Children

Who here remembers Captain Planet?  It was a cartoon that aired in the early 90s on TBS about a green-mulleted superhero out to save the planet.  I loved the Captain Planet theme song in particular ("Captain Planet, he's our hero, gonna take pollution down to zero!"), and I had a reusable lunch bag with Captain Planet on it. 

Get in touch with your inner 90s kid or grab your own kids and watch Captain Planet together...the episodes are now on the Mother Nature Network!  

Did you know that there's also a Captain Planet Foundation?  They offer grants, resources, projects for kids, games, and you can even become a "Planeteer!"  Check it out!   It's a really cute website and for an important cause.  ... read more

It's not too late to enter the Pure Play Kids Giveaway!  The giveaway ends on September 13, so enter and tell your friends!  All you have to do is sign up to be on a mailing list, and your name will be automatically entered in the drawing.  Your child will win one fun, natural, age appropriate toy!... read more

Halloween is my favorite holiday.  Last year I wrote a list of tips for how to keep your Halloween eco-friendly.   This year, there's something else you can do.    

Saturday, October 9 is National Costume Swap Day.  According to their website, "swapping half the costumes kids wear at Halloween would reduce landfill waste by 6250, equal to the weight of 2500 mid-size cars."   GROSS!

Instead, attend a swap and find a cute costume for your little one while giving someone else the opportunity to reuse one you previously bought.  

You can find a swap on their website, but right now there aren't very many.  Start your own!  You can register a swap here.  This post might seem premature (even though my local Stop & Stop had Halloween candy out last week!) but if you want to start your own swap, do so soon so people can start making their plans!  ... read more

Why they're Keen:

No more annoying kids toys that light up and play obnoxious music. (...and the parents sigh a breath of relief! I know there are only so many times I can listen to my son’s toys play “When You’re Happy and You Know It!”) The kid-powered toys at Pure Play Kids allow kids use their own imaginations and creativity. The toys are durable, safe, and non-toxic. They also don’t market to kids through advertising, licensed characters, film tie-ins, etc. The products are made in the USA or Europe.

From baby toys such as rattles, to puppets, wagons, and costumes for older kids, there is something for everybody! The toys are truly classic.



Why they're Green:

Since they’re so durable and made of wood, these toys can last for generations as opposed to getting broken and tossed into a landfill. Even better: many of the toys are wooden, recycled or made of other natural products. That way if your little one is in the midst of that “everything must go in the mouth!” phase, like mine is, you don’t have to worry that something toxic is going into the mouth.... read more