KidStyleFile

The Green Guide is brought to you during the first week of each month by expert in the field Raquel, from Growing Up Green (affectionately dubbed ‘GUG’), the Australian authority on modern eco, green, environmentally friendly and fair trade options for kids.

Read previous ‘The Green Guide’ posts here.

……………………………………………………………………………………………………

1. When it comes to pretend play, it’s impossible to bypass baby dolls—and very few children do—so I was delighted to stumble across these organic cuties from European toy maker Keptin JR. Their sweet faced Baby-dolls are a classic childhood fave minus the chemicals: the vinyl is BPA and phthalate free while the body is made from organic cotton filled with biodegradable corn fibre. Available in blue, lime and red, each baby comes with their own woven moses basket.

2. For most people, a stubborn mud stain doesn’t lead to the creation of an organic clothing line. Not so for Joy Maples and Martin Ledvina, founders of US label Earth Creations, whose inspiration for their earthy line of clothing sprung from a bike ride that left Joy’s clothes permanently dyed with red clay! Using organic cotton and hemp coloured with – you guessed it - natural clay dyes, the label has some pretty cool clothes for all the family, but I’m particularly digging the kid’s tees and Mr. Penguin above, who states plainly: Be nice, don’t pollute my ice!

3. What happens when you cross a babushka doll with a cup? You get Babushkups! This super cute idea will have the kids won over, not only with the sweet faces peering at them as they drink but because you’re trusting them with ‘grown up’ glassware … something you’ll feel more at ease with knowing these cups are made from tough borosilicate glass. When not in use, Babushkups stay true to their tradition: they nest neatly inside one another, making them a welcome space saving addition to your cupboard.

4. If you strain your ears a little, you may just hear the tinkle tinkle of Santa’s sleigh and catch a sweet whiff of egg nog in the not too far off (much sooner than we’ll be ready for!) distance. Someone who has got a jump start on Christmas this year is US company Dandelion Toys; their toy making elves have been busy embodying the coolest of dudes, AKA Mr Snowman, in a festive release of organic toys. Available this month, there’s also some suitably scary Halloween toys for little monsters to enjoy!

5. A whizz at whipping up totally stylish handbags from gorgeous fabrics of past, local eco designer, Kara Smith, has now turned her fashion savvy eye to the wardrobes of our little ones. Her newly launched Baby Kara label is a retro collection of dresses in sizing from 6mths to 3 years, that showcases an effervescent burst of retro 50′s, 60′s and 70′s linens and cottons. Incredibly funky, the dresses will have you wishing you could make like Alice and shrink down to size to twirl in them yourself; and as a practical bonus, many of the lovely frocks are reversible, giving little style mavens two groovy outfits in one!

6. It turns out there’s plenty of ways to snuggle up with a blanket, as playfully demonstrated by Australian label Nan’s Garden. Their woolly blankies have metamorphosised into an 100% upcycled elephant by the name of Eco Elle, who is huggable proof that vintage blankets don’t go out of fashion, they just become much cuter! She comes in a rainbow spectrum of colours and, at 30cm by 35cm, this safari buddy will keep the kids cosy – no tucking in required!

7. Doogie, Poodle and Doodle might sound like a certain furry friend, but aside from being super green and adorably cute, Simple Shoe’s 2011 spring collection of children’s footwear bear no resemblance to our loyal family pal. Utilising all the best green technology and materials: natural rubber, organic cotton, hemp and water based glues, Simple Shoe’s vegan range for tots is as perky and energetic as the kids themselves and, just like the kids, they’re washable too; a winning feature that’s bound to make them every (practical) parent’s shoe of choice!

8. Turning old woollen jumpers into stunning baby quilts, Australian eco label, Maiike, stylishly reduces the landfill burden while providing parents with a unique heirloom piece to last and treasure the years. Each one-of-a-kind quilt has been painstakingly made, with the wool washed, felted, cut into squares, then stitched together, forming a divine  patchwork of beautifully layered colours. If you happen to live in Melbourne, then a stop by Maiike’s newly opened Hawthorn store is a must, where you’ll be able to delight in the full kaleidoscope of upcycled creations made by Maiike’s crafty founder, Aly Peel.

9. Wow, who knew one child could amass so much stuff? If, like me, you’re finding your little bowerbird’s been bringing home all manner of odds n ends to decorate the nest, then you’ll be particularly interested in My Magic Box. The generously sized treasure chest has three levels, three interior boxes and even includes a secret compartment (accessible by Magic Key!), and a secret drawer. Made from recycled cardboard and water based inks,  each includes a children’s book: Going to School in India, and an Indian school child receives a school bag each time one is purchased.

10. Weird rustling under the bed and backpacks morphing into menacing faces .. if there’s something strange going on in your kid’s bedroom, who you gonna call? Forget 80′s paranormal busting movie stars, you need a NightNightLight! The glowing gang of Bear, Robot, Elephant and Rhino emit a stunning, ghost busting illumination that’ll swiftly put any tike’s fears to bed and there’s no power outlet required: each is lit by a solar charged tea light!

Discover more green finds at Growing Up Green the Australian authority on modern eco options for kids.

Please check individual stores for postage and shipping information.