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.

Play Outdoors is Taking the Savings to the Streets!

By Heidi Drake

Who knew our little old annual weekend-long Warehouse Sale would become something people would start asking about and looking forward to?  Well, to our delight, it has. (Whoo hoo!) 

We figured the piece of eye candy we call the Play Outdoors retail store in Bend’s convenient and ultra-cool Old Mill Shopping District was more appealing than the warehouse (where Ben, Joyce, and the gang are buried in boxes and bags of brand-spanking-new fall and winter gear), so we’re moving the ruckus to the corner of Arizona and Bond.

What’s in it for you if you show up?  How about 50-80% off brand name fall and winter kids outdoor gear by Patagonia, Quiksilver, Roxy, Icebreaker, and more!  We need to make room for the new stuff, so we’re offering screaming deals on the gear we were so excited about last year.

Smart Girls Rock Play Outdoors Style

By Heidi Drake

She’s beaming ‘cause her BFF covets her new Roxy Girls Rockfest Hoodie, while you’re stoked that she’s actually wearing a jacket to school (and one that will last).

That’s the sitch if you did your school clothes shopping at Play Outdoors.  You didn’t?  It’s not too late!  We’ve still got some killer deals on stylish girls’ clothes like Roxy’s Jivin’ Corduroy Pants (Reg. $42, now only $25.20) to go with her favorite hoodie.  Or teach her clothes to play nicely with others and mix it up with items like the baseball-style long sleeve top from Limeapple (Reg. $40, now only $28.96).

We’ve got accessories she’ll adore too, like girls’ knit hats by Ambler Mountain Works and Spacecraft, and colorful and warm SmartWool socks.  Need some cute and durable shoes too?  We adore Simple’s Satire Girl’s Sneakers (Reg. $42, Now only $35.70)—how can you resist pink laces and giraffe print?

And remember, we’re not just about making sure your kids look their most rockin’ (although we do like that too)—we’ve got child-sized backpacks to cram their stuff into, and even giggle-inducing and educational toys like the Wobble Deck Balance Board ($48.95).  Hone their balance and musical skills while burning off that after-school energy!

Stay tuned for more… our gear buying gurus have been busily making warehouse space for more Ambler Mountain hats, Spyder snow gear, boots by Sorel, science kits from 4M (potato clocks, solar bots, and more)--and that's not all.  School and impending cold weather?  Bring it on!

Save on Kids’ Shoes? It’s Simple!

By Heidi Drake

Forget about sneakers with Dora or Spiderman on them… not that we have anything against superheroes or adventurous little girls.  But have you seen Simple’s super stylin’ and simply rockin’ suede kids’ sneakers yet? They just landed on Play Outdoors soil, and we can’t wait to see ‘em on your kid’s feet.

3 More Days to WAKEUP!!! and Save

By Heidi Drake

Aaaahhh… Labor Day’s marked the official end of summer and the kids are back in school.  If you got caught in the last-minute scramble and missed a few things on the back to school shopping list, never fear—Play Outdoors is here!

Remember that 10% off deal we told you about way back in August?  It’s still going on for three more days!  Just enter code WAKEUP!!! at checkout online, or mention the promo in our Bend, Oregon retail store and we’ll make sure to shave a little dough off your total when you grab our Ruckus Ready kids’ clothes, shoes, lunchboxes and bags...  there’s too much to list here.

Dakine vs. Deuter: It’s a Backpack Showdown, Kids

By Heidi Drake

The rivalry began as soon as we entered the Play Outdoors store and asked Playground Monitor Amy Mora about backpacks for hiking.  I knew she’d point out the functional Deuter Jr. Kids’ Backpack, and to my delight, pragmatic Maya grabbed one and immediately started testing the drawstring cargo top, mesh water bottle holders, and handy zip compartments.  While Amy helped adjust the shoulder and chest straps to fit Maya’s petite five-year-old body, her sister Elise asked, “Do you have any other colors?”

Learning that green was the only option for the Deuter Jr. this year, my fashionista headed for the colorful Dakine rack.  After nixing a few as great for school but too big or fancy for our camping trip (yes, that was Mom doing the nixing…), we found the Dakine Girls’ Wonder Pack, which Elise adored because of the rainbow-striped graphic.  I’d hoped she’d choose something smaller and a bit more rugged for hiking, but figured she could use the Wonder for school too, with its notebook-ready cargo space.  At seven and on the smaller side, she’ll also have some room to grow into her pack.

Make a Splash This Summer with Play Outdoors!

By Heidi Drake

Some of us may be old enough to equate the word “splash” with the image of a mermaid Daryl Hannah frolicking with a young, skinny Tom Hanks—we think it’s about time we update that mental movie.  From now on, “splash” means crazy, wet, wild, watersport fun!  When you shop at Play Outdoors, that is.

For the entire month of July, entering promo code SPLASH at checkout means you save an additional 15% on all full-priced items in our Water Sports category!  That includes super stylish kids’ swimwear by brands like Roxy, I Play, and Quiksilver, water shoes and sandals from KEEN, Speedo, and Teva, and even beach toys.  Yep, we’re talking sand castle building sets, underwater telescopes, and more beachy-keen implements of fun.

Travel the World Without Trashing It!

Eco-friendly travel gear for the whole dang clan

By Heidi Drake

 

 
Get that deer-in-the-headlights look off your face—we don’t expect you completely rearrange the way you roll when we suggest you try “traveling green.”  We’re cool with baby steps. (We can talk about that biking tour visiting organic farms later.)

Start by snatching up some eco-friendly clothing and travel gear for your kids.  You know they’re gonna get hungry on the road (or in the air, or wherever…), so be sure to pack their healthy snacks in an earth friendly lunch box. Our Play Outdoors Playground Monitors (AKA staff) love KEEN’s OTL Lunch Sack ($20).  It’s insulated, easy to carry, and made of repurposed materials.  Or, if a more “blingy” lunch box is more your kid’s style, check out Go Green’s insulated boxes with five superhandy compartments.  He’ll love the Jolly Roger with its black-and-white checks and skull-n-bones accent, and grab the colorful Daisy Girl for your little princess ($29.99).  These boxes are lead free and clean up fast!  And, we’ve got a stellar selection of BPA-free kids’ water bottles too.

Pack it Up, Pack it In—Deuter Kids’ Backpacks Are Here!

Durable and functional school, hiking & alpine packs for adventurous kids

By Heidi Drake

 

*Photo: fashion-origin.com

We’ve never understood kids’ backpacks that aren’t shaped to fit kids’ bodies—that’s why we’re so excited about the Deuter youth backpacks that have landed on Play Outdoors soil!

Deuter’s been making packs since 1898, so they’ve had a ton of time to design tough, stylish, and functional models for the littlest hikers in the family.  Deuter youth backpacks feature all the same technology as their adult models, with ergonomic designs, padding, and lots of cargo space.  

Splish, Splash, Swim! Additional 10% Off Kids’ Swimwear & More

By Heidi Drake

The snow is melting and we’re all craving a healthy dose of natural vitamin D—time to spend some time in the sun!  As the weather warms up the kids head for the water, so Play Outdoors is here to help you equip your little one to swim, snorkel, and explore the beach safely and stylishly.

That's right, for the entire month of April (now through 04/30/10), use Promo Code: SPLASH when you shop our Water Sports page and take an additional 10% off the current price.  Yep, that includes items already on sale!

You won't get soaked when you pick up kids’ swimsuits, PFDs, snorkeling gear, wetsuits and more--here's just a taste of what we’re talkin’ about:

• Stohlquist DRIFTer Youth Life Jacket -- Comfortable, high-tech, low-profile kids' PFD vest for children 50-90 lbs. (WAS $89.95, CURRENTLY $80.96 BEFORE PROMO)
• Quiksilver Boys From the Block Board Shorts -- Supercool supersuede boys' board shorts with neoprene fly and bold graphic (CURRENTLY $38 BEFORE PROMO)
• Roxy Girl Supreme Set Bikini -- Adorable floral print 2-piece girls swimsuit with adjustable ties (CURRENTLY $46 BEFORE PROMO)
• GeoSafari SeaScope -- Durable kids' telescope with 4X zoom, built in flashlight, thermometer, and ruler for measuring critters (CURRENTLY $30 BEFORE PROMO)
• Speedo Futurity Jr. Swim Goggles -- High tech goggles for little swimmers, with UV protection and anti-fog lenses (CURRENTLY $13.99 BEFORE PROMO)

Remember that you always get free ground shipping on your orders over $45!  Stock up now, 'cause the promo code is limited to one use per customer.  Happy Splashing!