The Magazine of The Sierra Club
Sierra’s Holiday Gift Guide for the Babies and Toddlers in Your Life
If you’re shopping for babies or toddlers this holiday, you’re probably looking for products that are both unique and safe for kids and the environment. The good news is ecofriendly clothing is typically gentle on skin, and eco-toys are not only kinder to the planet but also good fodder for developing minds. We’ve created a guide to some of the most ethically conscious—and cutest—options for the wee ones on your list.
Photo by AGrigorjeva/iStock
Sherpa Bears, from Bears for Humanity
These plush, hypoallergenic toys are made using 100 percent Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) Certified Organic materials and crafted according to Global Fair Trade practices. What’s more, Bears for Humanity employs at-risk women from Welfare-to-Work programs right here in the United States, purchases cotton directly from organic farmers’ co-ops, and sources fabrics in soft, neutral colors, treated with no harmful chemicals. For every Sherpa Bear purchased, a bear is donated to a child in need through a partnership with charitable organizations such as Toys for Tots and Save the Children. These adorable 16-inch bears come in four different colors, for $45 each.
Hemp Baby Blankets, from CurlyMonkey
CurlyMonkey makes all products out of organic hemp—which makes for extra soft, super absorbent, and naturally antibacterial baby blankets. An ideal fiber for babies’ sensitive skin, hemp is grown without pesticides or fertilizers and uses very little water. It is also biodegradable and returns its nutrients to the soil. CurlyMonkey’s hemp blankets are not only ecofriendly, but also incredibly versatile and, at $28.95, budget-friendly—a boon for any baby, parent, or gift-giver.
Basics Collection animal print, from BabySoy
Babysoy’s products are made from soybean protein fiber (Azlon) combined with other ecofriendly fibers, such as organic cotton and rayon (from bamboo). Azlon is a sustainable textile fiber made from renewable and biodegradable natural resources. Soybean fiber is soft, light, and smoother than cashmere, with the moisture absorption capabilities of cotton but better moisture transmission—making it more comfortable on the skin. Additionally, it offers warmth retention comparable to wool. What’s more, this is some of the most adorable baby clothing out there—particularly enchanting are the animal print onesies from the Basics Collection. These $19 bodysuits make for an easy outfit any parent would be happy to see Baby sport.
Bibs and toddler T-shirts, from Soul Flower
Soul Flower clothing uses only organic and recycled fabrics, such as cotton and hemp. All garments are dyed without the use of harsh chemicals, and are created by artisans in the United States, who are paid a fair wage. Soul Flower’s graphic baby bibs and toddler tees make for the perfect gift for the budding hippy in your life, as their designs revolve around Earth and peace.
Toddler leggings, from Thief&Bandit
Thief&Bandit seamstresses use giant silkscreens to hand-print apparel made from organic fabrics such as jersey and cotton-spandex blends. The whole collection showcases fun, kid-friendly prints. Their stretchy, flexible leggings ($38 to $40)—always a great choice for active children—are unisex and available in a variety of exciting prints and colors, to help make the toddler in your life the best-dressed kid on the block.
Playsets, from Green Toys
Green Toys makes all products from 100 percent recycled materials, including milk jugs, yogurt containers, and other plastic. The company collects such materials from Waste Management, cleans them, shreds them into flakes, reprocesses them into raw material, and mixes the material with food-safe, mineral-based coloring. Green Toys also uses only recyclable cardboard for their packaging, and prioritizes safety—its toys exceed all U.S. and international safety standards. Options include bath toys, vehicles, kitchen play sets, and more. Our favorites are the play sets, especially Build-a-Bouquet ($27.99) and Farm Playset ($49.99). These toys inspire cooperative play and communication, and of course make for super-cute gift options for budding minds.
Wooden puzzles, from Hazelnut Kids
Hazelnut Kids’ safe, green, wooden, and organic toys, made by a variety of toymakers, are crafted from all-natural materials such as cotton and bamboo, and finished with nontoxic paints, natural oils, and beeswax. The company's philosophy is that natural and organic toys are not only better for the environment, but also inspire imagination and enhance mental health in ways that battery-operated toys do not. Wooden toys make for attractive, timeless gifts, and can even be passed down through generations. The puzzle selection in particular features truly eye-catching gift options, such as Grimm’s Four Elements Puzzle and Building Set ($82).
Bath toys, from Begin Again
Begin Again makes toys out of all-organic and natural ingredients, such as sustainably harvested wood, plus yogurt cups and other recycled food containers as well as bioplastics like wheat and cornstarch. Their “bathtub pals”—characters that bubble when submerged in the water and drain easily afterward ($4 each)—include tree sap along with natural rubber. The octopus, crab, sea turtle, puffer fish, shark, and/or diver make for great stocking stuffers.
