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.

Petit Collage’s screenprint posters provide eco-friendly decor for your kid’s room that also serves as a stylish lesson in learning their ABC’s and animals. The lively Animal Alphabet shown above, is a three color screenprint which is hand-pulled and printed on uncoated, 100% post-consumer recycled paper. In the case of Petit Collage, “M” is for “must have” this hip artwork.

How cute are these gigantic Gummi Bear LED Lamps? By day these oversized JELLIO rubber Gummi Bears make great room decor for your tot, and in the evening, they do double-duty as nightlights when illuminated by the LED lights in their butts!

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.

Here’s something I never thought I’d be writing about on Inhabitots…..I just spotted my favorite brand of pain reliever bashing babywearing in a totally thoughtless and tone-deaf commercial for Motrin. See the commercial here >

Last Economy’s Trash = This Economy’s Treasure

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?

Soaking socks plus chilly ankles do not equal a fun time. Especially when those wet feet belong to a pint-sized, snowbound adventurer. Patagonia, a company with unquestionable environmental ethics, offers boots for kids that serve to snuggly wrap eco-friendly feet in sustainable materials that stay warm even in freezing temperatures.

Here’s a bird’s eye view into Little Lark, a company featuring adorable one-of-a-kind, eco-modern clothing for kids, and boasting environmentally conscious practices as well. At Inhabitots, we are birds of a feather who flock together with folks we believe are doing their part to create sustainable, compelling wares which both decorate and preserve our planet. Little Lark, based in Portland, Oregon, has us singing their praises for their beautifully designed, environmentally thoughtful kids clothing.

Petit Collage wall art is a refreshing departure from typical child’s room decor. Original concepts and limited edition availability elevate these adorable pieces high above wallflower status. Petit Collage’s pleasing array of eco-minded art pieces will enliven your tot’s surroundings with whimsical flairs of nature. We love their handmade wooden collages created from vintage and painted papers, and the cute Pink Monkey seen below is one of our favorites.