Eco-Bricks Natural Wood Color Bricks by Once Kids are made from biodegradable, FSC-certified wood, and dye them with non-toxic, water-based colors The 109-piece set pictured above is $74.99. Courtesy photo.
The holidays are the perfect time to choose gifts that are kinder to the planet, especially for kids who interact so closely with the products we bring into our homes.
More brands are rethinking how toys are made, opting for safer materials, recycled content and designs built to last.
These eco-conscious picks show that gifting for kids can be joyful, responsible and aligned with a healthier future for everyone.
MUSHROOM MAGIC
Looking for a fun eco-friendly gift that blends science, sustainability and tasty rewards – plus is a great way to get kids excited about growing food?
Young folks can grow some fun and dinner with the new Back to the Roots Organic Mushroom Oyster Grow Kit, a playful, educational and delicious gift that turns a windowsill into a mini mushroom farm – where kids can harvest pink oyster mushrooms in about 10 days.
Perfect for eco tweens, foodie families or anyone who loves hands-on projects, the kit is USDA Organic and non-GMO, comes with plant-based soil and a mister, and can yield multiple small harvests for sautéing, pizza, pastas or soups.
Back to the Roots launched when two college friends discovered they could grow gourmet mushrooms on used coffee grounds – and turned that happy accident into a mission-driven company.
Average pricing: $17-$25 per kit at local garden centers and hardware stores, major retailers like Lowe’s, World Market or Instacart, with smaller mini versions starting near $15-$18. Available in Pink and Pearl.
CITY BLOCKS
The Wanderlust Dallas Natural Wooden Block Play Set from Dallas-based Once Kids is a sweet, locally relevant twist on classic wooden blocks that’s perfect for holiday gifting.
Handcrafted from FSC-certified wood with felt accents made from recycled plastic bottles, this 13-piece set celebrates iconic Dallas landmarks while keeping plastic out of playtime – a win for eco-minds and imagination alike.
Chalkboard-painted interior in the storage box allows for making custom backdrops and street scenes.
At around $30, it’s a thoughtful sustainable gift that feels personal and playful. You’ll find it online at Once-Kids.com or in select local shops, making it an easy, planet-friendly option for tykes who love creative, open-ended play.
ECO BRICKS
Another cool playset from Dallas-based Once Kids will add even more creativity to constructive play. If your kids (or you) are LEGO-maniacs, consider mixing in a more eco-friendly option like Once Kids Eco-Bricks Plus, Color Wood Blocks.
Made from FSC-certified sustainable wood and finished with non-toxic, water-based dyes, these customizable building blocks offer the same open-ended creativity without the plastic footprint – and are biodegradable and renewable, a major win for green conscious families.
They’re compatible with LEGO and don’t hurt quite as much when you step on them.
You can find a 54-piece set for $49.99 at the store’s shop. The 109-piece set is $74.99.
Other sets range up to about $85, depending on brick count and are available at Froggies, Shop Sweet Lulu and other specialty toy retailers. Just FYI, LEGO is working toward greener materials so we will keep our eyes on them.
MINDFUL MICE
Happy Lark Toy Store in Fort Worth is a destination for carefully curated, high-quality toys that prioritize craftsmanship, imagination and environmental mindfulness.
From classic wooden puzzles to eco-friendly collectibles like this Maileg set, Happy Lark offers gifts that feel good to give and are built to be loved for years. I actually had something like this as a kid and it was a favorite!
The Mum & Dad Mice in Cigar Box ($67), is a beloved classic from Maileg. This charming set features Mum and Dad mice dressed in soft cotton nightwear with cozy, removable eye masks, ready for storytime and sweet dreams. Their illustrated cigar box doubles as a snug little bed, encouraging imaginative play without excess packaging.
Maileg is celebrated for its thoughtful, long-lasting design, using natural textiles and durable materials that are meant to be cherished and passed down, not tossed aside. With no batteries or plastic gimmicks, their heirloom-quality toys support slow, sustainable play and encourage creativity in every cuddle and adventure.
Visit Happy Lark Toy Store at 5015 El Campo Ave, Fort Worth, TX 76107 to see their other high-quality, imaginative playthings and gifts. Call 682-841-1027 to check hours or stock, or arrange in-store pickup.
KIT POWER
Target is catching the STEM wave with their proprietary line of project kits, many of which I would buy for myself! Their in-house STEM kits from the Mondo Llama and ThinkBox lines bring hands-on maker fun without screens or plastic junk.
From crochet totes and loom potholders to inventor kits and plant-press art, these thoughtfully designed projects emphasize skill building and creativity, with most costing between $12 and $20, making them excellent gifts or rainy-day activities.
Target’s maker shelves are full of genuinely satisfying projects, but a few standouts rise to the top. The ThinkBox Inventor’s Box (around $19.99) invites kids to tinker, build and problem-solve using simple, well-designed components that encourage open-ended creativity, with handy storage box to keep loose parts safe.
For classic hands-on crafting, the Mondo Llama Loom Potholder Kit (about $12) and Crochet Tote Bag Kit (around $15) teach practical skills while producing items that are actually useful and can even be regifted to Grandma.
Nature-inspired options like the Pressed Flower Coaster Kit and the Preserved Moss Art Kit (both roughly $15) turn botanical materials into keepsakes, reinforcing the idea that learning, creativity, and sustainability can go hand in hand.
MORE MAKER MAGIC
If you want to schedule a regular delivery of STEM kits, KiwiCo has officially extended its Black Friday sale through late December, with up to 50 percwnt off across nearly all subscription lines! That means you still have time to stock up on their award-winning STEM, art and maker kits for both kids and adults.
KiwiCo’s projects are thoughtfully designed to spark curiosity while keeping waste to a minimum, from sustainable materials to long-lasting builds that don’t end up in the trash two days after Christmas.
Whether you need a fun hands-on kit for a preschooler, a challenging engineering crate for teens, or a full Maker or Eureka project for crafty adults, the extended sale gives you extra time to grab something meaningful, educational, and beautifully designed.
The Nature Kaleidoscope Set allows you to create your own images with natural materials. ($24.95.)
Check the website for the most current promo code
Club memberships: Get 50 percent off a monthly plan, one club crate free with a three-month plan, two club crates free with a six-month plan or four crates free with a 12-month plan.
Panda Crate subscriptions: Save 25 percent off the first crate on crate-by-crate plans and a discount value of two free crates on the six-crate annual plan.
Non-club purchases: Save 20 percent on individual purchases over $75. Excludes sale items and cannot be combined with other offers.
Visit KiwiCo.com for more info.
SUSTAINABLE SCOOTERS
Employee-owned Scheels toy store up in The Colony is offering some eco-friendly scooters for tiny tots to teens.
When it comes to sustainable play and planet-friendly mobility, the Micro Kickboard Mini Deluxe Eco Scooter ($119.99) and Micro Maxi Deluxe Eco Scooter ($179.99) stand out as choices for eco-minded families.
The company also offers a Micro Kickboard Micro Mini2Grow Scooter that converts from toddler size to your child’s first year in school ($159.99).
All are part of Micro’s Eco Collection, crafted with parts made from recycled fishing gear, ropes and marine plastics that would otherwise pollute our oceans.
The best part is that all parts are replaceable! When your child outgrows these scooters, pass them on to a sibling or friend so they never end up in a landfill.
The Eco scooter line also supports green causes: a portion of sales goes to environmental nonprofits through the One Percent for the Planet initiative, giving shoppers a way to contribute to conservation with every ride.
While you’re at Scheels, check out their full line of National Geographic kits for kids, including this educational rock and mineral set to help awaken young minds to geology all around us ($12.99).
GREENER GAMING
Let’s be honest: sometimes, no matter how many wooden blocks or craft kits we offer, kids are still laser-focused on that glowing little screen. If you can’t beat ’em, you might as well steer the screen time in a greener direction.
GameStop carries a surprising lineup of environmentally themed video games that let kids explore nature, conservation and sustainability. Games like Animal Crossing ($45+), Minecraft ($20+), Alba: A Wildlife Adventure ($20), Subnautica ($30), and Spiritfarer ($35) encourage creativity, resource stewardship and caring for ecosystems, all wrapped up in engaging gameplay kids actually enjoy.
Think planting trees, protecting wildlife, building responsibly and learning that actions, even virtual ones, have consequences.
GameStop also makes greener gaming easier by promoting pre-owned games and refurbished consoles (often 20 to 40 percent less than new), which extend the life of electronics and help cut down on e-waste.
Digital download cards are another eco-friendly option, reducing plastic packaging and shipping while keeping gift-giving simple.
Visit Gamestop.com and search for eco games.