Get kids on board with reducing toy waste!

Aim

Get children thinking about the impact of the things we buy, with a focus on presents and how we can make them more planet-friendly.

Help get children talking about planet-friendly presents, in 100+ primary schools.

With Christmas on the horizon, wish lists and financial pressures are growing – and so is the environmental cost. 

• Every year, around 337 million new toys are purchased in the UK.
• 26% of Christmas toys are already neglected by the end of January. 
• And 80% of toys worldwide end up in landfill, incinerators or the ocean. 

I launched The Kids Party Pact to shift the culture of gifting and party bags at children's birthday parties – and over the last two years have reached millions of parents. They tell us they've gained the confidence to break the norms – but still worry about getting their children on board. 

We want to help children be more conscious consumers, understanding what happens to things we no longer use and that real joy doesn't come from more stuff. 

This campaign will allow us to engage children with the notion of planet friendly presents, making it even easier for parents to adopt more sustainable approaches to gifting. 

Funding a pack for 100+ primary schools & eco clubs

We've developed a fun, engaging group workshop for primary-aged children, which explores how we can give gifts that are kind to both people and the planet. 

The session is designed to slot easily into a classroom lesson or an eco club session, and needs very little preparation or equipment.

Through discussion, a hands-on sorting activity, and a story, children think critically about materials, waste, consumption, and the everyday choices behind presents.

It's been developed with help from Headteachers and education consultants, and test-run with children – we know it works and that kids engage with it.

Alison Hooper, Climate Action Schools’ Leader at CDEC said: 

"It's a fantastic resource for schools and eco clubs looking for a topic that engages children with reducing waste and gives them a real sense of agency. The resources are clear, easy to follow and flexible, saving teachers time too. We ran the workshop at the Cumbria Climate Youth Summit, and it was a huge success."

Each pack includes: 

• The facilitator's guide for the Planet Friendly Presents workshop
• An assembly script, for schools who want to go whole-school
• Curriculum links and extension activity ideas
• Two copies of Elf Chloe's Surprise, my picture book about conscious gifting
• Stickers for the children (recycled paper, obviously)
• A note home to parents, so the conversation can carry on at the kitchen table
• Homework activities and colouring sheets

Our goal is to get this pack into over 100 schools. 

It costs £20 to fund one school's pack. So our target is £2,000.

The book that brings the message to life

Elf Chloe's Surprise was born from parents asking me how to explain giving more sustainable gifts to their children. 

It's a fast-paced, rhyming story about reducing toy waste, repairing what's broken, and giving pre-loved presents – written to spark meaningful conversations.

Head Teacher, Lucy Middleton, said the book "introduces the concept of 'taking responsibility' to young readers well. Charlotte raises an important issue through a likeable story that will make young readers think about their environmental impact and decision making. For primary schools, the theme of the story fits in well with Eco Schools and recent DFE climate & sustainability focuses too. A lovely, heartwarming book with a clear and important message: what type of world do you want to live in? How can you make small changes that have the power to make a big difference?" 

Edd Moore, Climate Education Consultant, Teacher & Author calls it "a charming, fast-paced rhyming story that captures young readers’ attention while gently encouraging them to think about reducing toy waste. With practical tips on reusing, repairing, and upcycling, it promotes more mindful, sustainable choices. A thoughtful and inspiring read."

Every school that receives a pack gets two copies of the book.

Who is behind this? 

We are Party Pact CIC – you might know us as No Crap Parties or for The Kids Party Pact campaign. Our mission is simple: make gifting less wasteful and less financially punishing, for families and for the planet. 

Alongside this, we've also had funding from the National Lottery Community Fund to run The Big Toy Swap this November, supporting over 50 community-run toy swaps ahead of Christmas.

Up to now, all of our work has targeted parents. This is the first time we are engaging children directly – it's their world we're trying to protect after all.

Will you help us reach at least 100 schools in time for Christmas? 

If you donate a full pack, you can nominate a specific school you'd like it to go to! Otherwise, we'll be starting with schools near our home in Cumbria :)

Funding method

Keep what you raise – this project will receive all pledges made by 26th October 2026 at 7:37pm