Question: How do you get your kids interested in green issues? Answer (well one answer anyway): Buy them an inexpensive robot building kit of course!
Not only does your child get to build 6 different robotic masterpieces - including a dog, a boat, a windmill and a car - but also gets to learn about solar energy in the process. All the instructions are easy to follow and the kit only has 25 parts to it. The best bit - no screws in sight! Oh, and don't worry that the UK's lack of sunlight might spoil your kids' enjoyment as the solar charger can also produce power when exposed to a bright halogen lamp. [Paul Ridden]
This year has been a great one for ethically-minded parents, and it feels like not a day went by in 2008 when someone didn't alert me to a new toy, clothing label or washing product designed specially for children. There was the launch of Method's new kids range, a delicious-smelling selection that makes bathtime lots of fun, a menagerie of wonderful handmade soft toys including the lovable Bobby Dazzler range, and a real treat for young fashionistas with a clothing range from Bindi Irwin, daughter of the late crocodile hunter.
As the smaller, more sustainable toy companies flourished we saw the big giants flounder, as Mattel's 'biodegradable Barbie' failed to convince savvy parents that the stunt was anything more than greenwash. But what have we liked in the world of eco-friendly toys? Follow the jump for our favourites, all of which are small and affordable enough to go in stockings.
Follow the jump for stockist details
Related: Eco-friendly stocking fillers for her | Eco-friendly stocking fillers for him
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I've seen all shapes and sizes of gloves and mittens before, but never anything quite like this: Oeuf's 'Squeeze Me' mittens allow the wearer to share hand-warmth with their little one one while making sure they're safe at all times.
Cold-handed kids of your acquaintance will thank you for these gloves, but so will their less well-off cousins, as by buying these mitts you'll also be helping indigenous women in Bolivia, who make the garments to provide a sustainable income that allows them to educate their own children. The mittens are available to buy at the marvellous Inhabitat store, where they're on sale for $58.
A great way to use up old fabric scraps and padding is to make toys. Irregular shapes and crazy colours make for fun and imaginative fuzzy friends that kids will love, while adults will know they've come from pre-loved sources, helping rid the planet of excess waste. Snuggle Herd has perfected the art of upcycling and makes the cutest softies out of thrifted t-shirts and stuffs them with shredded wool fiber reclaimed from unwanted sweaters. You can buy members of the ever expanding herd, including Elsa the Elephant (pictured) who was once a sweater here.
I loved the LED penguinso much that I was delighted to see that renewable energy has been packaged in another cute, winged form: this time, it's a bat!
To make him light up, simply squeeze the bats tummy and watch him glow. He works either as a torch or as a nightlight when 'standing' in upright position. What better way to teach kids that you don't need batteries to light up the night sky? Perfect for when Halloween rolls around too (which, believe it or not is NEXT MONTH!) The bat torch costs just £4.99 from Ethical Superstore
Related: Bright guy self-lighting LED penguin
I may be in my thirties, but to me, September still feels like 'back to school' time every time it rolls around: it's the time of year to get organised, re-jig your wardrobe, get down to wok and most importantly...buy stationery!
How can you ensure that all that buying and stocking up has as small an impact on the planet as possible? Here are a few tips in our green 'back to school' guide, whether you're really going back into education, or just like to pretend you're still 12.
Read on after the jump for our suggestions
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Dorothy Perkins is not the only clothing company currently doing its bit for the Woodland Trust: Little Blue Dog baby clothes is also turning its customers into tiny treehuggers.
The label's organic cotton, fairly traded long-sleeved tee (pictured) and a matching tote bag for Mums are both being sold to help the Trust's Tree For All campaign which aims to get children into planting and caring for trees. You can buy the top for £14.99 here.
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