item she grabs when we’re headed up for a bluebird ski day.

Thumbs Up for Brilliant Marmot and Patagonia Down

By Heidi Drake

When I came home with my adult-sized Patagonia Down Jacket a few months ago, my daughter Elise kept cuddling on the couch with it wrapped around her, sighing, “I want a blanket like this!”

I figured it was time to get her a girl’s
Patagonia Down Sweater of her own, and Christmas was the perfect opportunity. And, knowing that little sister Maya wouldn’t want to be left out, I decided to pick up Marmot’s Brilliant Quilted and Insulated Jacket for her. Similar enough to be “equal” but not too matching (you know how girls can be).

What did they think? They loved them (and I got my Patty G jacket back). Both became the girls’ favorite school jackets, being softer and less bulky than their ski coats (and stylish enough to get verbal approval from their friends—big bonus!). While we wouldn’t recommend them for full-on blizzard conditions, both the Marmot and the Patagonia have kept my girls warm ice skating in Sunriver and impromptu sledding on the hill next to our house.

Lucky Bums vs. Nutcase: Kids Snow Helmet Showdown

By Heidi Drake

We were heading out for some sledding across the street when my six-year-old daughter announced that her helmet was squeezing her ears. To be honest, I was kinda stoked to buy her a new one, ‘cause the Nutcase kids snow helmets we’d received at Play Outdoors were so stinkin’ cool.

I consulted our Gear Guru, Ben Z., who agreed that the Nutcase helmets rocked, but encouraged me to check out the Lucky Bums Kids Snow Sport Helmets before deciding.

Boy, am I glad he did!

Let me start by saying that both the Nutcase and Lucky Bums helmets are safety-approved for snow sports, made of tough ABS injection shells, and feature padded EPS liners. They’re also both low profile and offer good visibility. And, depending on your kid’s style, are good-looking sport helmets.