Eco-Friendly Holiday Gift Ideas for Kids
Photo via Hanna Andersson
Shopping for eco-friendly kids toys has proven to be a challenge. That is why we have compiled a list of environmentally and socially responsible kids toys just in time for the holiday season! Below you will find toys, books, and DIY kits for kids of all ages. Want to support wilderness preservation and give a plush toy while doing so? Check out The World Wildlife Fund’s (WWF) Symbolic Species Adoption Kits. Or get the whole family matching holiday pajamas for only $25 at Hanna Andersson’s sustainable clothing brand. The playtime possibilities are endless, read on to find the toys that are best fit for your child!
Gift Idea: Toy Vehicles
Price Range: $
About the Brand: Green Toys are made in the USA out of recycled milk jugs and other recycled materials. The recycled materials used within their toys help divert waste from landfill and reduce the brand’s carbon footprint. The brand obsesses over safety, being based out of California they closely follow the state's safety and environmental laws. Additionally, their packaging is made with 100% recycled cardboard.
Gift Idea: Symbolic Species Adoption Kits
Price Range: $$
About the Brand: The World Wildlife Fund (WWF) is an international organization that works towards wilderness preservation and the reduction of human impact on the planet. With the symbolic adoption of an animal from the WWF website you can choose from a variety of adoption packages, some include a plush toy. The purchase will act as a donation and will support WWF along with their worldwide conservation activities.
Gift Idea: Rainbow Unicorn Horn Handmade Sidewalk Chalk
Price Range: $
About the Brand: Twee is a woman owned makers studio based in Philadelphia. The brand’s handmade sidewalk chalk is made from plaster of paris, non-toxic acrylic paint, non-toxic tempera powder and eco-friendly glitter. The unicorn shape is made for little hands, as the ridges increase grip strength. This is the perfect gift for your little artist!
Gift Idea: The Children's Book — 10 Things I Can Do to Help My World By Melanie Walsh
Price Range: $
About the Brand: Brightly is setting out on a mission to raise kids who love to read. Be sure to check out their list of green books for eco-minded kids and parents, linked above. We recommend ‘10 Things I Can Do to Help My World’ by Melanie Walsh, for children ages 3-7. The book is filled with ways children can help the planet, like planting seeds and turning off the lights when they leave a room.
Photo via Amber Massey’s Motherhood + Lifestyle Blog
Gift Idea: Holiday Pajamas
Price Range: $
About the Brand: Hanna Andersson has been a sustainable clothing brand since 1983. The brand uses 100% organic cotton in all of their garments and works to promote a circular economy within their business model. Hanna Andersson is also committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion by donating to organizations like NAACP and Baby2Baby. Buy matching family holiday pajamas for under $25 for a limited time. Their holiday shop offers other clothing items for the holiday season along with character themed holiday pajamas.
Gift Idea: Musical Lili Llama
Price Range: $$
About the Brand: The vision of the Manhattan Toy Company is to create toys that are loved and played with for generations. They strive for inclusion in their toys and are receptive to consumer feedback. The Musical Lili Llama includes 4 spinners, 2 gears, 1 maraca tail, 5-bar xylophone, 1 set of notches/washboard for ratchet sound, 2 clacking saddle blankets and 2 mallets that store in Lili's head. It is made from wood with non-toxic water based finishes and is a current Toy of the Year Finalist.
Gift Idea: Playdate Friends dolls
Price Range: $
About the Brand: The Manhattan Toy Company also presents the Playdate Friends doll collection, which includes three dolls and three small companions. The dolls are washable and come with a sewn-on white onesie with an embroidered bow on the collar. The brand is working towards becoming a more sustainable company, with the integration of an internal sustainability committee being appointed in early 2021 to plan long and short term sustainability goals. Their shipping cartons are also made from 90% recycled cardboard materials.
Gift Idea: Ornament Kit Variety Box — Set of 6
Price Range: $
About the Brand: Green Kid Crafts is female founded and created in San Diego, CA. Green Kid Crafts is a Green America Certified Business, and is committed to social responsibility. They also have a close collaboration with One Tree Planted, as one tree is planted for every online order. The Ornament Kit Variety Box is meant for ages 3 and up. The kit is both educational and fun! Green Kid Crafts notes that it is STEAM focused: Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math. It is also a perfect holiday bonding activity.
Gift Idea: Terra Kids Cork Boat DIY Activity Kit
Price Range: $
About the Brand: HABA USA Terra Kids collection is meant to foster a passion for the outdoors and STEM fields. They have a variety of toys within the collection that can be easily built for play in the great outdoors. Our suggestion is the Terra Kids Cork Boat DIY Activity Kit, it is easy to put together and made from eco-friendly materials, such as cork, sisal (cord), wood and steel. It was recently named the Treehugger Winner: Best of Green Awards 2021.
Gift Idea: Let it Dough Cup
Price Range: $
About the Brand: Land of Dough produces Playdough like toys made from all-natural dough and colors, compostable glitters, and calming essential oils. It comes in eco-friendly packaging and is handcrafted in the USA. To celebrate the holidays, order the Let it Dough cup and get a fun snowman perfect for playtime.
Gift Idea: Fairy House Kit
Price Range: $
About the Brand: Imagine Childhood’s Fairy House Kit is made in the USA for kids ages 4 and up. The kit includes sustainably harvested moss, feathers, acorn caps, sea shells, sea glass, wood rounds, fairy dust in a corked glass bottle, and a twig pencil. Let your kids' imagination run wild with this one, collect 7 original fairy cards or let you children draw their own fairies or accessories on blank cards.
Our team here at Jejune Magazine want to wish you and your family a very happy, safe, and ethical holiday season. We hope you were able to fill up your stockings with our holiday lists!
