Eco-Fun: Great Projects, Experiments, and Games for a Greener Earth

Eco-Fun: Great Projects, Experiments, and Games for a Greener Earth
The weather is getting nicer out and this makes all of nature seem more relevant since is will soon be sprouting all around us! This is a great time to learn how nature works, why we need to save it and out. Eco-Fun is perfect for the whole family to get involved. When the kids are bored give them this and make them learn something. Eco Fun could also be a great tool in a school setting as well as groups like the scouts.
Description: The earth they walk on, the air they breathe, the water they drink, the sun that gives them energy–not to mention animals and their very own selves: everything about our world excites children. And, with these 50 fun-filled, science-based environmental experiments, kids will discover more about how our planet works and how to make it better. Divided into five themes (earth, air, energy, water, and biodiversity), these activities show how each element operates alone and in connection with the others–and what effect it has on us and the environment. Here are real-life ecology projects to do at school or at home, and for the community. Helped by an abundance of lively illustrations, youngsters will become “supermarket sleuths,” finding out where food comes from. They can build a solar panel, make recycled paper, construct a worm composter, and create a forest ecosystem in a jar. And when they’re done with each section, they’ll take an entertaining quiz or complete a puzzle. There’s no better way to develop a child’s intimate connection with nature.

Wild Dill is one of my fave green shops for kids! You can get clothes, toys and gifts all in one spot. I appreciate a store that is really dedicated to the green cause instead of just claiming to be. I would also like to add that this is another company with awesome customer service. That is one of the most important things to me when shopping anywhere. Now on to the fun stuff!

Uncle Goose Antics Ant Blocks

Wild Dill Uncle Goose Antics Ant Blocks – Images of ant hills, a queen with her eggs and an enemy spider, Non-toxic, child safe inks, 16 blocks, Made in Michigan.

Yellow Label Kids Organic Bird Rattles

Wild Dill Yellow Label Kids Organic Bird Rattles -Set of three rattles: one bird and two owls,Fair Trade, made by groups of artisans spanning the globe from Chile to Nepal,100% organic bamboo yarn.

Roy Toy Earth Friendly Tree House

Wild Dill Roy Toy Earth Friendly Tree House – 71 pieces,Pieces tumbled for a smooth finish,Natural color with no dyes,Building instructions included,Packaged in a cotton bag,Made in USA

Zubels Organic Crinkle and Rattle Giraffe

Wild Dill Zubels Organic Crinkle and Rattle Giraffe- Hand knit,Low impact dyes,Arms span 13″ making them perfect for tying onto strollers, cribs and car seats,Fairly made in the Philippines, 100% Organic Cotton Yarn

Valentine's Day Pencil Toppers

These Valentine’s Day Pencil Toppers are a quick and cute way to show someone you care about them! The pencil toppers go great with a cute card or little sweet treat. This craft is great for kids you have large classes or Valentine’s parties to go to! This way no one is left out and everyone gets to feel a little special.

Materials:
Scissors
Craft foam
Permanent markers
Pipe cleaner
Pencils

Instructions:

1.Cut a 1- to 2-inch heart from craft foam. With a permanent marker, print a short message on the front and the name of the giver on back.

2.Poke an inch of the pipe cleaner through the bottom of the heart, bend it down, and twist it back around the remaining length of pipe cleaner.

3.Coil the pipe cleaner tightly around the pencil. Then gently pull up on the heart so that part of the coil bobs freely above the pencil, with several loops anchored around the eraser end.

4. Add any of your own decorations you want. If you have glitter, stickers, buttons, left over material use it! Go crazy and make these pencil toppers original! You can do whatever you want to them!

I am sure you have running around like crazy trying to get the newest hottest gifts for the children in your life this holiday. I saw a target commercial last night for a children’s dino-toy that didn’t look like anything crazy that was $42! This may not sound like a lot for 1 toy for 1 kid but when you have to purchase multiple gifts for multiple children besides everyone else you have to get for $42 is way too much! I decided to go on a hunt for cool & fun children’s gifts that are under $30! I think I came up golden. Tell me what you think.

Mudpuppy Constructibles Building Set - Bold Patterns

Mudpuppy Constructibles Building Set aren’t your normal old blocks! Not only do the colors and patterns make this building set super cool the set is aimed at improving hand/eye coordination which is always a plus for children. They can progress just by playing. I always loved building things as a child. I thought for a while I wanted to be an architect until I found out how horrible in math I was. Guess what greenies? This awesome gift is only $12.99

WorryWoo Monster - Nola

WorryWo Monster Nola I really just love this stuffed animal! I cannot get enough of it. Green is one of my very favorite colors obviously soo this little greenie of sorts just pushed a cute button in me! Nola is perfect for cuddling and loving for years to come and only costs $21.99!

Blue Orange Gobblet Gobblers

 blue Orange Gobblet Gobblers is a cool new way to play tic tac toe! You can gobble up your opponent! This is a great gift for any child. We all remember playing tic tac toe for hours or when we were bored. It is a great travel game as well. This excellent gift idea is only $19.99.

Blue Orange Spot It

Blue Orange Spot It is a super fun think on your feet game where you have to match the symbols together quickly before anyone else! Spot it has 4 different variations to keep you from getting bored and best part is it only costs $14.00!

Blue Orange Tell Tale

Blue Orange Tell Tale is a super fun game! You can inspire imagination and creativeness all in one simple game. You deal out the cards that range from easy to complex and from competition to cooperation and the receiver of the cards has to tell a story using the illustrated cards! How fun! All for $13.99

Pop Bottle Science - 79 Amazing Experiments & Science Projects

Pop Bottle Science- 79 Amazing Experiments & Science Projects This may be for the nerd in your life but whatever this thing is way cool! Pop Bottle Science has 79 different projects right there! Ranging from weather to geology to the body and tons more! How cool is that? To top it off this magic science lab is only $15.00

DIY Owl Decorations

I know I just did a DIY project yesterday but I love love love this craft! I have a thing for owls lately and this craft is soo simple and cute that I just counldn’t resist. I think you will love it too! Plus with all of this cold weather why not stock up on awesomely easy crafts! However those of you that use that tubeless tissue brand may be out of luck!

Supplies:
Toilet paper tubes or paper towel tubes
Eco-Friendly Paint
Black Marker
Glue or Double Sided Tape
As usual any odds and ends around the house that you want to use to make your owls more fabulous and personal.

Directions:

1. If you choose to paint your owl, paint the tubes first and let them dry before trying to fold the top down.

2. Take your tube and fold down one end to make the ears. You can choose to glue or tape it to make sure the top says down or if you are planning on hanging the Owls anywhere. Depending on the type of paint you use the fold may remove some paint from the owl you can repaint some spots or paint after you fold.

3. Use the black marker and any other stuff you have to make your owls your own. You can cut holes in the fold to put string through for ornaments. You can make the owls your Advent Calendar instead of trees. If you use papertowel tubes you can cut them in different sizes and have a flock of owls sitting on display!

It is holiday time!!! This is an expensive time of year forever one so we at The Green Beagle want to help you save your green while being green for the holidays. If you have to spend money give it to companies/business that hold the same values as you do.

Free $5 to spend at GiftsWithHumanity.com

5% OFF Any Order at My Good Greetings

10% off The Green Dollhouse

$3 Off Digital Shower Timer Gift Sets

Save 10% On Nokero Solar Light Bulbs

Save 15% On Our Full Line of Personal Solar Chargers

Making money for Sierra Club has never been easier.

15% off Science Kits
Coupon Code NATURALPET15 – 15% Off Only Natural Pet Brand Products!

Use Coupon Code WEATHERIZE to Save 15% on our Home Weatherization Inspection and Repair Manuals
Shop and Save this Holiday Season with NOVICA! Take $10 off any purchase over $40! Use Code: NOVICAEX3
Save 15% Off All Ink Cartridges
Green & Gorgeous! Sustainable, Socially Responsible, Stylish Baby and Kid’s Clothes at Positively Organic

Kee-Ka has Free Shipping for orders $75 or more. Continental U.S. only.

Free Shipping On Orders Over $100
Save $10 On the American Wilderness Dinnerware Set (Nov, 11-17).

10% off through 12.31 with code Holiday10

Eco friendly gifts from Ecoist

Unique Green Gifts Under $30 at ChildTrek.com

Free Shipping on the Sustainable Office Supply Sample Pack
Overstock Items Marked Down Today at GildenTree.com! Shop Today!

Save $22 on Trilogy’s Top 3 Skincare Lines

Green Gifts for Kids
Green You Holiday with these Fabulous Eco-Gifts
FREE Afterglow Cosmetic Shipping! Order $90+ and receive free USPS Priority Shipping inside the US.

LovingEco has deals everyday on hot green items!

FREE shipping when you spend $100 from Coyuchi.com. Use coupon code: Organic100

Paper Recycling Kit

 How fun ist this? You can teach your children or class about recycling paper and actually show them! This is great for a science project or for something to do around the house! Once your kids learn how to do this it can be a practice carried on through their lives to remember the importance of recycling! Green Creativity has amazing products for learning and fun! Learning to be green is great to start when you are young! You can get your Paper Recycling Kit here.

About:

Repurpose old paper into new paper with Green Creativity’s Paper Recycling Kit! This kit is designed to help your child understand how paper can be recycled.Learn how paper is made and recycled. Create lots of different textures and patterns and make them into unique bookmarks, notepads, greetings cards and more!Another great educational children’s toy that will help your child learn and care for our environment.Kit Includes: 50g of paper, paper making tray, net, 3 tubs of paint, 1 paint brush, colored yarns, silk flowers, ribbon and detailed instructions.

One of my favorite green stores is Wild Dill. They are a one stop shop for your green kids needs! Besides loving their children’s clothing (which will be addressed in a later article this month) their toys are outta site! I had to share some super cool toys I found while doing some holiday shopping for some friends and family. I hope you enjoy Wild Dill’s toys too!

Cut Veggies

This is probably one of the few times it is alright for your children to play with food! You can teach them how to be safe as well as the importance of eating their veggies all in one toy. This toy also helps increase their motor skills and coordination. This toy has used all child safe paints and was Fairly made in Asia.

Color Your Own Cottage

I would have loved this when I was a little girl! You can paint and decorate your own playhouse any way you want! The set comes with non-toxic water colors. The cardboard is made from 45% post consumer waste. Your child can use anything they want to make this playhouse their own. Get creative and most importantly have fun.

RaceCars

You child too can have super race cars made out of recycled milk jugs! These cars are super detailed and can rival the likes of any other race car out there. The cars are made right here in the USA which makes them double awesome.

Dragon

When I was a kid I hated being told I had to stay in the lines! I never wanted to draw anything “perfectly” where was the fun in that? Where was the imagination? This dragon among other styles can teach your child to color out of the lines and follow their own path. I love this little guy! Best of all when you are finished with the toy it is full compostable!

Butterfly Puzzle

I’m a sucker for anything colorful and pretty but this simple educational game is really multi functional and is made to last long. The Butterfly Puzzle can be passed down and shared for years to come. The Butterfly Puzzle has been Fairly Made using child safe paints.

Jug-O-Lanterns

Halloween!!!! I cannot wait it is almost here and I am still decorating for it! I love this idea. You can use any empty jugs really even if they are colored I think it would add to it! So here is how you do it:

SUPPLIES:

Clean plastic gallon jugs

Black permanent marker (you can get creative and use whatever color you want too)

Knife or Scissor

String of 50 low-wattage holiday lights (you can use white lights but what fun is that, if you have holiday lights at home already use them. Icicle lights would be perfect for this project for example:Led/Energy Saving Holiday Lights)

DIRECTIONS:

1.Draw eyes and mouths on the jugs. Be creative it is Halloween so go scary, silly or just plain realistic.

2.Use the craft knife to cut a half-dollar-size hole in the back of each jug.

3.Arrange the jug-o-lanterns near each other and string the lights between them, stuffing several bulbs into each of the jugs.

4. Optional: Glue things to your jugs like bat wings, or stems and leaves. Decorate them anyway you want. Use colors or make them ghosts. These crafts can be saved and reused so make them original.

This is a super fun craft for a Halloween party. Kids can take these home to show their parents and make more of their own.

Connected Wisdom Illustrates the inter-connectedness we as a world share. Every action effects your surrounding environment accordingly. This concept may be difficult for children to grasp but Connect Wisdom defines the meaning of a Living System perfectly for everyone in terms that can be come a “fairytale” of positive sorts for generations to come.
Everyone agrees that to create responsible and aware adults the lessons must come from childhood where these ideas can be cemented in to a child’s impressionability before they have time to be negatively influenced by outside efforts. This may sound almost like brain washing but if you think about the fairy tales that you remember as a child most of them had little to no relevance to real life other than wait patiently for prince charming to come save you. You grow up being delusional even if you know better somewhere deep down you wish for Prince Charming right? In the case of Connected Wisdom a child can know deep down what is right so as children and then adults they can make good decisions regarding their environments for current and future generations.

About Connected Wisdom:
Living Stories About Living Systems gathers twelve stories from different cultures that each reveal a unique example of a “living system.” Through them, Linda Booth Sweeney shows that what we now call systems thinking has been around for a very long time.

A Balinese folktale tells the story of a gecko who cannot sleep because of the sparks from a firefly. He traces the cause of his complaint from one animal to another to the mosquitoes he depends on for his survival. Like this gecko, young readers will understand that all life is inter-related, and will be able to grasp the concept of the living system of “interdependence.” In a Burmese folktale, a king spills a drop of honey on his windowsill, too little to bother cleaning up. Yet the drop draws a fly, which attracts a lizard, which is followed by a cat, then a dog, and the owners of the cat and the dog, each armed with a stick. When civil war erupts, the king and readers understand the living system of “linearity,” in which an effect is disproportionate to its cause.
Says Sweeney, “If kids understand living systems, they’re more likely to think and act in informed ways and less likely to jump to blame a single cause for the challenges they encounter. As kids appreciate and learn about living systems, they see that connections in nature, people, problems and events bind us all.”