Image: Cassarokids

Disclosure: Some of the links below are affiliated; we may earn a small commission if you click through and make a purchase. This post is also sponsored in part by Playper & Soppycid. We only ever add brands & products we truly believe in. Thank you for supporting the brands who are making the world a better place!

where to find eco-friendly & sustainable toys for kids

Looking for eco-friendly toys that are both fun and sustainable? Look no further! In this article, we will unveil the top 13 eco-friendly toy brands for kids that will not only entertain but also promote a greener and healthier future. With environmental consciousness on the rise, parents are increasingly seeking toys made from sustainable materials, non-toxic & lasting. Our carefully curated list includes toys that tick all these boxes, ensuring your little ones can play without harming the planet. We have something for every age group and interest, from wooden puzzles to organic plush toys. These toys are safe for children and inspire their imagination, creativity, and love for nature. So, join us as we explore the world of eco-friendly toys and discover the best options that are kind to both children and the environment. Let's play responsibly and create a brighter future for our kids, one toy at a time!

While shopping secondhand is one of the best ways to get sustainable toys for kids, there are a few brands that are super planet-friendly and make amazing toys for babies, toddlers & kids!

Of course, we always recommend shopping at local stores, too, if you have them. It’s wonderful to keep small businesses thriving, especially when there is so much competition within the toy market.

What we Look for In a Sustainable, Eco-Friendly Toy

As many of you know, the majority of toys you find today are made with plastic and often of poor quality, making it hard to pass down to other children. When we add brands to this post, we ensure they use conscious materials that withstand many years of play. We also look at the brand as a whole to see other ways they implement sustainability - from their workers to their packaging and more.

Our Favorite Non-Toxic, Sustainable & Eco-Friendly Toy Brands:

1. Playper

Adventure awaits your kids ages 3 and up! Kids build, play, and unleash their imaginations in the Curious Kingdom, Playper’s new plastic-free playsets. Parents love the quality and velvety feel of the toys, and kids love the story-driven characters. Kids can enjoy a castle playset, a gnome catapult (it really works!), a dragon trainer set, and Story Starters, which invites kids to make up their own fun stories and silly tales. All the toys in the Curious Kingdom line come with tons of imaginative playtime and stories!

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2. Reusable Water Balloons

If you have children, I'm sure they have begged you for water balloons at some point.

My son loves throwing water balloons, but I can not stand how wasteful they are.

When I came across these Reusable Water Balloons from Soppycid, I thought, 'What an amazing alternative!'.

Soppycid is the inventor of Self-Sealing Reusable Water Balloons - the first reusable water balloons in the world that can be used over 1000 times.

It is the only reusable water balloon brand approved by CPSC-Accepted Testing Laboratories: SGS, UL, and TÜV Rheinland.

They are made of gentle silicone so that you can ensure safe play for children without any harm.

The mess-free water balloons are easy to use; just sink them in water, filling them up in 1 second!

Play it anywhere anytime, even with no taps. Find them in 4, 8, 12 or 16 pieces - and a pretty glitter option!

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3. Lovevery

Lovevery is probably most famous for its baby play mat, which features activities and colors for a baby’s development in the first 12 months. However, they also have these fantastic play kits you can have delivered to your door every two months as your child grows. Every piece of wood that comes with The Play Kits is sourced from FSC-compliant sustainable sources, using soft, natural, 100% organic cotton. They also ship carbon neutral through projects that offset any carbon they emit while shipping.

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4. PlanToys

This lovely toy brand prides its business model on three pillars: Sustainable Materials, Sustainable Manufacturing, and Sustainable Mind.

PlanToys uses rubber trees and sawdust called “PlanWood,” made from surplus sawdust and wood chips from production reformed using a thermal process. They finish their products with a chemical-free kiln-drying process to ensure they last for years.

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5. Cleanable Splash Bath Toys

This is another excellent alternative from Soppycid to a problem we encountered in our home.

My son was gifted some splash toys, and I quickly realized there was no way I could truly clean the inside. I had heard of children getting infections because of mold within these popular bath toys and decided to throw all of them out because I could never be sure they were clean.

With these Soppycid bath toys, you can pull them apart and give them a genuine clean.

No more worrying about what is happening inside of your bath toys! Kids love splash toys in the tub, and these are so fun. 

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6. Clixo

For those who like to be more creative, Clixo is an innovative tool for kids to click and construct 3D creations from flexible 2D shapes and powerful magnets. The possibilities are endless for what you can create! Each piece is made from recyclable materials that are non-toxic and kid-safe. Plus, their packaging is recyclable, compostable, and made of bamboo pulp and kraft paper.

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7. Cassarokids

We're sure you have seen this brand grace your Instagram and beautiful nursery photos on Pinterest. These play sets are made to last and created using sustainably-sourced wood from the forests of New Zealand. The beech and birch trees are cut carefully to preserve the ecosystem, and a new one is planted for every tree cut. Plus, they use only recycled cardboard and paper during shipping making their products plastic-free.

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8. Micro Kickboard

Micro Kickboard is well-known for their kid scooters and fun helmets, but recently they released an ECO scooter made from recycled, discarded fishnets. The Mini Deluxe is $90 and is for 2-5-year-olds, and the Maxi Deluxe is $140 and is for ages 5-12. They both come with a gold standard 2-year manufacturer's warranty. Truly an excellent buy, and your children will spend years using them!

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9. eco-kids

A family-based business from Portland, Maine, eco-kids started with one product - an eco-dough Cammie’s (the owner) mother used to make when she was little. They expanded on this product and created several different non-toxic arts and crafts supplies. The ingredients used are safe for children and made from things like non-GMO flour, vitamin E, and essential oils. They are some of the best kid’s art supplies around!

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10. Green Toys

This is one of our favorite sustainable toy brands for kids! Every Green Toys design is made from 100% recycled plastic, primarily from milk jugs. Everything is manufactured here in the USA, and the milk jugs are collected, cleaned, and reprocessed into raw recycled plastic before being mixed with food-safe, mineral-based color dyes. They have many different toys, but their bathtime ones are always a big hit!

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11. Le Toy Van

Another wonderful wooden toy brand, Le Toy Van is a small but big-hearted family company. They have been making wooden toys since 1995, and all are ethically made with sustainable materials.

They use and replant a by-product of the rubber industry, Rubberwood, which they, along with other woods, recycle into eco-friendly, high-quality toys. Many seem to LOVE Le Toy Van & they have won numerous awards.

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12. Tegu

The blocks are all specially designed to work together, and it’s amazing what you can build with them.

Tegu toys - all responsibly-made in Honduras - are known to help support childhood development from fine motor skills to story telling.

They make toys for babies to kids over 8, and you can find them at your local Target!

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13. Cuddle & Kind

1 Doll = 10 Meals

The owners of cuddle+kind wanted to create a sustainable stream of giving that wouldn’t rely on donations. Since September 2015, the sales of their adorable little dolls have helped provide over 13 million meals to children in need! Every cuddle+kind doll is handmade, stitch by stitch, with much love in Peru. They are hand-knit, hand-loomed, embroidered & crocheted by traditional artisans.

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WANT MORE SUSTAINABLE BRANDS? VISIT OUR BRAND DIRECTORY!

Our Brand Directory is home to hundreds of sustainable brands, from makeup to cleaning supplies, from underwear to shoes. We have broken everything down by category for easy shopping, along with discount codes unique to Sustainably Chic viewers.

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Disclosure: Some of the links below are affiliated; we may earn a small commission if you click through and make a purchase. We only ever add brands & products we truly believe in. Thank you for supporting the brands who are making the world a better place!

sustainable & eco-friendly school supplies and back-to-school tips

Whether you are a college student or have kids that are in school, back-to-school shopping can be exciting. But it can also become stressful and overwhelming when you don’t know where to start and what items to buy. Stores have such a large selection for anything and everything we or our kids might need! 

It can be even more complicated to purchase school supplies if you’re trying to do it more sustainably. Yet, it is so important! Back-to-school shopping can be very wasteful if we over-consume and buy things that aren’t safe for the environment, nor our kids’ health. 

Whether you are homeschooling or sending your kids back to school, you have the power to make more sustainable choices while shopping for school supplies. 

This guide will help you make better buying decisions and choose more eco-friendly products. It will give you tips and tricks to have a successful and sustainable back-to-school season! 

3 simple steps for a sustainable back-to-school 

While shopping for school supplies, do your own research to make sure you are buying eco-friendly products, in a sustainable way. Ask yourself: What school supplies do my children really need? What do we already have? How can I buy them more sustainably? What products are more eco-friendly?

1) Reuse school supplies from last year

The most sustainable thing you can do for the back-to-school season is reusing all the school supplies you already have at home from last year. From pens and pencils, to backpacks and pencil cases, your kids probably didn’t use up everything you bought for them last year. 

Reusing what you already have ensures that those old supplies won’t go to waste, and you won’t need to buy as many things as you think you need. In short, you will save a lot of waste and money! 

When we buy school supplies, like pens or pencils, they often come in a pack of 10 or more, which is plenty to last a school year. So check if you still have supplies and backpacks left from last year! You could also go through half-used notebooks, remove used pages, and there you have a “new” notebook for this year! 

I always keep a bin at home where I store all my extra stationery and office supplies. That way, when I need a new pen or notebook, I first check in the box before heading to the store. 

2) Get your school supplies second-hand

If your kids used up some of their school supplies, you could look for new supplies second-hand. Look online on Facebook Marketplace if someone is selling their stationery and office supplies in your area. Buy Nothing groups are another amazing resource where parents might be giving away backpacks, school essentials and kids’ clothing for free.

Or ask around to see if your friends and family have any office and school supplies that they do not need anymore. People usually accumulate so many office supplies, and they would probably happily let your kids have them! 

3) Buy more sustainable options

It’s difficult to be 100% sustainable when it comes to buying school supplies. But some are definitely a lot better than others, so try to opt for the most sustainable options and support eco-friendly brands. 

For instance, look for products made from more natural materials. Some eco-friendly materials for school supplies are metal, wood, or recycled plastic. In general, try to avoid things made from virgin plastic, and reusable options should be your go-to. 

Do not forget that quality is very important! Poor-quality supplies break easily, and you will need to repurchase them more regularly. It is especially true when it comes to backpacks! Cheaply-made backpacks won’t last more than a year, so get a high-quality and timeless backpack that your kids will be able to wear for years to come. 

Last but not least, don’t overbuy school supplies. Try not to buy supplies that your children won’t need, or supplies in too large quantities. Remember that if your children need something during the year and you don’t have any more of it in your home, you will easily find it at the store or online. 

Sustainable school supplies and other essentials:

1) Backpacks

When looking for new backpacks, consider investing in high-quality ones that your kids will be able to wear for several school years. Make sure that your children truly love their new backpacks, so that they’ll be more likely to take care of them and want to use them for a long time. 

There are so many great sustainable brands making eco-friendly backpacks! If your children are in middle or high school, or if you’re a college student and looking for a bookbag, here are some suggestions for you: 

• Gala backpack from Allégorie: This backpack is made from apple peels and other plant-based materials. It is so cool! It’s available in pink and black, and has many interior and exterior pockets, including a laptop sleeve. We have an entire blog post about this awesome brand on Sustainably Chic, so go check it out!

• Refugio backpack from Patagonia: It is the perfect backpack for everyday activities, including school! Made from recycled nylon and recycled polyester, it features two main compartments and an external stash pocket. 

 If your children are younger, have a look at the following backpacks. Besides being eco-friendly, they’re all super cute! 

• Zem Mini backpack from Terra Thread: Available in multiple colors, this backpack is  made from organic cotton and entirely carbon neutral. Each purchase helps support Feeding America, which donates meals to kids and families in need. The brand is also a B Corporation!

• Brick Wall Heritage backpack from LEGO Bags: Made using recycled polyester, buying this backpack means that you are diverting 13 plastic bottles from landfills. It is functional and has ergonomically padded shoulder straps for extra comfort. 

• Joyride Roll Top backpack from Green Guru: This colorful backpack is made using upcycled nylon fabric and street signs scraps. It is handmade in the USA by a B Corporation. 

This selection of backpacks should help you choose more sustainable and ethical options for your kids (or yourself). The great thing is that all of them are also great for everyday wear and short trips! 

2) School supplies

You can probably find more sustainable school supplies at your local store. There are more and more options available for people who want to reduce their environmental impact! 

However, if you want to have a larger selection of eco-friendly supplies, Earth Hero is the perfect website for you! Earth Hero is an ethical and sustainable online marketplace where you can find everything from clothing and home goods, to tech and office supplies. It is like a green Amazon! All the products available on Earth Hero are sustainable, and you have a huge quantity of products to choose from!

On Sustainable Chic, we already have an entire blog post about eco-friendly office supplies from EarthHero. But here are some additional sustainable supplies that will be perfect for back-to-school! 

• Pencil Cases: Pencil cases are often made using synthetic materials, which is not ideal in terms of sustainability. Terra Thread has a great pencil case made in a Fair Trade certified factory from 100% GOTS-certified organic cotton. The style is timeless, so your kids will be able to use it for years. Plus, Terra Thread is carbon-neutral and a certified B Corporation! 

• Pencils: If you’re looking for pencils, these plantable graphite pencils are for you! They’re made from FSC-certified wood with a natural clay and graphite core, and it has a biodegradable stub end that contains seeds. That way, once your kids are done with them, you can plant them and grow a plant! 

• Pens: There are many eco-friendly options for pens! You could choose a plant-based pen, like this retractable pen made from wheat straw, or a recycled plastic pen. Even better, consider buying a refillable pen, because you will only need to dispose of the ink cartridge instead of the whole pen. I recommend looking through these bamboo ones, or get your kids a classic fountain pen. 

• Notebooks: Year after year, your kids probably use tons of notebooks, so it’s crucial to buy greener ones! Those made from recycled paper or hemp paper are great! Earth Hero sells a notebook with sugarcane paper, which is made from leftover sugarcane pulp. How cool is that?! It requires no bleach, and less energy and water to produce it compared to regular paper. We also have this dedicated guide to sustainable notebooks and planners to check out here.

• Glue: It is so important to get a more sustainable glue for your kids! Conventional glue is bad for their health and the environment, and who knows exactly what is in them? That’s why you should consider getting plant-based glues for your children. This one has non-toxic ingredients, utilizing plants instead of harmful chemicals!

• Art Supplies: These colored pencils made from recycled newspapers will be perfect for your children’s art classes! Also, do not forget to get them these natural watercolor paints: they’re non-toxic and come in a metal tin with a wood paintbrush. For younger kids, I recommend these crayons made from responsibly sourced beeswax using food-grade pigments. They’re easy to hold, ideal for smaller hands! 

• Rulers & Math Tools: Buying a ruler and triangle made from recycled plastic can be a great option for you. My personal favorites are wooden ones; I find that they’re a lot more durable! Earth Hero sells an awesome math set with a ruler, a triangle and a protractor, all made of bamboo. It also includes a metal compass, a wooden pencil sharpener and a non-toxic eraser. 

• A Few Other Essentials: I love that Earth Hero sells so many recycled products! Their eraser is made from recycled rubber to minimize virgin resource extraction. Your kids may also need these recycled plastic scissors, or these highlighters made from recycled water bottles. You can find so many other school supplies on the website, so have a look to get exactly what your children need! 

3) To-go lunch

If you are preparing to-go lunches for your kids to eat at school, you can make small, yet powerful, changes to make things more sustainable. You can easily avoid single-use plastic, swap all the disposable products your kids are using, and replace them with reusable options. 

My favorite swap, and probably the one that will make you save the most money, is to invest in a stainless steel water bottle for your children. Drinking out of a plastic bottle isn’t healthy, is expensive in the long run, and creates a lot of unnecessary waste. 

Another unhealthy item is plastic to-go containers. If your kids eat their lunch from plastic Tupperware, they risk ingesting harmful and toxic chemicals. Plus, plastic containers can break easily! That’s why I recommend that you get your children stainless steel to-go containers. They’re sturdy and 100% safe. 

Beeswax wraps and silicone bags are other practical swaps to pack sandwiches or snacks. Instead of disposable cutlery, your children could take utensils from home. But if you prefer them to have lighter options, reusable bamboo cutlery is great too! 

Do not forget to give them a few cloth napkins, because those always come in handy while eating. And if your kids need a new lunch bag, this one is made from GOTS-certified organic cotton and is a great addition for them to have a plastic-free lunch. 

A final way you can make your kids’ lunches more sustainable is to cook them homemade meals with local and organic food, if that’s possible for you. 

4) Clothing

Whether you are a student yourself or have kids going back to school soon, you may need to buy a few new clothing pieces for back-to-school. It is especially true if you have younger kids, because they can grow so much in just a few months! It means that last year’s clothing might not fit them anymore, and you need to supplement with extra clothes.

When buying new clothing, opt for natural materials over synthetics. Natural fabrics are breathable and do not shed microplastics when they’re being washed. Also, try to invest in high-quality pieces so that they do not wear out so quickly. 

You could look if you can find clothing second-hand. But if you can’t find what your kids need, consider buying from sustainable brands, like Pact, Ten Little or Mightly. On Sustainably Chic, we have various articles to help you with that! Check this blog post about the best sustainable kids clothing brands! We’ve also recently published a post for Sustainable Tween Fashion, and here is a post of Affordable Sustainable Fashion Brands your teens may like.

Other essentials

Back-to-school season means that you may need to buy books for your kids (or yourself, if you’re a student). The best way to shop for books is second-hand! You’ll save tons of money, and save trees at the same time! 

You can look on websites like eBay, go to a second-hand store, or borrow them from the library. If you’re a student, textbooks are often expensive, so buying them from older students is a great option. 

If you’re homeschooling your kids or studying from home, you will probably also need a computer. If you don’t have any yet, consider getting a refurbished one. Tech is so bad for the environment, so buying it used is the best thing you can do! Try to do the same with calculators and other school gadgets. 

Final thoughts

Back-to-school shopping doesn’t have to be complicated, even if you’re trying to do it sustainably. So many eco-friendly supplies are available to us; we just need to make better choices!

Reuse school supplies from the previous year, and once you’ve made an inventory, you will know exactly what supplies you’ll need to buy. Second-hand is always the best option, but you cannot go wrong buying sustainably-made products or items from sustainable brands! 

Make sure to avoid overconsuming, and you’ll be ready for a successful and sustainable back-to-school!

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Meet the Contributor:

Eva Astoul is a French freelance writer, specializing in content related to sustainability, simple living, and a growth-focused healthy lifestyle. She runs her own blog, Green With Less, to inspire people to live a more minimalist and sustainable life.

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Pictured: Bumbleride

Disclosure: Some of the links below are affiliated; we may earn a small commission if you click through and make a purchase. We only ever add brands & products we truly believe in. Thank you for supporting the brands who are making the world a better place!

Sustainable & Eco-Friendly Strollers

When you become a new parent, there are many things that you suddenly need to buy for your new life with your little one. A good baby stroller is one of the most essential items all parents need to be able to go outside with their baby. 

But finding the right one can be overwhelming when we look at how many there are on the market. The stroller needs to be suitable for your lifestyle and how little your baby is. 

You also need to make sure it is non-toxic and in compliance with all safety standards. And if you are environmentally conscious, you probably want your stroller to be well-made and sustainable. 

One thing is certain: finding a stroller that ticks all the boxes can be complicated! To help you find the perfect stroller for your little one, we have selected seven brands that make high-quality, sustainable baby strollers. 

WHAT MAKES A BABY STROLLER SUSTAINABLE?

A sustainable stroller is a high-quality one that lasts for years without breaking. You should be able to use it from the moment your baby is born until he no longer needs it, and potentially for other kids as well. This means that it should be able to adjust and grow with your child so that you do not need to buy another stroller later.    

It is also better to choose a stroller that suits your needs and lifestyle, one that can be used in a variety of ways, so that, again, you won’t need to buy another one down the line because the previous one is not practical enough. 

Of course, an eco-friendly stroller needs to comply with safety standards, but it is also non-toxic (to your baby’s health and the environment). 

It should be free of harmful chemicals, like BPA, PVC, phthalates or fire retardants, which are all very toxic to human health. A sustainable stroller should also have a PFAS-free and PFC-free water-repellent. 

The GREENGUARD Gold and the OEKO-TEX Standard 100 certifications both ensure that the products are free of hazardous substances, so try to find strollers with those certifications. 

WHAT ECO-FRIENDLY MATERIALS SHOULD YOU SEARCH FOR? 

Many sustainable strollers’ fabric is made using recycled plastic, which is great because it diverts plastic from landfills. Tencel or GOTS-certified organic cotton are other green options you can find on the market. 

Frames can be made of recycled plastic as well, but aluminum is another eco-friendly alternative since it is infinitely recyclable at the end of its life. Some sustainable brands also use cork or wood in certain parts of their strollers. 

NOW, OUR TOP PICKS FOR HIGH-QUALITY, SUSTAINABLE BABY STROLLERS:

1) Bumbleride

Price: $619-839

Bumbleride is an American company that has been selling eco-friendly strollers and car seats since 2004. The brand has different types of baby strollers, from classic to twin, to jogging strollers. They can be used with your newborn from day one, and they convert into infant mode with only a few snaps and no attachments. Bumbleride fabrics are made using 100% recycled water bottles: so far, the company has upcycled over one million bottles into new fabrics since 2011.

All the fabrics are OEKO-TEX certified, meaning that they are free of harmful chemicals, and they do not contain PVC, flame retardants, BPA or phthalates. 

25% of the plastic frame components are sourced from recycled fishing nets that have been recovered from the local oceans near the Bumbleride factory in Taiwan. Bumbleride’s Era reversible stroller also features an adjustable, non-toxic handlebar made of cork. 

The brand uses a durable water repellent that is PFAS-free, and it dyes its black fabrics using an innovative dyeing process that helps conserve 25 to 40 gallons of water per stroller. 

If you are looking for some stroller accessories, Bumbleride has great ones all made of GOTS-certified organic cotton, which is a gentler option for sensitive skins and offers extra support and cushion for your baby. 

Bumbleride also launched reRide, where the brand resells its returned products at a discounted price. A great initiative for your wallet and the planet!

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2) Bombi

Price: $200

Bombi makes beautiful, sustainable strollers (and matching gear) that are affordable, compact and lightweight. The brand has a unique model, the Bēbee lightweight stroller, available in four different colors, & it can be used from six months up to around 50 lbs. It has one of the fastest folds on the market: the stroller folds itself in an instant, even when you have your hands full!

Soft and durable, Bombi fabrics are made from at least 56 recycled plastic bottles, while the frame is made using aircraft-grade aluminum. The brand’s manufacturing partner received the Global Recycled Standard certification, and in 2021, Bombi upcycled over 20,000 plastic bottles into new fabrics!

The Bēbee stroller is designed to make your life easier: it has a quiet magnetic peek-a-boo window that allows you to check on your baby while on the go. It also comes with a large storage basket with a hidden pocket, a cup holder, and a travel bag that can be carried over the shoulder or on your back.

Bombi’s stroller features a zip-out extension to provide extra shade and UV protection to protect your little one from harmful sun rays. The brand also sells a matching rain cover and mosquito net, all made from recycled plastic.

Bombi donates 1% of sales to 1% For The Planet, and it has eliminated all single-use plastics from its packaging!

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3) Stokke

Price: $999-1,999

Created in 1932, Stokke is a Norwegian brand that is recognized worldwide for designing baby gear and accessories, combining superior quality and functionality.

The company makes a comfortable and easy-to-use stroller, the Stokke Xplory X, that can be used from six months up to four years old or 48.5 lbs, and for newborns with a carrycot or car seat (available separately).

The Xplory was the first stroller on the market with higher, parent-facing seating.

Its unique height adjustability is designed to bring parents closer to their baby, allowing them to make eye contact and connect at all times.

With its durable materials and timeless design allowing the stroller to grow with your child, Stokke’s stroller is made to be used for years. The brand is committed to craftsmanship and sustainability, and only uses the highest quality materials available. It is also a member of the Ethical Trading Initiative Norway.

Made in the Netherlands, the stroller is effortless to maneuver thanks to its swivel wheels, and it features three seat recline angles and both parent- and forward-facing positions. It also comes with a large detachable bag in which you can carry all your baby essentials.

Stokke fabrics offer UPF 50+ sun protection, and the Xplory’s water repellent is made using a fluorine-free recipe (PFC-free), making it a safer material for your baby.

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4) Bugaboo

Price: $749-1,859

Bugaboo is a Dutch brand that sells a variety of strollers, car seats and play yards, as well as their matching accessories. The company produces full-size baby strollers, ideal for everyday use, but also a more compact model for traveling, and side by side double strollers for big families.

They can be used from birth up to four years old.

Committed to sourcing its materials responsibly, Bugaboo chooses the highest quality materials to make products that will stand the test of time.

Its strollers are tested for their safety well beyond industry standards.

The brand’s full-size strollers have large, all-terrain wheels with advanced suspension to ensure a smooth ride, and they are designed to be highly maneuverable and ergonomic. They are lightweight and all the fabrics are soft to the touch.

Bugaboo strollers also feature seats that can be reversed to face the parent and practical peek-a-boo windows in the canopy.

You can also choose between several kinds of double strollers, from strollers for siblings of different ages to strollers that are best suitable for twins, to strollers with extra storage.

The different parts of the strollers are easily replaceable as you can find them individually on Bugaboo’s website in case you need them.

The company conducts regular audits at its production facility to make sure workers are treated fairly and safely, and it received the ISO9001, ISO14001 and SA8000 certifications.

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5) Joolz

Price: $449-1,099

Joolz creates ergonomic, high-quality and stylish strollers that are very easy to maneuver and fold. It also sells a variety of stroller accessories to provide even more comfort when you’re out and about.

The brand has different models of strollers, each with unique features to fit around your baby’s needs. They are all made using recycled PET bottles, which are upcycled and crafted into premium quality fabrics.

A rain cover is included with all Joolz’s strollers in case of unexpected rain showers. While they are all foldable, some are so compact that you can even carry them over your shoulder thanks to a strap!

The Day+ and Hub+ models feature integrated LED lights as an additional safety feature and to improve your visibility if you are out in the evening or the night. And if you already have or plan on having another baby, the Geo² is the ideal model for you: adaptable for a second child, you can add a second bassinet or seat to it.

Joolz offers a lifetime warranty and plants a tree in its Birth Forest in Colombia for every stroller sold. I also love that the strollers’ packaging is reusable and can be converted into a birdhouse, a lamp, a plane or a reindeer!

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6) Nuna

Price: $350-1,250

Nuna is a sustainable brand creating all types of baby gear, from strollers to car seats, to cribs and high chairs.

It has multiple strollers to choose from, including double strollers, and each one features unique characteristics to make your outdoor adventures easier.

Nuna strollers are versatile and functional, and they fold very easily. Some even fold themselves in an instant!

They have large baskets, in which you can store all your baby essentials, and their canopy is UPF 50+. The seats are adaptable to all seasons, keeping your baby cool in the summer and cozy in the winter.

The brand uses eco-friendly materials to produce its strollers (and other products). For instance, its TRIV stroller is made using a Tencel blend, which makes the fabric very soft, breathable and able to adapt to temperature fluctuations. Nuna also uses organic cotton in some of its products, and those are OEKO-TEX certified.

Almost all the brand’s strollers received the GREENGUARD Gold certification. It means that they have been tested for thousands of chemicals, and they comply with some of the most stringent emissions standards. So Nuna strollers are safe for your baby!

The company has also been awarded 320 awards so far, and is a partner of the United Nations Institute for Training and Research to promote child road safety education around the globe!

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7) Greentom

*no longer shipping to US :( but a great option if you live in Europe!

Price: $376-800

Greentom is a Dutch brand that creates the “greenest stroller on Planet Earth”. It has three different models: a carrycot for newborns, a reversible stroller for babies between six months to 2.5 years, and a classic one suitable from 6 months up to four years. If you want to have the same stroller from birth to preschool, Greentom has you covered with its 3 in 1 stroller that can grow with your baby!

All Greentom frames come with a lifetime warranty, and both the frames and the fabric parts are entirely made using high-quality, non-toxic recycled plastic. By doing so, the company has already turned about 2.7 million PET bottles into new products since 2014!

For instance, the Greentom Classic stroller is made with 74 recycled plastic bottles. How cool is that?! The carrycot mattress is made of organic cotton, organic wool and organic flax.

In addition to being eco-friendly and functional, the brand’s strollers received the OEKO-TEX Standard 100 certification, which means that the strollers are 100% free of harmful chemical substances. They do not contain any fire retardants, BPA, phthalate, PVC or parabens.

When folded, the strollers are very compact, lightweight and can even fit into the back of a small car. The brand has been awarded multiple prestigious international innovation and design awards!

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About the Author

Eva Astoul is a French freelance writer, specializing in content related to sustainability, simple living, and a growth-focused healthy lifestyle. She runs her own blog, Green With Less, to inspire people to live a more minimalist and sustainable life.

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The Coziest SUSTAINABLE, ORGANIC SWADDLES & MUSLIN BLANKETS for your baby

Swaddling is the practice of gently wrapping a baby up in a light blanket so that he or she can feel calm. Doing so is believed to help babies sleep better and reduce stress, which is why parents all around the world have swaddled their newborn children for millennia.

If you are a new mom (or dad) and want your little one to feel comfortable and cozy all day, you might be considering buying a few swaddles or muslin blankets. However, most brands make them using conventional cotton, which is not a sustainable or healthy option for our babies.

Cotton is a very water-intensive crop that is grown using tons of pesticides and other toxic chemicals. Child labor and forced labor are also very common in the cotton industry, not to mention that cotton workers are usually underpaid. 

Thankfully, we can easily avoid buying swaddles and muslin blankets made from conventional cotton. There are many more sustainable and healthier options on the market. 

The 12 sustainable brands we write about in this article sell eco-friendly, organic swaddles and muslin blankets that are not only healthier for our babies, but also incredibly cute! Thanks to them, you will be able to wrap your baby into the perfect little burrito and give him or her a comfortable, healthy sleep! 

WHAT MAKES SWADDLES & MUSLIN BLANKETS SUSTAINABLE? 

Sustainable swaddles and muslin blankets are made with natural, eco-friendly fabrics and dyed using non-toxic, sustainable dyes. Despite the delicacy of their fabric, they are also made to last for a long time and can stand all the laundering without showing signs of wear. 

Plus, the brands selling them should prioritize and support workers’ welfare: all the workers in their supply chain should be paid fairly, work in safe conditions, and be treated humanely. 

Try to support Fair Trade or B Corp-certified brands, and buy swaddles and muslin blankets that are certified OEKO-TEX Standard 100 to ensure they are completely free of harmful substances.

WHAT ECO-FRIENDLY FABRICS SHOULD YOU SEARCH FOR? 

Cotton muslin is a durable, yet very soft fabric, but try to stay away from swaddles and muslin blankets made from conventional cotton. Instead, opt for models crafted with GOTS-certified organic cotton, which is naturally hypoallergenic, breathable, and free of harsh chemicals. It is also one of the most sustainable fabrics you can find! 

Some sustainable brands also make their swaddles and muslin blankets with bamboo fabric. When it is produced in a closed-loop system and the bamboo is grown organically in responsibly managed forests, this thermoregulating fabric is another great eco-friendly option you can choose when shopping for swaddles and muslin blankets. 

NOW, OUR TOP PICKS FOR SUSTAINABLE, ORGANIC SWADDLES & MUSLIN BLANKETS

1) Pottery Barn Kids

Fabric: Organic Cotton

Price: $30-70

Pottery Barn is far from being the most eco-friendly brand out there, but it has taken major steps to minimize its environmental footprint over the years. 

If you love this company, you will be happy to read that it has some great sustainable, organic swaddles and muslin blankets! They are made from GOTS-certified organic cotton, and there are many patterns to choose from. 

Pottery Barn has some adorable designs featuring cute animals and fishes, flowers, and hearts, as well as more neutral models in different solid colors. It even sells swaddles with Mickey Mouse, Winnie The Pooh, and Star Wars prints! 

Many of the swaddles and muslin blankets are certified Standard 100 by OEKO-TEX, so they have been tested to be completely free of more than 350 harmful substances. Some are also produced in a Fair Trade Certified factory, meaning that the factory has fair and safe labor practices and uses sustainable manufacturing processes to make its products.

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2) Boody

Fabric: Bamboo Viscose

Price: $39

Boody crafts quality, everyday basics for women, men, and babies. It sells a pack of two muslin wraps available in white, light blue, and light pink.  

These lightweight wraps feature a soft, odor-resistant fabric with an open weave that makes them very breathable. They are made of bamboo viscose, produced from bamboo grown organically in FSC-certified forests. 

The bamboo used by Boody is also made in a closed-loop system and only grown with rainwater, and all the water used in the production process is recycled and reused. 

The muslin wraps’ silky smooth fabric will keep your baby cool and comfortable thanks to its thermoregulating properties. It is also certified Standard 100 by OEKO-TEX, so the wraps are 100% safe and non-toxic for your little one!

Plus, Boody is a certified B Corp, and it works with factories using computer knitting machines to minimize their fabric waste. It also regularly supports non-profits like Goodbye Malaria, Circle of Love Center, and Bridge of Hope SD. 

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3) MakeMake Organics

Fabric: Organic Cotton

Price: $40

MakeMake Organics is a sustainable baby clothing brand creating non-toxic and organic nursery essentials. It has several swaddles you can choose from, all of which come with a cute matching hat. 

The company’s swaddles feature modern patterns that are all gender-neutral and printed with azo-free, non-toxic and water-based dyes.

From little suns to palm trees to wildcats, the prints look very minimalistic and simple. 

MakeMake Organics crafts its swaddles with GOTS-certified organic cotton. They are produced in small batches in a GOTS-certified factory in India, and they are hypoallergenic and completely free of flame retardants, harmful dyes, and other toxic chemicals. 

We also love that all the swaddle blankets and matching hats are Fair Trade Certified, meaning that they are made according to rigorous environmental, social, and economic standards. 

The swaddles also come packed in a reusable drawstring bag made from excess fabrics, which you can reuse for traveling or storing things around the house! 

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4) Monica + Andy

Fabric: Organic Cotton

Price: $10-50

Monica + Andy is a one-stop shop for everything you may need for your nursery.

It has a great selection of lightweight swaddles made from super soft, GOTS-certified organic cotton. 

They are designed in a variety of soothing solid colors like butter yellow or soft pink, and fun patterns such as little unicorns and rainbows. 

The brand also sells different double-layered muslin blankets, which are both airy and warm. These feature cute elephants or stripes, but you can also choose one of the company’s limited edition prints including little pizzas or daffodils.  

Monica + Andy makes sure all its swaddles are free of toxic chemicals like phthalates or flame retardants. The fabrics are also made to last for years, and they do not pill, fade, or shrink over time. 

If you want to add a unique touch, you can even personalize them and have an embroidered name or monogram sewn onto your baby’s swaddles! 

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5) Mercurii Baby

Fabric: Organic Cotton

Price: $21-58

Mercurii Baby is a woman-owned baby brand making baby essentials with ethically sourced, organic materials. 

It has different kinds of muslin blankets, including several larger models sold in pink, blue, navy, undyed, or featuring colorful moons. They are all made from GOTS-certified organic cotton muslin, which is naturally hypoallergenic and gets softer with each use. 

Mercurii Baby colors some of its muslin blankets using non-toxic, water-based dyes, but we particularly recommend the Dye Drop models. These are hand-dyed using natural pigments found in purple cabbage, logwood, or liquid chlorophyll. 

One of them is also dyed using madder root and weld, which are both ancient dye pigments that have been used for millennia. How cool is that?! 

Since they are derived from plants, the dyes are completely chemical-free and non-toxic. It is also incredibly rare nowadays to find brands using these sustainable dyeing techniques! 

Mercurii Baby also has muslin blankets sold in sets with organic cotton crib sheets or onesies.

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6) Burt’s Bees Baby

Fabric: Organic Cotton

Price: $37

Burt’s Bees Baby makes affordable, organic baby clothes and nursery bedding that are timelessly stylish and designed to stand the test of time. 

The brand offers different muslin blankets, all of which are sold in a pack of three matching swaddles with a similar color scheme. Each of them features adorable hand-painted patterns, including stripes, flowers, stars, butterflies, and cute animals like elephants, giraffes, and swans. 

Burt’s Bees Baby’s swaddles are ethically crafted in India using 100% GOTS-certified organic cotton. The fabric is also very breathable, and it is made for sensitive skin and to prevent overheating during the night. 

The brand works with factories that follow sustainable production methods. For instance, they recycle their wastewater, use renewable energy sources, and even make building bricks with the silt waste from the water!

Burt’s Bees Baby’s team also regularly volunteers and makes donations to local communities, and it supports and helps fund disaster relief initiatives in the United States. 

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7) Takasa

Fabric: Organic Cotton

Price: $27-90

Takasa is a Canadian organic bedding company manufacturing high-quality home textiles. It has several muslin swaddles that you can buy individually or in a set of three. 

The pack of three swaddles features three different geometric patterns, which are designed in black and white or multiple colors. If you prefer to buy them individually, you will get to choose between beautiful stars or moons.

You can also buy one in a set with two fitted organic cotton percale crib sheets. 

Made from 100% GOTS-certified organic and Fairtrade cotton, the swaddles are all completely free of harmful chemicals and dyes. Their fabric is also very soft and breathable and gets softer with every wash. 

Takasa produces them ethically in India and plants one tree for each purchase in partnership with One Tree Planted. It also offsets their carbon footprint, which means that the swaddles are carbon-neutral. 

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8) Aden + Anais

Fabric: Cotton, Organic Cotton, Bamboo Viscose

Price: $13-65

Aden + Anais has been creating thoughtfully crafted baby products for over a decade. It has the largest selection of swaddles and muslin blankets on this list with almost 150 options! 

The brand carefully designs each of its incredibly beautiful hand-painted prints. The patterns include lovely flowers, cute animals, dinosaurs, stars, little hearts, and hot air balloons.

It even has a Harry Potter-themed set of four swaddles! 

Aden + Anais makes its swaddles using different fabrics such as muslin cotton or bamboo viscose. We also particularly recommend its collection of GOTS-certified organic cotton muslin blankets, which are dyed with low-impact non-toxic dyes. 

All the swaddles are very soft and comfortable, and they are handcrafted to stand the test of time so you can pass them down to future babies. Plus, the company only uses fabrics that are completely free of azo chemical compounds. 

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9) MORI

Fabric: Cotton, Bamboo Viscose, Organic Cotton

Price: $14-58

MORI creates super soft baby clothes and other essentials using high-quality, sustainably sourced fabrics. 

It has a range of muslin swaddles that are available in different sizes, colors, and patterns to suit your needs and preferences. They are made ethically using non-GMO cotton in a certified factory in Turkey. 

If you have a newborn and find it tricky to use a traditional muslin blanket for swaddling, MORI also sells a great swaddling sack, which is much simpler to use! The sack is made from a blend of organic cotton and bamboo viscose produced in a closed-loop system. The fabric is very soft, breathable, and thermoregulating, so your baby will be at the perfect temperature all night.

MORI even offers you to personalize your swaddles: you can have your baby’s name sewn into the fabric! Plus, the brand ships its products in recyclable kraft paper bags, and you can send unused MORI clothing back to the company and it will donate them to Little Village, a London-based charity giving away clothes to families in need. 

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10) Colored Organics

Fabric: Organic Cotton

Price: $19-30

Colored Organics is on a mission to help families make the switch to organic, ethical fashion. The brand has many swaddles and muslin blankets that are designed using different weaving techniques. 

Sold in a few light, solid colors, its muslin swaddles feature a super soft and stretchy double-layered organic gauze fabric. 

Colored Organics also sells several swaddles with cute little flowers made from organic cotton pointelle fabric, as well as gorgeous patterned models crafted with organic cotton jersey. All the brand’s swaddles are colored using water-based dyes that ensure durable color vibrancy. 

The company is committed to being 100% sweatshop-free, and all the workers in its supply chain are provided with fair wages and safe working conditions. 

Plus, Colored Organics donates 20% of the proceeds from some of its swaddles to different environmental non-profits. It also supports many other organizations, including its local children’s hospital and charities helping abandoned children in India. 

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11) Green Sprouts

Fabric: Organic Cotton

Price: $24

Green Sprouts is an award-winning company selling a wide range of natural baby products, including a set of two muslin swaddle blankets. The set either includes two white swaddles, or a white and a bright blue model.  

The swaddle blankets are made from 100% organic cotton muslin that is very breathable, hypoallergenic, and lightweight.

The finely woven fabric is super soft and even gets softer with every wash, so your baby will be incredibly cozy and comfortable wrapped in them! 

Green Sprouts’ muslin blankets are generously sized, which makes them very versatile and practical to use for swaddling but also as a stroller blanket, a nursing cover, a burp cloth, or even as a changing table cover.  

They are also produced without harmful substances like azo dyes, pesticides, or formaldehyde, so they are safe for our babies and their delicate skin! 

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12) Honest Baby Clothing

Fabric: Organic Cotton

Price: $25-37

Honest Baby Clothing is a sustainable brand founded by American actress Jessica Alba. It has an entire line of muslin swaddle blankets made from 100% GOTS-certified organic cotton. 

You can choose to buy them in sets of two or three swaddles, and there are many beautiful prints available. They feature a cozy textured fabric that softens as you wash it, and an oversized design, making them very versatile and practical to use in multiple ways. 

The swaddles are certified Standard 100 by OEKO-TEX, so they are completely free of harmful dyes, pesticides, flame retardants, and other toxic substances. 

Honest Baby Clothing also works with factories that received numerous certifications such as GOTS, WRAP, Fair Trade, OCS, BSCI, and SA8000, and one of its partner factories is entirely powered by its own windmills. 

The brand uses recycled materials for its packaging, and it won the PARENTS’ Best for Baby and Good Housekeeping’s Parenting Awards in 2022! 

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About the Author

Eva Astoul is a French freelance writer, specializing in content related to sustainability, simple living, and a growth-focused healthy lifestyle. She runs her own blog, Green With Less, to inspire people to live a more minimalist and sustainable life.

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A Guide to Outside Play & Why IT’s Important

The mainstream way of life often means children are spending unprecedented amounts of time in front of screens. Recent statistics report that, on average, children spend six to nine hours daily in front of screens, with four to five of those hours spent watching TV. Extended screen time exposure is leading to higher rates of depression and obesity, back and neck problems, and disturbances with sleep and behavior. 

Modern family life has also brought with it an increase in structured, scheduled activities for kids. 

While sports and classes certainly have advantages, studies are revealing that time spent in unstructured play, especially outside in nature, does a better job of meeting their developmental needs and has huge benefits. 

Let’s take a deeper dive into those benefits and how you can set your family up for success when it comes to meeting your “spend more time outside” goals. 

First, let’s talk about why playing outside is so very important for children of any age. 

What are the Benefits of Outside Play

An article in Parenting Science outlines 12 important benefits of outdoor play in case you need some extra motivation to get out there and make it happen. 

From a lower risk of obesity, near-sightedness, behavior problems, and sleep issues to an increased ability to problem-solve, concentrate, and recover from stress, the reasons to spend more time outside are plentiful.  

One of the most noteworthy benefits to mention here is that positive nature experiences teach kids to respect and protect the environment. The article states, “Researchers found that childhood time spent outdoors was positively linked with environmentally responsible behavior during young adulthood.” 

Now that you’re inspired to get your kids and family outside more often let’s talk about what child development experts have to say about how much time spent playing outdoors is the “right” amount. 

What are the Guidelines for Outside Play

The popular site 1000 Hours Outside discusses that when children are immersed in nature, they’re experiencing the optimal sensory environment for higher-level development. Research suggests that three hours per day provides the ideal amount of exposure to all the benefits outside play has to offer in order to see the most positive effects on development. 

Before you balk at the unrealistic expectation of hours of time spent outside, take into consideration that studies are also showing that, on average, children are most likely outside for only approximately 30 minutes a few times a week. And that children spend an average of 1,200 hours per year on screens. 

So, take heart that any goal you can set for yourself and your family to get your children more outside time will do them a lot of good. 

The most important takeaway from learning the benefits and research around playtime outside is to do the best you can. If all you have is 20 minutes a day, that’s perfectly fine! Any amount from a few minutes to a few hours will have a positive impact on your child’s emotional regulation, physical well-being, and holistic development. 

Getting Started with Nature-based Play 

Once you’ve determined to get outside more often and for longer periods of time, there are a few things to take into consideration to ensure a positive experience for everyone involved. 

Sun protection and safety

You can find eco-friendly and sustainably made options for sunscreen, hats, and band-aids from one of our favorite sites Kindhumans. They even have a First Aid Kit if you want to really make sure you’re fully stocked. 

Putting together an “outside time” kit with these things on hand means staying safe and protected even during peak daylight hours or experimenting with risky play. 

Nutritious Snacks and Hydration 

You’re sure to realize that when kids spend active time outside, they’ll need the right healthy snacks and plenty of water to keep them fueled for longer durations of time. 

Pack slow-burning snacks like trail mix, fresh fruits, and healthy fats and proteins like avocado and cheese when you’re out for a nature walk or just exploring the backyard. 

Keeping food and water easily accessible will mean you don’t have to interrupt their playtime by going back in to get fed and hydrated.

The Right Gear

A popular quote among outdoor enthusiasts is, “There’s no such thing as bad weather, only unsuitable clothing.” And to a certain extent, with the right perspective, it’s very true. 

Investing in durable clothing for your child means they can play comfortably, tree-climbing and puddle-jumping, without needing to purchase new pants because they got torn or boots because they’ve fallen apart. 

When you get all set to spend more time outside, you might find yourself wondering, “What do kids actually need to be doing during outdoor play?”. Great question! 

It turns out that nature provides almost everything kids actually need to get immersed in the type of imaginative play and exploration that boosts their development. 

Examples of Nature-based Play

Loose parts play has long been advocated for by fellow early childhood professionals and is growing in popularity among the parenting community as well. Items found in nature, such as small twigs, maple tree seeds, and acorns, to name a few, are perfect for collecting and having on hand for engaging in loose parts exploration. 

Wildschooling, according to the Wilder Child website, is “a movement designed to honor and support our innate, inexorable bond with nature and lend a voice to our inner wild.” The philosophy and practices incorporate a mix of early childhood nature-based techniques taken from methodologies such as Regio Emilia and Waldorf education. 

You can use the resources from sites like these to inspire a deep love of nature and take some of the pressure off around how to “structure” outdoor play, and instead, gently guide your kids into independent, imaginative exploration. 

Here is a list of 10 suggestions for outdoor play to get you started: 

• Set up a “mud kitchen”

• Create an obstacle course

• Make a nature-weaving frame

• Build a fort or giant bird’s nest with branches

• Walk barefoot 

• Explore local hiking trails

• Do yoga

• Make a stick maze

• Hang a bird feeder

• Climb trees 

When you do find yourself needing more structured activities or if you don’t have access to places where you can be immersed in nature, we have some excellent recommendations for eco-friendly equipment that will keep kids busy for hours.   

The Best Toys and Equipment to Enrich Outdoor Play 

The guide found here at Earth Easy gives some incredible DIY suggestions for turning your backyard into a natural playground haven, complete with a backyard river system and a sensory garden!

If you’re in the market for a stroller, you’ll definitely want to check out our blog posts here to learn about seven of our favorite eco-friendly options. The right stroller can make a world of difference in getting out and about with young kids and all the stuff that comes along with them. A quality stroller will likely also motivate you to do more walking to local places instead of driving, which is always a great eco-friendly option.  

If you’re a person who practically lives in swimwear during warm weather, have a look at our 18 Sustainable Swimwear Brands post to get something that’s the perfect fit for while you’re hanging out with the kids outside. Time spent at the beach is the perfect environment for unstructured play and offers kids the full sensory experience they need for the greatest developmental benefits. 

When it comes to outside, and movement toys, one of our favorites is this scooter from Micro Kickboard. Riding a scooter increases coordination and balance and boosts muscle and even cognitive development. A balance bike, skateboard, or rollerblades are other great options for improving large motor skills. Hanging a tree swing is also a great choice, and especially for kids who seek sensory input, this can be really calming. 

Using fingerpaint outside is a great way to give kids messy sensory experiences that are beneficial to their development without the clean-up inside. Sidewalk chalk is always fun too. You can also try making eco-friendly glitter/confetti by cutting flowers and grass into tiny pieces to be used on your next craft project. And we absolutely love this idea for making a DIY water wall using recycled plastic materials. 

And last but certainly not least, for things like large push trucks, buckets, shovels, and water toys, we highly recommend the Green Toys brand. They’re made in the U.S. and are composed of 100% recycled materials. How cool is that?

(We especially love the jump rope, eco saucer, and watering can set.) 

We hope this guide to outdoor family fun has inspired you to prioritize time in nature and unstructured play. Among its many benefits, time outdoors also enhances creativity and imagination and boosts critical thinking skills.  

In our ever-evolving world, with the challenges our planet faces because of climate change, we’ll need a generation of kids who are ready to create innovations for a brighter future that we can’t even imagine yet. More time outside is the way to raise kids today who will be making a difference in the world tomorrow. Now, go play! 

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About the Author:

Amy is a freelance writer for change-making eco-friendly and women-led businesses. She's known for her empathetic ability to capture brand voice, conversational yet informative writing style, and expertly paired GIFs.
At home you'll find her sipping a mushroom latte, attempting to stay consistent with her meditation practice, and cultivating a slow, sustainable lifestyle with her two boys filled with music, nature, art, and lots of laughter. Follow along with her adventures on Instagram!

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