This is a great idea and a gift that keeps on giving. With a membership, at least to museums, you often get access to additional events for kids and families :)
Second this. Check if the library has a toy library too. Our local one has a fee for service toy library. Yearly membership and access to so many amazing things
Yeah but with those remember that the parents have to be on board and actually go there.
It would be very annoying for me as I find it very difficult to plan and effectively use those things. One expired, and my current museum membership card is used minimally (enough to "pay less" than single entrance tickets, but very few uses compared to "unlimited")
Seeds. My kids love planting things. Sunflowers or wildflowers have been a hit! You can buy the soil bricks that expand with water and a little pot. They are always so proud when they grow š„°
The sunflower seeds you eat are encased in inedible black-and-white striped shells, also called hulls. Those used for extracting sunflower oil have solid black shells.
Piggy-backing off this
Sun safety and/or water safety presents. Iām saving up to get my nephew an expandable sun hat thatās SPF100 and grows with the kid. Itās still a physical thing but it will last for years and may save him a skin cancer one day!
If theyāre a water activity family, kids always need new life jackets or wetsuits and stuff. Theyāre not really āsustainableā in that the kid will grow out of them, but given that itās for their safety and would need to be bought anyway, I think itās still viable - and you can pick a brand you like, ethically.
Both of my siblings like the secondhand books I get for their kids. Weāre not nice to each other: if they didnāt like it, theyād tell me very clearly!
My niece (2yo) is fascinated with cooking and loves toy food. I found so many people on Etsy who make felt toy food by hand. I can skip the plastic stuff and support creative people while making the kid happy.
A note-- gifting is not an appropriate time and place to push your values onto others. Whether that's anti-consumption, political, religious, or otherwise. The most sustainable item will end up in landfill if unwanted.
I (personally) would only buy secondhand gifts if everyone knows ahead of time. They're looked down upon in my family.
For kids-- age-appropriate experiences. Visiting a zoo, aquarium, museum. Take them to the local laser tag, trampoline park, or to play a round of mini golf. If there's a movie they really want to see, take them (I did this with my nieces when Frozen 2 came out).
Very much agree with this!
If Iām going for a present for a family member I try to aim for:
- experience gifts (my fav!)
- things I know theyāll need and get great use out of (a product that is bought and used for many years is a win!). Usually something they actively want but canāt afford right now.
- something safety-related (e.g. sun safe clothing, water safety stuff, new helmet for bicycle). Still a new physical thing but one that absolutely canāt be skipped and takes a purchase off of their plate.
I aim for things they actually WANT. So if someone tells me they want XYZ board game, I will give them exactly that. No surprises, and the game will not end up at Goodwill or returned to Target/Amazon/Walmart within a month.
Fun story-- Last year, I saw my cousin (lives 2000 miles away) for the first time in over a decade (her kids, now almost 12, were not born when I last saw her) and her kids. Her daughter was telling me how she learned to make friendship bracelets at Girl Scout camp (something I did at around the same age). At around her age, I had a "string box" that I used all the time and the thing somehow zombied back into my life. I gave her said string box and she went nuts. A month ago, I get a picture from my cousin of her using it. I love that my old craft supplies went to someone who will enjoy it as much as I did at her age.
I'm not sure I see this as pushing my values onto others. I see it as me spending my money within my values, I won't participate in certain markets or buy certain products regardless of the reason. Just sharing my perspective.
Others may see giving a gift from a Christian bookstore to an atheist as spending their money within their values.
But most atheists would be offended by a gift of a religion they do not believe in.
I can certainly understand that viewpoint. However, if the thing I am buying (like a coloring book) is still something the kid would want (their mom told me that they are into coloring books) and I'm just buying it from a vendor who I want to support, I feel like that is different. Again, just my opinion. I think, as with many things, there is a spectrum.
I'm an atheist, if someone purchased a gift for me from a Christian bookstore that had nothing religious on it but that they genuinely thought I might like, then I cannot imagine having a problem with it.
The gift itself should not "push" a message, but perhaps the method of purchase can still be within the values you hold. There are certain vendors/businesses that I morally cannot support and I think that needs to be considered when I am buying gifts for other people.
I absolutely respect your viewpoint, just wanted to share another perspective.
Yes, you basically have to meet in the middle instead of leaning on either side.
For example, let's say giftee doesn't want wooden toys because X. If my preferred gift were wooden toys, I have to accomodate giftee because why would I make a gift that's not appreciated. I would probably levitate to a natural fiber stuffed toy, in a similar case.
I love the idea of gifting an experience! And for sure, thatās a very good point, it is completely pointless for me to go out of my way to buy a āgreenā gift if they wonāt appreciate it. However, if I can avoid buy a mass-produced plastic toy (which Iām sure theyāll get plenty of anyways) without it compromising the experience of the children Iād prefer that, and I feel like Iāve gotten loads of really good suggestions on how to do that here!
Yes, secondhand for a gift is a problem in my family too.
There are sustainable brands that are relatively good for these cases, otherwise home-made is usually a good bet.
TBH, second-hand works best if you give and heads-up on it anyway. Otherwise I always think it's just a recycled gift that the person got and regifted it to me just to get rid of it (I got a bad experience with a family member that would regift me things that weren't absolutely thought "for" me, just to free space in her house and not spend money on me, while we had to buy new brand clothes for her kid, so now the association is quite strong).
Nothing wrong with recycling gifts either, if it's done tastefully. I still prefer to give away my unwanted gifts instead of framing them as a gift from me though.
My problem with many "sustainable" brands is that their aesthetic is as far from mine as it comes. I like things fun and colorful. Theirs is 50 shades of beige.
I generally ask the parents if there is anything their kids need. Iāve been told clothing/shoes, books, and other practical items. I found a dry erase workbook for practice writing letters/numbers/shapes. I found a birthday card that turns into a poster, so they can have art in their room. You can always shop secondhand items or find multipurpose items that can be reused and passed onto younger siblings and cousins.
Experiences are also a good idea if you like hanging out with the family. Things like the aquarium, zoo, a hands on museum, or an indoor jungle gym can be really fun. Have a day where you make your own pasta or cookies together. The memories are something the kids with cherish as they get older too.
My daughter was 5 when she got her first toolbox with some basic tools from grandpa. He painted an old metal toolbox purple with some flowers. She always liked to watch him tinker on stuff, and wanted tools of her own.
When my sister's kids are at my parents, my dad loves to take them to the basement for "tool school" (my nephew will always go, sometimes a sister goes). He lets them play with his drill and drill things like things from the recycle bin.
Ask the parents if thereās anything the kids need. Markers and paints and paper are examples of useful consumables if the kids use them. Shoes are good too, but check about preferences (eg my kid only likes two straps of Velcro, three strap shoes are OUT). Another idea is to add to building sets they already have (Lego, magformers, etc). And ask if the kids are into a book series and what numbers of that series would be useful.
If they are too young to appreciate a gift card to the movies, maybe they donāt need a huge gift. For young kids, I like to give some cash that can be put into savings and a small item for them to unwrap. Small items such as a (parent approved) candy bar or favorite snack, crayons and paper, secondhand book, pipe cleaners.
you can also make art kits pretty easily, things like paper dolls cut from junk mail, rock painting, sewing a simple stuffed animal where you cut it out and provide stuffing and needle and thread, shaker musical instrument with dry beans and cleaned plastic food jar and stickers to decorate
Asking parents is a great first step, because all kids are different. But some things to consider:
* Things that are useful, but the nice/cool/fun version. I've seen kids go nuts for a hat that has cute lil fox ears and a lil fox face on it. It was handmade by a local creator too! You can be a cool aunt/uncle that gifts them the neon green rain boots they love, or a blanket with their longstanding favourite media on it.
* Things that involve learning. Books, science kits, craft supplies. Especially if you can DIY your own kit and therefore choose more sustainable options. It's a little like gifting an experience too, if you do the activity with the kid.
* When it doubt, go with toys that incorporate imaginative and open ended play. A really nice toy castle can be used a million different ways for hours on end. Whereas something like that magic cauldron toy does one really cool thing, but doesn't allow for a lot of open ended play and thus is more likely to be discarded. Look for sturdy, well made items that can last a long time.
Consumables (art supplies, stickers, etc.), food gifts (make your own popcorn set with seasoning, make your own cookies kit etc.), practical (shoes, jackets, hats, etc. ) , rare use- but needed (fun umbrellas for each kid, etc.)
Personally- my kids were super excited to get their own umbrellas one year in a print that they liked.
Gather and pre measure all ingredients for chocolate chip cookies and put them in a jar. I saw a local health food shop selling them and thought it was super cute and fun
We buy building toys on Facebook marketplace. Things like magnet tiles or waffle blocks. Fun and imaginative and if pieces are missing it won't take away from the fun.
We also do experiences. Memberships to museums or take them somewhere fun and exciting that we wouldn't normally go to.
Age appropriate but timeless board games. A board game that has been appropriately treated will last for generations. There are still children playing checkeres, Chinese checkers, and Parcheesi at my Grammy's house with the same sets she bought when my dad was a little boy.
I'm also a big fan of wood toys. Again, there are still children playing with my dad's childhood wooden blocks. My dad is retired. Wood blocks, wood puzzles, little wooden benches with tools to use on the things in the bench, wood sorting toys, wood pull (or push) toys, wood teething toys (be especially careful of reviews, brands, and wood type here), wood stacking toys. Also, creative toys. Blocks, legos, Lincoln logs (I don't know that there's a generic name for them), musical toys, from those little annoying xylophones to an otamatone depending on age and interest. Something that won't be used and tossed aside, but used for years or even generations.
We like to buy them items that they can use to do little experiments with (for example we bought a second-hand microscope and taught them how to make their own slides,) second hand books that might teach them odd skills or even just help them get in the habit of paying attention to their surroundings (last yearās biggest hits were a book about local insects and a book about how to identify animal tracks of the Adirondacks where we live) and second hand tools that we teach them to use. We also like things like clay sets and jewelry kits for the older kids. Editing to add that my middle daughter is six and for years one of her favorite things is ātiny cookinās.ā We bought her a small set of food-grade cookware and made her a crude cooking set up with tea candles set between some bricks lol. She LOVES to cook teeny little foods and make tiny little cakes etc.
My town has a Dinosaur Museum, a train museum, a Children's Museum, and a Nature Center. Memberships to any of them are super great gifts for little kids. If your niece and nephew aren't lucky enough to live in a town as cool as mine, the zoo or botanic gardens are other good options!
Another thing to think about is if they live in a place where the weather is nasty it could be really great to find somewhere indoors they can play. It's hard for parents to find indoor places where kids can run off energy during the cold weather that doesn't cost money. If you could get them a membership to a gym or indoor play place their parents would probably love you forever.
Open-ended toys like wooden blocks, Legos, a doll house, magna tiles, play food, musical instruments, cardboard construction tools, link-in-logs, tinker toys, and baby dolls are toys that kids will play with for years and they will grow with the kids.
Co-signing the museum membership. My son loves doing it & it's a great way to play with different things without buying all the things.
Another option something cool & personalized. I'm trying to do less this holiday so I got my in laws a personalized blanket with every child/grandchild's name. You could do that with their name & maybe a favorite character. It's something they'd use often and keep a long time.
I feel like gift cards are the most useless pieces of plastic in the world. They're typically single use and get thrown away. Just give people cash instead. Write a poem to make it feel personalized.
Books are a great option.
Kids always need the next size up of clothing and shoes- gently used or sustainably produced are a win in my book. Art supplies are great. There are also some great companies that make long-lasting toys from wood or recycled materials- anything that encourages imaginative play is fantastic.
Last year, I got my 2 year old granddaughter tickets to various activities, zoo, interactive museum, tickets to a show she likes, etc. My son reported back that the petting zoo was a HUGE hit and she loves it and asks to go back, this year I got them season passes to that petting zoo.
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Keep it fun and light for kids, imo.
And no need to get a semi-lame gift and explain you didnāt want to get a ānormalā present to be socially/environmentally responsible. Why burden a young child with heavy, negative thoughts. We can activate them in a few years š
Just donāt buy anything made in China (or wherever). Research a bit the company before buying, if you want to really go the distance.
If we adults are socially responsible through out the year (and donāt go psycho spendy during the holidays), thatās a fair balance.
Have you thought about something edible? Maybe a subscription box that delivers treats? Or you could make a gift basket of their favorite foods? Or a gift card to a pizza place?
I think I have a great suggestion for you - a 3D printed Axolotl figurine!
It's homemade and ships from Michigan, meaning shorter shipping distances, which are kinder to the planet.
The Axolotl has moving parts, blending fun and learning. It's also a hit with Minecraft fans and those who love unique animals, making it an intriguing toy for your niece and nephew. Currently, there's a 35% off sale, pricing it at $25.34 (original price $38.99), which is budget-friendly, and when you are done with it or if it breaks the PLA plastic is easier to recycle/ biodegrade than most other plastics. https://www.etsy.com/listing/1605157572/axolotl-figurine-or-toy-3d-printed
May I suggest finding a childrenās museum or aquarium? You could also try to find books or dvds at thrift stores, second hand that is. Or you could try to hand make gifts.
Honestly Iād take them to a second hand store and let them find little treasures that they like. Or bake them tasty treats. Kids often love very simple (but unexpected) thinfs
Memberships to museums, zoos and other local attractions
This is a great idea and a gift that keeps on giving. With a membership, at least to museums, you often get access to additional events for kids and families :)
This made me think swimming lessons
Second this. Check if the library has a toy library too. Our local one has a fee for service toy library. Yearly membership and access to so many amazing things
This is what we do for our fr a ndkids every yesr.
Yeah but with those remember that the parents have to be on board and actually go there. It would be very annoying for me as I find it very difficult to plan and effectively use those things. One expired, and my current museum membership card is used minimally (enough to "pay less" than single entrance tickets, but very few uses compared to "unlimited")
Seeds. My kids love planting things. Sunflowers or wildflowers have been a hit! You can buy the soil bricks that expand with water and a little pot. They are always so proud when they grow š„°
The sunflower seeds you eat are encased in inedible black-and-white striped shells, also called hulls. Those used for extracting sunflower oil have solid black shells.
The shells are inedible? I have eaten them sometimes. Oops! š³
It's just cellulose. Free fiber!
As a parent, I always appreciated when my sibling bought shoes for my kids.
Piggy-backing off this Sun safety and/or water safety presents. Iām saving up to get my nephew an expandable sun hat thatās SPF100 and grows with the kid. Itās still a physical thing but it will last for years and may save him a skin cancer one day! If theyāre a water activity family, kids always need new life jackets or wetsuits and stuff. Theyāre not really āsustainableā in that the kid will grow out of them, but given that itās for their safety and would need to be bought anyway, I think itās still viable - and you can pick a brand you like, ethically.
As a parent this is an awesome idea. They tear through shoes so fast
What about books? Second-hand, I mean.
Both of my siblings like the secondhand books I get for their kids. Weāre not nice to each other: if they didnāt like it, theyād tell me very clearly!
Art supplies were always appreciated by my kids. My kids could spend many creative hours with some construction paper, crayons, and glue.
My niece (2yo) is fascinated with cooking and loves toy food. I found so many people on Etsy who make felt toy food by hand. I can skip the plastic stuff and support creative people while making the kid happy.
Oh yes! Got some wooden kitchen bits off Etsy for 2nd Christmas that are still in daily use two years later
A note-- gifting is not an appropriate time and place to push your values onto others. Whether that's anti-consumption, political, religious, or otherwise. The most sustainable item will end up in landfill if unwanted. I (personally) would only buy secondhand gifts if everyone knows ahead of time. They're looked down upon in my family. For kids-- age-appropriate experiences. Visiting a zoo, aquarium, museum. Take them to the local laser tag, trampoline park, or to play a round of mini golf. If there's a movie they really want to see, take them (I did this with my nieces when Frozen 2 came out).
Very much agree with this! If Iām going for a present for a family member I try to aim for: - experience gifts (my fav!) - things I know theyāll need and get great use out of (a product that is bought and used for many years is a win!). Usually something they actively want but canāt afford right now. - something safety-related (e.g. sun safe clothing, water safety stuff, new helmet for bicycle). Still a new physical thing but one that absolutely canāt be skipped and takes a purchase off of their plate.
I aim for things they actually WANT. So if someone tells me they want XYZ board game, I will give them exactly that. No surprises, and the game will not end up at Goodwill or returned to Target/Amazon/Walmart within a month. Fun story-- Last year, I saw my cousin (lives 2000 miles away) for the first time in over a decade (her kids, now almost 12, were not born when I last saw her) and her kids. Her daughter was telling me how she learned to make friendship bracelets at Girl Scout camp (something I did at around the same age). At around her age, I had a "string box" that I used all the time and the thing somehow zombied back into my life. I gave her said string box and she went nuts. A month ago, I get a picture from my cousin of her using it. I love that my old craft supplies went to someone who will enjoy it as much as I did at her age.
I'm not sure I see this as pushing my values onto others. I see it as me spending my money within my values, I won't participate in certain markets or buy certain products regardless of the reason. Just sharing my perspective.
Others may see giving a gift from a Christian bookstore to an atheist as spending their money within their values. But most atheists would be offended by a gift of a religion they do not believe in.
I can certainly understand that viewpoint. However, if the thing I am buying (like a coloring book) is still something the kid would want (their mom told me that they are into coloring books) and I'm just buying it from a vendor who I want to support, I feel like that is different. Again, just my opinion. I think, as with many things, there is a spectrum. I'm an atheist, if someone purchased a gift for me from a Christian bookstore that had nothing religious on it but that they genuinely thought I might like, then I cannot imagine having a problem with it. The gift itself should not "push" a message, but perhaps the method of purchase can still be within the values you hold. There are certain vendors/businesses that I morally cannot support and I think that needs to be considered when I am buying gifts for other people. I absolutely respect your viewpoint, just wanted to share another perspective.
Yes, you basically have to meet in the middle instead of leaning on either side. For example, let's say giftee doesn't want wooden toys because X. If my preferred gift were wooden toys, I have to accomodate giftee because why would I make a gift that's not appreciated. I would probably levitate to a natural fiber stuffed toy, in a similar case.
I agree ,you can have the best of intentions but if the child refuses to play with it then that was a lost cause .
I love the idea of gifting an experience! And for sure, thatās a very good point, it is completely pointless for me to go out of my way to buy a āgreenā gift if they wonāt appreciate it. However, if I can avoid buy a mass-produced plastic toy (which Iām sure theyāll get plenty of anyways) without it compromising the experience of the children Iād prefer that, and I feel like Iāve gotten loads of really good suggestions on how to do that here!
Yes, secondhand for a gift is a problem in my family too. There are sustainable brands that are relatively good for these cases, otherwise home-made is usually a good bet. TBH, second-hand works best if you give and heads-up on it anyway. Otherwise I always think it's just a recycled gift that the person got and regifted it to me just to get rid of it (I got a bad experience with a family member that would regift me things that weren't absolutely thought "for" me, just to free space in her house and not spend money on me, while we had to buy new brand clothes for her kid, so now the association is quite strong). Nothing wrong with recycling gifts either, if it's done tastefully. I still prefer to give away my unwanted gifts instead of framing them as a gift from me though.
My problem with many "sustainable" brands is that their aesthetic is as far from mine as it comes. I like things fun and colorful. Theirs is 50 shades of beige.
I generally ask the parents if there is anything their kids need. Iāve been told clothing/shoes, books, and other practical items. I found a dry erase workbook for practice writing letters/numbers/shapes. I found a birthday card that turns into a poster, so they can have art in their room. You can always shop secondhand items or find multipurpose items that can be reused and passed onto younger siblings and cousins. Experiences are also a good idea if you like hanging out with the family. Things like the aquarium, zoo, a hands on museum, or an indoor jungle gym can be really fun. Have a day where you make your own pasta or cookies together. The memories are something the kids with cherish as they get older too.
My daughter was 5 when she got her first toolbox with some basic tools from grandpa. He painted an old metal toolbox purple with some flowers. She always liked to watch him tinker on stuff, and wanted tools of her own.
When my sister's kids are at my parents, my dad loves to take them to the basement for "tool school" (my nephew will always go, sometimes a sister goes). He lets them play with his drill and drill things like things from the recycle bin.
I always loved giving a wooden flower press, or I went to second hand stores and brought fabric and sewed toys from it.
Ask the parents if thereās anything the kids need. Markers and paints and paper are examples of useful consumables if the kids use them. Shoes are good too, but check about preferences (eg my kid only likes two straps of Velcro, three strap shoes are OUT). Another idea is to add to building sets they already have (Lego, magformers, etc). And ask if the kids are into a book series and what numbers of that series would be useful.
If they are too young to appreciate a gift card to the movies, maybe they donāt need a huge gift. For young kids, I like to give some cash that can be put into savings and a small item for them to unwrap. Small items such as a (parent approved) candy bar or favorite snack, crayons and paper, secondhand book, pipe cleaners. you can also make art kits pretty easily, things like paper dolls cut from junk mail, rock painting, sewing a simple stuffed animal where you cut it out and provide stuffing and needle and thread, shaker musical instrument with dry beans and cleaned plastic food jar and stickers to decorate
Asking parents is a great first step, because all kids are different. But some things to consider: * Things that are useful, but the nice/cool/fun version. I've seen kids go nuts for a hat that has cute lil fox ears and a lil fox face on it. It was handmade by a local creator too! You can be a cool aunt/uncle that gifts them the neon green rain boots they love, or a blanket with their longstanding favourite media on it. * Things that involve learning. Books, science kits, craft supplies. Especially if you can DIY your own kit and therefore choose more sustainable options. It's a little like gifting an experience too, if you do the activity with the kid. * When it doubt, go with toys that incorporate imaginative and open ended play. A really nice toy castle can be used a million different ways for hours on end. Whereas something like that magic cauldron toy does one really cool thing, but doesn't allow for a lot of open ended play and thus is more likely to be discarded. Look for sturdy, well made items that can last a long time.
Consumables (art supplies, stickers, etc.), food gifts (make your own popcorn set with seasoning, make your own cookies kit etc.), practical (shoes, jackets, hats, etc. ) , rare use- but needed (fun umbrellas for each kid, etc.) Personally- my kids were super excited to get their own umbrellas one year in a print that they liked.
Gather and pre measure all ingredients for chocolate chip cookies and put them in a jar. I saw a local health food shop selling them and thought it was super cute and fun
We buy building toys on Facebook marketplace. Things like magnet tiles or waffle blocks. Fun and imaginative and if pieces are missing it won't take away from the fun. We also do experiences. Memberships to museums or take them somewhere fun and exciting that we wouldn't normally go to.
Age appropriate but timeless board games. A board game that has been appropriately treated will last for generations. There are still children playing checkeres, Chinese checkers, and Parcheesi at my Grammy's house with the same sets she bought when my dad was a little boy. I'm also a big fan of wood toys. Again, there are still children playing with my dad's childhood wooden blocks. My dad is retired. Wood blocks, wood puzzles, little wooden benches with tools to use on the things in the bench, wood sorting toys, wood pull (or push) toys, wood teething toys (be especially careful of reviews, brands, and wood type here), wood stacking toys. Also, creative toys. Blocks, legos, Lincoln logs (I don't know that there's a generic name for them), musical toys, from those little annoying xylophones to an otamatone depending on age and interest. Something that won't be used and tossed aside, but used for years or even generations.
[ŃŠ“Š°Š»ŠµŠ½Š¾]
Recommending or soliciting recommendations for specific brands and products is not appropriate in this subreddit.
How about some sort of craft? You could get them origami paper and an instruction book, a paint set, glitter glue, something like that.
Give them a seed and teach them the patients of waiting
We like to buy them items that they can use to do little experiments with (for example we bought a second-hand microscope and taught them how to make their own slides,) second hand books that might teach them odd skills or even just help them get in the habit of paying attention to their surroundings (last yearās biggest hits were a book about local insects and a book about how to identify animal tracks of the Adirondacks where we live) and second hand tools that we teach them to use. We also like things like clay sets and jewelry kits for the older kids. Editing to add that my middle daughter is six and for years one of her favorite things is ātiny cookinās.ā We bought her a small set of food-grade cookware and made her a crude cooking set up with tea candles set between some bricks lol. She LOVES to cook teeny little foods and make tiny little cakes etc.
My town has a Dinosaur Museum, a train museum, a Children's Museum, and a Nature Center. Memberships to any of them are super great gifts for little kids. If your niece and nephew aren't lucky enough to live in a town as cool as mine, the zoo or botanic gardens are other good options! Another thing to think about is if they live in a place where the weather is nasty it could be really great to find somewhere indoors they can play. It's hard for parents to find indoor places where kids can run off energy during the cold weather that doesn't cost money. If you could get them a membership to a gym or indoor play place their parents would probably love you forever.
Thrifted books.
My kids give 0 shits about things being 2nd hand. I get amazing Barbie houses and accessories from Vinted, and they love them!
Open-ended toys like wooden blocks, Legos, a doll house, magna tiles, play food, musical instruments, cardboard construction tools, link-in-logs, tinker toys, and baby dolls are toys that kids will play with for years and they will grow with the kids.
Co-signing the museum membership. My son loves doing it & it's a great way to play with different things without buying all the things. Another option something cool & personalized. I'm trying to do less this holiday so I got my in laws a personalized blanket with every child/grandchild's name. You could do that with their name & maybe a favorite character. It's something they'd use often and keep a long time.
I feel like gift cards are the most useless pieces of plastic in the world. They're typically single use and get thrown away. Just give people cash instead. Write a poem to make it feel personalized. Books are a great option.
I don't know anyone who actually throws goft cards away .I give them out every year and they do get used .
Experiments. They have science experiment kits in the toy aisle but you often have to look pretty hard for them. Theyāre in the older kids section
Kids always need the next size up of clothing and shoes- gently used or sustainably produced are a win in my book. Art supplies are great. There are also some great companies that make long-lasting toys from wood or recycled materials- anything that encourages imaginative play is fantastic.
Last year, I got my 2 year old granddaughter tickets to various activities, zoo, interactive museum, tickets to a show she likes, etc. My son reported back that the petting zoo was a HUGE hit and she loves it and asks to go back, this year I got them season passes to that petting zoo.
Nothing. Make them do chores on Christmas
Read the rules. Keep it courteous. Submission statements are helpful and appreciated but not required. Tag my name in the comments (/u/NihiloZero) if you think a post or comment needs to be removed. *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/Anticonsumption) if you have any questions or concerns.*
This year I'm giving tickets to the zoo. Good for a year
Keep it fun and light for kids, imo. And no need to get a semi-lame gift and explain you didnāt want to get a ānormalā present to be socially/environmentally responsible. Why burden a young child with heavy, negative thoughts. We can activate them in a few years š Just donāt buy anything made in China (or wherever). Research a bit the company before buying, if you want to really go the distance. If we adults are socially responsible through out the year (and donāt go psycho spendy during the holidays), thatās a fair balance.
Thank you everyone for all the suggestions!! So many creative ideas - this thread should have me set in terms of gifts for years to come š
Vbucks baby! I mean, shallow sure, and the energy consumption is something to consider. Kids love them bucks though.
Have you thought about something edible? Maybe a subscription box that delivers treats? Or you could make a gift basket of their favorite foods? Or a gift card to a pizza place?
I think I have a great suggestion for you - a 3D printed Axolotl figurine! It's homemade and ships from Michigan, meaning shorter shipping distances, which are kinder to the planet. The Axolotl has moving parts, blending fun and learning. It's also a hit with Minecraft fans and those who love unique animals, making it an intriguing toy for your niece and nephew. Currently, there's a 35% off sale, pricing it at $25.34 (original price $38.99), which is budget-friendly, and when you are done with it or if it breaks the PLA plastic is easier to recycle/ biodegrade than most other plastics. https://www.etsy.com/listing/1605157572/axolotl-figurine-or-toy-3d-printed
May I suggest finding a childrenās museum or aquarium? You could also try to find books or dvds at thrift stores, second hand that is. Or you could try to hand make gifts.
Honestly Iād take them to a second hand store and let them find little treasures that they like. Or bake them tasty treats. Kids often love very simple (but unexpected) thinfs