My family and I are taking up skiing this year and have been buying all of the necessary gear to keep us moving/safe/warm. This past weekend saw us buying helmets and while we’ve spent a lot of money already (next year will be SO MUCH CHEAPER), my husband suggested buying up helmets with earphones built in. He usually opts for the cheapest option, but this was one luxury he thought we deserved.

Starting at $100 @ Amazon.com

My husband and I, in conjunction with our children, have decided to take up skiing this winter. I know how to ski, but my husband and children have never been on skies. We went to a ski swap last weekend and got boots and skies and pants and jackets for (almost) everybody. We also signed up for ski lessons. The only thing left to purchase is ski jackets for my husband and myself.I kind of love this one.

$149.95 @ Amazon.com

Summer is FINALLY here and my family and I have started eating outside. I am a huge tea drinker, and when the weather gets hotter I tend to switch to iced teas. I’ve been branching out beyond orange pekoe and green tea, and this pitcher is a perfect way to infuse your tea with fruit or citrus or herbs. And, if you’re not a tea fan, you can use it to make sangria.

$18.69 @ Amazon.com

I’ve upped my running routine and recently participated in a 10K run. While the water stations seemed to magically appear right when I needed them to, I found myself wishing that I had my own aqua. I own a belt that holds a water bottle and while it works, it can be a little annoying to run with. If I’m going to keep on racing (and I am) then I think investing in a Camelback is worth it.

$35.10 @ Amazon.com

Winter has finally (FINALLY) dies and the sun is coming on strong. While we all know that using sunblock is important for your skin, having a good sun hat helps protect it even more. As an added bonus, the shade it gives off can keep you cool. The fact that straw hats are fun and stylish doesn’t hurt either.

$19.99 at Alloy

Have this on hand, and when the first snow falls, you’ll be ready for action. Mold precise blocks of snow for building forts, and then fill the forts with perfectly shaped snowballs made with the special scoop. And you can do it all without soaking your mittens in the first minute and a half of fun.

$14.95 at L.L. Bean.

Djubi (pronounced JU-bee) is part lacrosse, part slingshot, and a whole lot of fun. On a recent sun-filled Saturday, I grabbed this throw-and-catch game and headed outside with my husband and our youngest kids. Mr. 3-year-old boy couldn’t quite get the hang of it and happily kicked a soccer ball around instead, but Ms. 6-year-old girl figured out the slingshot-like aspect of it quickly, and was sending the ball skyward in no time. The balls (which don’t really bounce, but do float, making this game perfect for the beach) have an elastic loop attached — you hook the loop onto the edge of the hand-held net, pull it back, and let it fly while the other player races to catch it. The set comes with two nets and two balls; additional balls are available.

$24.95 at Djubi.com

I’m always on the lookout for games that all of our kids can enjoy, from the teenagers down to the preschoolers. This retro bean bag toss games fits the bill, and earns extra points in our family for being foldable, sturdy, and easy enough for my 5-year-old to set up on her own. It comes with two foldable, three-hold targets (an ample 24-inches long by 18-inches wide), eight 4-inch by 4-inch bean bags, and a zippered carrying case.

$29.99 at Sears.

Campers and lovers of the great outdoors rejoice: The latest in insect-repelling technology is built right into your clothes. Insect Shield’s products are treated with permethrin (a man-made version of a natural insect repellant) and protects the wearer against a variety of pesky critters, including flies, chiggers, ants, mosquitoes, ticks, and fleas. You can wash the clothes about 70 times before protection starts to wane — more than long enough to get you through camping season. Unlike most sprays and transdermal patches, Insect Shield’s EPA-registered clothing is safe for babies and pregnant and nursing women. And unlike candles and foggers, the repelling powers of Insect Sheild keeps bugs away from you in particular, instead of the area around you in general.

Bandannas cost $12, adult-size clothing $36-$90 at REI stores and online at REI. (You can find the children’s line ($26-$34) at Buggiesclothing.com)

It’s the summer and one of my very favorite things to do is go on a late-afternoon picnic with my kiddo and husband. This blanket is a recent purchase and truly, it’s the best picnic blanket we’ve had: Sturdy, large, water-resistant, and as a bonus, in a great pattern.

$39.95 @ Amazon