Tips for an environmentally aware child, home

Children’s rooms “go green”
Discover some cool ideas for kids' rooms that are also earth-friendly:

Tile rugs: The faces of most of Flor’s low-VOC tiles are nylon, natural hemp or wool fibers, while the backings are made of recycled materials. Plus, the company’s return-and-recycle policy makes these easy-install carpet tiles eco-wise. FLOR; flor.com; $13-$17 each

Paint: Zero-VOC paint with no fumes from Olympic. Available at Lowe’s stores, $17 to $21 a gallon, lowes.com

Bed: The Ayres twin bed is made with wood from certified renewable forests and low-emissions glue to last for years. Easily converts to a trundle bed with a standard twin foam mattress. Argington; argington.com; $630

Organic cotton bedding: This colorful organic cotton twin bed set includes 1 twin duvet cover and 1 sham ($290). Matching twin sheets (either fitted or flat) are available in: Lions, Tigers & Kittens, Oh My! and Stalk of Wheat; $98. Pixel Pieces; pixelpieces.com

Organic barrier mattress protector from The Company Store: 100% organic cotton mattress barrier protector. Handmade in USA. 250-tc Ivory organic cotton shell. Absolutely no synthetics or chemicals used. Twin: $299, thecompanystore.com. 

EcoPure pillow: This pillow is filled with recycled polyester for a firm, yet soft feel that provides great support. Machine washable. Martex; sears.com; $10

Decorative pillows: from K Studio, which combines art with functionality to create a stunning variety of eco-friendly cushions in 20 patterns, from delicate stitched wildflowers and woodland creatures to funky, cartoonlike people. The company makes a significant green commitment, too: Pillows are made from earth-easy fabrics like organic cotton, hemp, recycled wool and recycled polyester, and come in several bold colors. $98 and up, kstudiohome.com

Waffle blanket: This cotton blanket is completely free of chemicals, pesticides, fragrances and dyes, making it ideal for a natural nursery. 100% organic cotton fiber and machine washable. Organic waffle blanket, $69, Pottery Barn; potterybarn.com

“Zoo animals” blanket: This blanket is big enough for a crib or a growing child. Made of 100% organic cotton, measuring 40"x56"  David Fussenegger; softturtle.com; $90

Wallpaper designs: Bring any wall to life with a modern twist and retro charm. Hand-cut from vintage and reprinted wallpapers, each animal is available in several different patterns and colors per animal. Giraffe, $90, 55"H x 39 1/2"W; Birds (set of two), $25, 10" W x 7" H; Romp; rompstore.com

Teddy bear: 100 percent organic cotton teddy bear that is machine washable and safe for all ages. Huggaplanet; huggaplanet.com; $25

Monkey hangers: Double as wall art and are made from forest waste. $22, ourchildrensgorilla.com

Wonder wall: Section off a secret hiding place with this recycled-kraft-paper divider. Each pack contains 24 “module” panels (21 x 14 inches) that you connect to create dividers, walls, cubes. Nomad System; mioculture.com; $56 for 24 pack

Wood table and stools: Sustainable-wood table and stools are formaldehyde-free and made in the U.S. Ships flat to save packaging and assembles in minutes with InModern's patented, no-tools assembly method. Ecotots table and stools; inmodern.net; $375

Wooden animals: These heirloom-quality, solid-wood toys are handcrafted by disabled adults with a loving attention to detail, using milk-based paints for the ultimate in responsibility and health. All proceeds from their products go toward supporting this self-sustaining, nonprofit community. Egiggle.com; $25

Clothing tree: This playfully sculpture-esque alternative to the standard clothes-tree stands 4 feet tall, so there’s a lot of hanging capacity, and it’s available in three versatile colors: natural, orange and green. Pkolino.com; $95

Bamboo rocking pony: Created with nontoxic adhesives and low VOC paint, which emits fewer polluting gases. Celeryfurniture.com; $140

Play MobileHome: It's made from recycled cardboard, and it’s super lightweight. Bonus: 5 percent of proceeds to go UNICEF. $34; modernseed.com

Baskets: Sturdy carryalls woven from old newspapers. $20 for a set of two, containerstore.com

Lavender-stuffed animals from Speesees:  buttery-soft organic sherpa animals filled with lavender and lentils.  $22, speesees.com. 

Noonoo blankets and playthings: child-size, portable and light, each one is felted (lambswool), and pre-shrunk (lambswool and unbleached cotton), free-hand embroidered with child art imagery and individually handmade.  $12 to $40, noonoodesign.com

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