If your kids are anything like mine, their eyes shine every time they find a penny on the ground. As an adult with bills to pay, I sometimes forget what it was like to be a child, and how magical a found penny or earned quarter can be. No wonder kids love piggybanks so much! My daughter and I recently made this sweet pink bank to hold her precious pennies. It was easy and fun, and it’s made from recycled materials. With a couple of days and a few scrounged items, you can make one too!
OBAMA KIDS WILL FINALLY GET PUPPY: Americans elected the first mixed-race President on November 4, 2008. And those with hopes of a ‘greener’ America made a collective sigh of relief (remember “Drill baby, drill?”) But more importantly, the victory came with a promise that the President-elect’s kids would get a puppy for the White House. The only question… What to name it?
GREENING KIDS IS BIG! There were various lists, books and even mainstream media videos launched in 2008 that advocated for a greener child.
HaPe International is the maker of a great line of all natural bamboo games that were developed by designers, teachers, and technicians from over 15 different nations. I have personal experience with these games, and I can say with certainty that they make wonderful Christmas presents!
Sometimes we need a little reminder of how fortunate we all are. If you are reading this post and have enough money to buy your kids new toys this Christmas, now is a good time to consider your good fortune and count your blessings. In Lilongwe, Malawi, children have no toys to play with, so the crafty little buggers make their own toys from old milk cartoons, cigarette containers, cornhusks, and whatever other trash they can find lying around.
Here he comes! Here comes green racer! Recently featured in the ‘Pulse’ section of the Sunday NY Times were a collection of kids’ items that adhered to a particular theme: simplicity. Of the items featured, the Bamboo E-Racer caught my son’s eye with its sleek, somewhat natural design.
First, there was the PedoBIKE (a rustic and rugged simple machine), then came the Like-A-Bike (sleek and smooth, it features minimalist design), and now, taking the innovation even further is the Wishbone ‘pre’ Bike. Answering the call for cutting-edge, sustainable options for kids, the guys at Wishbone Design Studio put together a convertible trike/low rider/big runner that is manufactured using 60% post-consumer recycled plastic, sustainably managed woods, eco-friendly bonding agents and non-toxic paints.
It’s no secret that here at Inhabitots we adore our owls. If you have a penchant for owls too, or simply want to give a big hoot by keeping it ‘green’ this holiday season, then this post is just for you - chock full of beautiful, kid-friendly, eco-owl paraphernalia, perfect for gift giving.
Inhabitat has written a lot about the One Laptop Per Child Project over the past few years, and now we’re excited to see the OLPC back and better than ever in cahoots with Amazon.com. Big box retailers are generally seen as the scourge of the Earth by environmentally minded folk. Their carbon menace ranks high, (right up there with SUV manufacturing and coal mining), yet sometimes there’s a tiny heart hidden in that tough, boxy, cardboard exterior, and Amazon’s XO program is one such example.
Move over boring teddy bears and bunnies! There’s a unique new eco-friendly plush toy on the block and its the cutest thing ever. Say hello to the Felted Sting Ray, a hand-crafted critter that is sure to delight the little ones in your life. With a face on both the top and bottom, this 100% wool critter is double the fun, and is sure to be your tot’s favorite new plush friend.
Here’s a gift to bestow on a child this holiday season that will last him a lifetime: the knowledge of how to live sustainably. The Idbids Eco-Friendly Starter Kit is filled with fun tools which teach children to be environmentally aware, and ten doable “iddy biddy” steps he can take to keep the planet green. Led by a 100% organic Egyptian cotton plush toy bursting at the seams with personality: a cloud named Scout, a flower named Lola, or a water drop named Waverly, playtime meets getting down to business making the world a better place with this award winning kit.
After writing about parents converting to frugality by purchasing used items in the wake of the poor economy, various other money saving concepts have come to light. K-Mart and Sears have been promoting their revived layaway services this season, as a means for shoppers to escape the evils of credit card debt (there is no premium or interest on layaway items), and I’ve recently come across the novel website, rentAtoy, which encourages parents to say “bye-bye” to buying, and stack rented toys under the Christmas tree instead.
Toy cars and trucks are wildly popular gifts during the holiday season. Kids love to push and power vehicles and “Vrrooom!” the day away with play wheels; and we’ve found a line of earth-friendly, adventurous cars and eco-trucks from Sprig Toys that will get kids’ motors running. We’re racing to get Sprig cars and trucks because they are battery free and kid-powered, via pushes and pumps to create lights and sounds. They’re made out of recycled wood and reclaimed plastic, and they’re paint free and presented in minimal packaging. They’ve got us all revved up!
It’s the children in our lives who will inherit this planet from us, and as grownups, its our duty to keep it clean and green for their future. Kids naturally gravitate towards environmental stewardship, so encourage their ecological leanings this holiday season with these cute, fun, green gifts this year.
Brian Driscoll’s pull toys are sweetly handmade, eco-friendly gifts for babies and tots. Artist Brian Driscoll lovingly crafts each of his toys with select native woods of Ash, Cherry, Aspen, and Maple. These 100% lead-free toys have rounded edges that are sanded to a baby-safe smooth finish, and topped off with non-toxic mineral oil. Driscoll views his toys as “small sculptures,” and he hopes to instill an appreciation of art in children as they enjoy his creations.
The holidays are all about ‘Home Sweet Home,’ and what better way to sweeten your abode than with a gingerbread house? Here at Inhabitots, we put a ‘green’ spin on all things typical, and we’re commissioning the second “R” in “Reduce, Reuse, Recycle,” by welcoming the Gingerbread House by Twinkle Kids into our homes this season.
I know what girls like, I know what girls want. They want a dollhouse, and a couture blouse. They want some leggings, they’ll grow some Egglings. They want a princess, sans frilly excess. I know what girls want… girls want… girls want ‘green’.
Hip-hop and heroes and things that are furry. Bikes that go zoom, long-sleeved shirts free from worry. A wacky science show that’s inspiring. These are a few of boys’ favorite things:
Earthentree toys are stunning, natural, exquisitely beautiful toys with a colorful backstory. Earthentree is based in Kirkland, Washington, however, each toy is handmade by an artisan in a community in South India. Deepti Shanker, the owner of Earthentree, was raised in this same artisan community of Channapatna, India, to which she now maintains close ties via her business. Earthentree toy-making techniques are over two centuries old, and oftentimes artisans have learned and inherited their skills as they were passed down by previous generations of family toy-makers.
In the spirit of Thanksgiving, and counting the earth among our greatest blessings, why not teach your kids about recycling and preserving the planet to celebrate gratitude? Tailor the following ideas to your family’s preferences to help your children make some very cute, completely recycled thank you cards and place cards that your family and friends will love!
One of the most important lessons a parent can teach a child is the gift of gratitude. Our children typically learn lessons about thankfulness by watching us; but it never hurts to employ a hands-on technique that makes learning this incredibly important virtue a great deal of fun! Bond with your kids by creating these recycled gratitude journals out of everyday items you probably have around your house.
Wondering what do you with your old stroller once your kid grows out of it? Kid Kustoms extends the life of the typical stroller with an ingenious design to convert a stroller into a tricycle for a growing little one. Kid Kustoms has been making racy, auto-inspired strollers for the hot to trot, and most recently added a tricycle conversion kit to their fabulous line. Using many of the same parts as their original stroller, a classic Roddler stroller can now convert into a low-riding tricycle for added years of fun after your baby has grown into a rambunctious tot. Reward your kid for walking by giving them the coolest set of wheels to roll around town. With no need to put the old pram in storage, you’ll be saving space, material and money.
We all know from The Velveteen Rabbit and Toy Story, that the second we leave the room, toys come to life. Swinging from table lamps, sliding down rocking chairs, and jumping on the bed, toys never quit when it comes to showing their playful side. Lana Organic stuffed animals are wholesome creatures with animation woven through every eco fiber of their being. One need not turn their back on these 100% organic cotton toys for them to energize a child’s room with liveliness.
In Japanese animation, the bigger the eyes, the cuter the character. But in the hands of Dutch designer Rogier van Zijp, characters can be just as cute even if you don’t see their eyes at all. Cheekeyes, van Zijp’s latest creation, is a collection of handmade animal characters. With their closed eyes and blushing cheeks, each character seems to be experiencing a moment of deep, delightful thought. Whether those thoughts are blissful nirvana, (see Mr. Hippopotamus above) or a little bit cheeky, (see Ms. Triceratops below), Mr. van Zijp never lets on.
What’s black and yellow and green all over? Why the hand-pump penguin flashlight of course! We recently spotted this adorable eco-friendly flashlight on Babygadget, and we were super excited to read about its environmentally sustainable elements. In addition to being extremely cute, this hand-pump penguin light is batteryless, which means it will keep toxic disposable batteries out of landfills. The versatile light can function as both a nightlight (standing up), and flashlight (when held in the hand), and is charged by repeatedly squeezing the penguin’s wing. One minute’s pumping will produce hours of light.
Every tot deserves to have a furry friend as a cuddly toy, but what to do when fluffy pals made of synthetic fibers begin to populate a playroom intended as a non-toxic, safe zone? Add to this, the fact that endangered species are on the verge of extinction every day, and it is no surprise that both the planet and kids’ imaginations are in peril. Xeko Pals plush toys are the safe alternative to the usual stuffed animal menagerie, as their eco-friendly materials and conservation-minded agenda provide a greener outlook on interactive and engaged play.
Once thought of as a case strictly for charity, reusing clothing items has become an integral and environmentally savvy facet of green parenting. Now that Goodwill clothing is ‘hip’ (the D.C. stores have a Goodwill Fashionista on their payroll), and we are witnessing the advent of the ‘frugal teen’, can a shift in thinking among parents who once turned up their noses at the idea of hand-me-down or gently-used options for children be too far behind?
The eco-friendly WoodPecker Walker from Plan Toys carved a niche in my heart with its precious features, and quickly became our baby’s favorite companion. Crafted entirely of sustainable wood, this walker is as beautiful as it is functional. Two playful little woodpeckers perched at the front cheerfully peck away, making a charming clacking sound as the walker is pushed. The sound they make is lively and frolicsome, encouraging babies to ‘walk on’ down the path to a green lifestyle.
It’s one thing to have your little ones master new vocabulary with ABC’s and budding language skills, but what about encouraging the weirder (aka more fun) side of science mastery? Enter Young Mad Scientist’s First Alphabet Blocks by Xylocopa, featured at this year’s Maker Faire in Austin, TX. These laser-carved cubes of A-B-C alchemy, are just the sort of thing that will get your tot primed for creative storytelling, spelling bee championships, and mad science for engaged young minds.
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toy car made from an old milk carton
