Make Every Day Earth Day: 10 Eco-Friendly Products for Parents and Kids

These products replace those you typically use with eco-friendly options. Also check out these posts: Best Ways to Celebrate Earth Day and 15 Ways to Use Less Plastic. 

Organic Play Dough

Green Toys Dough is much like Play-Doh, but it’s made from organic flour and food-safe ingredients and packaged in recycled and recyclable materials printed with soy ink. The Dough Four-Pack contains four resealable tubs, red, yellow, green and blue; look for more sets with tools and accessories. Ages 2-8. $9.99 at greentoys.com

Dona Bela SHREDS

Dona Bela takes textile remnants and designs them into one-of-a-kind fashion neckwear, keeping the clothing manufacturing scraps out of landfills and employing folks in Des Moines, Iowa. As a plus, the company donates a portion of its proceeds to charity. Shreds start at $22, at donabelashreds.com

EcoSaucer Flying Disc

Launch those plastic grocery bags across the lawn with this disc made from 100 percent plastic grocery bags. Not only is it environmentally friendly, it’s dishwasher safe and packaged with recycled and recyclable materials. Ages 5 and older. $5.49 at greentoys.com

Reusable Snack Bags

How many plastic bags do you go through when making lunch for the kids? The answer is probably a ton–some for crackers, one for a sandwich, fruit, chips…the list goes on. Think about choosing reusable options that can be washed and used multiple times. Reusable sandwich bags from LunchSkins ($6.99 and up) are a great pick, or try a Bento Box Set ($12.99) from Bentology.

Sustainable Toys

Toys made from wood, recycled materials or natural rubbers are much better for the environment than plastic toys. Plan Toys has a line of Earth-friendly toys categorized by age. In addition to organic dough, Green Toys offers cars, planes and other play sets are made of 100 percent recycled material.

Kafe in the Box

This reusable coffee mug/travel mug from Precidio Design keeps coffee hot, stops spills, fits a vehicle’s cup holder – and prevents all those disposable cups from ending up in a landfill. Available in 12-ounce and 16-ounce sizes, in white, black, bronze and silver, $10.50-$17.99 at amazon.com

Tapp Collections Shopping Tote Bag

Make grocery shopping eco-friendly by bringing along a tote instead of using plastic bags. This shopping bag can be folded up and easily taken out when at the store. Available at amazon.com for $6.99-$8.99.

Eco-Friendly Cleaning

Most household cleaners you find at the store use chemicals to clean instead of natural ingredients. Try using green products such as Mrs. Meyer’s cleaners and dish soaps or Green Works cleaners and laundry detergents.

Green Experiments

Kids might think twice about that disposable foam cup once they experiment with Nancy B’s Science Club Garbage to Gardens Compost Kit and Decomposition Book. The kit is an introduction to composting and environmental science and includes a clear compost bucket, write-on/wipe-off boards and an activity journal. Ages 8-12. $24.99 at educationalinsights.com

Reusable Baby Food Pouches

Several companies make pouches you can use time and time again for baby food. Try Baby Brezza Reusable Food Pouches ($9.99 for 10) or Kiinde Foodii Pouches ($9.99 and up). Both of the systems offer wide openings for easy filling.