Green Christmas #5: Green and Ethical Gifts for Kids

There are all kinds of reasons to choose children's toys that have been made carefully and under ethical conditions: not only is the quality better and safer, but you'll know that your kids' smiles on Christmas morning won't be at the expense of someone in a less privileged part of the world, who may not be much younger than they are. Here's our roundup of some of the best green and ethical present ideas for youngsters this Christmas.

Planet Happy Toys is a comprehensive online store selling sustainable children's toys of all kinds. From dolls to dressing up clothes, books to puppets there's something to please everyone here. Products include the cute cooking set pictured below.

The candeloo portable night lights would be great for a young child or toddler who's afraid of the dark. They double up as toys or nightlights and are safe, portable and reusable and can be set to pulse gently, lulling the most restless little ones to sleep. Once charged, they can be carried around both inside and outside the house. They come in sets of two: £49 from Love Eco.

Ecocentric has some really stylish sustainable gifts that will look great in any home and please Mum and Dad as much as the kids! There's a large, Cardboard dolls house, which costs just £29.00 and could be personalised nicely with a lick of paint and some fabrics, or left plain. There's also a cardboard rocket (£34.99) for those with aspirations beyond the bonds of home and the earth! Both items are made in the UK from recycled cardboard and all post-production waste is also sent for recycling.

For footie fanatics, a fairtrade football is the perfect recipe for a year of happy kicking. This one is nice and bright (no more getting lost in neighbours' gardens!) and costs £19.90 from Ethical Superstore.

For older children (12+), especially those with an interest in going green, the Power House kit ( $124.95 on Amazon) is described as 'an adventure in sustainable living'. Kids can build, heat, cool & illuminate an energy efficient house. Develop food & water preparation methods and new transportation.

For older and teenage girls, Nigel's Eco Store has some fab accessories made out of sweet wrappers, including a pencil case for £5.99 and cute recycled bags, perfect for carrying schoolbooks.

Nigel also has a fabulous collection of solar powered toys including cars, helicopters and craft kits that will get your children into the green energy habit from an early age.

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