Going Green for Back to School

2015 update: I reviewed these products two years ago as part of a post for an online store that no longer exists. This post may contain affiliate links which won’t change your price but will share some commission.!

alternaVites Kids Multivitamin

This powdered multivitamin is most likely to appeal to kids who like tubes of flavored sugar. My seven-year-old loved them; my five-year-old and three-year-old found them hard to eat. You can mix them into yogurt, which makes it a reasonable option for a child who you are trying to surreptitiously get vitamins into; we tried mixing them with water and the vitamin did not dissolve.

Artterro Bookmaking Kit

My kids really enjoyed this craft kit! All three kids did need my help sewing the book together – here is five-year-old Johnny’s finished book:

And this is three-year-old Lily’s finished book:

We had extra paper, beads, sequins, and embroidery floss left over after making these simple books. The kids have been using the leftovers to make cards. I think the kit is a nice introduction to bookmaking and paper crafting. The handmade, recycled paper in this kit is beautiful.

ECOlunchbox Solo Cube

I’m a fan of stainless steel lunch containers, and this one is the perfect size for sandwiches. The lid can be a little tricky to get on and off, so I recommend it most for kids who are good with lids on through adults.

Green Sprouts On Safari Bento Box

This Bento Box is perfect for preschoolers and young elementary school students! Besides being adorable and free of PVC and BPA, it is easy to open and close. My kids like the different compartments. The lid can double as a plate for the contents. We liked this product enough to buy three more – one for each child. 2015 update: as the kids have gotten older we have upgraded to the completely leak-proof Yumbox bento box, which we adore.

Wean green: Wean Cubes and Snack Cubes

I love Wean Green products, and use them to transport baby Anna’s snacks. They are made of glass, but the glass is thick enough that it would take a LOT for these cubes to break! They are freezer, microwave, and dishwasher safe, as well as being free of chemicals. You can store liquids in these containers without worrying about leakage.

Good For You Girls Gel Cleanser Daily Face Wash

This is a nice face wash; I’m not convinced it should replace honey (my preferred method). I also wish they would have made it gender neutral. I tried it on my face and liked it fine; I don’t think my kids really need any face wash other than water at this point.

Wee Can Too Grab & Go Paint Set

These paints are made out of fruit and vegetable powders – no harsh chemicals and vibrant colors (you can tell they are plant-derived, just because of the tones. Not a bad thing, in my opinion). The paint is easy to mix, and fun to use. It will stain, so dress your children (and plan your crafting spot) accordingly.

LiceLogic Repel Conditioning Spray

We have been lucky enough to avoid lice thus far, and I really hope our luck holds! This leave-in conditioner spray is intended to naturally repel lice. My seven-year-old doesn’t like the way it smells – she doesn’t like Rosemary, and we were sent the Rosemary Mint scent. You can also get it in Lemongrass and Lavender, and I think she would be fine with either of those scents. It makes a fantastic detangler spray, so I would consider buying this to use as a non-toxic lice repellent AND detangler free of the ingredients in traditional lice treatments (and, honestly, some detangler sprays) that make me cringe.

What are your favorite Green back to school products?

MaryAnne Kochenderfer

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MaryAnne is a craft loving educator, musician, photographer, and writer who lives in Silicon Valley with her husband Mike and their four children.