Christmas Gift Guide For Kids

This Christmas, some of us may be more conscious of the number of gifts we buy, and many will prioritise buying for children. With this in mind, we have a range of eco toys, books and gifts for young people.

For a special first Christmas present, we love these bright and colourful jigsaw puzzles from Lanka Kade, all made from natural rubber wood in Sri Lanka. They are fun, durable and will help little ones learning their numbers and alphabet.

As a child, I have fond memories of making dens in a little nook of a tree at the end of the road. My parents were very much of the ethos that if it wasn't raining, we should be playing outside so I spent a lot of time outdoors making up games with my friends. Encourage kids to get out into nature with a range of kits from The Den Kit Co. These kits are designed to get kids outdoors and exploring the world around them, from the Bug Spotter Kit and the Herbarium Kit to the full adventure pack of the Original Den Kit or Cottage Garden Kit, made to capture creative imaginations, encourage resourcefulness and innovation and provide escape and sanctuary. Make a den and they’ll be outside for hours!

When the weather isn’t on our side and we turn to indoor activities, how about these colouring projects that have a use too! Colour-in backpacks, pillowcases and tablecloths that are educational and can be coloured in, washed and used again and again. I have bought one of the tablecoths for my niece and nephew and I know my sister benefits from the volume being turned down in the house when they're busy colouring! These are sure to keep the kids (and adults) entertained with a calming activity. There are lots of lovely puzzles from Londji to choose from too. I particularly like this reversible wild music puzzle. Who doesn't love a bear playing the violin?

For those that like more crafting activities, introduce them to sewing, felting and printing blocks for a quiet activity on dark winter afternoons.  All of the kits from Corinne Lapierre are suitable for children aged 7+ with adult supervision and include full instructions to get started.

Just in, are these empowering and uplifting books that will inspire children whilst telling a lovely story. Try ‘The Girl who Planted Trees’ by Caryl Hart or 'The Wide, Wide Sea' by Anna Wilson & Jenny Løvlie - a lyrical and inspirational picture book about protecting nature from plastic pollution. Or for teenagers, a series of books about four friends who want to make the world a better place.

And when all of the family come together why not get the board games out? Classics such as dominoes and solitaire will bring generations together or try something new with Sapiens, a card game in the style of ‘Happy Families’, that takes you on a journey through history.