10+ unique upcycled baby + toddler gifts for 2022 (made in Canada)

By Connie

Last Updated:

Are you shopping for a handmade, environmentally thoughtful gift for a baby shower or birthday?

If so, you’ve come to the right place! We’ve compiled an impressive gift guide of upcycled baby and toddler gifts for your viewing (and shopping) pleasure. Below you’ll find a variety of beautiful and unique upcycled baby clothing, as well as upcycled baby and toddler toys. And everything’s made right here in Canada!

Upcycled Baby Gifts, Clothes + Toys Made in Canada That Aren't on the Baby Shower Registry

Upcycled baby clothing

Matching knit beanies + booties by Maritime Moose

Maritime Moose - Knitted upcycled baby beanie and matching booties
[image source: Maritime Moose]

Maritime Moose handmakes upcycled clothing and accessories, like the matching knit baby set featured above that is made from 100% upcycled cotton or acrylic. The beanies and booties are made to fit newborns and babies up to around 3 months old.

To make their products, Maritime Moose sources gently-used sweaters and knitwear that are damaged or have some kind of imperfection (e.g., holes, stains or rips) from local thrift stores. The thrifted sweaters are washed, unraveled, and re-spun into spools of yarn so that the yarn can be made into hats, mittens, and more.

P.S. Maritime Moose is also featured in our Upcycled Gifts Made in Canada (adult’s version) blog post and our 15+ Upcycled Gifts Your Furry Friends Will Love blog post.


Baby bloomers by Les Joues Roses

Les Joues Roses - Upcycled baby bloomers diaper cover
[image source: Les Joues Roses]

Les Joues Roses’ baby diaper covers are both stylish and practical and they’re made using upcycled fabrics. They’re also unique because there are a limited number made from each print.


Newborn dresses + bonnets by Sew it Was

Sew It Was by Judy - Upcycled vintage-inspired newborn dress and baby bonnet
[image source: Sew it Was]

Sew it Was’ adorable baby dresses and bonnets are upcycled from dust ruffles and pillow case edgings. These dresses and matching bonnets are perfect for your baby’s first photos, as a Christening or Baptism dress, or a just because it’s beautiful dress.

The dresses’ elastic necklines make them easy to get on and off and their size is 0–3 months, depending on the baby.

The pictured dress and bonnet are vintage-inspired and are made from a 100% cotton dust ruffle! It features rows of open cutwork, embroidery and little puff sleeves.


Knot baby hats by Eco Pretty

Eco Pretty - Black & Blue Floral Stripe Upcycled Knot Baby Hat
[image source: Eco Pretty]

Thoughtfully made from repurposed fabric, Eco Pretty’s knot baby hats are both adorable and sustainable! Each hat is double stitched and no two will be exactly alike.

Because the hats are made from upcycled material, the elasticity of the fabrics will vary depending on the fabric type used for each particular hat. To help with any elasticity issues, Eco Pretty has made the hat’s band adjustable, making it easy to ensure a great fit!


Baby lace headband hair bows by Eco Pretty

Upcycled Baby Lace Headband Hair Bows Made by Eco Pretty for Newborn to 12 Months
[image source: Eco Pretty]

Eco Pretty’s hair bow headbands are beautifully created from upcycled lace and fabric. They are stretchy, comfortable and very stylish! Every headband is unique, and the fabric used depends on availability at the time of production. The general size is newborn to 12 months.


Baby leg warmers by Sew it Was

Sew It Was by Judy - Upcycled baby leg warmers
[image source: Sew it Was]

Sew it Was’ baby leg warmers are sustainably made using upcycled socks that would otherwise be thrown in the trash. The cuff has been made to be smaller than the leg for a better fit. They can also be used as arm warmers for children.


Upcycled baby drool bibs

Drool bibs + accessories by JuneBird

JuneBird - Upcycled baby drool bib
[image source: JuneBird]

JuneBird hand sews a variety of colourful drool bibs from upcycled clothing and blankets. The drool bibs are designed to keep the front of your baby’s shirt dry. They are made using two snap closures so they can be easily adjusted.

JuneBird also makes upcycled burp cloths and pacifier clips!


Bandana drool bibs by Les Joues Roses

Les Joues Roses - Baby + toddler upcycled bandana drool bib
[image source: Les Joues Roses]

Les Joues Roses upcycles pre-used fabric to make these essential, colourful bandana bibs. They are a mix of cotton fabric on top and bamboo double loop terry at the back for both softness and maximum absorption. There are two snaps at the back that are used for adjustment purposes.


Upcycled toys for babies + toddlers

Pre-loved bears + other friends by Rescued Bears

Rescued Bears & Other Friends - Pre-loved sloth stuffie wearing an upcycled sweater
[image source: Rescued Bears]

If you’re looking for a sustainable teddy bear, beanie baby, or other stuffed animal friend for your baby or as a baby gift, Rescued Bears is a wonderful option!

Rescued Bears saves teddy bears and other stuffed animals from ending up in landfills and gives them a new life by working as a teddy bear “adoption” agency. Prior to going to their new homes, each rescued bear or other friend is given their own individually designed clothing made from upcycled materials.

The clothing includes items such as a knitted sweater, a warm scarf, a cozy toque, a handmade bow tie, comfy overalls, or a dapper cardigan. The materials to make the bears’ clothing includes scrap linen from lot8’s reusable bread bags and donated leftover fabric and yarn from family and friends. Blue Bird Bow Ties makes our bears’ bow ties from the material leftover from making their own human bow ties.

With your rescued bear or other friend, you’ll also receive their unique biography, as well as a Rescued Bears postcard!

Related Post: Online secondhand toy stores based in Canada


Tactile blankets + other sensory toys by JuneBird

JuneBird - Upcycled tactile blanket with airplane design
[image source: JuneBird]

“Tactile (or sensory) blankets are an excellent approach to offer a youngster with both cognitive and sensory stimulation. A child’s sense of touch is developed as they touch the various textures or tags. As infants reach for the portions of the blanket they want to explore, their fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination improve. When a child needs comfort, tactile blankets can provide a soothing feeling.”

— JuneBird

JuneBird’s tactile blankets are made from secondhand fabrics such as clothing and blankets, which in turn helps to keep such materials out of the landfill. Their styles and types of material will vary slightly, depending on what is available at the time of production.

Other upcycled tactile and sensory toys handmade by JuneBird include bean bags, helping hands, and marble mazes.


Baby wipes fabric tactile toys by Sew it Was

Sew It Was by Judy - Upcycled baby wipes tactile fabric toys
[image source: Sew it Was]

These upcycled baby wipes fabric toys by Sew it Was are handmade using pre-loved fabrics that includes cotton, flannelette, fleece, knits, baby blankets, pillowcases and clothing. This wonderful tactile and educational toy is perfect for both babies and toddlers. The fabric package includes 20 mystery squares of different sizes, colours, textures, animals, characters and more to keep your child entertained for hours!

The container in the image above is not included. However, you can simply reuse a tissue box or a wet wipes box and stuff the wipe toys inside. That way your baby or toddler can have fun pulling them out, and it’s a great place to store them too.


If you’re looking for more places to shop sustainably online for baby and kid toys, check out our list of online secondhand toy stores.

We also have an upcycled gifts adults’ addition gift guide and an upcycled gifts for your furry friends guide, if you’re looking to shop for upcycled gifts for your friends or family, or for your pets or the pet lover in your life!

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