The weather is finally beautiful here in New York, which means plenty of time playing outdoors, family gatherings, cookouts, and splashing around in the pool. The kids love to be outside, but it can get boring with riding bikes, playing in the sand, and hanging with mom and dad. We are always looking for fun activities to do in our own backyard, and with all the amazing essential field gear from Backyard Safari Outfitters, now my kids can explore even more. Backyard Safari Outfitters has all the backyard gear kids could ever need to explore the great outdoors. With fully functional products that allow you to suck up bugs, scopes to get up close and personal to creatures they find, and habitats where the bugs can live. They have over 30 products for all to enjoy a backyard campout, a hike in the woods or park and so much more.
We were sent a few products from Backyard Safari Outfitters, and the minute it arrived the kids were thrilled at what they saw. Gavyn especially since he is a boy, and to boys bugs are pretty cool. After opening the packages he geared up to go on his own adventure. Starting out with the cargo vest which is definitely essential when going on a safari. This vest has many pockets with closures to load up items you may need for the great outdoors. Gavyn is already asking for a few animal callers, and binoculars(thank goodness his birthday is soon) and there is also a zippered pocket with mesh for more storage. 
The vest zips up and also allows you to add patches because they have their new patch program. When children complete fun adventures they will receive patches as a reward. Gavyn received a few patches from the products we received, so mom has to get to work to iron the patches onto his cargo vest. On the vest there is also a clear view front pocket to store pop up guides. The pop up guides are pretty neat. The bug wrangler guide for instance has 7 essential steps to bug wrangling. Inside you will find those tips, from searching for bugs, to observing them, capturing and more. 
When you open the guide fully there will be photos of assorted bugs; grasshoppers, beetles, butterflies, and spiders to name a few. You can compare bugs you catch to those in the guide and then check the box next to the photo of the actual bug caught. There are also d-rings on the vest for other products at Backyard Safari Outfitters to clip right on.
Once he had the vest on, both kids were ready to use their bug vacuums to catch bugs, specifically ants, since we have a bit of an ant problem at our home. The Lazer Light Bug Vacuum is a bug vac with a clip-on lazer light that enables you to capture live bugs. 
The lazer light is a neat accessory because you can target the bug with the light, put the nose cone on the bug, and suck them up. Once caught, you’ll want to close the magnifying glass so they don’t get out. This also allows the catcher to examine bugs they catch. 
Once examined just remove the cap and release the bug. The bug vac sounds like a vacuum as well. Pretty interesting for children. Like I stated above, this does come with a pop up guide, and the bug wrangler patch.
Hiking would never be hiking without a hiking stick and this was next on our list, when we headed to the backyard for a fun day with our base camp shelter and camouflage net. The Expedition Two Hiking Stick has a carved wood look with a wolf head on the top. 
However, this is not wood, it is plastic. The hiking stick is 45 inches tall, which is taller than Zoe so it was difficult for her to use, but Gavyn loved poking holes in the ground to find bugs, moving logs out at my dads house, and many other uses. There is also a green grip to comfort. When we arrived at our campground(in the backyard) Gavyn headed into his Base Camp Shelter, which dad set up for him. 
Assembly was simple and it is very lightweight, so moving to the garage when not in use was a cinch. This base camp includes the field shelter which protects from weather and a mini lantern for the evenings. I shot a short video to show the inside of the base camp shelter, which includes many pockets and storage.
So you can see the shelter, the kids absolutely love it. Also in the video you saw the camouflage netting which happens to be Gavyn’s favorite, since he thinks he’s an army dude.
He likes that he can blend in with grass and trees, and stay protected from bugs and wildlife. Whether, he has it over the camp, a bush, or himself he feels he is hidden always. This is made of sturdy rip-stop nylon and is stretchable, fitting over the entire front of the camp. This netting is 5′x8″ and is portable, so he can bring it along anywhere.
Backyard Safari Outfitters has really cool gear for kids. I would highly recommend the products we reviewed. Many items do come with pop up field guides and collectible patches. I like how the products are geared for boys or girls, and get them exploring the great outdoors and our beautiful nature. Their imagination runs wild with these products. If you think their products are expensive I can assure you they are not. I cannot wait to purchase more for the kids, and get an even larger collection. The products would make unique and affordable gifts. Stay connected with Backyard Safari on Facebook and on twitter and be sure to visit www.backyardsafari.com to check out all their cool products and watch the products in action on their YouTube channel!
Disclaimer: Although, I received products through Team Mom from Backyard Safari Outfitters, all opinions are 100% mine.
We gotta get our tent out still, ER can’t seem to get past that walking stick. I had no idea it was going to go over so well. All the neighbors love seeing her “hiking” along the back path with it. She is so dramatic, you’d think she was in the Andes Mts. the way she carries on…very cute!
My boys love their Backyard Safari stuff, especially the bug vacuum. Definitely great summer boredom busters!
Wow that looks soooo awesome! I want!