Eco-Friendly Gifts For Babies and Children

As we become a more eco-conscious society, the thought of baby products and toys filling up landfills no longer aligns with the values we apply in other areas of our lives.

But even defining what counts as an eco-friendly baby product or toy can be a seemingly difficult task. When it comes to baby-related goods, everything seems to be made from plastic or wrapped in plastic and convenience can seem very alluring when you are spending a lot of your time taking care of your children.

But with a bit of research, you'll be surprised at how many sustainable baby gifts there are, ethically made, not overly expensive and looking stylish. After all, eco-friendly just means that the product you are buying is better for the environment in some way - they might be recyclable or made from materials that break down easily. Or they could be made from natural or sustainably sourced materials.

Why Choose Eco Friendly Baby Gifts?

Eco-friendly baby products and toys are a natural progression for those of us who seek to live more healthily and sustainably, supporting our health and that of the planet.

When we use sustainable baby products or give eco-friendly toys, we benefit our children and our planet in many ways:

• Organic gifts, like clothes, nappies or baby lotions, are more naturally gentle on our children and the environment.
• Buying from green companies changes the way we do business. Consciously choosing a company that works ethically helps that business grow and do more good in the world.
• Less packaging and waste is easier on the Earth. For example, when you purchase toys without batteries, you save so much waste in production and when you inevitably discard them.
• Often the products we buy are made in poorer countries, with the workers that make them often being paid very little or even exploited. Choose environmentally committed companies to purchase your gifts from. Check their website for their vision and credentials.
• Toys and other gifts made from natural or recycled materials are less damaging to the environment; reducing our use of plastic really can have an impact on our wildlife and ecosystems.

We are fortunate that these days, there are a lot of alternatives on offer to us, making it easier to choose to have a positive effect on the world around us.

Read on for our ideas for an eco-friendly Christmas gift for the little ones in your life.

Wild and Stone Baby Bamboo Bowl and Weaning Set - You Are My Sunshine

This beautiful and ethically made baby weaning set has a welcoming face and an easy-grip design to ensure small hands can hold it. It also has a removable suction cup base, ensuring it stays in place, avoiding spills and mess.

The bowl and spoon are made from eco-friendly bamboo, ensuring that no BPA or silicone nasties are getting near your baby.

Another perk of using bamboo is its lasting power. This set will grow with your baby as they transition to toddler and can be passed on to siblings and even across generations.

Bigjigs Toys 100% FSC Certified Fox Rattle

Chunky and easy to grab, this cute fox rattle, with its friendly face, is handcrafted, entirely plastic-free and uses wood from sustainable, certified sources. Even the packaging is made from 99% recycled cardboard.

This high-quality toy conforms to European safety standards and is recommended from birth onwards.

Bigjigs have child development, education and fun at the core of what they do, with strong values and beautiful, durable products.

Kite Organic Velvety Bear Hat

This sweet, velvety fabric hat will keep your little one's precious head snug and warm. Made from 100% organic cotton and certified to Global Organic Textile Standards (GOTS), it's even machine washable at low temperature to be kinder to our planet.

Kite are passionate about protecting the planet, and sustainability is at the heart of their production. All the elements in their supply chain meet comprehensive organic and ethical standards. They create feel-good clothes for children from 0 to 13 years.

Original Sophie La Girafe - Giraffe Toy

First created in France in 1961, this is an iconic first toy designed to stimulate all 5 senses. Made from 100% natural rubber, phthalate-free, a renewal material, with non-toxic food grade paint, in a retro style, it's also recyclable.

Great for teething babies, this toy comes in packaging made from recyclable materials; it’s a perfect eco baby gift.

Wee Gallery Cuddle Bunny

Made from GOTS certified skin-soft organic cotton, this cuddly toy won't irritate a baby's face and can be machine washed at 30° to be planet kind. The cuddle bunny has a lovely embroidered face and knotted hands and feet, making it easy for the baby to hold on to.

Wee Gallery strives to use eco-friendly materials, minimising plastic and avoiding any materials that might have dangerous effluents involved in their production, like PVC. They use FSC certified paper and soy inks and all organic cotton, meaning no chemical softeners.

Mee-Go Little Organics Natural Bubble Bath

Mee-go chooses to use organic ingredients that mean the same standard as organic food. This means no pesticides, chemicals or fertilisers that can cause skin irritation. This also means there is significantly less waste and toxins going back into our environment.

Many conventional baby products contain phthalate and parabens, which can accumulate in your baby's body. Not tested on animals, their natural bubble bath is created only using natural ingredients, and a little goes a long way.

Wild & Stone's Baby Hair Brush

Our natural baby hair brush gently grooms your baby’s delicate locks whilst massaging their scalps, removing dead and dry skin. Plus, nightly brushing can relax your little one before bedtime.

The FSC® certified beech wood and eco-nyl bristles also mean it's safe for both baby and planet.

We hope you can see that there are a lot of excellent, eco-friendly and sustainable gift options available, and the cost doesn't need to break the bank either. For the gift that encompasses it all, shop our baby essentials hamper on our website.

Wild & Stone’s mission is to create stylish, easy to adopt and usable alternatives to common plastic products around the home. We source all our products sustainably, from raw material to final delivery. Shop our wide range today.

Send us your pictures of the eco-friendly gifts you've found to hello@wildandstone.com or tag us on Instagram #wildandstone.