Sustainable Black Friday discounts and boycotts 2024: UK deals from independent brands
Looking for a lovely gift for someone little? We know that shopping for growing children can be a struggle, which is why we’ve compiled this list of truly good quality, eco-friendly gifts for children.
Say goodbye to cheap and flimsy plastic toys. Say hello to sustainably- and ethically-made items from brands who truly care.
These gifts are sure to pop a smile on the faces of parents and children alike. They will be treasured and passed down for years to come!
1. SILLY GREENS SUBSCRIPTION BOX
For any aspiring chefs or little gardening assistants, Silly Greens is a fun treat (that parents can enjoy, too).
Silly Greens is a genius new idea that makes it easier and more fun than ever to start growing fresh, home-grown greens.
The premise is pretty simple: they sow, you grow!
The Silly Greens “grow it yourself” subscription box arrives through your letterbox as often (each week) or as infrequently (every six weeks) as you like. Each one contains three microgreens – seedlings of herbs and veg, from coriander to radish – that arrive good to grow (get it?) straight from the box.
Kids can enjoy helping and watching these little leaves grow, and mum and dad get to enjoy fresh greens whenever they please. These boxes might even encourage the kids to finally eat their greens!
£5.50 per box | Silly Greens | SHOP NOW
2. LEOPARD RAINBOW BIB
This Leopard Rainbow Bib is an adorable and practical gift for newborns.
These soft OSC certified organic cotton baby bibs with terry towelling reverse make keeping clean look cute.
As a handy bonus, this bib has nickel free popper fastenings, meaning you can adjust it as a baby grows.
Ethically designed and made in the UK, they are also printed in non-toxic, vegan friendly inks.
If you like this print, good news – there are matching products available!
£6.50 | My Little Green Wardrobe | SHOP NOW
3. BABY AND CHILD MOISTURISING CREAM
Are you looking for truly gentle natural and organic skincare to lather your little one with love? lavera’s baby’s and child skincare range promises just that.
They use 100% natural and (where possible) certified organic raw plant ingredients in their products that are inherently gentle and nourishing for the skin. None of the products are tested on animals and do not contain parabens, SLS, phtalates, parraffinium, or petrochemicals. lavera are certified and audited by Natrue, ecocert cosmos organic, Peta, vegan society, RSPO.
The lavera Baby and Child Moisturising Cream is suitable for face and body and is formulated for babies and children. The rich yet gentle formula made with organic evening primrose both nourishes and helps protect your child’s precious skin. It does not contain any harsh fragrances, colours or preservatives.
£9.00 | lavera | SHOP NOW
4. BOOK BUNDLES SUBSCRIPTION
As book lovers, we couldn’t think of a more beautiful gift for any little avid learners or readers.
Hand Me Down Book Club was founded ‘to prevent books being sent to landfill whilst they still have great stories to tell’.
You can select a children’s book subscription box for age categories 5-8 years or 9-12 years. They will send four surprise books every month. What a way to get children excited about reading!
From £9.99 p/m | Hand Me Down Book Club | SHOP NOW
5. PUP AND DUCK SOCKS
This great little two-pack sock set features adorable turn-down tops with adorable duck or pup designs. These socks are GOTS organic cotton making them kind to little ones’ sensitive skin and extra soft to keep little feet snug and warm.
Coordinating items are also available on My Little Green Wardrobe.
£10 | My Little Green Wardrobe | SHOP NOW
6. ‘WHO DO I SEE IN THE MIRROR?’ PICTURE BOOK
Who Do I See in the Mirror? is a gorgeously illustrated and powerful book.
It reminds children they are so much more than their physical appearance.
“The little girl, Philly, has so much self-love, it’s contagious.” What a line.
£10 | Philly & Friends | SHOP NOW
7. SQUIRREL HAT AND MITTS
This organic two-piece squirrel hat and glove set is perfect for getting babies ready to brave the outdoors.
Made with GOTS organic cotton with a little bit of stretch and knitted with a soft jersey lining, this set will keep any little squirrel trendy and toasty throughout the colder winter months. We’re not convinced there’s anything cuter.
Available in sizes 6 – 24 months.
£21 | My Little Green Wardrobe | SHOP NOW
8. RAINBOW KNIT DRESS
“Party or play, feel cosy all the way!”.
This colourful midweight organic cotton dress with textured knit rainbow stripes will surely brighten any child’s day.
It features handy front pockets. What could be more perfect for carrying any little hidden treasures?
It is made with an ethically-sourced coconut button shoulder opening for easy dressing and comfort. Made from 100% GOTS organic cotton.
Available in sizes 2-5 years.
£21 | My Little Green Wardrobe | SHOP NOW
9. LILLY + SID TARTAN CHECK SHIRT
This smart/casual organic cotton tartan check boy’s shirt is the perfect style for year-round play-dates, kid’s parties and day-trips out.
The nickel-free popper fastenings are great for easy-peasy dressing.
Super soft, this shirt is made from 100% GOTS certified organic cotton and is printed with eco-friendly azo-free dyestuffs.
Available in sizes 2-6 years.
£24 | My Little Green Wardrobe | SHOP NOW
10. RE-JIGGULOUS PUZZLE
For any young-teen aspiring puzzle pros, this impossibly ridiculous jigsaw (hence the name ‘re-jiggulous’) from Rapanui is sure to keep them occupied for quite some time.
But beware – it is designed to puzzle even the most hard-core of jigsaw-lovers, so Mum or Dad might have to lend a hand!
It is sustainably designed from recycled cardboard and printed with a cool marine-inspired doodle.
£30 | Rapanui | SHOP NOW
11. BOXES OF LEARNING
These beautifully packaged gift boxes are inspired by the Montessori approach to learning, which places great emphasis on the notion of ‘respect’. They enable little ones to explore and discover independently and, as such, inspire self-esteem and self-awareness. Each item is thoughtfully sourced. You will hardly see any plastic in sight. Activity cards give ideas on how to use the toys in different ways as the baby develops and grows.
There are individual boxes designed specifically for every month of growing, from a newborn to 24 months old. Subscription boxes are also available.
Recommended ages: 0 – 2
£35 | Small & Bright | SHOP NOW
12. GARDENING AND NATURE CRAFTS SUBSCRIPTION BOX
Wondering what on earth to buy a kid aged 3 – 8? How about the gift of nature that keeps on giving.
These boxes arrive in your letterbox every month. They come with four seasonal growing and craft activities, plus instructions, nature news and games to teach children about the seasons, plants, insects, birds, soil and rainfall.
All boxes come with organic, peat-free compost pellets to enable anyone to grow the seeds regardless of whether they have access to a garden.
If you can’t complete all the activities in term-time, they make for great ideas come the holidays.
£35.85 for three months subscription | Mud & Bloom | SHOP NOW
13. BABY SKINCARE BUNDLE
If you’re after the perfect gift for new parents, this baby care bundle will undoubtedly be a welcome gift.
From cleansing to nourishing, protecting to freshening, this is the ultimate care bundle for lathering a little one in love.
It includes a range of Organii’s everyday products for babies: scented Water (125ml), Baby Cream (100ml), Nappy Cream (100ml), Foam Bath and Shampoo (250ml), and Dry Baby Oil (100ml).
Each product is gently formulated for babies and children with delicate and sensitive skin. They are certified organic and natural, registered vegan with the Vegan Society, registered cruelty free with PeTA and have been dermatologically tested. They do not contain synthetic perfumes, synthetic chemical filters, parabens or mineral oils.
£39.95 (worth £47.75 RRP) | Organii | SHOP NOW
14. FAMILY FARM SAFARI DAY OUT
For a gift for the whole family, Eastbrook Experiences offers the chance to enjoy a lovely family day out while exploring the beautiful Eastbrook Farm – an organic farmland set on the historic Ridgeway in Wiltshire.
If you’re searching for the perfect gift for any adventurous children who love the outdoors, a gift voucher to Eastbook Experiences’ Farm Safari is a fun, thoughtful and family-friendly treat. It includes a guided tour around the 1,500 acres of land. They will learn about wildlife have and get a chance to get up close and personal with the pigs! Safaris run all year round. Book via their website.
From £75 | Helen Browning’s | SHOP NOW
Main image: My Little Green Wardrobe