If you're on the lookout for eco-friendly pressies that will also please the littlies - look no further! Here's our roundup of pressies that will mean the world to your kiddo and the planet!
How many plastic toys do you have lying around at home? We can’t bring ourselves to count. Not only does it make us feel hugely guilty when we think of the environmental impact, but we’re also wondering what exactly goes into making some of those toys that our tiny tots are playing with. And there’s also how much they are even played with because, in no time at all, our fickle-minded folk will be fawning over the next best thing. This vicious cycle only contributes to more and more unnecessary waste.
Well, here’s some fodder for thought to flip your gifting habits. Did you know there are equally appealing products in the market that are ethically made, sustainable, eco-friendly, kid-friendly and most importantly, safer for our tiny tots? In our books, there’s plenty of goodness wrapped up in an eco-friendly gift, and the shift is well worth it! Before you begin your gander about town to scout out the good stuff, check out our handy-dandy list of eco-friendly gift ops the littlies will love. Best part? They are pocket-friendly and won’t cost the earth.
Top eco-friendly gifts for kids in Singapore
1. Circular fashion
Kids grow up so quickly – which means you have to deal with a choc-a-bloc cubby filled with outgrown clothes. Yikes! Imagine if there’s more than one kiddo in the equation (double trouble). So save yourself the hassle of a complete wardrobe overhaul and think circular fashion instead. It’ll save you tons of time and dollars. Plus, it will reduce fashion wastage, which is a looming bane today.
2. Eco-friendly toys
Plastic toys are one of the biggest contributors to pollution today. And we hate to say it, but as adults, although we are better informed about the effects of toxic toys, we still gander down the same aisle year after year. So how about making a conscious shift towards eco-friendly toys for the sake of our littlies and the environment? Tread down the next lane and brace yourselves for the snazzy wooden and hand-knitted toys on display. Be warned – the littlies will be fawning over them in no time!
3. Plants
There is nothing like teaching the kiddos about the positives of nurturing a plant. You’ll be surprised by the lessons they will learn from their tiny responsibility of looking after it. So, before you scour the streets for that plant pressie, how about hitting our list of the best plant nurseries across Singapore? There are tons of options available, from adorable succulents to hardy crotons. A great starting point for our green thumbs to kickstart their eco-friendly journey. While you are at it, how about adding a gardening kit to your shopping cart to make it a fun experience for them?
4. Eco-friendly essentials
Not part of the eco-drive just as yet? It’s never too late! Even if it’s a small step forward. We say a great way to begin is with a small pressie for your tiny. Think of a set of eco-friendly essentials like wooden toothbrushes or even combs. We love that you don’t have to look very far in Singapore to get your hands on eco-friendly ware. They are available in most supermarkets across our little island, are inexpensive and feel better quality to the touch too.
5. Biodegradable straws
If you haven’t caught wind of it yet, the tiny plastic straws your kiddos love to sip away at are big contributors to pollution. Kick your plastic habit to the curb. Here’s just the alternative that will keep the fun going, thanks to these colourful rice-drinking straws from Equo. They are resilient, biodegradable and pretty nifty too! No guilty feelings attached.
6. Eco-friendly musical instruments
There’s nothing like introducing the kids to music early, and what better way to do that than by gifting them an eco-friendly musical instrument? The instruments look better quality and produce deeper tones and melodies. These make perfect Montessori or educational gifts for your tiny tots. If you think one musical instrument might drive your fidget to boredom- don’t fret! There are plenty of eco-friendly instrument sets available online. Your kiddo can have a musical exploration and hopefully (fingers crossed) produce some pleasant tunes for you to enjoy. We suggest keeping some earplugs handy – just in case.
7. Eco-friendly art supplies
Art exploration at a young age is essential to a kid’s learning journey but can be a messy affair and wasteful too. Step into a guilt-free zone with eco-friendly art supplies and know that your littlie’s experiments are not contributing to pollution. Think art supplies like natural beeswax crayons, playdoh, and finger paints. After all, exploration is key to artistic expression and so much more. Go Picassos!
8. Eco-friendly craft kits
Why stop at art supplies if you want to go all out with the eco-friendly drive? There are also eco-friendly craft kits available at stores that the kiddies will love to get their hands on. Plus, it’s super convenient to have all you need for the craft project in one box and great to keep the littlies occupied during the school hols. Let the creative juices flow!
9. Eco-friendly tableware
We tend to stock up on plastic dinnerware for the tinies because they are durable and easy to care for. Plus, it looks attractive to your tinies in all those bright colours and toon prints, making mealtime less of a struggle. But wait – have you ever thought about the toxic chemicals your littlies might be ingesting with every bite? Yikes! Flip that switch for a natural plastic-free dinnerware gift like Avanchy bamboo ware or Shopwithgreen wheat ware, and the kiddies will love them just the same.
10. Colour-in art
Colour-in art is our all-time fave as it is multifunctional. Your littlies can colour into the artwork plus use it as a functional art form, like colour-in bags and placemats. We also love that the colour-in silicon mats can be washed clean and coloured all over again. Pretty cool!
And there you have it! Go forth and let the force of nature be with you on your eco-friendly journey!
Featured image: Elliot Verhaeren via Unsplash
