Create a Green-themed Gift Using these Nature Books for Kids
Today’s post is full of ideas for creating the perfect gift inspired by our favorite nature books for kids!
Book-themed gifts are great for any occasion!
Updated March 2020: With Earth Day right around the corner, why not incorporate one of my favorite nature books into your next kids’ gift? We love books in our house and jump at the chance to share our favorite titles – it’s one of the most frequent requests I receive for kids’ gift ideas.
So, grab a cup of coffee and scroll through my list below. Most are available on Amazon and make a great addition if you are also making and giving any of my adorable Earth Day shirts for kids – like my Mother Lover shirt or Don’t be Trashy onesie!
Earth Day Gifts? Really?!
I know most of you probably don’t give gifts for Earth Day, but with sustainability, recycling and environmental activism becoming topics of discussion much earlier in school, you can give a children’s book as part of a gift for Spring birthday (or really any time of year) or ask the Easter Bunny to include it in your kids’ baskets. 😉
This post contains affiliate links, which means if you make a purchase through them, I may receive a small commission from a third party at no extra cost to you. All opinions are my own and I only share links to products I personally use, love and trust.
My Favorite Nature Books for Kids
I have so many suggestions for nature-related books! We can’t get enough of them at our house. Here is a quick list of the favorites we own. If you have any questions about any of these, please feel free to reach out to me!
>> The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein <<
I saved the copy of this book that I read as a child, and now my kids read it. I’m secretly amazed it’s in such great condition. Even at 4 years old, my son totally grasps the concept of respecting nature presented in this classic book. Every time I read this book, it makes we want to go climb a tree. I guess some things never change!
<< The Lorax by Dr. Seuss >>
I must admit, I saw the Lorax movie before I ever picked up the book. I usually don’t do things in that order, I swear! What can I possibly say about Dr. Seuss that hasn’t been said before? My kids love anything by Dr. Seuss, so it’s no surprise it is a favorite in our house.
>> Tap the Magic Tree by Christie Matheson <<
This new addition to our home library is loved by our 2-year-old daughter. The simple directions on each page (tap the page to make buds appear; blow a gentle breeze to make leaves fall) make this a fun, interactive book for even the youngest readers. I love this book so much, I rushed to buy Touch the Brightest Star, and it’s a close second. Up next on my list is getting Plant the Tiny Seed by the same author.
<< Curious Critters of Illinois by David FitzSimmons >>
Again, we love this book while our kids are young and beginning to recognize animals (our two year old moreso than our four year old). The animals in this book are native to the state we live in (Illinois), but there are many other states available as well.
>> All Aboard! National Parks – A Wildlife Primer by Kevin & Haily Meyers <<
As a big fan of our national parks system, we got this book to help instill the importance of green space and protected lands at an early age. We routinely buy this book to give to fellow park-loving friends for baby shower and birthday gifts.
<< And the Good Brown Earth by Kathy Henderson >>
We originally bought this book for my mother-in-law as part of her Mother’s Day gift from our kids. My MIL is an avid gardener and often includes our children when planting, maintaining and harvesting her garden. This book is a beautiful story of a little boy and grandma caring for her garden in every season.
>> On the Day You Were Born by Debra Frasier <<
You may never have heard of this title. I sure hadn’t until my daughter received it as a gift after she was born. The story is about all of the amazing things that happens on the earth on a daily basis – especially on the day you were born. If your older children want to learn more about any of the concepts introduced in the story (migration, gravity, tide, photosynthesis, etc) there is a glossary in the back of the book. This would make a great gift for a naturalist / hippie friend!
<< Brother Eagle, Sister Sky – A Message from Chief Seattle by Susan Jeffers >>
This is another one of those books I had as a child. It is one of only a handful I saved for my own kids to read. Why? Because the illustrations are gorgeous and the story is timeless. I spent many hours pouring over this book as a kid, and I find my son doing the same thing. It has also resulted in many questions from my son; it’s a great book to start the conservation conversation.
Free Earth Day Gift Tag
Make your gift stand out and create a cohesive theme with any of the below suggestions by attaching my FREE “Earth Day Every Day” gift tag.
Simply download the tag, print it to white cardstock on a home printer*, add a hole punch and ribbon and you’re done! Instant theme!
Create a Complete Gift!
I love giving any of the books listed above as a gift on their own, but sometimes I want to give a more substantial gift, like for a Spring birthday for example.
Are you curious about complimentary items to add to these books to make a nature-themed gift for kids? Well then, I have you covered, my friend!.
Here are some ideas to get you started!
Gift Idea 1: Nature Book and Custom Shirt Combo
If you want to add a DIY element to your gift and you have a Cricut machine, check out my two favorite Earth Day shirt Cricut tutorials: Don’t be Trashy and Mother Lover.
I’ve given the book and shirt combo countless times and they are always well received!
Gift Idea 2: Nature Book and Toy Combo
If DIY isn’t your thing, no problem! I LOVE giving themed gifts with a book and toy combo. There are so many possibilities for Earth Day themed toys! Here are some ideas to get your creative ideas flowing:
>> 1. The Lorax Movie <<
<< 2. HABA Bonita Garden >>
>> 3. Kinderific Gardening Tool Set <<
<< 4. Play-doh Growin’ Garden >>
>> 5. RootVue Farm <<
<< 6. Crystal Lollipop Trees >>
Gift Idea 3: Nature Book and Outdoor Activity Combo
I live in a pretty average-sized midwestern town. We are not a sprawling metropolis by any means, nor are we a small farming community. I only say that to let you know that some larger cities will have waaaay more options when it comes to outdoor activities. Some smaller communities may take a bit more creativity.
Here are some ideas to include with a nature book gift:
>> memberships to a zoo or wildlife park <<
<< memberships or passes to a botanic garden >>
>> local Park District classes <<
<< summer camps >>
>> paddle boarding, skiing or boating lessons <<
Really, any outdoor activities would be a great addition to this gift. These are just a few ideas to get you thinking.
I’d love to hear what you come up with! What else would you include in my list?
NEED ADDITIONAL GIFT INSPIRATION?
Head over to my Pinterest and Instagram accounts and follow me for gift ideas shared daily!
AS ALWAYS – IF YOU NEED HELP BRAINSTORMING OR CREATING A CUSTOM GIFT, PLEASE REACH OUT TO ME! I’D LOVE TO HELP!
More later! The craft room is calling, and I must go…
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