Some of the best outdoor gear comes from real parents overcoming real parenting challenges. That's exactly how A to Z Adventure Gear began. Founded by a Colorado couple who wanted to keep exploring with their growing family, the brand was born from a simple question: How can we adventure more freely with a baby in tow?
We sat down with the founder, Jamie, to learn more about the story behind A to Z Adventure Gear, the inspiration behind their products, and why even the smallest adventures can make the biggest memories. We're excited to carry their products in our online shop and help more families discover gear that simplifies outdoor adventures with little ones.
How did A to Z Adventure Gear Get Started, and What is Your Mission?
My husband and I were both born and raised in Colorado, so getting outside has always been a big part of our lives. I never believed that having kids would stop our outdoor adventures, but I quickly learned that they would look a little different.
I still remember our first camping trip with our daughter when she was just a few months old. Before we left home, I remember thinking, “Where the heck are we going to put her when we set up the tent?” We cobbled together a place for her that weekend, and it wasn’t ideal, but it sparked the idea for what would eventually become the Lay & Play Adventure Mat.
Later, when we had a baby and a toddler, we ran into the same problem while staying in a mountain condo. We wondered why there wasn’t a baby play gym that worked for both outdoor adventures and travel and was easy to pack up. We searched and searched, and when we couldn’t find one, we decided to make our own.
My husband is an engineer, so he worked on the structure while I sat at my very basic sewing machine figuring out how to sew the mat. Those homemade prototypes eventually became the Lay & Play Adventure Mat, a portable baby play mat with an activity gym designed for outdoor adventures and travel. And A to Z Adventure Gear was born.
The company is named after our daughters, Annabelle and Zoe—our original explorers and the inspiration behind everything we create. As they’ve grown, our ideas have grown too.
At A to Z Adventure Gear, we believe some of the best parts of childhood happen when kids have space to play, imagine, and explore. Our mission is to make family adventures feel doable with gear and guides inspired by our own experiences as parents. We want to help families enjoy time together and raise kids who love the outdoors, are curious about the world, and feel confident in themselves.
Why Do You Feel it’s Important for Families to Get Outdoors?
For me, getting outdoors creates space for family connection. We get to explore, experience new things, and sometimes do hard things together. I love watching my kids discover something exciting and seeing their confidence grow when they try something new.
But I also don’t think adventures have to be epic. I’m a big advocate for mini adventures, and one of my favorite sayings is, “Sometimes the smallest adventures make the biggest memories.”
A walk around the block, a picnic, or an afternoon at a nearby park all count. I want parents to feel like they can start wherever they are, with whatever time and energy they have. Getting outside shouldn’t feel like one more thing that requires a huge amount of planning or effort. I want to help more families feel comfortable giving it a try.
Recently, a neighbor told me she was going camping with her family for the first time and was certain she would hate it. I sent her my Happy Campers guide, lent her some gear, and encouraged her to give it a try. When she came back, she told me she wished they’d gone sooner and stayed longer! Now she can’t wait to go again.
How Do Your Adventure Mats Help Families Enjoy Nature?
Getting outside with babies and young kids can involve a lot of gear and logistics. The idea behind our mats is to make one part of that easier: having an easy place to put your little one when you get there.
The Lay & Play Adventure Mat gives babies a clean place to stretch, play with toys, and look around instead of being stuck in their stroller or car seat. It also gives parents a few hands-free moments while keeping their baby close and supervised, whether they’re organizing camping gear or enjoying a cup of coffee at the campsite.
It’s lightweight, machine washable, and packs into a compact stuff sack, so it’s easy to bring along. I wanted to create something that earned its space in the car or the carry-on.
The Adventure Mini Mat is a portable picnic and play mat that offers a simple landing spot for toddlers and bigger kids to sit, have a snack, or play with toys. As my own kids have grown, I’ve seen how useful it is to keep this in the car and have that little home base wherever we go.
The original Lay & Play Adventure Mat grows with your family, too. Once your baby outgrows the activity gym, you can simply use the mat on its own for picnics, play, and whatever comes next.
Is There Anything Else You Would Like to Share?
While my husband and I came up with the idea together, I primarily run the company and act as Chief Everything Officer. I’ve learned so much along the way, and one of my favorite parts has been discovering how customers use the Lay & Play Adventure Mat in ways I hadn’t even thought of.
I love seeing photos of the Lay & Play Adventure Mat on camping trips, road trips, in airports, and on tropical vacations. I also love hearing how it gives new parents the freedom to visit a neighbor or grandparent without wondering whether there will be a place for their baby to play.
As my daughters have gotten older, I’ve become even more grateful for the time we’ve spent outside together. Recently, we took our first backpacking trip as a family. They were so excited to try it, and I loved watching us take on a new challenge together.
Check out our online shop for both the Lay and Play Adventure Mat and the Adventure Mini Mat from A to Z Adventure Gear. These useful mats provide a safe barrier for your littlest kiddos, whether you’re setting up the campsite, enjoying a park picnic, or surviving a long layover at the airport.
