Kids grow at a disturbingly exponential rate. Blink and you’ll have missed them learning to walk, talk, build, craft, dance and sing. Every moment is precious, and keeping up with marvellously curious little ones is akin to an extreme sport.
Due to the fact that children grow and change so quickly, their interests naturally change with them. One second, they’re into rainbows, unicorns and fairies, and the next they are intent on becoming an astronaut. Out with the make-believe and in with the evidence-backed science, Mum and Dad.
Games suitable for 1–4-year-olds are thrown out as soon as they turn five, so that they can exercise different muscles, use different parts of their brain and be stimulated in different ways which will help them to grow into well-rounded young adults.
It’s a very natural process, but makes for a lot of waste. Even if you’re donating your old toys and games to charity shops, buying heaps of plastic, unethically made toys and games can have a negative impact on the environment.
By far the best practice when it comes to investing in toys and games for your little one is to choose options which have been consciously created so that you can shower your ever-growing little ones with gifts – especially throughout the festive season – without an overwhelming sense of environmental guilt.
We’ve curated a selection of the best eco-friendly presents for kids to buy in time for Christmas morning.
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Astronaut Starter Kit
An out-of-this-world interactive gift, KiwiCo’s marvellously educational Astronaut Starter Kit includes tools to build and launch a pair of model orbiter spaceships (made from paper, of course), paint a set of model planets and construct a miniature solar system that actually spins.
Buy now £23.66, KiwiCo
Rainbow Air-Dry Clay
Housed in reusable containers, we love the fact that this non-toxic, non-sticky and mess-free air-dry clay is pre-mixed into a rainbow’s worth of colours. Get creative and make a variety of keychains, desk friends and more with the help of the included metal rings.
Buy now £11.81, KiwiCo
Salt Water Powered 4 x 4 Monster Car
This powerful little toy car runs on salt water. Yes, you heard us right – salt water! It’s a brilliant and uber-fun device which helps kids to learn about the power of alternative energy sources. They’ll also be able to see exactly how the car works thanks to the translucent parts. The DIY kit also comes with a step-by-step manual for an easy build.
Buy now £17.99, Ethical Superstore
Micro Eco Maxi Deluxe Scooter & Helmet - Mint with Aqua & Teal Satchel
Micro is a fantastic sustainable scooter manufacturer, specialising in ethically made rides and accessories which are crafted from discarded fishing nets. The scooter is also equipped with battery-free lights which are illuminated as your child scoots. The eco-satchel in this bundle is roomy enough for lunch, water, pens, pencils and snacks, and is made from recycled glass.
Buy now £204.85, Ethical Superstore
Green Toys Watering Can & Little Gardener's Kit
Teach your little one the joys of gardening and growing your own food with the help of this adorable green and yellow mini gardening kit. It’s made from 100 per cent recycled plastic and the watering can has a brilliant easy-to-pour spout.
Buy now £22.97, John Lewis
Willsow Plantable Book for Children
This fabulous plantable book is made with special handmade paper which is embedded with real vegetable and herb seeds. In this carrot-themed book, you’ll find a brilliant story which captures the essence of sustainability and teamwork, as well as instructions on how to create your very own carrot patch with the book’s pages. It’s also available in basil, dill, parsley, pumpkin and lettuce options.
Buy now £9.95, Amazon
STEAM Powered Kids Green Paper Craft
Designed to instil scientific curiosity and creativity and teach kids about the recycling process, this all-rounder recycled craft kit includes tools for creating paper beads, pressed flower art, and even making paper from scratch.
Buy now £34.99, Ethical Superstore
Penguin Bowling
An adorable set of penguin bowling pins and a matching snowball, all crafted from FSC-certified wood and packaged neatly in a cotton drawstring bag. What could be better this Christmas?
Buy now £12.99, Amazon
Waitrose Supermarket
Rather than mindlessly strolling the aisles of your local Waitrose buying food that you don’t really need, live vicariously through your kiddo with this fantastic wooden Waitrose playset.
Buy now £65.00, John Lewis
Personalised Fully Floral Flower Press
Though you might have to wait a few months to start preserving some summer blooms, a flower press is a brilliant present for the curious outdoorsy child or get your screen-obsessed kiddo into the great outdoors.
This flower press from This Is Nessie is customisable - the shop will hand-illustrate the name of your choosing with a unique floral font atop this delightful handmade piece.
Buy now £22.28, NOTHS
Aurora World Eco Nation Axolotl
Aurora World’s delightful array of soft toys is not to be missed. Each toy has been made from recycled plastics, is free of plastic beans and has embroidered eyes rather than plastic alternatives to make these friendly creatures as eco-friendly as possible.
Not only are they super cute, but they incorporate safer materials for both the planet and your little one.
Buy now £19.99, John Lewis
Kitchen Scrap Planter
A fantastic gift for the budding horticulturist, this shared activity between kids and parents allows little ones to watch plants grow right before their eyes while teaching them the power of reusing and recycling.
This set has purposely been designed with clear bowls, so that kiddos can watch how roots reach downwards to drink water, while the stems grow upwards towards the light. Regrow leftover spring onion bottoms, garlic, potatoes and more without any mess or fuss.
Buy now £19.71, KiwiCo
Making Potions: Enchanted Garden Kids Activity Kit
We’ve yet to come across a child who doesn’t adore mixing random substances together in the bath before presenting the strange concoction proudly, stating that it is a ‘potion’. Rather than wasting precious soaps and shampoos, add this gift to your basket this Christmas for safe and sustainable potion-making fun. Hogwarts will be calling in no time.
Buy now £30.00, NOTHS
Hirameki: Draw What You See Draw What You See
Test your imaginative and artistic capabilities with this brilliant Japanese drawing book. ‘Hirameki’ translates to ‘brainwave’ or ‘flash of inspiration’, and in this instance refers to the art of turning a random watercolour blot on a page into something new and exciting by adding a few simple dots and lines. Switch off and doodle away with hundreds of pre-printed colourful blots.
Buy now £9.19, Amazon
Great Little Trading Co. Wooden Campfire Cooking Set
Crafted from uber-smooth child-friendly wood, this adorable campfire cooking set is sure to delight happy campers. It includes an impressive 27 different accessories including a stove, campfire, frying pan, mug, plate, knife and cutlery as well as everything you need to craft a delicious camping breakfast. Grub’s up!
Buy now £30.40, Great Little Trading Co.
National Geographic Starter Rock Tumbler Kit
Give the gift of a brand new and exciting hobby this Christmas with the help of Nat Geo’s brilliant starter kit for rock tumbling. Designed to last, the durable tumbler is fitted with a sturdy motor which allows you to tumble multiple batches of rocks, as well as an improved leak-proof barrel which is lined with rubber for quieter operation.
The set comes with 227g of rough rocks ready to be tumbled, with nine different gemstones inside, five jewellery attachments, and all four stages of rock-polishing grit.
Buy now £59.99, Amazon
