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30 Must Have Outdoor Summer Toys for Kids

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All my memories of summer are of outdoor activities. From fishing, to jumping rope, making mud pies, to playing in the sprinkler, I took advantage of the season and enjoyed it to the fullest.

Considering summer is on it’s way, I figured there was no better time then now to create a list of some of my favorite outdoor toys that your kiddos can use make their own summertime memories. Summer is only so long, so why not spend it outside!

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The Best (and Easiest!) Salmon Dip Recipe

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Easy salmon dip recipe Alaska
The final product.

If you love salmon as much as I do, you want to find as many recipes and ways to have it as you can. It’s healthy and delicious, so really what more could you ask for in a food? One of my favorite ways to have salmon is in salmon dip. You only need three ingredients and a mixer (or a little elbow grease!). So without delaying you any more, here is the best (and easiest!) salmon dip recipe ever!

Easy salmon dip recipe Alaska

The Best (and Easiest!) Salmon Dip Recipe

With three simple ingredients you can make the best salmon dip!
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 5 minutes
Total Time 5 minutes
Course: Appetizer, Snack
Cuisine: American
Ingredients Method

Ingredients
  

  • 8 Oz Cream Cheese You can use a block of cream cheese and leave it out to soften before whipping, or buy prewhipped cream cheese.
  • 4 Oz Canned Salmon
  • 1 Tbsp Garlic Pepper

Method
 

  1. Gather all of your ingredients and begin by putting your cream cheese in your Kitchen Aid and whip until smooth. 
  2. Drain your can of salmon and add it to the whipped cream cheese. Stir in the salmon until it is evenly mixed with the cream cheese. 
  3. Once the cream cheese and salmon are mixed together, add the garlic pepper, tasting the mixture as you add the garlic pepper till it suites your taste. 
  4. After all ingredients are throughly mixed together, grab some Ritz, scoop up some salmon dip, and enjoy!

Our Trip on the Alaska Marine Highway System

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Valdez Alaska Ferry on the Alaska Marine Highway
Heading out of Valdez on the Ferry

If you are thinking about using the Alaska Marine Highway System (aka the ferry) to travel around Alaska and would like a little more information about what the experience is like, you’ve come to the right place! After being on a few ferry rides myself, I feel like I can give a little insight to what your trip may be like, what is available on the ferry, and what you can expect on your ferry adventure.

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The Ultimate Stocking Stuffer Gift Guide

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Picking out the perfect gifts for your friends and family can be difficult. Will they like it, will they use it, is it within your price range? And then there’s stocking stuffers. It’s always fun to find unique and helpful gifts to fill those stockings or to give as small gifts, but it’s usually hard to do that. In the gift guide below, you’ll find a stocking suffer or gift for everyone on your list!

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Please note that this post contains affiliate links which I may earn commission from. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Commissions from these qualifying purchases help support Everyday Alaska at no extra cost to you. Please follow the instructions on all of the recommended items. All of the information provided is my personal opinion, unless otherwise cited or noted.

  • HotHands-Help your friends and family keep their hand and feet toasty warm with some HotHands.
  • Flashlight-Good for emergencies, winter walks, and more!
  • First Aid Kit–Keep your friends and family safe and prepared with this comprehensive first aid kit that they can keep at home, in the car, or while traveling.
  • Books–Give someone a break from the screen with a good book!
  • Gloves-This the season for colder weather, so gloves will always come in handy!
  • Hand Lotion–Dry winter weather can do a number on your hands, so giving a gift that keeps them nice and moisturized is both thoughtful and useful!
  • Hat-Keep their noggin nice and warm with a good hat.
  • Socks-You wear them everyday, so why not give them as a gift? Useful and fun!
  • Notebook–It may seem like an odd stocking stuffer, but you can use this notebook on outdoor adventures since it works in the rain!
  • Boxers-Boxers? Really? Yes, really. Underwear may seem like an odd stocking stuffer, but he will definitely thank you for these ones!
  • Jerky-Who doesn’t love a good snack?
  • Neck Gaiter-During winter walks, shoveling driveways, or going to the store, a neck gaiter will come in handy.
  • Fishing Tackle-A small and relatively inexpensive gift that will make long lasting memories when it’s used.
  • Lip Balm-Useful everyday, and you can get it in fun colors and flavors. Who wouldn’t want that?!
  • Windproof Lighter–Good for anything from emergency kits to camping trips.
  • Magazine Subscription–Whether in paper or on a Kindle, it’s always fun to learn new things, read stories, and see pictures of different places in a good, old fashioned magazine.
  • Tool Kit–There’s always little projects or things to fix around the house, and it’s handy to have a little tool kit to keep in your drawer for unexpected chores.
  • Movies-Eveyone likes a good movie or tv show, so why not give one as a gift? Whether it’s comedy, a documentary, or action, there’s a good DVD for everyone.
  • Headlamp–Useful for any outdoor activity, a headlamp is the perfect gift and fits easily in stockings!
  • Pocket Knife–Something everyone needs is a good pocket knife. And when will it come more in handy then during Christmas when they’re opening gifts!
  • Hallmark Ornaments-You can really find an ornament for anyone on your list from Hallmark. I love collecting them and giving them, as they are fun to collect and bring cheer every year!

Hopefully this stocking stuffer gift guide has given you some helpful ideas to help fill those Christmas stockings with goodies that will be used throughout the year!

The Ultimate List of Dog Toys and Treats

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Chocolate Labrador Alaska puppy dog gifts
Our sweet baby enjoying the yard.

Please note that this post contains affiliate links which I may earn commission from. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. All of the information provided is my personal opinion, unless otherwise noted. Please follow the instructions on all of the recommended items.

Please read all warnings, directions, and ingredients on the following products, and be sure to choose the correct size of item or treat for the size of dog you have.

If you own a dog or know someone who does, you know how much us dog parents love to spoil our pups. Toys and treats and more toys and treats until we don’t know where to put them and our dogs don’t know what to do with all of them. But what are the best toys and treats to get our dogs? Check out the list below to find out!

The Necessities

Dog Bowls

This adjustable height feeder is awesome, especially if you have a growing puppy. You don’t need to go through a variety of bowls to adjust to their height, the bowls come out so they are easy to clean, and its lightweight and collapsible so you can easily take it with you.

Leash

We got this this leash for our pup and I really like it. It’s sturdy, the right length, and a nice color.

Collar

Weather you want a studded leather collar, hot pink collar, or a camo collar, the important thing is to make sure your dog has a Collar and tags, not only so you can go for walks and adventures, but so if your furry friend goes to explore without you he or she will be able to be identified and get home safely. We got a collar that matches the Carhartt leash he has, and it works very well.

Harness

This harness is amazing. It’s so easy to put on our pup, and he really seems to be comfortable in it. It comes in a variety of colors, and fits securely so I’m always confident that our dog will not slip out of it, and it will keep him safe.

Bag Holder and Bags

Being a good dog owner means being a good neighbor, too. That includes getting a bag holder and some doggy doo bags to clean up after your furry family. This bag holder is very convenient since its large enough for the bags and Trapper’s medicine incase he gets a bug bite, and some bandages incase he gets any cuts on his feet. It’s always good to be prepared! You can fill it with some of these poop bags that make clean up super easy and are entertaining to boot!

Bed

If you’re a dog lover, you probably agree that you dog’s bed should be as comfy, if not more, than your own. Well this Furhaven bed is. We’ve had Trapper’s bed over two years now and it has held up so well. It’s easy to wash, looks great, and is very comfortable. (I believe the link to the bed is the exact one our pup has, but if not it is very similar to it!)

Toys

Puppy Binkie

This KONG binkie is adorable and keeps your pup occupied and away from chewing on your shoes, clothes, or anything else. Fill it with this yummy treat, and your dog will be thrilled! Just make sure you get the right size of toy to match the size of your furry friend.

Balls

Our little (now big!) guy LOVES playing fetch, and any ball with little nubs on it seemed to be his favorite when he was a baby puppy, but now he’s all about the tennis ball. My husband had the great idea of buying them in bulk, so there’s never a place we go where we don’t have a ball already there, and if he loses a couple it’s not an “emergency”! We got a large box of them at Walmart, I believe, but you can also buy them in bulk on Amazon.

For outdoor play, this ball is so fun as well. It’s easy to throw and easy for your dog to pick up. Plus, they come in a variety of sizes and colors, which makes it even more fun.

Dog in snow playing fetch with a tennis ball.
Waiting patiently for his favorite game to continue!

Chew Toys

If you have an aggressive chewer like we do, I’m sure you’ve tried many toys to find one they can’t tear apart. Here are some we’ve had good luck with, and some for less aggressive chewers as well. Just watch your feet, as some of these get pointy edges as they get used more and hurt more than Legos to step on!

Trapper has really enjoyed his Benebone, and we have had zero problems with him chewing any pieces off of it. Plus, its easy for him to hold.

This Everlasting Treat Ball is amazing! It will keep your dog happy and busy for hours, and it has a refillable treat area so you only need to buy one and just refill it. Before you purchase, just make sure you’re getting the right size treat to match the ball you chose.

This Nylabone is wonderful if you have a furry family member that is not so intense with his or her chewing. And if your pup is teething, just stick it in the freezer and its even more wonderful!

West Paw Toys

Trapper’s grandma and grandpa got him hooked on West Paw toys. They are sturdy, Made in America, and he LOVES them. We have the Hurley bone, a frisbee, and stuffed toys (like the bison below!) from them that he has really been enjoying.

Treats

We feed our pup Wet Noses crunchy treats, Greenies, Kong filled treats, and whatever we see at PetCo that we think he’d like!

The Extras

Dog Tent

We bring this with camping and then he has somewhere comfortable and shaded to lay on. Plus, it looks too cute when he’s sleeping in his little tent!

Dog Pool

We get our pup a kiddie pool to splash around in the summer. He loves it, and it helps him chill out in the summer. Check out this post to see what we use to keep our dog cool in the summer!

Chocolate lab playing in a pool
Trapper enjoying his favorite summer activity!

Hopefully this list has give you some great ideas to help you spoil your furry friend. From bones to binkies and much more, these items will be sure to get tail wags out of any pup.


25 Under $25: Items Made in the USA for the Outdoor Enthusiast

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It seems like it can be pretty hard these days to find anything made in America, but if you really check around and research a bit you can find some great deals on American made items. To make it a little easier and cut out the work of researching, I’ve compiled a list for you of outdoor use items that are made in the USA and under $25! These all make great gifts for yourself or others, and you’ll be supporting American made products as well!

Please note that this post contains affiliate links which I may earn commission from. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Commissions from these qualifying purchases help support Everyday Alaska at no extra cost to you. Please follow the instructions on all of the recommended items. All of the information provided is my personal opinion, unless otherwise cited or noted.

Valdez Alaska Ferry American Flag
Leaving Valdez, Alaska on the ferry.

1. Tervis Tumbler: Have no fear when your Tervis is near! It’ll keep your drinks nice and warm on those cool days outdoors.

2. Liberty Bottleworks Water Bottle: Looking for a sturdy water bottle to keep you water cool while hiking? Look no further than Liberty Bottleworks! Their great designs add to their already awesome product.

3. Nalgene Water Bottle: Go for a classic with this American made Nalgene bottle. It’ll hold a ton and last a lifetime!

Water break with a view.

4. Lodge Cookware: Love cooking at home or around the campfire? Start your collection of Lodge cast iron cookware, and enjoy it for years to come!

Campfire queso in the Lodge Cast Iron.

5. Ball Mason Jars: Plan on making some delicious jam with the berries you picked, or canning some of the harvest from your garden? Buy some Ball Mason Jars and enjoy your harvest year-round.

6. Rite in the Rain Notebook: Whether you’re playing tic-tac-toe while camping, or keeping a journal of your adventures, a Rite in the Rain waterproof notebook can come in handy when the weather is a little soppy.

7. Thermarest Travel Pillow: Lightweight, compact, and comfortable. Three great qualities for camping and hunting gear to have, especially when it comes to your pillow. And its made in the USA!

8. Marshmallow Roasting Sticks: No trip in the great outdoors in complete without s’mores! Make sure you have all you need for them, including the sticks, for your next camping trip.

9. Heather’s Choice Packaroons: Looking for a packable snack to enjoy on your next hike? Give Packaroons a try! What are Packaroons? Click here to find out! 

10. Pelican Waterproof Case: Don’t let a waterlogged phone ruin your next outing! Grab a Pelican case and protect your phone, wallet, and other valuables from the elements while you’re out and about.

11. Loksak Waterproof Bags: Another way to keep your valuables dry is an American made Loksak.

12. Alaska Game Bags: These game bags will help keep your harvest clean and safe while bringing the meat in from your hunting site.

13. Shoot-N-C Targets: Great for getting in some target practice and making sure you’re all sighted in. You can get a lot of use out of one target by using the adhesive dots that come with the targets, and its great to get feedback on exactly where you’re hitting.

14. LimbSaver Rifle Sling: You always need a good, comfortable sling, why not buy one that’s made in the USA!?

15. Plano Tackle Box: Organize all of your fishing gear in American made Plano tackle boxes. With a variety of sizes and storage options, Plano has a tackle box for every fishing adventure.

16. Flambeau Tackle Box: Another option for tackle boxes made in the USA is Flambeau.

17. Neck Gaiter: Keep the suns rays off your face and neck, and stay away from a harmful sunburn with a neck gaiter. You can get a variety of colors and patterns, and it’ll help you stay comfortable while fishing or boating.

18. Hot Hands: Hot Hands warmers are great for venturing out when the weather gets a little nippy. They’ll keep you toasty warm and comfortable so you can enjoy being outside longer.

My go-to item for staying warm in the outdoors.

19. Paracord: Paracord is a great thing to have in any outdoor kit. You can use it as a makeshift shoelace, a sling, to build a shelter, and more!

20. Buck Knives: You’ll need something to cut that paracord with, so make sure you’ve to a good knife with you.

21. Gerber Knives: Another great option for a knife made in the USA is Gerber. You can never have too many knives!

22. DMT Knife Sharpener: A dull knife doesn’t do anyone any good. Keep your knife nice and sharp with a DMT sharpener.

23. Smartwool Socks: You need socks for basically every outdoor activity, so you might as well have cute, comfortable, American made socks! Probably over half of my socks are Smartwool, and I love them.

24. Darn Tough Socks: Another great sock option is Darn Tough. They have a variety of styles and patterns to choose from to fit every activity.

25. Carhartt Hats: There are many American made Carhartt items, and one of my favorites is their hats. I wear their beanie all winter long. It’s comfortable, warm, and has multiple colors to choose from. I highly recommend checking out Carhartt!

Hopefully you’ve found this list useful and discovered some new American made products you didn’t know about before for yourself or for gifts. Thank you for reading and for buying American made! 🙂

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