Green Your Family Picnic

Warm weather means plenty of al fresco eating, and that includes picnics. The next time your family is looking to update their outdoor dining gear, check out these earth-friendly favorites.

• Pack your food in Lama Design’s picnic basket, that’s hand-woven out of 100% recycled material by Bolivian artisans. Bonus: The cool colors will be sure to stand out against a sea of tan, wooden baskets!
• Store sandwiches, salads, fresh fruit and veggies with dip, plus more in a Lunch on the Go food container. They’re reusable, and are made from non-leaching #5 plastic (which is probably safer than toting around glass!) that’s BPA- and phthalate-free.
• Ditch the paper towels in favor of these sustainable hemp napkins, made with plant-based dyes and manufactured in accordance with Fair Labor/Fair Wage standards.
• While bigger family members drink out of their reusable water bottles, tots can sip from Foogo’s stainless steel sippy cup, which is BPA-free and (best of all!) guaranteed leak-proof.
• Every picnic needs a comfy plaid blanket, right? Try one from Turning Life, which is crafted from 100% recycled fibers.
• End the meal with a healthy treat, like these raw oatmeal blueberry cookies from One Lucky Duck. They’re handmade in small batches with pure, organic ingredients, and are just plain delicious!

Green Beach Picks

Whether your family sees the beach as an every weekend sort of thing or rents a shorehouse for a week each summer, we’ve got the earth-friendly goods to make your ocean-going experience a green one.

• Happy Green Bee has adorable skirted suits and boardshorts for the little swimmers in your family, and they’re made from organic materials. Moms can try this blue one-piece by Aaron Chang, made out of polyester from recycled plastic bottles, while dads can rock a pair of organic boardshorts by Loomstate.
• Don’t forget your SPF! Alba has a range of sunscreens that are all-natural and affordable, including a kind just for kids and another for sports.
• Keep your feet stylishly green with organic cotton flip-flops from Payless. The guys in your crew will dig Quiksilver’s all-natural sandals, made of linen, rubber, and no-VOC glue, while your littlest family members can slip into cork Birki sandals.
• When it comes to cotton, organically-grown is best. Try these beach towels from Sea Glass Organic, made from an organic cotton and bamboo blend.
• With its pink and blue butterfly pattern, Sarah Smith’s beach bag is cute. But its also socially responsible, made from fair-trade, organic cotton.
• Sprig has a host of dump trucks, molds, and scoopers made from recycled wood and reclaimed plastic for a safe day of playing in the sand.

Earth-Friendly Camping Picks

Are you and the little ones planning a camping trip this summer?  Check out our favorite product picks for spending a day in the woods and a night under the stars.

• Sun care. It’s always important to keep your skin protected while outdoors, especially during the long, hot summer days.  MelanSol sunscreen is an all-natural, chemical-free, and biodegradable SPF that will keep you and your kiddies protected under the strongest of sun rays.
• Footwear. You’ll want your feet to stay nice and comfy while trottin’ the trails.  Sneakers may be too constricting in this heat, so try a comfy, sturdy pair of sandals like Birkenstocks, crafted simply from leather, cork, and a couple of buckles.  Kids will be big fans of the Roma style, which features an ankle strap for extra support.
• Food Supplies. After all the hiking and rafting, you and the kids are sure to work up an appetite.  There’s no better way for some family togetherness time than a barbeque–but supplies are needed for that.  Eco-products offers a line of sustainable products including hot/cold cups, containers, cutlery, straws, and bio-bags.  Easy to tote around and affordable!
• Direction. You want to find the best trails to hike, so what’s more important than a compass and map to guide you on your route?  Eco-Wise offers a combination compass and map navigator to keep you on your path.  Filled with illustrations and diagrams, this is a must-have for campers.
• Bath & Body. With all this rugged outdoors time, you will need to wipe the dirt and musk off!  With an all-in-one natural soap, you can wash your a hair and body while minimizing the amount of product you have to carry.  Dr. Bronner’s “All in One” is an organic line of liquid and bar soaps that effectively clean without being aggressive on your hair and skin.