I’m a big proponent of cutting down on the amount of stuff I give and receive during the Christmas season. Although I’m a huge fan of the Christmas season, it can get expensive, overwhelming, and wasteful if not done consciously. One way to balance living with less and the joy of giving and receiving gifts on Christmas morning is to ensure that the gifts you do give are meaningful, well-made, and eco-friendly.
Here are 7 fun, eco-friendly toys and educational gift ideas for the little ones in your life this holiday season.
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Baby-Safe Gifts
Ease baby’s teething pain with the Honest Company butterfly teether, made from silicon rubber. This teether can be frozen or chilled to soothe sore gums, is easily sterilized by boiling, and free of BPA, phthalates, rubber, latex, heavy metals, PVC, flavors, and most common allergens.
The Pully mully pacifier holder helps prevent lost soother syndrome, with a large, soft, organic cotton fabric base and several satin tags to keep baby entertained. A simple snap system keeps the pacifier close at hand, instead of getting lost down the sides of car seats and dropped onto supermarket floors.
Truly Green Toys
For little nature lovers, the indoor gardening kit by Green Toys is a fantastic way to bring a little of the outdoors inside. Kids five and up can put their green thumbs to the test by planting flowers and fresh herbs, and watching them grow! The kit is made from environmentally friendly materials and includes soil, seeds, plant pots, and an adorably tiny spade.
And, talk about farm to table! After harvesting all those homegrown fresh herbs, children two and up and use them to create a make-believe masterpiece with the Green Toys cookware and dining set. With a stock pot, skillet, 4 place settings (fork, knife, spoon), 4 plates, 4 bowls, and 4 cups, your little one will be whipping up souffles for the family in no time.
If your kid prefers the fresh ocean air to the inside of a kitchen (I can relate), maybe a seaplane would be more up her alley. Made 100 percent from recycled milk jugs, this brightly colored toy means that bath time just got a little greener. Adventures can transition seamlessly from air to water. And since it’s dishwasher safe, it’s a snap to clean.
For pilots who prefer the open air to the open seas, the Green Toys airplane is a great alternative. Created from the same eco-friendly, recycled milk jugs, the airplane is also phthalate- and BPA-free, and dishwasher safe, too. Sorry dude, you can’t avoid the water forever!
Something for the Princess
I would have absolutely lost my mind over something like this when I was younger. The Klee Kids Sparkle Fairy makeup kit is a safe way for kids to explore the bright, creative world of makeup.
The natural mineral play makeup set contains Fairy Purple eyeshadow, Enchanted Glow blush, Pink Lemonade organic lip shimmer, Raspberry Sugar organic lip shimmer, and blush and eyeshadow applicators. Basically everything one might need to create a shimmering fairy paradise.
The mineral-based makeup is free of talc, parabens, petrochemicals, and artificial dyes, making dress-up as safe as it is fun.
Wishing you an eco-friendly holiday!
Editor’s note: Originally published on November 30, 2015, this article was republished with updated links in November 2018.