6 Eco-Friendly Gift Ideas for Kids That Are Great Alternatives to Tech

Kids growing up in this digital age have an ever-increasing presence of technology in their lives. While digital devices can benefit their educational, social, and creative development, kids must have proper downtime and inspiring alternatives to all that tech.

Tech gifts are often associated with a sedentary lifestyle. Because of this, eco-friendly alternatives can be beneficial for children’s physical and mental well-being.

In this article, I’ll explore the 6 best eco-friendly gifts for kids that make excellent alternatives to tech.

Nature Exploration Kits

Encourage your kids to discover the great outdoors with nature exploration kits. Whether it’s hunting for bugs, collecting rocks, or identifying local trees and flowers, nature kits make a great gift alternative to gadgets and devices. Plus, the whole family can get outdoors, stretch their legs, and enjoy quality time together.

Memberships and experiences

One of the stresses of modern living is the amount of “stuff” our families can accumulate. Trends move quickly, and the item your children were obsessed with last year quickly becomes another piece of clutter destined for landfill.

Gifting experience activities or memberships to a local institution or organization can be the perfect eco-friendly alternative. Examples include a local museum membership, a zoo or state park trip, or a local environmental organization.

DIY growing kits

Growing kits are a great way to get kids involved and inspired by nature. They can also be a great way to nurture their creative and practical skills. Many options are available, including grow-your-own trees, flowers, fruits, vegetables, and mushroom kits for children.

Eco arts and crafts

When it comes to gifting eco-friendly craft kits and activities for children, the possibilities are limitless. You can choose supplies made from recycled materials, such as paper and cardboard, or sustainable materials, such as wood and bamboo. Repurposing and upcycling materials can also be a great eco option.

Children’s books with environmental themes

There’s a wide variety of children’s books with eco themes. You can choose books that deepen kids` understanding of the natural world, educate them about environmental issues and sustainability, or inspire them with stories of their favorite environmental figures.

Eco-friendly toys and games

Of course, children love toys and games as gifts. Fortunately, there are plenty of ways to make more eco-friendly choices when purchasing these items.

As with all the other gift ideas in this post, the materials matter. Choose recycled plastic where possible or more sustainable options like wood and bamboo.

Avoiding battery-operated toys and games is another great way to be eco-friendly. These can be resource-intensive to make and contribute to waste if the batteries are single-use.

A great alternative to screen time

Eco-friendly gifts provide tangible, tactile experiences for children. They can offer kids a chance to explore a connection with their local environment and develop empathy and understanding for the world around them.

In addition, eco-friendly gifts can serve as fantastic screen-free alternatives in a tech-centric world.

For more inspiration on tech-free activities that you and your children can enjoy, read my guide to Holiday Parenting Tips & Fun Activities for the Kids.