Whether you have one kid, two, three or more, you’ll be going to kids parties. It’s a fact of having kids that you’ll be spending at LEAST one afternoon at a party every month.
Parties at soft play. Parties in halls with balloons as entertainment. Parties in peoples homes. Disco parties – and yes, they still play the Superman song. (Now spray! Macho man!)
With parties comes gift buying. Gifts the parent’s don’t really want. Things the kids don’t really need.
Gifts that will likely be in the landfill or charity shop within a year.
But, eco doesn’t have to come with a huge price tag.
And that’s good news, because when you’re shelling out for 30, 60, or even 90 kids parties a year it costs can quickly add up. (These numbers here are based on each of your children going to 30 parties a year, especially the case when the entire class gets an invite…)
Money and Earth conscious, I’ve got a few eco friendly gifts for kids that aren’t going to cost too much. And they WILL bring joy. Or at least can be recycled, regifted, or eaten if they don’t.
Eco friendly gifts for kids
Baking!
I’d love this gift. I’d love Ida or Marfs to get this as a gift.
Look for a Betty Crocker cake mix, get your kids to choose some decorations for the top. Maybe even a tub of cream filling.
This has always gone down really well.
It encourages an activity, can be consumed, and most of the packaging can be recycled.
And it can cost £5, £10 or however much you have in your budget and still look like a nice gift.
Cost: £5-10
Seeds
Head to your local garden centre and pick up a few packets of seeds. Sunflowers are always a winner. If you have a little left in your budget buy a small pot and some soil to complete the gift.
I’ve got pots from the charity shop before costing £1-2.
Cost: £5-10
Colouring or sticker books
In my opinion, you can never have too many sticker or colouring books. Great for car journeys, cafes, quiet time. Love them. The Works sells sticker books with the most ridiculous number of stickers in. Sometimes upwards of 2,000. Give the gift of peace. Buy a sticker book.
Cost: £5-10
Charity shop finds
The charity shop is FULL of unwanted gifts. Every time I go to a charity shop (which is too often, I love them) I keep an eye out for something new that would make a great gift.
I’ve got nail varnish sets, new books, new games, new puzzles, seeds all from the charity shop. If the kid isn’t into it, they can regift or give it back to the charity shop.
Cost: £2-10
Book shop voucher
It’s pretty hard to buy a kid you don’t know a book. They’ll love going into the shop with a voucher to pick their own book. You could get one from Book Tokens so it can be spent at any shop accepting them, including major retailers and independents.
Cost: £5-10
Magazine subscription
These are actually surprisingly cheap. There’s always a deal. You just need to know the kids’ address and remember to cancel your direct debit. Might be best done for someone you know well so you can pick the right magazine. I got this for my nephew a few years ago and he enjoyed getting a magazine through the post each month long after his birthday had been.
Cost: £10-30
Goodie bag
Think hamper, but for kids. You could add loads of things you think they might like, mostly consumables. Here are a few ideas:
- Sweets
- Seeds
- Magazine
- Stickers
- Bath bombs
- Mini marshmallows (my kids go mad for these)
- Bath foam
- Shampoo for kids
- Fun soaps
Pop it all in a nice box or a gift bag and you’ve got yourself a personal pressie.
Cost: £5-20
And then there’s good old fashioned cash. I don’t think it should be overlooked. While I don’t enjoy giving cash for birthdays, if you really don’t know someone who’s in your kids class at school, pop a £10 in the card so they can buy something they’ll enjoy.
There’s my eco friendly gifts for kids.
And not a wooden toy or plastic free ruler in sight.
Let me know your best or worst gifts you’ve ever been brought.
Fromthemotherside 
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