You’ll want to grab these affordable kids summer essentials for a less toxic, more planet friendly summer. If you’re anything like me, you’re always looking for new ways to expand your eco-conscious journey. Summertime is one of my favorite seasons. After harsh winters, thick jackets, and staying indoors, I’m ready for sun, fun, and bathing suits!
I’ve compiled a list of the most affordable kids summer essentials for your family. Each of the items chosen below I’ve personally purchased and use regularly with my kids.
As an eco-conscious mom and as an environmental educator, my job is to communicate products and information that can help us be more sustainable. We can’t do everything but we can do something that can make a positive impact on the planet.
I hope you enjoy this blog post all about affordable kids summer essentials that are less toxic and more planet friendly!
1. Wheat Straw Cups and Plates
The cups are perfect for tiny little hands! Instead of using disposable cups or single-use drink pouches try using these bamboo cups instead!
Why is wheat straw considered eco-friendly? Wheat straw is a by product of wheat from farms. Instead of wasting wheat, it can be used to make durable, antibacterial, and less toxic products, like these cups and plates. They’re safe to microwave and do not break easily. In addition, they don’t hold odor and are difficult to stain.
2. Stainless Steel Reusable Cups
This eco-friendly summer kids item is a kids summer essentials! Stainless steel is an excellent zero-waste, eco-friendly material guaranteed to be long-lasting and durable. In addition, the material will help keep the contents cold to cool off your child during the warm summer season.
3. Reusable Swimmers
Our oldest son is starting swim lessons this year and these are a must! Reusable swimmers are a great way to reduce waste from disposable swimmers. After use, simply toss any solids in the toilet and put the swimmers into the washer. I wash these reusable swimmers just like I wash my cloth diapers.
4. Cloth Diapers
Cloth diapers are a great addition to your summer eco-friendly items. Disposal diapers take hundreds of years to break down in the landfill and often contain chemicals harmful to our baby’s skin. Cloth diapering is not only fun and practical, but it is also an amazing way to reduce waste.
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5. Reusable Straws
Smoothies, slurpees, milkshakes, and more. Summertime is for all the cold drinks. Be sure to refuse the straw when you’re out and opt for your own reusable straws. This helps to reduce the amount of plastic created and the amount of plastic waste found littered in our ocean. Even for those of us who don’t litter, single-use plastic is used for minutes, but once thrown away takes hundreds of years to break down.
6. Slushie Maker In A Cup
These reusable silicone slushie makers are perfect kids summer essentials! And they really work! I have the two-pack to have one for each kid. This is an activity we do outside and the kids can enjoy it while also cooling off with a fun treat. I love that these are reusable and they’re also made from silicone which is less toxic and more eco friendly than plastic.
7. Reusable Popsicle Molds
Summer is not complete without popsicles so be sure to add these to your kids summer essentials list! These molds can be used to make homemade popsicles for a cool and refreshing snack this summer. These popsicle molds are reusable and made from silicone instead of plastic. They are non-toxic and reusable making them eco-friendly and perfectly safe for your kids.
Once you receive these popsicle molds, be sure to wash them well with soap and water. Allow your kids to mix and match different homemade popsicle recipes and freeze overnight for best results. Making homemade popsicles allows you to control the ingredients, additives, and sugar content which can make for a much healthier summer snack.
Here is our go-to favorite homemade popsicle recipe:
- 2 cups fresh strawberries (frozen is okay too!)
- 32 oz vanilla yogurt (one container)
- 1 tbsp honey (add more if desired)
- Blend together until smooth and pour into reusable popsicle molds.
8. Poplinen Organic Cotton Brooklyn Baby Tank Onesie
I love brands that practice what they preach. Poplinen is an Earth-friendly, size-inclusive women’s clothing collection. Not only do they have incredibly comfortable, organic clothing for adults, but they’ve just launched this baby tank onesie for kids. As a way to create an even more sustainable operation, Poplinen decided to take the excess fabric from other clothing items and create a baby onesie. Instead of throwing out this perfectly good fabric, it is being repurposed!
Made from a blend of TENCEL™ and Organic Cotton Jersey, the material is incredibly soft. The high-quality feel of the material also makes for a long-lasting wear for our little one.
Use the code TEACHGOGREEN10 for 10% off
9. Melissa and Doug Reusable Stickers
Summer days also come with summer rains! On days where we are stuck inside because it is too hot or rainy, we like to have fun activities to keep the kids entertained. These Melissa and Doug stickers are a family favorite! They’re educational, fun, and reusable. We use the stickers as a learning tool and pair them with educational YouTube videos or books with similar topics. My son’s favorite part is being able to easily remove the stickers and place them elsewhere.
My favorite part is being able to use the stickers over and over again to cut down on waste and the cost of continuously buying more stickers.
10. Kid’s Learning Tower
If your family is anything like mine, you’ll be spending lot of time in the kitchen this summer. Whether you’re making homemade popsicles, prepping for barbecues, and or filling up snack holders, it seems this tower is perfect for your helpful child. The tower allows your child to safely be involved in the kitchen, learning independence and discipline. My son is able to feel involved in making his own food which ultimately helps him eat more and eat healthier. This tower is solid wood, non-toxic, and incredibly durable.
11. Wagon
This wagon is perfect for summer strolls and beach adventures! Equip with cupholders, seatbelts, and a canopy cover for extra sunny days, this is a kids summer essentials! In a previous post, I talked a lot about how to have an eco-friendly summer, even as a busy mom. One of my biggest tips is to get outdoors. Bringing our children outdoors teaches them that we are a part of nature. Having a lightweight, functional wagon to bring your kids from place to place makes this so much easier to accomplish.
12. Snack Holders
Plastic Tupperware is known for holding odors and stains after just a few uses. Not to mention the toxic chemicals that can leach from those plastic containers into our food! While you’re packing up for your summer vacations and outings, be sure to use these stainless steel snack holders. These snack holders are the perfect summer eco-friendly kids item. They’re non-toxic, easy to store, and keep items from spilling with the spill-proof lid. Unlike plastic containers, these will last a long time. They’re better for the planet, for your wallet, and for your health.
This compartment lunch container is incredible! It’s perfect for on the go and travel and it keeps the kids entertained because it offers them a few options at once. We even love taking this on walks! Instead of plastic, these containers are made from wheat straw which we love! This purchase comes with 4 containers making it one of our very affordable kids summer essentials.
13. Reusable Silicone Stasher Bags
Plastic sandwich bags are out, reusable silicone bags are in! These bags are a little pricey, but they’re worth every penny in the long run. Although these silicone bags are on my summer eco-friendly kids items list, I use them year-round. They’re perfect for sandwiches, snacks, knick-knacks, toiletries, small electronics, important documents, and just about anything else you would use a plastic sandwich bag for.
We use them for summer traveling, road trips, outings at the park, and even when packing up lunches for grandma’s. They’re durable so they won’t tear easily and the tight seal keeps items locked in place.
There are much cheaper alternatives, but in my experience, the zipper of the cheaper versions doesn’t last very long and I still end up creating waste. I now buy Stasher bags instead because the high-quality make of the item is longer lasting.
14. Beeswax Wraps
Instead of using plastic bags to store snacks and BBQ leftovers this summer, grab some reusable beeswax wrap!
These wraps are made from beeswax, organic cotton, organic jojoba oil, and tree resin. In 2018, 5.2 million Americans used ten or more rolls of plastic wrap, which equated to about 52 million rolls of plastic wrap tossed into the trash in just one year. When it comes to food storage, Bee’s Wrap 3 Pack Large Wraps offer a buzz-worthy alternative to plastic.
15. Natural Bug Spray
This Badger Anti-Bug spray repels mosquitos and other insects for at least 3 hours, so you can enjoy your time outside without the annoyance of being eaten alive by bugs.
We love that this spray is not only plant-based, but also love the easily recyclable low waste packaging. These sprays are small enough to fit in your purse or diaper bag so you always have it with you this summer!
16. Reusable Water Ballons
My mom introduced my son to water balloons and he’s been obsessed ever since. I was so happy to find an eco friendly alternative! These balloons are made from silicone and they’re endless reusable for your kids. They’re easy to refill and take about one second. It’s great because the kids can do it themselves. They pop open easily during water fights and don’t cause damage or harm to the kids.
