Looking to get children into nature, or to further encourage an existing interest? We've rounded up some of our favourite wildlife-themed gifts, many of which also encourage the development of a range of skills, such as patience, creativity, learning letters, reading instructions, and planning ahead.
For ideas of wildlife-themed activities to do with children, head to our nature activities for children guide, which includes plenty of projects for children (and their family) to get stuck into.
If you're looking more reviews, read our guides to wildlife books for children and teenagers, wildlife-themed jigsaw puzzles, gifts for wildlife lovers and nature documentaries.
Deep Sea Creatures, LEGO
LEGO is always good fun to play with whether you're an adult or a child, and there's a wide range of wildlife-themed packs to choose from (we're a bit starry-eyed by the 1500-piece bricks and animals set). The 3-in-1 Deep Sea Creatures set has 230-pieces enabling you to make a shark with movable body joints, a posable crab and a box of treasure. Plus, you can dissemble them and follow the instructions to make a squid or an angler fish (and for a bonus, there's also instructions on the LEGO website for a whale), or whatever else you can come up with!
Reviewed by Megan Shersby, editorial and digital co-ordinator, BBC Wildlife
Who's Hiding ... In the Jungle? A Spot and Match Game
OK, so it says “For ages 4+” on the box, but at 10 times that age, I still find this an infuriatingly addictive game. It’s a simple set up – you can play on your own or with others. Beautiful jungle illustrations featuring a variety of species are turned over, while each player has their own pile of animal cards. All you have to do is match one of your animals to a species on the jungle card. Whoever spots their animal first wins that round. Simple.
Except the internal countdown clock adds such pressure to find your animal first, that the tension builds and builds the longer you play. Before you know it, you’ll be screaming “Pangolin!” at the top of your voice and slamming your hand down triumphantly. Or, in my case, watching in despair as the rest of the family does so.
Reviewed by Paul McGuinness, editor, BBC Wildlife
World Map Jigsaw Puzzle For Kids, 300 pieces, Elena Essex
An illustrator based in Hove in Sussex, Elena Essex has created a world map jigsaw puzzle featuring animals and landmarks in her 300-piece puzzle for kids (recommended for 7 years plus). A full-size colour poster is included for help in completing the puzzle, and the puzzle box is made of recycled materials.
She has also produced four gorgeous 1000-piece puzzles for teenagers and adults (recommended for 14 years plus).
Reviewed by Megan Shersby, editorial and digital co-ordinator, BBC Wildlife
Build Your Own Microscope kits.
- Buy now from Build Your Own (£16.99), Not On The High Street (£19.99), Amazon (£16.99).
If you’ve resolved to allow fewer plastic toys across your threshold this Christmas, you might be interested in this build-your-own microscope, made from sustainable cardboard. It's aimed for 8 years plus, and my ten-year-old assembled it on his own one Sunday afternoon, only struggling with the eyepiece, which was somewhat fiddly.
The 54 sections are nice and robust, though the kit didn’t quite live up to its ‘No Glue’ claim, with one or two emergency sticky-tape repairs required.
Nonetheless, the result is a surprisingly sturdy and effective microscope offering 30x magnification. We slotted a phone torch underneath and looked close-up at twigs and wood embers from the fire.
Reviewed by Sarah McPherson, features editor, BBC Wildlife
Chocolate animals, Cocoa Loco.
Buy now from: Cocoa Loco (£5.49), RSPB (£5.99).
Made by UK chocolatiers Cocoa Loco, these delicious chocolate treats are made from Fairtrade, organic and palm oil free ingredients. Each 100g box contains milk chocolate (owls), white chocolate (polar bears), milk and white chocolate (penguins), or a mix of white, dark and milk chocolate (robins).
Reviewed by Angharad Moran, former production editor, BBC Wildlife
Dube the Polar Bear felted slippers, Hector & Queen, £24.00-28.00.
- Buy now from Hector & Queen (£24.00).
These award-winning handmade, felted children’s slippers will keep tiny toes nice and toasty on chilly days. The slippers are crafted by skilled women in a co-operative near Kathmandu. Each pair have soft suede anti-slip soles, and comes in an organic drawstring bag making the perfect gift/keepsake for any event and will be treasured for ever! Sizes range from baby booties to 3–4 years (although we're wishing they came in adult sizes!).
Each sale helps to support Tusk, a wildlife charity working with local people and organisations across Africa.
Reviewed by Angharad Moran, former production editor, BBC Wildlife
Squirrel Rush, by Krzysztof Matusik. Tailor Games.
Age 6+, 2-6 players, 15-30 minutes playing time.
Squirrel Rush is a tile placement game that casts you as competitive squirrels, trying to collect as many nuts as possible before winter arrives. The game is simple to set up and quick to play but gets tactical as you choose the best path through the glade for the maximum haul of acorns.
It’s a fun family game, the wooden squirrel player pieces are satisfyingly tactile, and the cards feature adorable illustrations of red squirrels in action. Consider adding a copy to your cache if you’re a fan of logic puzzles, need a ‘filler’ between more involved games, or you’re catering for shorter attention spans.
Reviewed by Ella Davies, nature writer
Ocean Bingo, Laurence King, £19.99.
Hurrah! A board game with no ridiculously complicated rules that drain all joy from the arena before anyone has so much as spun a spinner. This – the latest in a series of wildlife-themed Bingo sets – is perfect for restless kids and rainy days, and requires precious little by way of instruction.
All you have to so is select a game card; cover your 25 (out of 64) sea creatures with yellow discs as they are called; and the first to finish shouts The Word. It’s a great way for children to get to know some of our amazing ocean species, from red lionfish to leatherback sea turtles.
Other wildlife- and animal-themed bingo games are also available from Laurence King: Bird, Bug, Monkey, Australia's Deadly Animals, Cat, Dog, for £19.99, and for younger children: Poo, Jungle, and Dinosaur, for £16.99.
Reviewed by Sarah McPherson, features editor, BBC Wildlife
Personalised water shark bottle, amylucydesigns
This adorable reusable metal water bottle will be loved by kids, and better yet – it can be personalised with their name! It comes with a choice of two lids. Other wildlife-themed personalised water bottles for children include a lion, a fox and a crocodile.
Reviewed by Megan Shersby, editorial and digital co-ordinator, BBC Wildlife
The Lost Words, Thames and Kosmos, ages 8+, £13.99.
- Buy now from Thames and Kosmos (£13.50), Amazon (£13.18), Waterstones (£13.99).
Based on the bestselling book by Robert Macfarlane and Jackie Morris, this is a relatively straightforward card game, the object of which is to be the first to pair the cards in your hand with those on the table.
There’s an edge to proceedings, as certain cards allow you to mess with your opponents – draw a magpie, for example, and you can steal a completed pair. One hand took about 30 minutes, and it was something of a delight to play with such beautiful illustrations of the natural world, and to hear 10- and 12-year-old boys talking about brambles, wrens, otters and larks.
Reviewed by Sarah McPherson, features editor, BBC Wildlife
Amazing Insects Glow in the Dark 100-piece jigsaw puzzle
Aimed at children (and adults) aged five plus, this fabulous jigsaw puzzle is made up of 100 pieces (made from recycled materials) and features a range of colourful insects including beetles, grasshoppers and butterflies.
However, there’s an additional fun twist to this particular jigsaw puzzle! Turn off the lights and you'll discover that this puzzle actually glows in the dark! Bound to enthral any young naturalist, this is a lovely way to connect children with nature. Other wildlife-themed puzzles in this glow-in-the-dark series from Mudpuppy include Frogs & Lizards, In The Forest, Rainforest, Under The Sea and Dinosaur.
Reviewed by Megan Shersby, editorial and digital co-ordinator, BBC Wildlife
Custom Wildlife Name Print, Tiffany Francis-Baker
- Buy now from Tiffany Francis-Baker (£18.00).
Artist, illustrator and poet Tiffany Frances-Baker produces beautiful custom prints that are perfect for nurseries or children's bedrooms. Each letter is inspired by British animals, so whether you choose your child's name, a favourite word, or the whole alphabet, they're ideal for learning about nature as well as learning letters.
Reviewed by Aoife Glass, digital strategist, BBC Wildlife
Window bird feeder, RSPB.
See robins, tits, sparrows and other garden birds up close with this ingenious suction-cup feeder, which has a detachable tray for easy cleaning and refilling.
Reviewed by the BBC Wildlife team
Wildlife charity membership
- Amateur Entomologists' Society's Bug Club (£12/year)
- Bat Conservation Trust's Young Batworker's Club (£15/year)
- Butterfly Conservation Family Membership (£3.83/month)
- National Trust Junior Membership (£10/year)
- RSPB Youth Membership (£26/year)
- Save the Rhino (from £3.50/month)
- Wildlife Trust's Wildlife Watch (price variable)
- WWF's Amazing Planet (from £10/month)
A lot of wildlife charities now offer family or kids-only memberships, which can come with a variety of options such as magazines aimed at different age groups, welcome packs, pine badges or cuddle toys.
Main image: Small child carrying Christmas gifts. © Halfpoint Images/Getty
