Our Favorite Sustainable Gifts for Kids and Babies

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Fun gifts for little ones (and their parents) prove that eco-friendly gifts can be just as, if not more, charming than the junky stuff.

Of all our gift guides, the one for kids and babies may have been the trickiest to make. Tots grow out of clothes and age out of toys so quickly. So, we really thought about what would last the children a long time, be of use to their parents, and be made of good materials: stuff strong enough to last and to be played with and worn by multiple kids. We think we’ve found some great choices that will encourage joy and active play, long after the holidays end. 


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A Stuffy with a Story

Two stuffed elephants, one wearing a pink dress and the other in a green romper.

The Elephant Project

The Elephant Project directs all of the net proceeds from its Save Us collection of stuffed animals to organizations that help support those animals. You can choose from elephants, a dog, or a lion.


A Darling Pair of Booties

A pair of wool felt baby booties made to resemble a Dalmatian dog.

Made Trade

Dalmatian, unicorn, bunny, lamb, fish? You’ll have a hard time choosing a pair of these handcrafted, Fair Trade, sheep’s wool baby booties. Save 10% with code BLUEDOT10. Read our review.


A Great Way to Connect

A man holds a baby, who is wrapped to his chest with a piece of caramel-colored cloth.

Solly Baby

Solly Baby’s Tencel wraps, Wirecutter’s favorite, seem to be universally loved. They’re supposed to reduce infant crying and be easy to get the hang of — in fact, each wrap comes with a complimentary one-on-one video-consultation with the company’s “babywearing educator.” Read our review.


A Fun, Non-Toxic Puzzle

A crescent moon on its side, made from wood, with a smile and the name “Charlie” engraved on it, has round wooden circles balancing on top of it.

Smiling Tree Toys

Smiling Tree Toys customizable name puzzles, blocks, balancers, teethers, and toys for babies and little kids, all from American hardwoods. They also plant a tree for every order. Read our review.


A Gift to Inspire Creative Play

A smiling child is about to slide down a small wooden board, painted like a rainbow, that he has positioned off the sofa in a living room.

Bunny Hopkins

Beautifully, thoughtfully designed toys from Bunny Hopkins can be whatever your child wants them to be: rainbows, rivers, mountains, boats, or even portals to other worlds. These open-ended toys are designed to spark their imagination and be passed down from child to child and family to family.


A Chic Outfit to Pass Down

A young girl of 5 or 6 wears a navy knit outfit with a pink butterfly motif and a pink bandana over her dark hair.

Oeuf

Combining “American optimism and French je ne sais quoi,” Oeuf NYC makes charming, playful, and modern clothing and furniture. Read our review.


Recycled Toys for Non-Stop Fun

A plastic fire truck toy next to a plastic fire truck boy in a brown paper box with the words Green Toys Fire truck printed on the box.

Green Toys

We think that wooden toys are extremely charming, but they may not be everyone’s preference. Green Toys makes sturdy toys from recycled plastic, and we appreciate their mix of traditional and more contemporary designs. Why not make a dump truck in lavender and pale pink?!


An Out-of-this-World Hoodie

A blue hoodie with a rocket ship graphic and a Nasa logo.

Tentree

What’s more fun than space exploration? Maybe pretending to explore space, which is generally safer and less expensive! Help inspire them with this adorable NASA hoodie from Tentree (or any of their other comfy clothes for kids). The company plants trees for every item purchased, and each item comes with a QR code that allows you to track details, like where your trees are being planted and more about the communities the trees are a part of. Read our review.


A Cute New Outfit

A stack of shirts in cheerful colors.

Winter Water Factory

Winter Water Factory makes certified organic clothes for babies, kids, and adults in seriously hip prints. From pine cones to root vegetables to surfers to penguins to taxis…Winter Water Factory makes something everyone can love, all guaranteed to put pep in any kid’s step. Read our review.


Some Clothes for Romping Around

A young kid grins and sits on a skateboard being pushed by an older boy.

Mightly

Mightly makes simple yet cute clothes for children using only organic cotton, all without any pokey seams or tags. We think that Mightly clothes are perfect for kids being kids. Save 20% with code BLUEDOT20 at checkout. Read our review.


Still shopping? Check out our other holiday gift guides:

Sustainable Gifts for Women

Sustainable Gifts for Men

Sustainable Stocking Stuffers

Sustainable Gifts for Teens

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Elizabeth Weinstein
Elizabeth Weinstein
Elizabeth Weinstein, Bluedot’s Marketplace Editor, lives in Manhattan with her husband; papillon Finley; and cats SanDeE* and Modell. When she’s not asking the folks at Bloomingdale’s and Nordstrom to try on their most sustainable sneakers in a size 9½, she can be found at the Union Square Greenmarket or gardening on her rooftop terrace.
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