Best outdoor gear for families!

Looking for the latest gear for the entire family? Whether it is to hike at Oscar Scherer Park, bike along Longboat Key or swim in the tepid waters of Siesta Key this summer, the innovative finds below will assist mom, dad, and the kiddos as they head outside to enjoy their favorite activities!

Keep the family in close communication with the Motorola Talkabout MJ270R two-way radios as you enjoy one of Sarasota's many state parks! Featuring NOAA weather alerts, hands-free communication, a bright flashlight for for use after dark, an emergency alert button, and a range of up to 27 miles - these walkie talkies make any outdoor adventure safe, and well, let's face it - just a bit more fun! To purchase, visit any local Sarasota Home Depot, Best Buy, Radio Shack or online at www.motorola.com/us.

Here's an easy way to safely store just the necessities when out of doors - the Jimi! This water-resistant, compact wallet carries the essentials - debit or credit card, cash, driver's license - and can be tucked into a beach bag, diaper bag, backpack or worn around the neck with ease. Great for the beach! Made in the USA of 100% recycled materials, the JImi is available in a multitude of bright colors online at www.thejimi.com.

Keep the pesky bugs at bay AND protect the kids from the sun with Badger Balm's SPF 30 Anti-Bug Sunscreen! Simply ingenious - this certified organic sunscreen and insect repellant contains no DEET, is water-resistant, and provides both UVA-UVB protection. Badger Balm can be purchased at the local Sarasota Whole Foods Market or online at www.badgerbalm.com.

Stash everything needed for a day outdoors, from energy bars to sunglasses to maps, into an Ecogear Palila backpack. Toxin-free and PVC-free, these bold packs are environmentally-friendly and are available in a variety of styles. Kids' Ecozoo packs are also available! To purchase, visit www.ecogear-products.com.

Protect the face, neck and eyes from the sun with the stylish T4MO or T5MO organic cotton hat from Tilley Endurables! This crushable, breathable, rugged-looking hat that Dad will love is the perfect solution to a long day spent working or playing outdoors. Guaranteed for life, the T4MO or T5MO organic cotton hat provides UPF 50+, is machine washable, repels rain and even floats, which is great when kayaking, canoeing or swimming! Available in 2 styles, the T4MO with a broader down-sloping brim, and the T5MO with a medium down-sloping brim. Tilley Endurables also makes a variety of hat styles for men and women, found online at www.tilleyendurables.com/.

Shade and protect the delicate skin of babies' and toddlers' with Protect-A-Bub, an innovative new cover specifically designed to universally fit all types of strollers, joggers and car seats with a canopy. This lightweight, packable sun protective cover with UPF 50+ and blocks 99% of the sun's harmful UVA and UVB rays. Approved by the Melanoma International Foundation, the Protect-A-Bub is a must-have year-round for families! www.protect-a-bubusa.com/

Lock valuables and personal items on Siesta Key Beach with the KYSS (Keep Your Stuff Safe) bag - designed by Sarasota's own Deena Ravella! Created out of necessity, this roomy, unique bag features a Safe Tote(TM) Security System which consists of a theft-deterrent security that locks the bag closed and at the same time, can be secured to another stationary object, such as a park bench, tree, lifeguard stand, cooler or chair. The KYSS can be found locally at Swim Mart or online at www.KyssBags.com.

Repel insects naturally at the next backyard barbeque with the new ThermaCELL outdoor lantern! Providing a 15 x 15 percent comfort zone, the ThermaCELL is 98% effective in repelling mosquitoes, no-see-ums, and other pests. Super-portable, the lantern can be carried or hung outside, and provides twice as much light as previous models, in addition to providing 4 hours of protection from pesky insects with each repellant mat. Visit www.thermacell.com to purchase or to find a local store that carries ThermaCELL products.

*Samples and images were provided for this article.