Birthday gift ideas: sustainable open-ended toys (ages 0-9) 🌱

Sustainable birthday gifts, put this on your gift list

Is your child's birthday coming up soon and would you like to have fewer plastic toys and more sustainable ones in your home? I've got you! As a mom with two children aged 4 and 6, we've already tested tons of sustainable and open-ended toys, and I also talk to many other moms who are fans of sustainable toys. Today I'm sharing our favorite sustainable toys!

Duurzame verjaardagscadeaus van 0 tot 9 jaar

Sustainable toys that are for every child

Whether you have a daughter or a son.
Do you only have sustainable toys or would you like to have more sustainable toys in the play corner from now on?
Whether your child is still a baby, toddler or preschooler.

The open-ended toys I recommend below are truly fun for years to come and grow with your child.

Plus, all the sustainable toys I recommend complement each other perfectly. So, if you just put these five toys in the play corner, your child can play with them endlessly. It's not about more toys, but about open-ended toys that spark the imagination.

Put this on your wish list

Birthday gift ideas with sustainable toys

Sensory bean bags

Sensory bean bags are a favorite with many children because of their versatility. The different fabrics and fillings make them incredibly pleasant to the touch.

In addition, a child can sort, throw, rattle, stack, walk over, balance and it is suitable for a lot of role play.

Super versatile sensory toys that belong in every play area. Read here how children play with beanbags .

Looking to buy sensory bean bags ? Check out our bestsellers .

Stepping stones

Stepping stones from brands like Stapelstein are also great. Sure, it's an investment, but kids will play with them for years.

Stacking, sorting (with beanbags or play cloths), stepping stones, as a container, and also for lots of role-playing. Stacking stones and beanbags are truly a match made in heaven and therefore a fantastic birthday gift.

Play cloths

The Playcycle play cloths are a great addition for more imaginative play. Children can play with them in endless ways. You can buy a set of rainbow play cloths or choose a few individual ones .

Swing, dance, dress up, build forts, make flags, take them out of a tissue box, play peek-a-boo, or make presents. This is a-ma-zing toy for children aged 0 to 9.

The Playcycle play cloths are a great alternative to play silk.

Toy animals

Toy animals encourage role play. They can lie on a bed of beanbags, receive a blanket with a play cloth, and stand in a house made of magnetic tiles. They bring the play even more to life.

In addition, animal sounds are one of the first things your child can imitate. And then you can practice animal names together.

Schleigh has very realistic animals, and Holztiger has beautiful wooden animals. Choose what suits you best.

Magnetic tiles

With magnetic tiles, your child can create endless things! Building is easy, and the older your child gets, the more complex the constructions become.

Make a stable for a toy cow and put a bed of bean bags in it.

Magnetic tiles are also great fun to sort by color, along with play cloths, stepping stones, and bean bags.

Tip for sustainable toy gifts

Don't just use the list as inspiration for yourself; share it with your child's birthday party invitations. Send a list to grandparents for inspiration around Sinterklaas or Christmas.

No, not everyone will adhere to this, but every plastic toy less is one and therefore a win.

I hope I've inspired you to create a gift list for your child with more sustainable toys, so you'll hopefully end up with less plastic junk.

Have questions? As a mom with a sustainable toy brand, I'm happy to help. And check out our bestsellers for even more sustainable gift inspiration.

Frequently asked questions about sustainable birthday gifts

What are some sustainable toys to give for a birthday?
Sensory bean bags, play cloths, stepping stones, magnetic tiles, and toy animals are durable birthday gifts that last for years. They're also open-ended toys.

Why open-ended toys as a birthday gift?
Open-ended toys grow with your child and stimulate the imagination. Children aged 0-9 play with them in a variety of ways, so they don't get bored easily. This means you won't have to buy new toys as often. New to open-ended toys? Then download the introductory guide to open-ended toys .

How do you make a sustainable gift list?
Share a wish list of sustainable toys with your invitation. Send it to family for Sinterklaas, Christmas, or birthdays. This way, you'll reduce plastic waste in your home. Download the gift guide to create your wish list step by step.