Plastic Free Toy Gift Guide 2024
Christmas Gift Guide for Curious Little Explorers
At GroWild, we believe the magic of Christmas should be both enchanting and environmentally thoughtful. That’s why we’ve created a gift guide for the little nature lovers in your life. Whether your child adores snuggling up with soft toys, exploring the wonders of nature, getting lost in stories or building magical worlds with wooden toys, there’s something here for everyone.
For some of you, wanting to choose plastic free alternatives this year can simply be about reducing the visual clutter of multiple brightly coloured (and noisy!) toys filling up your living spaces. Let’s face it, we all know that your child’s toys never stay strictly limited to their bedrooms, especially for younger children who need to play safely nearby you whilst you may be preparing food or daring to make yourself a coffee!
We’ve also kept sustainability in mind, ensuring these gifts encourage open-ended play and spark curiosity. While we’ve made every effort to highlight eco-conscious options, please note that some products may not be 100% plastic-free and could include recycled plastic materials.
You can also download our PDF guide with clickable links here: FREE DOWNLOADABLE GIFT GUIDE
CUTE SOFT TOY GIFTS
Give the gift of comfort and companionship with a soft toy this Christmas! Look for options crafted from organic cotton, wool, or recycled materials. Soft animals like bears, foxes, or hedgehogs make the perfect bedtime buddy for your little one.
Soft toys also offer more than just comfort—they can become cherished friends and imaginative playmates. Children often connect to the character of their soft toy, whether it’s a brave lion or a gentle bunny, creating stories and adventures that encourage creativity. These connections can also support the development of communication skills, as children talk to their toy, share feelings, and even role-play scenarios that mirror friendship and empathy.
2 - Soft Farm Playset or Plush Play Set With Barn
3 - Dino Baby in Egg
4 - Hideaway Puppet - Rabbit In A Lettuce
5 - Hideaway Puppet - Tawny Owl With Babies
6 - Jake & Anna Camping Play Set
8 - Sea Turtle With Babies Play Set
9 - Flipitz Bunny Carrot Hideaway
10 - RSPB Singing Goldfinch and RSPB Singing Robin
Toys For Nature Lovers
For little adventurers who love to explore the outdoors, nature-themed gifts are a wonderful choice. Look for items made from natural materials like wooden birds, wooden insects, or animal-themed puzzles. These gifts can help children develop a deeper appreciation for the world around them.
From a young age, being able to identify things in nature—whether it’s a specific type of leaf, a bird call, or a garden insect—creates a strong connection to the environment. This early knowledge fosters an appreciation for nature that often stays with children as they grow. A child who can identify the birds in their local park, for example, is more likely to develop a lifelong interest in environmental conservation and stewardship. This connection to nature has been shown to positively affect wellbeing, offering children opportunities for mindfulness, outdoor activities, and a sense of peace. As adults, these connections can influence sustainable practices and a stronger sense of responsibility towards the natural world.
2 - Woodland Trust Wildflowers Swatch Book
3 - Woodland Trust Leaf Swatch Book
4 - Bug Bingo
6 - Go Find It Nature Scavenger Hunt Card Game
7 - Let’s Go On A Nature Hunt Game
8 - Spring Garden Childrens Dominoes
9 - Deer Fawn Pyramid Stacking Toy
10 - First Sticker Book Nature
12 - Russian Nesting Dolls - Animals
13 - Things To Do Outdoors Game and Things To Do Indoors Game
CHildrens Books As GIFTS
There’s nothing like a good book to open a child’s mind to new adventures and ideas. Books are a timeless gift that can inspire children’s imaginations, foster creativity and promote language development. Whether it's a nature-inspired story or a fun, entertaining adventure, books offer an opportunity for children to explore new worlds and ideas. Some of the books we've selected are genuinely entertaining children's stories that go beyond nature themes, providing variety and excitement.
Instilling a love for reading early on is one of the greatest gifts you can give a child. Reading not only enhances vocabulary and communication skills but also encourages empathy, as children relate to characters and situations. Plus, books offer an escape to new worlds, instilling a sense of wonder and creativity that toys often can't match.
In addition to storybooks, we've also included a delightful colouring book. Colouring is a wonderful way for children to express themselves, and it promotes fine motor skills while allowing them to engage with the story in a hands-on way.
Gifting books instead of toys creates lasting value, as the child can return to the stories and activities time and again, gaining new insights with every read or activity. It’s an experience that nourishes the mind, nurturing a lifelong love of learning.
3 - On The Farm
4 - Brown Bear Wood Colouring & Spotting Book
5 - The Snow Thief
6 - JellyCat Winter Tails Activity Book
7 - The Dragon With The Blazing Bottom
9 - If You Go Down In The Woods Today
10 - I Follow The Fox
11 - Paddington’s Christmas Post
gifting Wooden Toys
Timeless and durable, wooden toys make the perfect sustainable alternative to plastic. Whether it’s a beautifully crafted train set, stacking blocks, or a pretend kitchen, these toys encourage imaginative play and last for years. Where you can, opt for FSC-certified wood or toys made by companies committed to ethical and eco-conscious production practices.
We especially like to invest in wooden toys for our own families as well as for our nursery as they age very well and can often be passed down over time to be enjoyed by many generations!
2 - Coffee Machine
4 - Stacking Toy
6 - Fruits & Veg Toy Sorting Game
7 - Colour Sorting, Matching & Stacking Toy
8 - Dinosaur Blocks Sorting & Stacking Toy
9 - Palaeontologist Dinosaur Play Set
10 - Dinosaur Puzzle Fine Motor Skills Set
A Greener Christmas
By choosing sustainable gifts this festive season, you’re not just creating memories for your little one—you’re also helping to protect their future on this beautiful planet. Even small choices, like buying gifts made from recycled or eco-friendly materials, can make a big impact.
We hope this guide inspires you to create a magical, meaningful Christmas for your family, filled with gifts that spark curiosity, wonder, and love for the natural world.
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Happy Holidays from all of us at GroWild!
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