Eco-Chick · The modern girl's guide to living green & fabulous.

Idbids for Kids

Waverly, the aquatic Idbid.

The Idbids Kit for kids encourages play, learning and caring the earth. Always on the lookout for toys that will inspire my children to love nature, Idbids offers a cute, eco-friendly option.

The kit contains organic Egyptian cotton toys, a bright storybook that is unique, a canvas bag, and a Field Guide to plant the seeds of ecological stewardship. Reminiscent of claymation movies, the adorable storybook features photographs of the stuffed toys in various settings taking “iddy biddy steps” toward a greener, cleaner planet.

On the company’s website, kids can sign up for their certificate of completion, once they have finished working with the Idbid Kit Field Guide that lists ten ways to be more sustainable in everyday life, such as, “color on both sides of the page to double the masterpieces.”

Encouraging positive action and simple steps, the field guide helps to get kids involved and feel motivated by their own ability to care for their environment. Idbids are a great gift for little ones.

"50 Simple Steps to Save the Earth from Global Warming"

50 Simple Steps to Save the Earth from Global Warming by the Green Patriot Working Group is a really accessible guide of 50 simple steps to take to help protect the planet, with great additional resources listed to learn more.

Although the average eco-conscious person is most likely already aware of at least some of these steps, I found a bunch of tips that particularly good reminders:

• Send an email a day to corporations/your government to urge against global warming and other environmental causes you believe in
• Check your tire pressure: “Under inflated tires can cut fuel economy by up to 2% per pound of pressure below the recommended level”
• Be a carbon-neutral gardener by using a push mower, using only organic fertilizers + pesticides, and reducing your lawn (lawns are not sexy!).
• Invest in the Solution by investing your money in green funds such as Green Century, Domini Social Investments, which is something I want to start doing.
• Buy organic supplements. I didn’t realize how many non-organic dietary supplements use ingredients that are derived from petrochemicals!