Laura Motley

Why you should trust us My family strives to spend as much time outdoors as possible, rain or shine. The weather can change quickly near our home in Maine, so when we go on adventures, we usually stash a waterproof layer in a hiking backpack or a bike basket. I also wrote Wirecutter’s guides to children’s rain and snow boots, first bikes, helmets, and swimsuits, among others.

Nothing compares to the exhilarating feeling of being a kid on a bike. Using your own pedal power to move through the world is freeing, empowering, and just plain fun. And accessorizing with the right gear can make bike rides safer, smoother, and snazzier. Whether your kid is tearing up local trails or cruising the neighborhood in a sparkly tutu, we found a variety of great extras that can upgrade their bike game. Some items serve practical purposes, while others help kids express personal style.

Any serious gardener will spend countless hours planning and planting, weeding and watering, cursing groundhogs, and drowning slugs in beer. If you’re up for all of that, a raised-garden-bed kit will certainly make it easier to get started. A raised bed offers a lot of advantages: It can prevent soil compaction, drain reliably, and extend the growing season. And you can avoid planting in contaminated soil. Also, orderly, organized beds tend to look tidier than an in-ground garden.