Toys are readily available today and it’s estimated that around $1 billion is spent in Australia annually on retail toy sales. The need to keep buying toys for children can stems from parents needing to fulfil a personal need, feelings of guilt or just wanting the ‘perceived best’ for the child.

Obviously this overconsumption is having an impact on the environment. If 2.5 million Aussies are going out once a month to buy toys (average of $80), imagine what’s happening worldwide. Excess toys are finding their way to charity shops and landfill

Garden poetry

Happier Kids

Research tells us children have happier and healthier play time with fewer toys. The more toys you give them, the less creative they may feel. So when buying toys, make conscious purchases, go for quality over quantity and be aware of the environmental impact of your toy purchase.

Decluttering

Decluttering a child’s room is the first step to creative kids. If there is anything you are attached to sentimentally, consider creating an exciting art piece to display the item or take a photo. Some great information and hints can be found here on how to encourage creativity, appreciation and gratitude.

Donate

Encourage your child/ren to choose toys to donate to favourite charity shops. Choose toys that aren’t broken. Ask children to wash their toys before taking them to the charity shop. An excellent way to say farewell.

Rotation

Store all excess toys and bring them out occasionally. Rotation is about not having all the toys out all the time. When you bring them out, children feel like they’re new again.

Be creative

If toys are too destroyed or damaged to donate, make new things from old. Create fun stuff for the garden, such as concrete teddy bears, funky doll stepping stones or garden pots. A great way to repurpose little toys and broken cups

How to make a concrete teddy bear

If you have too many old teddy bears and are unsure what to do with them, make concrete teddy bear pots for the garden. You can make 2 types of concrete teddy bears, a solid one or one that holds plants.

Old teddy family

If you want one that holds plants, you must make holes in the teddy bear. Warning: Some children may get distressed if you take scissors to a teddy bear. Make holes without children present.

Materials

• Latex gloves
• Old plastic bucket
• Quick set concrete
• A teddy or two
• Scissors

Make holes with a pair of scissors in the teddy bear for positioning the plants. I made holes on the top of the head and the belly area.

Make a slurry of quick-set concrete in a bucket. To make a slurry, mix the concrete to the directions on the packet, then add a little more water, so it is slightly thinner like a pancake batter. This helps the concrete stick to the teddy.

Concrete teddy

• With gloves on, dip the teddy into the concrete slurry. Give the teddy a good rub.
• Pull the teddy out and let the excess drip off. Smooth over the holes creating a concave depression; this will be where you place the soil and position the plants.
• Now position the teddy the way you want it to set.
• Wait about 24 hours and repeat the process. This will ensure that the teddy is strong and weatherproofed.
• Finally, reposition the teddy to dry.

Once the teddy has hardened, you can paint the eyes to soften the look. Also, plant succulents into holes and dress them in feathers, shells and ribbons. Have fun creating a new mini garden for your old Ted.

Want more great ideas! Check out our Permaculture Journals.

Plan and organise your permaculture gardening activities and experiences with these printable download journals. Perfect for homeschoolers, permaculture educators, as well as the homestead garden.

Permaculture Journal collection

The workbook and journals include everything you need to make your permaculture adventure more productive and organised, keeping track of your plants and the experiences you create.