It’s that time of year! Christmas is just around the corner and so is the season of gift giving. We all know that the last thing the earth needs is more plastic junk that kids quickly grow bored of. So we’ve compiled a list of 5 earth-friendly gifts for boys that have been chosen for their planet-conscious materials, home-grown production (we love supporting Aussie brands!) & overall cuteness.

Writer: Rebecca Walker, The Conscious Wordsmith

SUSTAINABLE PUZZLE

Created by an Australian mama & papa team, Modern Monty has a beautiful range of educational toys, games and puzzles for little ones, including animal-themed travel puzzles. Depicting beautiful nature themed artwork by Aussie artist, Amanda Borchers, these captivating creations are aesthetically pleasing as they are fun. A perfect size for trips away when you want some entertainment for your little man on holiday, the puzzles come in a cute carrying case that doubles as a mini suitcase. Modern Monty has a strict eco policy, so all products are created in an environmentally, economically and socially responsible way using natural and organic materials that are free of plastic.

https://www.modernmonty.com/

VEGAN GUMBOOTS

Owned by two Sunshine Coast-based mums, Wander + Wild is an online boutique that specialises in handcrafted, earth-inspired outdoor wear.  Made from natural rubber with a natural cotton lining, their range of vegan gumboots are a wardrobe essential for any little boy. Flaunting all-terrain, no-slip soles and soft twill tabs to make getting boots on and off easy for small hands, these timeless wellies come in shades of ‘forest’, ‘wildflower’, ‘desert’ and ‘honey’. The best part? Wander + Wild is committed to reducing their eco impact so has partnered with charity Tree Sisters. For every order the brand receives, a donation is made which funds the planting of 3 trees!

https://www.wanderandwild.com.au/

PORTABLE WOODEN CAR SET

Every car-obsessed boy will fall in love with this portable wooden car set from Australian wooden toy brand, QToys. Made from plantation timber and oiled with a beeswax finish using non-toxic, child-safe materials, you can have peace of mind knowing your child’s toy has been ethically made under a fair trade scheme. Equipped with 4 cars, a petrol station and ramp for imaginative play, the set comes in a convenient storage box and packs up easily, so your son can take it with him wherever he goes.

https://www.qtoys.com.au/ 

ECO TOOTHBRUSH KIT

 This cute natural care kit from Jack n’ Jill is a great pressie for boys who are learning about the importance of dental care and hand hygiene. Coming with an eco-friendly toothbrush, bio mouthwash cup, alcohol-free hand sanitiser and natural toothpaste (with no fluride, sugar, colouring or artificial preservatives), this boxed set is 4 presents in 1. Made from 100% corn starch, the toothbrush is biodegradable along with the cup, which is made from bamboo and rice husks. All Jack n’ Jill products are BPA and PVC free, and all packaging is recyclable.

https://jacknjilltoothpaste.com.au/

EDUCATIONAL EARTH BOOK

With poetic text that celebrates everything planet earth does for us, ‘My Friend Earth’ is a gorgeous book to give budding bookworms. Featuring captivating illustrations that will draw in young readers, the theme of the book is not only environmental; it’s also about friendship and encourages children to look after the earth just like a good friend should. Rather than focusing on the negative aspects of human destruction, it emphasises the positive aspects of the natural world so your son will feel inspired by the world around him.

https://thesmallfolk.com.au/