2010 May | Inhabitots

Endangered Species Erasers Help Kids Remember Vanishing Animals

by Julie Seguss, 05/31/10

Rhinos, polar bears and gorillas are all endangered species thanks to hunting and the destruction of their natural habitats. So what better way to bring attention to these vanishing animals than through Endangered Species Erasers, that like the real thing (if we can’t put a stop to it), will whittle down to mere nothingness? Though, many kids will probably choose to play with these over-sized 2-inch tall erasers more like animal action figures than school supplies, keeping the true-to-form species in tact.

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5 Eco-Friendly Books for Green Babies

by Julie Seguss, 05/31/10

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‘Affected’ Endangered Species Cork Bulletin Boards

by Beth Shea, 05/30/10

Eco-designer and Treehugger contributor Petz Scholtus, created ‘Affected,’ a collection of cork animal bulletin boards to deliver a daily reminder of climate change via thoughtfully designed decor. Each creature in the ‘Affected’ series is currently suffering the harrowing effects of global warming as their natural habitats and very existence are being threatened. Polar bears, tree frogs, and migratory songbirds, are just a few of the thousands of animal species that are facing extinction; and they are the highlight of Scholtus’ collection. Kids can tack on saving the planet to their list of to-dos while utilizing these eco-friendly bulletin boards that give back.

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Delightful Tree Shaped Bookshelf by Shawn Soh

by Yuka Yoneda, 05/29/10

What better way to nurture your child’s love of books than by displaying all of their favorite titles on this delightful tree-shaped bookshelf?! When our editors spotted this adorable Tree Bookshelf at the International Contemporary Furniture Fair last week, we fell in love. Designer Shawn Soh‘s “Tree Bookshelf” has not an ounce of the stodginess that traditional rectangular shelving units have, instead reflecting the natural fun and wonder of reading, with their organic designs!

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5 Best Green Walking Shoes for Eco Babies

Green babies who are beginning to toddle along need safe, eco-friendly walking shoes that will enable them to tread lightly on the earth — while also staying put on their little feet and fostering healthy foot growth. Keep your eco-ethics in check with baby shoes that promote a healthy planet — and as parents we all know that the adorable-factor when it comes to choosing tiny little shoes is all part of the fun too! Here are five awesome shoes for little walkers that are safe, eco-friendly and look good to boot (pun intended)!

Eco-Friendly Modern Mobiles by Rogan Objects

Rogan is better known for being an ethical fashion label, but the New York City-based company also boasts a limited range of ultramodern furniture and home accessories. The latest additions to the Rogan Objects collection are a pair of mobiles that would liven up hipster pad and baby crib alike.

DIY Icosahedron Mobile/Toy Made From Color Pencils!

Color us impressed! Michiel Cornelissen’s build-it-yourself icosahedron kit, which we spotted at the Model Citizens 2010 design exhibit last week, can be almost anything you want: a mobile, a hanging lampshade, a piece of objet d’art, or a fun educational toy. The best part? You make it yourself out of color pencils, which you can plunder from your kids’ art-supply drawer in the interest of a lesson in geometry. When you feel the urge to color, you can simply pluck your favorite colored pencils out of the structure to use — and then return them back again when you are done!

Only 8% of Sunscreens Are Safe and Effective, Says New Study

School may be out for summer, but the current class of sunscreens should probably head back for some remedial instruction. Only 39 of 500 sunscreens on the market—that’s a dismal 8%—made the grade for safety, according to the Environmental Working Group. On top of exaggerated SPF claims (greater than 50), most sunscreens could also contain potentially hazardous ingredients, including a form of vitamin A that is linked to accelerated growth of skin tumors and lesions.

Handmade Wooden Toys & Tree Swing from The Original Tree Swing

The Original Tree Swing creates delightful wooden toys that are full of character and life — such as the charming Gnome Home shown above. These handmade creations will spark your little one’s imagination and add natural beauty to the playroom. The Original Tree Swing is a family owned and operated business committed to developing open-ended toys that encourage creative play. Original Tree Swing toys are made with reclaimed wood and finished in beeswax or mineral oil which allows the gorgeous colors of the natural wood to shine through.

Make Your Own Eco-Friendly Soccer Ball with Magis Football Tape

Crafts and sports come together with the incredibly clever football tape from Magis. The roll of tape, which grabbed our attention at recent New York design show ICFF, is printed with a soccer ball pattern so you can instantly make a ball by wrapping it around crumpled up newspapers — or as the designer suggests — sports magazines. The simple concept presents a fun way to show your kids how to repurpose paper from your recycle bin and make something new to play with all at the same time!

Do We Cut The Umbilical Cord Too Early? New Study Says ‘Yes’

Delaying clamping the umbilical cord at birth may have far reaching benefits for your baby according to researchers at the University of South Florida’s Center of Excellence for Aging and Brain Repair — and should be delayed for at least a few minutes longer after birth. This new recommendation published in the most recent Journal of Cellular and Molecular Medicine (14:3) notes that delaying clamping the umbilical cord allows more umbilical cord blood and crucial stem cells to transfer from mama to baby.

Children’s Paper Tube DIY Eco-Furniture is Customizable and Fun!

Last weekend at the International Contemporary Furniture Fair we fell in love this amazing customizable eco kid’s furniture line, made from paper! The HECMEC folding chairs and tables are made up of paper tubing connectors that can be colored on and exchanged out in order to change in size as your child grows. The colorful assortment of little furniture designed by Japanese company Sankei Co. are so thoroughly thought out that they not only encompass loads of environmental value — they also provide a super smart product that is educational, fun and child safe.

Five Eco-friendly BPA-Free Toothbrushes for Tots

Little mouths need a proper toothbrush from birth onward. Your baby’s first brush will be simple – the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends that you clean your baby’s gums with a soft infant toothbrush or soft cloth and water. As soon as your little one’s teeth begin to sprout, start brushing twice daily using a soft, age appropriate sized, BPA-free, non-toxic toothbrush. Below are five great BPA-free toothbrush choices for all stages of teeth care – from newborn to childhood. Oh, and FYI, be sure to top off each of these BPA-free toothbrushes with a tiny dollop of eco-friendly toothpaste.

Donate Dresses to Girls in Need with Whitten Grey’s ‘Project Little Grey Dress’

Whitten Grey not only makes luscious designer organic clothing for your eco-friendly little girl, their program ‘Project Little Grey Dress,’ enables shoppers to donate dresses to little girls in need. Through Whitten Grey’s Project Little Grey Dress, when you buy a dress for your little darling, Whitten Grey lets you give a second dress to a little girl in another community. You and your child may choose the color of dress to give, the community to which you’d like to send the dress, and you can even write a personal message for the recipient. This is a great way to not only give your daughter a stylish new outfit, it also allows you to emphasize the importance of charity and giving to those who are less fortunate.

Vegan, Eco-Friendly Mommy-and-Me Bags by Pansy Maiden

While we can’t all sport matching Valentino purses with our ankle-biters à la Angelina Jolie and Zahara, Pansy Maiden has a new Mommy-and-Me collection that will shock and aww just the same, while preserving Junior’s college fund. “Little Birds” offers downsized versions of Pansy Maiden’s popular vegan styles—the Vagabond messenger, Lady Day bag, and Weekender—in a selection of colors and sustainable fabrics.

Genius Transformer Baby Gear: The Koo Transforms From Bassinet to Rocker

Any one who has ever lived with a newborn knows that the first few weeks of round-the-clock feedings are mind-numbingly exhausting for new parents. The Koo, a new transformer bassinet/rocking chair and late-night feeding system, hopes to make the new parent burden a little easier by smoothing out the edges on the late-night feeding routine, by providing everything a new mom (or dad) needs all in one convenient package. We spotted the Koo at the International Contemporary Furniture Fair this past week, and we could see all the moms in the vicinity fawning over this multitasking superhero of baby furniture.. Built by Lunar, the Koo is a bassinet that turns into a rocker and back again, a genius maneuver that not only eases baby’s transition from feeding to sleeping, but also minimizes both the product’s carbon footprint and its physical one.

Study Shows BPA Found in Most Canned Foods

A small study released on Tuesday found that 46 out of 50 cans tested had traces of Bisphenol A — more commonly referred to as BPA. BPA is an additive used to make shatter proof plastics, is a known endocrine disruptor and has been found in everything from baby bottles to SIGG canteens. With heightened concerns about young children and infants ingesting the chemical — endocrine disruptors can cause early puberty and developmental issues — and so many companies trading in BPA for safer plastics, why is it still in our canned food?

New Low Cost Transport Incubator Could Reduce Infant Deaths

In just one six-month period in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil in 2006, 96 newborn babies who were in need of medical care died before they could get help. In many developing nations, these deaths can be prevented simply by providing better ways for medical responders to transport infants properly over rough terrain and keep them alive until they can reach hospitals and clinics. Now, a group of Colorado State University seniors have designed and filed a patent for a medically equipped incubator backpack unit that they believe can reduce baby deaths in medical emergencies both in the United States and in newly industrialized nations.

5 Eco-Friendly Art Supplies for Green Kids

From the overpowering scent of markers to the unnatural chemical coloring of paints, mainstream kids art supplies don’t typically create a pretty picture for our health or that of the planet. The good news is, there are fabulous artistic alternatives including paints made from vegetable-based dyes and petrochemical-free soy crayons. If you’ve got a budding artist on your hands, here’s a list of our top five must-have eco-friendly art supplies.

Django Mango Organic & Fair Trade Knit Rattles

Django Mango founder Amanda Sharpe has taken baby fun to a whole new level with a collection of wonderful eco-friendly, handmade, custom knit baby rattles. All of these clever rattle characters are based on original designs, and each is made entirely from either 100% organic cotton yarn or 100% Fair Trade yarn. The eyes of the cute rattle creatures are made with pure cotton felt and each little toy is stuffed plump with fill made from recycled plastic bottles.