Journal

Raising children in a way that is easy on the planet and on their health is no easy feat. New parents are continually bombarded with the newest  “must-have” products they need to buy to keep their children happy and healthy. However, the vast majority of these products are made with cheap synthetics which are ultimately unhealthy for families and the planet as a whole. Everything from disposable diapers, to the fabric of children’s clothes, to BPA lined plastic products are common household staples that, unfortunately, are as hard on the environment as they are on our children’s skin and health.

When we set out to purchase eco-friendly essentials for their family, overwhelm can set in quickly and make many of us feel that living an eco-friendly lifestyle at home is impractical at best or impossible at worst. Between conflicting information, budget constraints, and knowing what to prioritize first, many parents feel they’re at a standstill between conventional products and finding better options.

Although there are many ways to live an eco-friendly lifestyle with your children, we’ve rounded up a few of our favorite products that simplify parenthood and won’t harm the planet or your children’s health. Which step will you take first?

1. Mason Bottle and Reusable Waterbottles

Whether you have a baby or an older child, investing in some drink bottles made from sustainable, durable materials is a double win: you’ll be protecting your child from the chemicals in most baby bottles and water bottles AND you’re reducing single-use disposables.

We love: Mason Bottle ($19.99), Field Guide Stainless Steel Water Bottle ($31.99)

2. Beeswax Food Wraps 

When you have kids, leftovers are inevitable. Reducing food waste and avoiding single-use plastic bags is tricky enough as it is, but we love Beeswax Food Wraps as an alternative to plastic wrap. Silicone reusable bags are also a great alternative to plastic disposable bags. For families with bigger kids, making your own wraps can be a fun DIY activity if you’ve got some spare cotton cloth and beeswax around. Here’s a fun tutorial.

We love: Beeswax Wraps (3-pack, $18)

3. Wooden Sewing Tool

Buying sustainable toys for your kids is easier said than done. When shopping, try second-hand first, and if you can’t find something that works from your local thrift store, try to look for products made from natural materials, instead of cheap synthetics. They’re easier on the earth to produce and easier on your kiddo’s health too. These lovely sewing tools are from Aleta Kids, a small company that makes wooden toys that are sustainably produced in Spain.

We love: Wooden Lacing Fishing Boat ($28.57)

4. Jackalo Children's Pants

There’s nothing more frustrating than spending money on clothes for your kids only to have them disintegrate through heavy wear and kids “being kids”. We may be biased, but we think there’s a better way to shop for kids’ clothes. Our pants are designed to last and grow with your child, so you’ll get more for your money and your child will have more freedom to play.

Jax Pant ($75)

5. Bamboo Silverware

Cutting down on waste when you’re out and about with your kids is tricky, but it’s do-able with a little bit of preparation. We love carrying reusable bamboo cutlery with us, or throwing a set in a child’s school lunch, to reduce the waste caused by on the go meals.

We love: Bamboo 3-piece silverware ($6.05)

6. Organic Cotton Sheets

Even though your child probably fights bedtime, the reality is that they spend 10 or more hours each day sleeping in their bed and what they sleep in matters. More and more brands are realizing the benefits of switching to organic cotton, but among the benefits are no pesticides or chemicals sprayed on the cotton, a more durable, softer sheet, and less worry for you.

We love:  Naturpedic Organic Twinsize Sheet Set ($139)

7. Wooden Creative Thinking Toys

For older kids, blocks can get old quickly. We love toys that stretch our children’s minds and encourage creativity. Although you don’t need to buy expensive toys for that, they make wonderful gifts.

We love: TinkerTotter Robot Set ($30)

8. Bamboo Toothbrushes

Most conventional toothbrushes aren’t recyclable, but making the simple swap to bamboo toothbrushes leaves you with a healthier alternative that will compost and biodegrade on its own.

We love: The Humble Brush bamboo toothbrushes (€3.99)

9. Organic Cotton Backpack

Every child needs a backpack for school, but unfortunately, most of them are made with PVC and BPA laden plastics, lead, and phthalate which aren’t ideal for the environment or your child. This one, however, is made with durable and organic waxed cotton, has a lifetime guarantee and is handmade in Minnesota by an amazing woman and mama. A great business to support!

We love: Viska Little Forager ($150)

What eco-friendly essentials do you love for your children?

Organic playclothes at work in the British countryside

Junior Style London highlights both edgy and approachable styles in children’s clothing. I’ve long followed the work of one of their contributors Natasha Bridges. Natasha lives in Shropshire, in the British countryside where the landscape looks almost out of an Andrew Wyeth painting. She captures her son Oak at play in the magical fields — a perfect match for Jackalo. In this photo essay, Oak and his friend Josh clown about on an abandoned snow plow. Just what a couple of daredevils enjoy most. Oak is wearing our Mac coverall and Josh has on our lined Ash pants in anthracite. 

From Natasha:

Every once in a while, I need a sweet treat. I try to keep my baking on the healthier side, but I’m not opposed to butter and sugars when needed. A few weeks back, I felt like my family and I could all use a sweet hug. So a real sweet treat was in order. Since I was out of eggs, I figured granola bars would fit the bill with just the things we had around the house. Granola bars are a great snack, they pack well for lunches, and have enough whole grains and seeds that you can sort of trick yourself into thinking they are healthy. (They aren’t though, so don’t eat a ton of them!) My family loved these bars — perhaps because I finally made something sweet enough to be considered a treat? (Ask them about my hot chocolate, which I consider a dark chocolate lover’s dream and they swear isn’t sweet enough.)

This recipe is modified from one by Inspired Taste. I substituted the sugar they use for unrefined sweeteners, replaced the nuts with seeds so my son could take them to school, used raisins instead of cranberries, and added some cinnamon. It’s a super easy recipe and one the kids would happily help pull together.

Ingredients

• 2 1/2 cups rolled oats (not the quick cook kind!)
• 1/2 cup sunflower seeds (pumpkin seeds would also work well)
• 1/4 cup honey
• 3 tbsp maple syrup
• 3 tbsp date syrup (this is easy to find where we live, but if you can’t find it molasses is a good substitute as it is full of flavor and nutrients, or just increase the quantity of maple syrup)
• 1/4 cup unsalted butter
• 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/4 tsp sea salt
• 1/2 cup raisins
• Cinnamon to taste

Directions

• Heat oven to 350 degrees F and toast the oats and seeds. Approximately 10 minutes, stir and check halfway through. Transfer to a large bowl when nicely golden.
• While oats and seeds are toasting, put honey, maple syrup, date syrup, butter, vanilla, and salt into a small pot and heat medium-low on the stove until the butter is melted and all ingredients are well combined.
• Pour the butter and sweetener mixture over the oats and seeds and stir until combined.
• Add raisins
• Line a pan of approximately 8 or 9 inches square or 10 x 6 inches with parchment paper. Leave the paper long and overflowing as you’ll use this paper to press the granola bars.
• Pour the granola mixture into the pan and spread into the corners with a spatula.
• Sprinkle the top with cinnamon.
• Fold the remaining parchment paper over the pan and press the granola down firmly with your hands. Keep pressing longer than you think you need to. It helps them stay together.
• Chill for 2 hours in the refrigerator.
• Cut into twelve (or so) bars, or smaller “bites” Store either in the fridge or in an airtight container.