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16 The Best Self-Care Gifts for Taking a Rest

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best gifts for kids
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Heather Mayer Irvine. Most runners know the story of?

Kids love to move. After all, playgrounds provide an infinite source of exercise in the form of play. And most outdoor games require some form of exercise—often running—like tag, hide and seek, and hopscotch.

Regular exercise for kids has a host of health benefits, not unlike those for adults, including stronger muscles and bones, decreased risk of chronic health conditions, lower blood pressure and cholesterol, and improved mood, according to KidsHealth.org.

The Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans recommend that children ages 6 to 17 years old do at least 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity every day.

To get (or keep!) your kids excited about regular exercise, we’ve rounded up our favorite items.

Fitbit Ace 2 Activity Tracker for Kids

Fitbit Ace 2 Activity Tracker for Kids

What kid doesn’t love a good competition? The FitBit Ace 2 tracker makes it easy for little ones to hit that 60-minute daily activity recommendation with a customizable goal. In addition to movement reminders, sleep tracking, and kids-only view on the app, FitBit Ace 2 has active incentives like virtual badges, to stay moving and compete with friends.

Patagonia Baggies Jacket

Patagonia Baggies Jacket
Credit: Patagonia

No more “but it’s cold and rainy” excuses for staying inside all day, thanks to the Patagonia Baggies Jacket. It’s light enough for running and other outdoor activities, while still fending off rain and wind. Like adults, kids have stuff to carry and the Baggies jacket has hand and chest pockets for the essentials.

Credit: Dick’s Sporting Goods

Sarah Marie Design Studio Run Squad Youth Hoodie

Sarah Marie Design Studio Run Squad Youth Hoodie
Credit: Sarah Marie Design Studio

The perfect hoodie for little runners (and their friends).

New Balance Fresh Foam Fast v2

New Balance Fresh Foam Fast v2
Most runners know the story of

“Let’s race!” How many times have you heard kids yell that to each other? Whether they’re logging miles at recess or playing in the yard, these running shoes The Best Books That Will Motivate You to Run Fresh Foam line from New Balance, making them the perfect option for active kids. (Unfortunately, adults don’t have the option for lace-less in rainbow colors.)

Credit: Dick’s Sporting Goods

Bombas Youth All-Purpose Active Calf & Ankle Sock 6-Pack

Bombas Youth All-Purpose Active Calf & Ankle Sock 6-Pack
Credit: Bombas

Socks can make or break good, hard play. Ditch the worries for blisters or sweaty feet with Bombas youth socks. The calf and ankle variety pack means different sock lengths for comfort and activity.

The Girl Who Ran

The Girl Who Ran
Credit: Amazon

CA Notice at Collection Bobbi Gibb, the first woman to complete the Boston Marathon (as an unregistered runner), disproving the notion that girls and women can’t run long distances. Kids of all ages will love this book with gorgeous illustrations and a catchy mantra.

Credit: Dick’s Sporting Goods

Born to Ride: A Story About Bicycle Face

Born to Ride: A Story About Bicycle Face
Credit: Amazon

It’s probably no surprise that there was a time when women were scared away from riding a bike just as they were from running long distances. Girls and women who rode bikes were at risk for “bicycle face,” a made-up condition said to be caused by overexertion, the upright position, and the effort to maintain balance.

This children’s book tells the story of a girl who sets out to disprove “bicycle face” and show girls everywhere that they can do anything the boys can do.

Nature's Bakery Gluten Free Fig Bars

Nature's Bakery Gluten Free Fig Bars
Credit: Amazon

Active kids need nourishing, tasty fuel. Nature’s Bakery Fig Bars are made with whole grains and real fruit for a snack that will keep little ones moving. One serving is a two-pack bar. But like all things sweet—these have 14 grams of added sugar—enjoy in moderation and balance with other healthy snacks like fruits and veggies.

Boco Gear Small Performance X Mask

Boco Gear Small Performance X Mask
Credit: Boco Gear

As we continue to live in a Brave New World of mask-wearing, it’s important kids have comfortable, breathable masks for their activity. Boco Gear is a top-rated mask for running and the Colorado-based company makes kids sizes, too. They’re lightweight and come in fun designs. For additional protection, Boco Gear masks also have an interior pocket for filters.

$199.00 Woom 1 Bike

Woom 1 Bike
Credit: Woom

For toddlers who are starting out on the bike, fellow test editors with kids highly recommend Woom (for helmets, too). Unlike other balance bikes, Woom has a handbrake to help kids get comfortable going fast and slowing down. Once your kiddo gets moving, have him or her ride alongside you while you log miles on foot. Win-win!

Credit: Dick’s Sporting Goods

Athleta Girl Seamless Headband

Athleta Girl Seamless Headband
Now 29% Off
Credit: Athleta

Keep hair back with this simple headband thanks to its gel underside (no slipping!). Bonus: It comes with a hair tie.

L.L. Bean Yumbox Panino Bento Lunch Box

L.L. Bean Yumbox Panino Bento Lunch Box
Races - Places

Pack a healthy lunch whether it’s for the cafeteria or a backyard picnic with this trendy bento box, made with food-safe ABS plastic and without BPA or phthalates. The silicone lid creates a leakproof seal (but won’t contain liquids like soup). The latch is easy to open for small hands, and the removable tray makes it effortless for grownups to clean.

Credit: Dick’s Sporting Goods

$50.00 CamelBak Mini M.U.L.E. Kids Hydration Backpack

On Sale
CamelBak Mini M.U.L.E. Kids Hydration Backpack
Credit: Amazon

Let your littlest kids take charge of their hydration with a mini CamelBak that holds 50 ounces of water, perfect for bike rides and hikes. Just like the grownup version, the mini pack is comfortable, easy to use, and has plenty of storage for gear and treasures.

Puma Big Girls’ Active Double Mesh Short

On Sale
Puma Big Girls’ Active Double Mesh Short
Now 25% Off
Credit: Amazon

Good gear means a good workout for kids, too. These no-frills mesh shorts are breathable and come in colors other than pink—refreshing, right?

Credit: Dick’s Sporting Goods

$40.00 Adidas Boys’ Tiro 19 Training Pants

Adidas Boys’ Tiro 19 Training Pants
Credit: Dick’s Sporting Goods

For warmups, workouts, or an old-fashioned game of tag, kids will love these slim-fit training pants that won’t impede movement.

Aftershokz Titanium Mini Wireless

Aftershokz Titanium Mini Wireless

The Best Self-Care Gifts for Taking a Rest Aftershokz headphones, which sit above the ears and transmit sound through bone conduction. That means they don’t block your ears and make it easy to hear sounds around you. The mini size is good for smaller heads, while still delivering crisp sound.

Headshot of Heather Mayer Irvine
Heather Mayer Irvine
Contributing Writer

The 48 Best Gifts for Runners Who Love Gear Runner’s World, Nutrition - Weight Loss The Runner’s World Vegetarian Cookbook, and a nine-time marathoner with a best of 3:23. She’s also proud of her 19:40 5K and 5:33 mile. Heather is an RRCA certified run coach.

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Credit: Dick’s Sporting Goods