Kids grow FAST. One of the biggest complaints we hear is, “Why pay money for quality gear when they’re just going to grow out of it in 6 months?”. It’s why we started our trade-in program, and why it’s refreshing to find outdoor gear brands for kids that also offer trade-in options. Keep the Littles Wild is one of those brands, and we are proud to carry many of their products in our online store. We sat down with one of Keep the Littles Wild's founders, Amber, to learn more about their mission and how their products can help families enjoy the outdoors in all seasons.
How Did Keep the Littles Wild Get Started and What is Your Mission?
Keep the Littles Wild really started with my son, Brooks. When he was about two, we tried to keep doing all the things we loved—hiking, backpacking, skiing, and just spending as much time outside as possible. I remember having a hard time finding quality outdoor gear for him that could actually keep up with all of that. I didn’t want having a little kid to mean we had to stop adventuring. I wanted to make it easier to bring him along, and that’s really where the idea for Keep the Littles Wild came from.
Our mission is pretty simple: to keep the littles wild.
I truly believe kids are born wild. They’re curious, adventurous, messy, fearless, and naturally want to explore. Our job is to encourage that and give them more opportunities to be outside, try new things, get dirty, and have adventures.
We want to create gear that helps families do exactly that—whether it’s a big backpacking trip, a day on the ski hill, or just some really good neighborhood play.
Why Do You Feel It’s Important for Families to Get Outdoors?
Getting outside is good for the whole family. I think it’s especially important for parents who were adventurous before having kids. Having kids doesn’t mean that part of your life has to stop—it just looks a little different.
There’s something about getting outside, removing the walls, and exploring together that’s good for everyone. Kids get to be curious, move their bodies, get dirty, and experience new things, and parents get to share something they love with their kids.
It doesn’t always have to be a big adventure either. Sometimes it’s a hike or a camping trip, and sometimes it’s just getting outside together for an afternoon. It’s really about creating those experiences as a family and showing our kids how much there is to explore.
How Do Your Products Help Families Enjoy Nature?
Everything we make is designed to make getting outside with kids a little easier—and let parents worry a little less and say “yes” a little more.
A few examples: our UV sun shirts and hats help take some of the worry out of long days in the sun. Our hybrid shirts are made to go from trail to creek to pool (and probably straight into the dirt after that) with quick-drying fabric that can keep up.
We love merino wool because it helps keep kids at a comfortable temperature when the weather changes, and our backpacks give littles a place to carry their own water, snacks, gear—and, inevitably, a few rocks, sticks, or favorite toys they find along the way.
Those are just a few examples, but the idea behind all of our products is the same: make gear that can keep up with kids being kids and make it easier for families to get outside and enjoy the outdoors.
Is There Anything Else You Would Like to Share?
One thing that’s really important to us is our trade-back program. Kids grow so fast, and outdoor gear can have a lot of life left in it long after they’ve outgrown it.
Our trade-back program gives families a way to send back qualifying Keep the Littles Wild gear so it can be used again instead of just sitting in a closet or getting tossed aside.
For us, it’s about making good gear go further, making quality outdoor clothing a little more accessible, and creating less waste along the way.
Check out our online store for various products from Keep the Littles Wild. From the popular “Little Explorer” Hiking Backpack and adorable swimsuits to wool baselayers and waterproof snowsuits, their products get you outside with your littles enjoying nature in any weather.
