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Climate Kitchen Vol.5
Empowering Food-Loving Families Who Care
Sonalie Figueiras, Sophie Egan & Nico Westermann
December 10, 2024
Welcome to the Climate Kitchen newsletter, a new content universe for climate-curious parents.
Hoping everyone had a lovely Thanksgiving—now onwards to Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Winter Solstice, and Christmas.
For our fifth edition, we’re going off-book. Instead of our usual sections, we’re sharing the best climate-smart presents for the little people in your life.
All five kids in our lives have very specific wishes on their Santa list, and we’re not ogres, so some of their wishes will be fulfilled, but it’s nice to throw in a couple of surprises, and even better if they help activate their inner changemakers.
We know how crazy the holidays get, and we also know it’s not always easy to find inspiration, so we put together our favorite picks. We decided to make sure they were available on Amazon, only because it’s December already and it’s more likely you will get them in time.
Note: It hopefully goes without saying that, ideally, we don’t use the holidays to encourage mindless consumerism. We can prioritize homemade presents (food items, candles, bath bombs), experience-giving (tickets to a family activity or an art class, for example), and second-hand gifts (so many options online and in thrift stores). We can also work on not going overboard in terms of the number of presents and making sure the present part of the day is not the most or only important part. We can work on using recycled or reusable gift wrap, select plastic-free items where possible, and choose gifts that are responsibly made, long-lasting, and/or educational. But, we understand that, climate crisis or not, little kids love the holidays, and most kids get super excited about opening holiday gifts from loved ones, so this guide is made up of carefully chosen items that hopefully help harness a child’s natural love for the natural world and its safekeeping.
We’ve got one more issue to go before we take a break until January, which will arrive in your inbox a week from now because the team will be off for the holidays from mid-December.
As always, grateful for your Climate Kitchen support, and Happy Holidays!
-Sonalie, Sophie & Nico
If you are new here, WELCOME. It’s worth checking out our first edition to find out more about why we started this newsletter and who we are, as well as to learn about our food values —- “What is climate-smart kid food?”
We are always open to feedback and suggestions on what to cover, what you like, what you don’t like—tell us everything here.
Have a burning question for Climate Kitchen? In our ”Your Questions—Answered!” section, we answer reader queries—send us yours here.
We’re continuing to collect the CK community’s favorite climate-smart holiday recipes—share yours here.
The Best Climate-Smart Presents For Kiddos
Curated by the Climate Kitchen team
Hape Tree Planting E-Car - Green Planet Explorers
Hape is a lovely German toy brand that is known for its non-toxic, wooden toys. We just discovered their more recent Green Planet Explorers collection is all about showcasing a greener future through play, like this Tree-Planting E-Car that features its own wind turbine.
“The ChopChop Family Cookbook: Real Food to Cook and Eat Together”
Not overtly labelled as a book about climate-friendly food, which is part of its charm! The dishes are simply mouthwatering, colorful, creative, fun, and just so happen to be healthy and sustainable, largely drawing from the inherently good-for-us/good-for-the-planet nature of many global cuisines. You’ll quickly see why it won the 2024 award for best cookbook for family and youth by the International Association of Culinary Professionals.
GeoSafari Kidnoculars
Immersion in nature is not only great for a kid’s mind, body, and soul (as it is for adults), but it’s one of the best ways to unlock a lifelong interest in preserving the planet, so this could be the gift that keeps on giving as you spark future climate-friendly habits and time outdoors.
“Lonely Planet Kids 101 Small Ways to Change the World”
Known as one of the OG travel guidebook companies, it’s no surprise this mini tome aimed at grade-schoolers is so brilliant! We love how simple and accessible all the suggestions are, and your kiddo is sure to feel immediately empowered to make a difference.
Climate Change Scrapbook Paper - Pattern and Ephemera for Junk Journals
Got a kid who loves arts and crafts? With this decorative paper covered in environmentally-themed graphics, they can go nuts! Use for origami, scrapbooking, greeting-card-making and more!
“The Atlas of a Changing Climate: Our Evolving Planet Visualized with More Than 100 Maps, Charts, and Infographics”
For the young scientists in your family: this fantastic atlas offers a visual guide to our changing planet and is packed with fascinating facts for hours and hours of discovery and wonder.
GreenToys Watering Can
Kids will enjoy digging in the dirt, finding bugs, learning where food comes from, and watching plants grow; parents will enjoy the fact that it’s made from 100% recycled milk jugs.
Math Play! Learning Activities for Preschoolers
Sure, the math part is great, but what’s best about this book is the ideas for making your own toys out of recycled materials in your house—toilet paper rolls, or, say, all those Amazon boxes you’ll be accumulating…
Stocking Stuffers
Looking for smaller items for a stocking? Try these Earth Day Stickers kids can use on their lunchboxes, water bottles, and in craft activities, or these Kindness Prompt Cards by The School of Life. For babies: these wooden toys and rattles by HippoToys are great, as are these Alsatic soft silicone stacking cups.