Ideas for 7 year old DD who has become eco-conscious

[OliverBabish]

School have done a big drive on being eco-friendly and DD (7) has taken it to heart. We are currently trying to reduce all the plastic we can in the house - she sees it as a little project.

But now she’s decided that she wants no plastic stuff for Christmas. I said fine - how about clothes? Experiences (like a visit to chocolate factory - I know this isn’t eco friendly but I’m working to her specification of no plastic toys!)? Creative stuff (I know this can be plastic stuff but she is very creative and I’m stuck for ideas!)? She said no to all.

She’s 7 so I’m sure she doesn’t realise what no plastic REALLY means (especially when her sister will be getting some “normal” stuff) but I’d like to at least attempt as she is really passionate about it at the moment.

Any ideas gratefully received!

Places like the RSPB shop, woodland trust shop, national trust shop, often have eco-friendly gifts and kids toys. The RSPB have nature watching sets for kids, would she enjoy a bird feeder set if you don't already have one? My kids are getting a huge amount of enjoyment from a wooden squirrel feeder in the garden. www.myriadonline.co.uk/ Myriad is eco friendly and plastic free and their toys are beautiful, my DD's particularly love the silks and felt fairies and gnomes. The ethical superstore has kids range www.ethicalsuperstore.com/category/baby-child-and-toys/toys/kids/

I'd second the National Geographic kids subscription.

Also don't think that plastic is bad per se, landfilling or dumping in the ocean is bad of course, but it is a massive irony that most plastic pollution is PET which incredibly easy to recycle. Try looking at brands such as Patagonia, Nudie, Rapanui, Kite etc.

Shopping spree at the charity shop? I sometimes give my daughter 5 dollaroos and she can have whatever she wants up to that amount at the op shop...it's usually quite a lot!

Sewing course so she can make do and mend?

How about putting together a few bits to make a small pond in the garden? So, the largest serving bowl/fruit bowl (made of glass, china or pottery) you can find, perhaps from a charity shop, some pebbles from the beach or gathered on walks, and a piece of wood or tile that you can position like a ramp in the pond, so if anything falls in it can climb out. You can help her dig a hole in the garden, so the edges of the bowl are only a few millimetres above the soil. Put the pebbles in the bottom, fill with rainwater, and add a plant or two from the aquatic section of your local garden centre. And voila! She will be able to watch birds and insects using it during the day (and foxes, hedgehogs etc at night). Even small ponds are really valuable to wildlife, especially if you can keep it topped up with rainwater during dry spells (a water butt is handy for this).

Another idea: a rag-rug making kit. If she saves up textiles that aren't suitable for the charity shop (eg holey or stained), she can give them a new lease of life by turning them into a pretty rug for her bedroom and saving them from landfill!