Canadian Christmas gift ideas for kids in 2026: sustainable gifts that last

Here is your early warning: as of publication, Christmas is 91 days away.

Twinkling lights. The smell of cinnamon. The annual debate over where to hang that silly-but-charming Santa-holding-a-lobster-while-standing-on-a-trap ornament from Nova Scotia.

And, of course, wondering—and maybe worrying—about what to get the children in your life.

Good news: we’ve done some of the legwork for you.

Below, you’ll find sustainable gift ideas for kids aged 0-12 years, sourced from Canadian companies and retailers and organized by age group.

And because the season is about more than just gifts, World Vision Canada senior copywriter Amy Legault shares a faith-inspired book suggestion for each age group.

Links to gifts and books are provided for informational or ideation purposes only and do not constitute endorsements or recommendations of specific products, brands, websites or retailers.

Sustainable Christmas gifts for babies (aged 0-2 years)

The littlest of little ones don’t need much. But a thoughtful gift can become a treasured keepsake—and a reminder of the people who loved them and the Christmas they were first introduced to.

• Wooden rattles and teethers: Smooth, sturdy and made for little hands. Wooden rattles and teethers are practical for everyday play, yet special enough to keep long after those first teeth have arrived.
• Organic onesies: Cozy, comfortable and cute. Organic onesies make a sensible gift for little ones. And a well-loved favourite can be saved, passed down or handed along when baby outgrows it.
• Organic bibs: Little people are very good at making big messes. Organic bibs keep little outfits clean and are a thoughtful gift that can be washed, reused and passed along when baby no longer needs them.

Amy’s book selection

• The Christmas Promise: How did Christmas begin? What was the first Christmas like? This illustrated board book introduces little ones to the story of the very first Christmas, from God’s promise to send a special King to the birth of Jesus.

Sustainable Christmas gifts for toddlers (aged 2-4 years)

The age of discovery—and of turning just about anything into an opportunity to play. At this stage, the best gifts encourage curiosity, invite imagination and create memories that last for years.

• Wooden toys: Blocks to build. Rings to stack. Wheels to turn. Wooden toys are classic, durable and encourage open-ended creative play. And when toddlers outgrow them, they can be passed down and enjoyed all over again.
• Beeswax crayons: Imagination in colour. Beeswax crayons are a simple way to introduce toddlers to colour and self-expression. And their chunky shapes are perfect for little hands with big creativity.
• Bamboo bath set: Bath time is splishy-splashy fun time. A bamboo bath set makes bath time a little cozier with a soft cloth, cozy towel and bath toys for water play. Everything toddlers need to get clean and ready for their next adventure.

Amy’s book selection

• Jesus Came for Me: The True Story of Christmas: A simple introduction to the story of Jesus, the good news of Christmas and God’s love. This little book helps children discover who Jesus is, why he came and how Jesus is with us always.

Sustainable gift ideas for kids (aged 5-8 years)

Imagination, creativity and elaborate pretend play are taking flight. Kids are developing new skills while their interests and personalities begin to emerge. This is the age where serious learning meets seriously fun play.

• Terrarium: A little piece of nature kids can grow themselves. Terrariums let kids plant real seeds and watch their own miniature habitat take shape, while decorative stones and glow-in-the-dark stickers let them add their own personality.
• Wooden puzzles: A classic gift for growing minds. Wooden puzzles featuring animals, shapes and scenes from nature encourage kids to slow down, think and solve. Since they’re made to last, favourite puzzles can be enjoyed by younger siblings or passed along to another generation.
• Air dry clay: Squishy. Silly. Colourful. Fun. Air dry clay gives kids a simple way to sculpt, shape and create. And when they’re done, they’ll have something they made themselves and can keep, display or share.

Amy’s book selection

• Lullaby for the King: A Christmas tale written as a poem that invites young readers into the awe and wonder of the Christmas story. Animals make their way to Bethlehem with gifts for the newborn King, joining the angels in a welcoming lullaby.

Gifts for tweens from Canadian retailers (aged 9-12 years)

For older kids, play gets a little more interesting and a lot more challenging. These gifts reflect their growing interests and independence and are made to be enjoyed long after Christmas morning.

• Wooden games and brainteasers: Puzzles to solve. Codes to crack. Games to play (and hopefully, win). Wooden games and brainteasers get older kids thinking, while their durability means they can be enjoyed again and again—and then passed down when they’re ready for a new challenge.
• Build-it-yourself wooden speaker: A little bit of nature, a little bit of science and a little bit of old-school gear with new school tech. A build-it-yourself wooden speaker turns kids into engineers, builders and DJs all at once.
• Organic hoodies: Cozy, comfortable and quintessentially Canadian. Organic hoodies are perfect for going to school or hanging out with friends. It’s a gift that can be worn, washed, worn again and passed along when they’re ready for a new favourite.

Amy’s book selection

• Jotham’s Journey: A longer, more complex story for Advent. Jotham sets out across Israel in search of his family, encountering thieves, robbers and danger along the way. His journey eventually brings him into the story of the Saviour born in Bethlehem.

And as you check names off your list this year, it's worth pausing for a moment to think about the wish lists you’ll never see and the children you’ll never know.

The joy of giving more than gifts

Christmas shopping is one of the joys of childhood. It’s also one of the joys of being the grown-up who makes it special.

But for millions of children living in extreme poverty, the wish list isn’t about the latest toy or game. It’s about:

• A warm meal
• A safe place to live
• A toy to call their own

This Christmas, you can help a child be a child again. And, perhaps, you can show the children in your life what it means to give beyond the wish list and nice list. How giving is the spark to lasting change.

Because maybe those are the greatest gifts of all: giving children the joy of receiving, while teaching them the joy of giving.

Here’s how you can change a child’s Christmas

Sponsor a child

Help a child take the first step towards breaking the cycle of poverty. Provide education, healthcare and hope to empower communities and transform lives.

Give to where most needed

Provide essentials such as food, healthcare and education to those experiencing extreme poverty. Children deserve lasting change to experience life in all its fullness.