A peaceful and sustainable Sinterklaas? + conscious Sinterklaas gifts

celebrating Sinterklaas sustainably

Sinterklaas is magical. But let's be honest... it can quickly become overwhelming. For the kids and for you. Over the past few years, we've discovered what works for us: a conscious way of celebrating Sinterklaas, with room for fun, gifts, peace, and connection. We celebrate Sinterklaas consciously with sustainable toys the whole family can enjoy, such as sensory beanbags , play cloths , and some secondhand toys. Fewer gifts, but more fun.

Want a more sustainable and mindful Sinterklaas celebration? Then read on for my tips. Of course, I'll also share sustainable Sinterklaas gifts.

Sinterklaas with grandpas and grandmas - together, but with less

Our grandparents are eager to celebrate Sinterklaas with their grandchildren. It makes sense, and we love it too. To prevent the children from being showered with gifts everywhere, we've come up with a solution:

They put a shoe at grandpa and grandma's.

Not a whole bag full, but just one or two shoe gifts. This way, no one feels left out, the moment is special, and we don't go home with bags overflowing. And honestly? The kids love it just as much as Christmas Eve.

quiet and sustainable Sinterklaas

Celebrate Sinterklaas at a time that suits you

We don't always celebrate Sinterklaas on December 5th. We usually choose a day on the weekend near Christmas Eve. This way, we really have time for it and can enjoy it.

Besides, we don't celebrate in the evening, but at the end of the morning. No hours of tension-filled buildup. Just breakfast, a little playtime, and then... the presents!

And there's no banging on the window from the neighbor. They're suddenly in the hallway or elsewhere in the house. Much less exciting and just as much fun!

The beauty of celebrating Sinterklaas in the morning? The children have all day to play with their Sinterklaas gifts. There's no rush, no bedtime. Just time to play together.

Conscious choices in Sinterklaas gifts

We consciously choose a mix of toys and practical gifts. Our rule is simple:

  • 50% second-hand (via Vinted, marketplace or thrift store)
  • 50% new toys , with a preference for sustainable and open-ended toys.

We also give them practical items like a new raincoat, rain boots, pajamas, or comfortable socks. And believe me, they'll love those just as much as toys.

sensory and open-ended toys for Sinterklaas

Open-ended toys remain a favorite

Beanbags and play cloths are always a hit in our house . Every year, I give them a little extra for Sinterklaas. Because the more they have, the more fun it is.

More beanbags = more tossing games, a longer path of stepping stones, and more role-playing.

More play cloths = bigger huts, longer capes, even more gag gifts and even more blankets for the cuddly toys.

Because this toy grows with them, it stays interesting year after year. And that's what makes it such a great toy!

Less toys, more fun

By combining practical gifts with open-ended toys and buying half of them secondhand, we prevent the house from overflowing with stuff after the holidays. It's not about the number of gifts. It's about the fun, the togetherness, and your child actually playing with what they've given. And with 20 new toys, that's impossible.

Our favorite Sinterklaas gifts that will last for years

This open-ended toy easily combines with all other toys, preventing the play area from becoming overcrowded.

Hopefully this gives you some ideas or some reassurance. Because you can do it your way. And sometimes the greatest magic lies in keeping things small.

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Beanbag toys are toys that last for years! Curious about how a child in a different phase of life plays with beanbags?

0-12 months | 1-2 years | 3-4 years | 5-6 years | 6+ years

On the pages above you will find endless games and educational activities with the sensory bean bags for children from 0 to +/- 9 years old.

From sensory play, educational activities, and imaginative play, beanbags are a wonderfully versatile toy that grows with your child.

Buy the sensory bean bags - from calm earth tones to rainbow bean bags

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This is what other parents say about the Little Botanic label bean bags

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  • My daughters received the beanbags for their 2nd birthday. It was a blast! What I love is that it challenges the kids to be creative. I love seeing all the things they come up with. Thank you so much! - Naime

  • My kids play with them every day and come up with 101 different things to do with them. It's funny, because I thought of them as "baby toys." But now she's 3 and still plays with them every day! - Chayenne

  • I bought the beanbags for our 8-month-old. He loves them! I can even picture our older children, ages 6, 9, and 11, playing with them all day long. They're fantastic open-ended toys ❤️ - Linda

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Frequently asked questions about the bean bags

Can you wash the bean bags?

Absolutely. Even though they're filled with natural materials, they're washable. Hand wash them in soapy water. Rinse well (don't soak!) and let them dry flat for 48 hours. Then they're ready for endless fun!

What do you fill the bean bags with?

We fill our seed bags with cherry stones, grape seeds, and a mix of these. If you buy a set of 6 seed bags , you'll get two of each filling.

What age are the bean bags suitable for?

The bean bags are for children aged 0.5 to 9+ years. Caution! Use only under supervision for children under 3 years old and check them regularly for any signs of damage.

Do you use recycled fabrics?

No, we don't do that for two reasons. I don't know the origin of the fabric, so I can't determine whether chemicals were used during the production process. Secondly, the supply of recycled fabrics is limited, which means my collection is constantly changing and we have to constantly retake product photos. That's why I choose to use safe fabrics that are certified and available in larger quantities.

Can you reheat the bean bags?

No, these bean bags have been tested as toys and therefore do not pass any other tests than those required for a heating bean bag. Furthermore, the bean bags are stitched shut with gold thread. This thread contains a metal wire that is not suitable for the microwave.

If you do want to warm up the beanbags for a playtime, place them on a different heat source, such as a radiator or hot water bottle. Always supervise and check the temperature before giving them to your child.

How sustainable is the production process?

We make the bean bags in the Netherlands, in Rosmalen and the surrounding area to be precise. This eliminates unnecessary transport.

We source our materials as locally as possible, such as from Dutch fabric wholesalers. Our cherry pits come from the Netherlands and our grape seeds from Germany. This reduces CO2 emissions during our production process.

All fabrics are OEKO-tex certified. The wicks are cleaned without chemicals.

Your beanbags come with a card with game ideas. This is printed on paper made from agricultural waste. And we package each package plastic-free.

When we say that we produce sustainably, it is not a marketing trick, but our vision.

Can my baby play with the bean bags?

Officially, the toy is for children aged 3 and up due to the small seeds inside the beanbag. They are securely stitched shut, but it's always possible for a beanbag to become damaged and open. Therefore, always play together with children under 3 years old and never leave your child unattended with the beanbags.

Do the bean bags have a CE marking?

Yes, it's even illegal to sell toys without CE marking. Therefore, never buy beanbags from someone who makes them as a hobby.

The Little Botanic bean bags are CE marked and tested according to European NEN standards.