There’s something undeniably magical about glitter and children (ok even adults) are definitely drawn to it.
The way it catches the light, how it makes any piece of craft sparkle and of course in the world of potion play, glitter often feels like a natural addition.
Recently, we’ve been noticing more and more families creating their own DIY potion stations at home. It’s something we genuinely love to see. We always encourage any play that allows children to be given the space to imagine, create, and explore in their own way.
But alongside this rise in DIY play, there’s also been an increase in something else the use of glitter that isn’t quite as harmless as it seems.
The reality is, not all glitter is created equally.
Many products on the market are labelled as “eco-friendly” or “biodegradable,” often made from PLA, a material derived from plant sources like corn starch and sugarcane. At first glance, this sounds like a positive step away from traditional plastic glitter. I mean sure, companies state its compostable.
But PLA glitter is still, in many ways, a form of plastic.
While it may break down, it will only break down under specific industrial composting conditions, in everyday environments (particularly in water) it behaves much like microplastic. When washed down the sink, poured into the garden, or rinsed away after play, these tiny particles can linger in our waterways for a long time.
And because glitter is designed to be small, light, and dispersible, it travels easily.
This is something we’ve thought deeply about over the years.
From the beginning, we made a conscious decision to use cellulose-based glitter (a plant-derived alternative that is designed to break down more naturally) particularly in freshwater environments. It’s not the cheapest option, and it’s certainly not the easiest from a production perspective, but it aligns with the kind of impact we want our products to have.
That said, we also understand that not every family is going to choose bio glitter, especially when creating potion play at home.
And that’s okay.
What matters most is awareness.
If glitter isn’t essential, it can simply be left out. Potion play doesn’t lose its magic without it. In fact, many children are just as engaged by fizzing reactions, colour changes, textures, and the act of mixing itself.
For those who still want a touch of shimmer, there are alternative ways to create that effect such as using crushed rice paper, natural materials like leaves crushed or hole punched, or small amounts of food-safe mica for a subtle sparkle.
These options can offer the same sense of wonder, without the long-term environmental impact.
Because in the end the magic of potion play has never really been about glitter. It’s about imagination. It’s about connection. It’s about giving children the space to explore and create in a way that feels meaningful to them.
And as parents, creators, and caregivers, the small choices we make around these moments do add up.
Not in a way that needs to feel overwhelming, but in a way that feels intentional.
A little more thoughtful.
A little more considered.
A little more aligned with the kind of world we want our children to grow up in.
