Testing Everything Takes time
While we test gear in the field for these categories, check out some of our favorite guides below!
Browse by:
REI Co-op Rainier Rain Jacket — Toddler Review
We took the REI Rainier to Yellowstone in a downpour and Oren (2) stayed dry. Soft chin guard, a hood that stays put, true-to-size fit. It’s a shell, so layer up.
Columbia Hikebound II Rain Jacket — Toddler Review
The comfiest toddler rain jacket we tested. The Hikebound II feels like cloth, not plastic, and it’s still waterproof. The catch: mesh pockets that open straight to the inside.
Amazon Essentials Toddler Raincoat Review
Warm, cute, and easy on the budget. The quilted lining and insulated hood make it great for cold drizzle. But it’s water-repellent, not waterproof, and it overheats in warm rain.
Reima Lampi Rain Jacket — Toddler Review
The most sealed-feeling toddler rain jacket we tested, with a detachable hood and PVC-free fabric. The catches: no pockets, no chin guard, and our 2T could fit our five-year-old.
Kids’ Shoe Size Chart: How to Measure Kids’ Feet (and Why Brands Disagree)
Kids’ feet don’t follow averages. Here’s how we measure for shoes with paper, a pen, and a tape measure, plus the straw trick for shopping in a store.
Things to Do in Lake Tahoe With Kids: Our Summer Guide
Our summer guide to Lake Tahoe with kids: where we camp and how we score sites, our favorite beach, easy kid hikes, cold water and bear tips, and the gear we pack.
How to Go Camping With Kids for the First Time
Your first family camping trip doesn’t need to be perfect. It needs a plan, realistic expectations, and half the toys. Here’s what actually matters.
Marmot Tungsten 4P — Family Camping Tent Review
We’ve tested the Tungsten for years, and the 4P really does sleep four of us. The catch: your gear lives in the vestibules, and you’ll want extra stakes.
Best Family Camping Tents 2026
We tested seven family camping tents over about 60 nights, from the Utah desert to the Oregon coast, with kids from one to ten. The North Face Wawona 6 is our top pick, the NEMO Aurora Highrise 6 is the runner-up, and the Kelty Wireless 6 is the budget buy. Here’s which one fits your family.
REI Co-op Westward 6 — Family Camping Tent Review
A week on the Arkansas River with a family of four, kids playing in the vestibule’s shade every afternoon. Great for summer. Pick something else for rainy country.
Mountain Hardwear Mineral King 3 — Family Camping Tent Review
It pitches in under five minutes, stayed dry through a desert lightning storm, and once blew down a mountain because we didn’t guy it out. Lesson learned.
REI Co-op Base Camp 6 — Family Camping Tent Review
A group of ten-year-olds pitched it and slept in it all on their own. With a full fly and 14 pockets, it’s the tent we trust when the forecast turns bad.
