This Christmas, instead of adding more plastic to the toy box, why not give children something that grows? Living gifts like tomato plants, strawberries, or packets of flower seeds are a wonderful way to help kids learn, create, and connect with nature. They’re colourful, affordable, and teach valuable lessons about patience, care, and sustainability.
Start small with easy edibles such as cherry tomatoes or strawberries — plants that thrive in pots and reward regular watering with delicious fruit. Children love seeing the results of their effort, and there’s real pride in picking something they’ve grown themselves.
You could also add a worm farm or compost bin, turning kitchen scraps into rich soil — a fun way to show how waste can become something useful. For older or more adventurous young gardeners, try pumpkins, blueberries, or raspberries to introduce the idea of seasonal growing and long-term care.
To make it bright and festive, include a set of flower seeds like sunflowers, marigolds, or cosmos, along with a few colourful pots. These blooms bring instant cheer to balconies, courtyards, and backyards, and they attract bees and butterflies too — another lesson in the cycles of nature.
These simple, hands-on gifts nurture curiosity, responsibility, and joy. They encourage children to spend time outdoors, observe the natural world, and understand where their food comes from. Best of all, they grow into memories that last far longer than plastic toys ever could.