Presents Beyond Plastic: 10 Alternative Gift Ideas for Children

Introduction

Like many others, I am increasingly aware of the environmental impact caused by our love affair as a society with all things disposable. As warnings about the negative impacts that items of throw-away plastic are having on our oceans and natural World become more influential, our attitudes towards this plastic seem to be changing all the time. For some ideas for how to start making a change, check out these 10 small steps towards plastic-free living for families. When it comes to presents for children however, sometimes it seems almost impossible to avoid falling into the trap of just buying more plastic ‘stuff’, further fuelling this plastic boom that many of us are at the same time trying to move away from.

In an attempt to try and do things differently, we have in the past tried to look for more meaningful present suggestions for our children. We have tried to find things that value lasting experiences over just more toys to be played with one day and forgotten the next. Even better is if we can find things that help with learning development, or increase awareness of nature and other wider issues in the World.

As we begin to emerge from an extended Coronavirus lock-down, it should also be remembered that the majority of visitor attractions (of any kind) may be struggling under financial burden. This is particularly true of places like zoos who have seen their costs and expenditures stay broadly the same, while at the same time their income from visitors has fallen to practically zero. It’s worth remembering that experiences not only make great presents for kids, but you could also be providing a lifeline to a local business that could otherwise be facing closure.

With that in mind, I’ve put together some ideas for alternative, experience-based presents for children. Where the costs may in some cases seem too much for a single person present, a great idea is to join together with others to buy presents; your combined contributions could enable the purchase of gifts that carry more significance and meaning than something bought alone. We have even found that asking for money at our children’s parties (rather than gifts) has been well received, providing we have given a clear indication of exactly how the money will be spent (rather than just a vague request for cash).

If looking for physical gifts, check out these great sustainable gift ideas for travellers. However, if you’re like us and experiences are what you’re after, here are some of my top experiential present suggestions:

Donate to Charity

What better way to distance yourself from consumerism and the damage caused by our disposable society, than by giving some money to a charity to use to do some good in the World instead. I am not suggesting to do this instead of any presents, but the idea can be used successfully alongside.

While I accept that this concept may not be initially favourable to the vast majority of children, we were surprised by how willingly our children came around to the idea for their joint 4th and 2nd Birthday party. We explained that the money would be used to help people less fortunate than themselves and compiled a short list of charities for them to choose from. My eldest daughter has a close friend with Cystic Fibrosis, so they decided between them to donate to the Cystic Fibrosis Trust, agreeing to give away 20% of any money they received. We put out boxes for gift money and donations at the party, then split all the money we received accordingly between the kids to use towards an experience of their choice, and some for their chosen charity. In the end, they were both very happy with this arrangement. I think it definitely helped that they felt a personal connection to the charity that they had selected.

Theme Park Experience / Passes

Whilst it was very noble of my children to be willing to donate some of their Birthday money to charity, don’t think they are somehow complete saints. They still wanted something to show for themselves for their Birthdays. With the number of plastic presents received dramatically reduced from previous years (you’ll always still get a few!), they were keen to plan the experience that they wanted to spend their gifted money on.

They agreed upon a Theme Park visit. The closest to us (and arguably the best in the U.K.) is Alton Towers. As well as boasting some World-class thrill rides, the park also has an area designed especially for smaller children, called CBeebies Land (named after the BBC TV channel for children of the same name). Theme Parks are nearly always popular choices with children, so tickets make great presents.

There is even a themed hotel that you can stay in, the CBeebies Land Hotel, that offers a chance to mingle with costumed characters, enjoy a programme of evening children’s entertainment, and gain early entry into the park to beat the queues. This is not the kind of thing that I would usually go for (mainly due to the price!), but as we had the pot of gifted money, we decided to put it towards splashing out on a night for us all in the hotel. It turned out to be an amazing experience that our kids still talk about over a year later. Compare that to a sackful of meaningless presents and there really is no comparison.

For the chance to extend the fun with unlimited visits to a large selection of visitor attractions owned by the Merlin group, at any time for a whole year (Alton Towers included), also consider the Merlin Annual Pass.

For another good theme park option to consider for younger children in the south of England, check out this review of the fun and themed Peppa Pig World, at Paulton’s Park.

Annual Passes for Zoos/Animal & Wildlife Centres

Many zoos and wildlife parks offer annual passes that can present good value for money when compared to individual entry tickets. While it is fair to say that I have mixed feelings about keeping animals in captivity, I am somewhat reassured that the U.K. does at least have some of the highest animal welfare standards in the World. After the success of the recent Netflix show, ‘The Tiger King’, I know a lot of zoos have been fighting a PR battle to distance themselves from such practices. Because standards vary, it is always important to carefully research any zoo or wildlife centre before visiting or purchasing passes. Some of the best will have large and stimulating enclosures, along with a genuine emphasis on rescuing animals and conservation of critically endangered species. Some of the better U.K. examples include Chester Zoo or the Peak Wildlife Park. For more ideas, see this roundup of the top 10 zoos in the U.K.

Kids love animals, so a trip to a zoo or similar can be a great day out for all the family. Being given the chance to visit for a whole year can also give children the chance to see the animals grow and develop through the seasons. Looking at animals in this way, always with a critical eye on their well-being, can also provide an opportunity for introducing wider conversations; around things like biodiversity and possible methods for attempting to balance the needs of conservation on our changing planet.

Animal Encounters / Zoo Keeper for a Day

As an add-on visitor experience, many zoos and animal parks will offer chances for closer encounters with some of their animals. These are, at their simplest, shorter, cheaper experiences that allow children to get up close and personal with their favourite animals – something for them to remember for life, usually with a commemorative photo to treasure.

A more thorough and immersive experience is the chance to be a zoo keeper for a day. This is an experience offered by several zoos, including the excellent Twycross Zoo and Flamingo Land. For children with a real love of animals, what could be better? Though quite expensive and perhaps better suited to slightly older children, spending a day in this way can provide a truly unique behind the scenes look into the way zoos function, along with a discovery of all the various ways that the different animals are cared for. An experience in an unusual setting of this kind can provide the perfect environment for developing skills of independence and responsibility, as well as helping to build confidence.

Adopt an Animal

A lot of children will have a favourite animal (or maybe a few different animals) that they have been inspired by. These could be either from TV or perhaps from a visit to a zoo or animal park. These are often some of the more iconic or endangered species. A way to ignite a passion in children for the conservation and protection of these species, is by adopting an animal for them on their behalf. Many of the big, global wildlife charities (such as WWF) offer adoption packages. Closer to home, lots of U.K. charities (such as Folly Farm) also have adoption schemes for animals housed on our own shores.

Adoption packages vary, but most will include periodically being sent pictures of your animal, as well as information packs about their species and the cause that you are supporting. These are great for practising reading. As well as helping the animals in question, taking part in schemes such as these also helps to introduce the wider concept of using your own money or resources to help make a valuable contribution to improving our natural World, rather than just using that money to always just buy more ‘stuff’ for yourself (which is in itself often a main cause of a lot of the damage in the first place). I think that’s a useful life lesson for anyone.

Hobby or Lessons

One idea is to introduce or contribute to a hobby, by paying for lessons or sessions. This could be something like a sports team, dancing lessons, horse riding or learning to play a musical instrument. These are great ways to help develop an understanding of competition, commitment and sometimes having to deal with failure, all of which are all invaluable life lessons.

Whatever you choose will depend on the preference of the child, and also importantly, your budget. Be sure to research costs carefully. Some activities can get expensive. For example, dancing lessons may seem cheap upfront but be prepared for lots of hidden costs coming down the line; things like shows, outfits, exam costs and endless shoes. Taking swimming lessons or participating in team sports are perhaps some of the more economical hobbies to take up.

Theatre Tickets

Nowadays, there is a wealth of different theatre shows that have been developed specifically for children of all ages. The spectacle of live theatre is one that seems to still have a real impact on children, particularly for those who have never seen it before.

Some great kids shows that we have seen include ‘Night Garden‘, ‘Twirlywoos’, ‘Peppa Pig’and Julia Donaldson’s ‘Room on the Broom’. Although concentration levels inevitably vary between children (mine included), the shows are designed in such a way that the vast majority of children remain engaged, helped by plenty of audience participation throughout. For older children, West End shows like the Lion King or Matilda are always popular. Also, never forget the classic Christmas pantomime, a great British tradition that manages to still remain fun and relevant today.

The larger shows, while excellent, will obviously require a larger budget. Look locally for cheaper options, such as small theatre shows or foyer workshops aimed at children. Small independent theatres are often a good starting place for where to look.

Visit to a Museum, Gallery or Interactive Experience

We are lucky in the U.K. (particularly in London) that a lot of our major museums and galleries are free to enter. I’d always recommend taking advantage of this for some unforgettable family days out on a budget. It is sadly not the case that all museums are free, however. Despite this, there are some great ones out there that are well worth paying to visit with children, such as the National Space Centre in Leicester, the Conkers centre in the National Forest, or the Jodrell Bank observatory in Cheshire. Tickets or gift cards can usually be bought in advance as presents.

Keep a lookout for touring exhibitions that require tickets as well. They can make excellent and unexpected gifts. For example, the ‘Jurassic Kingdom‘ show, with its life-size, animatronic dinosaurs is sure to be a big hit with children.

Magazine Subscription

Although admittedly this will mean more ‘stuff’, it should hopefully at least be more useful in the long run than just another load of plastic. There are an enormous variety of magazines available that are aimed especially at children, with something for everyone. They can be great for developing knowledge in an area of interest. Reading and discussing the content together is a nice way to engage and entertain younger children. For older ones, browsing them independently is good for reading skills, as well as critical thinking.

Some good ones to look out for include The Week Junior, Eco Kids Planet, Brilliant Brainz, or National Geographic Kids.

Subscription Boxes

The gift that keeps on giving. Each month you receive a new box of activities in the post. Subscription costs vary, ranging from the budget Sweetpea Pantry healthy cooking and baking box at £4.99 per month, up to the slightly eye-watering Wonderkid boxes at no less than £34.30, sent quarterly.

Various interests or subjects are all catered for, including things like arts & crafts, reading, science or even gardening. You can even try to teach them a new life skill, like learning a foreign language (great for inspiring wanderlust in children), by using the subscription service from One Third Stories (also see our full One Third Stories review).

For loads more ideas, along with user reviews, check out the range of offerings at All Subscription Boxes.

For a closer look at one such box (for craft) in more detail, take a look at this Toucanbox Craft Kit review.

In Summary

I hope I have been able to demonstrate that there is a real assortment of experiential present ideas out there, many of which are perfectly suited to children. I know that if I had to personally choose between possessions or experiences for my children, it would be no contest. Experiences would win every time. I challenge anyone to try and shed their attachment to plastic and with it pointless, disposable toys. With a little imagination, presents really can be so much more.

• Author Details

Children of Wanderlust Administrator

We are Rachel & John, parents from the UK with 4 small children. After persuing separate jobs for many years, including being an experienced science teacher, we have now moved to Spain for a fresh challenge. We have always had a passion for travel and exploration. Nowadays, that means bringing our 4 children, Savannah (9), Aurora (7), Easton (5) and Tiago (3) along with us. This oftens means taking a road trip in our beloved vintage camper, touring all corners of Europe and Morocco. We hope that you enjoy reading about our family adventures all over the world.

web

https://childrenofwanderlust.com

email

[email protected]