Awesome Eco-Friendly Gifts for Kids
There are several reasons why you should get eco-friendly gifts for kids. They last longer and are better for the environment. Plus, since young kids tend to put everything in their mouths, you want to make sure their toys are safe and non-toxic.
Whether you’re shopping for the holidays, a birthday, or another special event, you know children will love receiving one of these best eco-friendly gifts for kids.
Plus, if you’re looking for gifts for the entire family, don’t forget to check out some of these popular posts for more inspiration:
- Top 15 Sustainable Gifts for Teens
- Best Eco-Friendly Gifts for Women
- Most Amazing Eco-Friendly Gifts for Men
- 15 Awesome Eco-Friendly Gifts Under $25
- Unique Upcycled Christmas Gifts
- Top Eco-Friendly Stocking Stuffers for All Ages
- The Best Eco-Friendly Greeting Cards for Every Occasion
1. PlanToys
PlanToys is a sustainable company that has all types of imaginative toys that are great for kids of all ages.
These durable toys are made from sustainably harvested rubberwood trees. They’re held together with non-formaldehyde glue and painted with non-toxic water-based dyes.
Related: The Best Non-Toxic Wooden Toys for Kids
Kids who like to play make-believe will love these toys:
If you have a kid who enjoys playing music, consider some of these awesome PlanToys:
PlanToys also has some great eco-friendly toys for babies, including:
2. Creative Kidstuff
Are you interested in giving back when you shop for children’s gifts? Then you’ll absolutely love Creative Kidstuff by GreaterGood. Here you’ll find an amazing selection of toys for all ages and interests.
They have everything from toys for babies and toddlers to building and science toys for older kids. You’ll also find a nice selection of arts and crafts supplies, sports and outdoor toys, games, puzzles, and pretend play toys.
Best of all, every purchase from Creative Kidstuff by GreaterGood helps fund safe pregnancies and child births.
3. Haba Kids Reusable Shopping Bag
Your kids can pretend they’re doing their own zero waste grocery shopping with these adorable eco-friendly toys from Haba.
Related: Zero Waste Grocery Shopping Without a Bulk Store
The Haba kid-sized reusable vegetable shopping bag comes with a mesh bag and nine wooden vegetables, and the Haba kid-sized reusable fruit shopping bag comes with a mesh bag and wooden fruit.
The wooden fruits and vegetables are made of solid beech wood from sustainably managed forests and colored with non-toxic water based stains.
4. Crayon Rocks
My son has been absolutely obsessed with rocks since he learned how to walk. Every time I do the laundry I have to empty his pockets of all the rocks he’s collected from outside.
When I saw the box of Crayon Rocks, I knew I had to get them for my son, and he absolutely loves them. This Crayon Rocks box comes with 4 each of 16 colors for a total of 64 crayons. You can also get this Crayon Rocks box, which has 2 each of 32 colors for a total of 64 crayons.
These eco-friendly crayons are made from processed soy wax instead of petroleum paraffin wax and colored with non-toxic powdered pigments.
Plus, not only do these crayons look awesome, but they also help teach children the tripod grip they need to know to correctly hold a pencil.
Related: Amazing Eco-Friendly Art Supplies Kids Will Absolutely Love
5. Eco-Kids
Sadly, a lot of art supplies made for children can contain hidden toxic ingredients. One study of 10 different store-bought face paints found that all of them contained lead. That’s why we make our own homemade face paint.
Additionally, some store-bought playdough contains borax. While this is a natural mineral, it’s also a pesticide that makes an incredibly effective ant killer. That’s why I choose not to use borax when I make my homemade dishwasher detergent and why we make our own homemade playdough.
For art supplies we can’t make at home, we buy eco-kids. Eco-kids makes a fantastic variety of all-natural and non-toxic art supplies. Here are some of the best options that kids will love:
You can also give the Arts and Crafts Busy Box, which contains an origami kit, eco-dough, natural beeswax candle-making kit, and beeswax crayon sticks.
6. Green Kid Crafts
An arts and crafts box isn’t the only fun box you can give as an awesome eco-friendly gift for kids. Thanks to Green Kid Crafts, you can also give them exciting STEAM boxes.
When you give the gift of these educational boxes, you pick the age-appropriate plan and your kids get a monthly box that has four to six educator-approved art and science projects they’ll have a blast creating.
In addition to including green and eco-friendly materials in the box, Green Kid Crafts also partners with One Tree Planted to plant a tree for every online order.
My son has received these boxes before, and he absolutely loves them. Plus, I really enjoy the fact that he gets to have some screen-free fun and he’s learning important science concepts at the same time.
You can also check out these amazing eco-friendly subscription boxes for even more unique gift ideas for zero waste and plastic-free living.
7. Green Toys
Green Toys has all types of fun toys that are great for kids of every age. They’re made in the USA from 100% recycled plastic milk jugs, which means they don’t contain any BPA, PVC, or phthalates.
You don’t have to worry if your kids put these toys in their mouth because they meet FDA food contact standards and meet or exceed U.S. and international toy safety standards.
Here are some good options for babies and young kids:
For older kids, consider some of these great choices:
If you plan on giving the eco-dough from eco-kids as a gift, here are a few excellent toys to go with it:
8. EverEarth
EverEarth is a family-owned wooden toy manufacturer that produces high-quality and eco-friendly toys using a variety of sustainable practices.
They’re committed to preserving our forests. That’s why they’re part of the Plant-a-Tree initiative. This campaign allows kids and parents participate in forest renewal by letting them have a personal tree planted in the EverEarth FSC-Certified forest every time they purchase a toy.
Other sustainability initiatives EverEarth practices include using toxin-free dyes, recyclable packaging, and environmentally sustainable shipping practices. They also recycle everything they can. Plus, whenever possible, they repurpose waste products like sawdust.
Some of the best toys from EverEarth include:
9. What Does it Mean to Be Green?
While it’s great to give kids eco-friendly gifts that are fun, I think it’s also important to give them gifts that are educational. That’s why I always give my son some books on every holiday and birthday.
One excellent book to consider is “What Does it Mean to Be Green?” In this book, children learn why it’s important to live a green lifestyle and receive actionable tips they can immediately start using to help protect the planet.
If you’re looking for even more outstanding books to give as gifts, be sure to check out this post on the best children’s books about sustainability.
Related: Where to Donate Books
10. Hazel Village
Hazel Village makes adorable stuffed dolls and animals made with organic cotton fleece, washable fiberfill, and hand-embroidered facial features.
Not only are these toys safe for all ages, but you can also easily hand-wash and air-dry them if they get dirty. Plus, all of the stuffed toys come with removable clothes, so kids can change their outfits and dress them up.
Here are a few great options from Hazel Village:
11. Under the Nile
Under the Nile is another outstanding option for clean, safe stuffed dolls and animals. The company uses organic cotton to make its products.
Not sure why you should choose organic cotton? This post explains everything you need to know about the importance of organic cotton.
In addition to eco-friendly new baby essentials like organic cotton swaddle blankets and organic cotton washcloths, Under the Nile also has an awesome selection of adorable plush toys.
Here are a few toys that make awesome eco-friendly gifts for kids:
Best Eco-Friendly Gifts for Kids
When you’re shopping for something special for the children in your life, you don’t have to get toxic plastic toys that break right away. Instead, you can make them happy and help out the planet at the same time when you get some of these best eco-friendly gifts for kids.
More Outstanding Eco-Friendly Tips
Now that you know more about the best eco-friendly gifts for kids, are you interested in even more excellent eco-friendly living tips? Then be sure to check out some of these popular posts:
- Best Sustainable Clothing Brands for Kids
- How to Help Kids Have an Eco-Friendly Summer
- Exciting Eco-Friendly Indoor Activities for Kids
- Awesome Eco-Friendly School Supplies for Kids


rachel frampton
Thursday 18th of February 2021
My brother would like to buy a Bamboo dinner set for his Godson since this is a practical and eco-friendly present. Anyhow, I also agree with you that a Doctor's kit would be a great and educational gift too. I'll keep in mind to tell him that he may give him wooden fruits and vegetables as well.
Tina
Monday 30th of November 2020
As an eco-conscious parent, you are ready to teach them about the importance of recycling; on how to take care of the toys. And also about the lifecycle of a toy including what to do once they no longer serve the educational needs of your kid. And why we should buy new products every time? In my opinion, if a second hand ting is in good shape, it is better to buy this instade to a new one. It's cheaper and more ecofriendly. I thing it's impossible that everybody will think like this, so you will always have a chance to buy a used thing. If your kid wants new game, music, movie, book, why not to buy it virtual? Always you can make something by yourself. For example chess - your kid have bunch of old action figures? Make chess board with something you have in your house, like old blankets in different collors and use those action figures as pawns! In adition you can give an e-book on how to play chess. I'm not saying that it is wrong to giving a new, shiny objects, at all, but your kid don't need it every time.
Kristen
Saturday 12th of December 2020
Yes, pre-loved items, experience gifts, handmade gifts, and virtual gifts are the most environmentally friendly option. If someone needs to get something new, these eco-friendly gifts are a good option.