Green Gifts for Kids
Giving a child a gift just because it’s green doesn’t make a whole lot of sense if they’re not going to play with it or love it. The gift ideas on this page are designed to take into account what kids today might request, and find greener alternatives for things they’ll actually want. We’ve got gifts for every budget, and they are listed in increasing order by price. The most affordable gifts come first, followed by the higher-priced offerings. This list will be updated as I find more unique, thoughtful gifts. Some gifts appear in more than one category.
Clementine Art eco-art supplies: $5-46
These art supplies were made by an art-teacher who was tired of giving her students typical products that contained tons of chemicals. They are made of natural, non-toxic, environmentally-friendly ingredients and come in eco-friendly packaging. And from experience, I can tell you that they smell awesome! (aff)
Green Toys: $5-30
These toys are made in the U.S. from recycled plastic and are recyclable. You can get a jump rope for your most active tot, a tea set for the one who loves to play pretend, a tool set for the builder-in-training, and more. (aff)
EnviroBlox Stickits: $7-25
If your kids like Play Doh, they’ll love EnviroBLOX and Stickits. These building blocks are made from cornstarch, and they are incredibly easy to use. Simply moisten them and stick them together for a firm, instant hold without tape, glue, magnets or fasteners. Plus, unlike most clay, they’re completely biodegradable. (aff)
GameFly Video Game Rentals: $8-23/month
Video games are a fact of life for most kids, and there’s nothing green about them. Enter GameFly, which is like NetFlix for video games. For a monthly fee, your kid will be able to choose 1-2 video games at a time to play to their heart’s content and return once finished. Why is it green? You’ll cut back the waste and overconsumption inherent in buying video games, and you’re reducing demand for new products. (aff)
Piggy Paint Non-Toxic Nail Polish: $8-25
Most little girls — and some little boys — like to play dress up with makeup and nail polish, but do you know what’s in the products they’re using? The Piggy Paint nail polish line is water based and free of formaldehyde, toluene, phthalates, biphenyl A, ethyl acetate and acetone. Plus it’s available in more than enough colors to satisfy your child’s whims. (aff)
Begin Again Eco-Friendly Toys: $13-30
A few years ago, Sprig’s eco-friendly toys were all the rage on Christmas lists. Now, the co-founders of Sprig have done it gain with their new line of green playthings, Begin Again Toys. The company uses only plant-based materials, like natural rubber, natural cotton fabrics, sustainably harvested woods, wheat starch plastic and bamboo. They’ve also acquired toymaker ImagiPLAY was part of this new company.
New Jammies Organic Pajamas: $14-35
For many families, giving pajamas is a Christmas tradition. However, I’m pretty sure you don’t want the kids sleeping in toxic polyester and flame retardants, do you? New Jammies makes awesome, graphic organic cotton pajamas for kids, sans nasty chemicals, so you can put them to bed worry-free. Plus, they’ll love the colorful, kid-frendly designs.
miYim Disney Plush Toys: $16-22
You know the child. He loves his plushy things he can squeeze, and the Disney Channel is his absolute favorite! Combine his two favorites, minus unnecessary chemicals. Gift these huggable Disney characters by miYim, which are made of organic cotton on the outside and stuffed with recycled polyester fill. Available in Mickey, Minnie, Winne the Pooh, Tigger, Piglet and Eeyore. (aff)
TOMS Youth Shoes: $16-49
There are many reasons to love TOMS. And if you give a child on your Christmas list a pair of these wonderful shoes, you’ll also be delivering a lesson in kindness and giving back. For every pair of shoes sold, TOMS gives a pair of shoes to a child in need. How’s THAT for Christmas giving? (aff)
Sprout Eco-Friendly Watches: $16-75
Trying to teach a child how to tell time? These eco-friendly watches are lead and phthalate free and feature 100% organic cotton straps, biodegradable cases and buckles, bamboo face plates, a glass cover rather than plastic and a mercury-free battery. Further, 80% of the packaging is made of post-consumer recycled materials. Also available in adult sizes. (aff)
Just Dance Kids: $20-30
OK. I won’t try to sell you a line and pretend that there’s anything green about video games. However, there is something green about encouraging kids to get off their butts and exercise. It’s the perfect compromise. They still get to play their games, and you get them moving. Win-win. Available for Wii or XBOX Kinect. (aff)
Recycled Robot or Cupcake Coloring Clock: $20-36
Everyone tells you that kids’ creativity should be encouraged. This is the perfect gift to do just that. Give the budding artist on your list a robot- or cupcake-themed clock made of recycled chipboard. The best part? They can use their imagination to color it however they’d like. (aff)
Solar-Powered RC Car: $35
Most kids would LOVE a radio-controlled car for Christmas. But remote controls come with batteries — most of the time. This green beauty is powered by the sun. So no more disappointed faces when they realize they’ve gotten a battery-powered gift, but no batteries. (aff)
Remote Control Wooden T-Rex: $40
Does the kid on your list love dinosaurs? He’ll love this unfinished wooden T-Rex, which he has to put together on his own. This dino moves and roars with the help of a remote control and motion sensors, and he can paint it to his heart’s content. Want to see T-Rex in action? Check out this video. It is made sustainable basswood with assembly required, but no glue is needed. (aff)
Little Kids’ Eco Backpacks: $44.95
About this time of year, your kids’ backpacks may be starting to look at little raggedy. A few too many trips on the bus floor will do that. These eco-friendly backpacks are cute as button, and they’re made entirely of recycled plastic bottles. In other words, they’re pretty darn durable, too. (aff)
Wooden Doll Stroller: $49
If the little girl on your list is anything like mine, she loves pushing her doll around in a stroller. However, those plastic contraptions are cheaply made and fall apart easily. Instead, give her this lovely wooden doll stroller, made of sturdy, sustainably-sourced wood and cute gingham fabric. She’ll be pushing it around all year long! (aff)
Kettler Go Green Fold n’ Ride Trike: $49
At some point, every child wants to learn how to ride a bike. Start them off green with this cool trike from Kettler. It’s made of recycled steel and more than 95 percent of its plastic parts are made from recycled materials. Plus, the patented Fold ‘n Ride frame makes it easy to carry on trips to the park. (aff)
Plan Toys Foosball: $49.99
Younger children can get in on the foosball fun with this tabletop soccer game. The game includes two balls and a score board, and it is designed so that children can easily grasp the handles. It is made of chemical free, kiln-dried recycled rubberwood and designed with water based non-toxic colors and adhesives. (aff)
Kindle eBook Reader: $69-200
As a little girl, I was nothing if not a bookworm, and there are several kids in my family for whom I can say the same. Even if you know a kid who’s not an avid reader, but you want to encourage their love of the written word, a Kindle is a great gift. Thanks to technological advances, there are several options ranging in price from relatively affordable to less so, from basic to color with a touch screen. You can decide what you’re willing to spend. (aff)
Arbor Eco-Friendly Skateboards: $70-200
It’s not hard to find a cool-looking skateboard these days, but it’s much harder to find one with true eco credentials. These green beauties from Arbor go the extra mile. They are made of bamboo, sustainably-harvested birch ply, recycled glass and plastic, reclaimed wood and water-based finishes. You can’t beat that with a stick. (aff)
Brinca Dada Dylan Dollhouse: $149.99
Dollhouses don’t have to be Victorian buildings with scallops and feminine details. They can be modern, bold, eco-friendly and great for boys OR girls — just like real homes. The Dylan dollhouse is among the more affordable of these modern marvels, complete with a mock “green roof.” It’s made of formaldehyde-free MDF with non-toxic and lead-free paints and finishes. Modern dollhouse furniture (shown) is $30-60 a set. (aff)
EverEarth Farmers Market Stand: $162.99
Lots of kids have a play kitchen, but how many of them have a farmers market? Beside the fact that it will teach them about shopping local, this teaching tool is made of sustainable wood and water-based paints and packaged in recycled, recyclable materials. It comes with 7 food crates with a variety of fruits and vegetables as well as cartons of milk. (aff)
MORE GREEN GIFT IDEAS
I’m Jennae Petersen, and I’m a lot of things. A mother, a graphic artist, a connosieur of beautiful interiors and a purveyor of all things design. Green Your Decor was borne of frustration in my attempts to find eco-friendly housewares that were also beautiful, and inspiration to do something to reduce my own carbon footprint and help others do the same in a beautiful way.
