We all know how easy it can be to stockpile plastic toys and unworn clothes. This Christmas, go green and invest in some high quality, environmentally-friendly gifts for the little ones…
Mini Magpie clothes
Age: 0-7 years
This unisex eco brand for kids has gained a worldwide following amongst the hipster mum crowd and earth mothers alike. Mini Magpie take recycled jumpers and turn them into unique clothing articles. Only natural fibres such as wool and cashmere are used and the entire collection is handmade in Hackney, London.
Trousers – £30
Dungarees – £40
Cut Cut Robot
Age: 5+
Cut Cut Robot is a paper cutting workshop. When the kids are cooped up over the holidays, this will keep them entertained for at least an afternoon, as they cut the pre-shaped patterns and create their own robot – combining creativity with the fun of cutting, while developing the imagination.
Made in France from recycled cardboard.
£8.75
ELC Wooden Activity Workbench Walker
Age: 12 months to three years
The Early Learning Centre Activity Workbench is made from sturdy wood, finished with bright colours. Ideal for encouraging nearly-toddlers to stand, it features a bar to hold for extra support when moving around. It comes with 23 accessories, including four tools with friendly faces.
£45
Recycling toys
Early Learning Centre has joined a scheme (the Distributor Take back Scheme) which funds a network of collection services around the UK. As an Early Learning Customer you can take old electronic toys to one of the many collection centres that have been set up. For advice on all aspects of recycling, including recycling of waste electronic toys, visit www.recycle-more.co.uk where you can find out the location of collection points near to you.
Great Little Trading Co – Toy Eggs
Age: 3+
Crowned Best Children’s Retailer at the Mail Order Industry awards this year, GLTC offer a high quality, mostly wooden, range of kids’ toys. These wooden eggs are the perfect size for little hands, and have a good weight to them. They can be used for playing shop – without the worry that they’ll smash.
£7
Little Green Radicals
Age: 0-8 years
All Little Green Radical clothes are super soft and will keep their shape after a wash. They are made from 100% organic fairtrade cotton -ensuring that farmers receive a fair and stable price for their cotton, giving them and their families security and stability – and are machine washable.
Starry cloud jumper (0-8 years) – £34.35
Starry moon jumper (0-8 years) – £34.35
Flowers on the vine jelly bean joggers (0-36 months) – £19-20
Still water blue reversible quilted jacket (3-36 months) – £46
Grimm’s Rainbow Beads Grasper
Age: suitable from birth
This set of 12 rainbow-coloured wooden balls, tightly strung together with strong heavy elastic, is a wonderful present for a new baby, who will love it once s/he starts grasping items at around three months. Its compact size makes it great for popping into a changing bag for entertainment on the go.
The rainbow coloured balls are made from maple wood and each measures 3cm. The entire toy is 11cm long – perfect for little hands. It has been coated with a non-toxic, plant-based oil finish – safe for sucking on and ideal for showing off the natural beauty and grain of real wood.
£13
Toy tambourine
Age: 3+
This lovely toy tambourine is colourful and decorative. With a jungle theme design and parrot sitting on a branch, the tambourine is a great musical gift idea for little musicians. Made from wood with metal jingles – 15cm x 5 cm in height.
16€
Le Toy Van – Honeybake café machine
Age: 3+
A brightly painted café-style drinks making machine. Includes colourful pods to insert in the removable filter, a ‘milk frother’, two cups and a spoon. The pods are neatly stored on top of the machine. 17.5x21x13cm.
Le Toy Van was set up in 1995 with an intention of producing a range of high quality painted wooden toys. This has been designed in the UK by Le Toy Van, made from sustainable wood with fair trading at every stage.
£25
4M Green Creativity Recycled Paper Beads
Age: 5+
Kids (and their parents, if they’re feeling creative) can make paper beads using a specially designed tool. You simply insert strips of recycled paper from newspapers and magazines into the tool and turn the handle to make your own necklaces and bracelets.
£11.95
Wooden Balance Bike
Age: 2-5 years
A sturdy running bike that will teach your child the crucial skills of balance, steering and coordination before they make the move onto a proper bicycle. Features: cushioned seat, birch frame, air filled rubber tyres (compatible with standard bicycle pumps).
£60
Coming soon: ethical Christmas gifts for women and men