• Wood instead of plastic
• Hand-sewn dolls and cuddly toys
• Handmade gifts
• Collect memories/experiences

Concepts like "zero waste" or "less waste" are firmly embedded in our language. Trends toward an ecological lifestyle are becoming increasingly common, and for some people, so obvious that they can't imagine any other lifestyle than one in harmony with nature. Zero and less waste movements are no longer just a fad, but a way to function in a world where we have learned for decades to produce tons of unnecessary waste that will remain in landfills for decades and generations to come.

Fortunately, more and more people, aware of the magnitude of this problem, are changing their lifestyles, trying to learn how to live ecologically, and spreading this knowledge and passing it on to their children. Contrary to appearances, raising a child ecologically, even if it should seem natural, requires a lot of effort, time, and swimming against the tide, against conventional patterns. After all, it is definitely easier to use readily available disposable products than to search for reusable, top-quality items that need to be cared for rather than thrown away. But this effort pays off, and ecology should accompany our children from birth, for example, in the form of a healthy diet, closeness to nature, respect for plant and animal life, and appropriate education in this area.

However, eco-friendly parenting can prove challenging when access to the ubiquitous sea of ​​plastic flooding us from every store shelf—cheesy pink, tacky, and shiny toys—is literally at our fingertips, and Children's Day is just around the corner—another opportunity to give your child a gift. What gift should you choose for this occasion so it doesn't quickly become unnecessary and end up in landfills alongside other plastic waste? One way to teach children to live in harmony with nature can be through eco-friendly gifts. Here are some ideas for zero-waste gift ideas.

Wood instead of plastic

One of the basic tenets of living a zero-waste lifestyle is reducing the amount of plastic we throw away. In fact, it's worth implementing the "zero plastic" rule at home, even if it may seem impossible, especially when choosing a gift for Children's Day. However, keep in mind that while plastic has a negative impact on the environment, chemical additives can also negatively impact a child's health. The wooden version includes:

• construction kit,
• Sorter,
• Abacus,
• Puzzle,
• Instruments:
  • Maracas,
  • drums,
  • Castanets,
  • Janissaries,
• Cutting vegetables,
• Sliders and rides,
• sensory boards,
• and family games for school children:
  • Jenga,
  • Lady,
  • Chinese,

Hand-sewn dolls and cuddly toys

Dolls, mice, bunnies, and teddy bears, handmade from high-quality natural materials, are reminiscent of old toys our grandparents used to play with. They usually feature muted colors that don't overwhelm the senses, and cute little retro-style items of clothing. They delight not only children but also adults. These types of toys have a profound impact on our child's development and sense of aesthetics, as well as their imagination—while playing with them, children slip into different roles. Thanks to these toys, children learn to create and tell magical stories and relationships between grandparents, parents, or older siblings.

Handmade gifts

A sensory or manipulative mat is a perfect gift for babies and preschoolers. It involves using a piece of material, preferably felt, onto which we sew, or hot glue, zippers, buttoned pockets, shoelaces, bells, various textures, and anything else we can think of. Thanks to such a mat, children practice handicraft skills. Another idea is homemade dough made from baking powder , water, potato flour , and colorful food coloring —the fun of making dough can be a gift. However, if we have handicraft skills, we can also make another homemade gift, such as sewing or embroidering a unique bag for a teenager.

Collect memories/experiences

The idea for a gift that's entirely in the spirit of zero waste isn't an object, but experiences. Nothing enriches, makes children happy, and encourages them as much as getting to know the world, its people, culture, and cuisine. If you dedicate time to your child, beautiful shared moments are a thousand times more valuable than all the most expensive things. Memories, unforgettable views, experiences, knowledge, and new skills will stay with the child forever. Depending on the child's age and interests, we can offer the following as part of Children's Day:

• joint edition:
  • to the concert,
  • to the theater,
  • to the cinema,
  • to the swimming pool, to the forest,
  • into the playroom,
  • to the zoo,
  • go to the trampoline park,
• Activities on the climbing wall,
• dance lesson,
• a trip to a new place,
• Photo session for the whole family,
• Instrument course: guitar, drums, piano,
• cooking together or cooking class for children,
• joint balloon ride,
• Bike ride, picnic or inline skating together.

Positive changes related to an ecological lifestyle are best started close to home, in your own home. And it's absolutely best to teach ecological habits to the youngest generations. It's worth inspiring the whole family, even the youngest, to live in harmony with nature and in a zero-waste lifestyle. This will ensure that they continue the habits learned at home into adulthood and in their future homes.