Fair Indigo

Organic and fair trade. Supporting women in the USA and abroad.
Under $30 section. Cute Joobles sets and lula la clothes for babies. Nothing for older kids, but teens will like some of the adult clothes and accessories. Earth friendly men's watches. Vegan leather accessories.


                                                                                             Image from Fair Indigo 

Fate of the World (Computer Game)

This game involves real science and real solutions. Intelligent, scary and thought-provoking.
                                                                                                                                                 Image from Fate of the World

Acorn Naturalists

Environmental education products. 
All kinds of science and nature crafts, games, and puzzles for kids. Great books. Wonderful puppets. Animal enamel trinket boxes in the
'Gourds and Boxes' section are priceless!
Boxed notecards.



                                           Image from Acorn Naturalists

Kites!

Homemade or purchased, this is fun and art in the wind.

Here are some places to go buy a kite. I couldn't find a store that sells only kites made with eco-friendly materials. Any suggestions??

photo from Into The Wind Kites

Eco Kite Kit
 http://www.downtoearthtoys.com

http://www.intothewind.com/

http://www.funwithwind.com/


This is a scientific sort of kite kit:
http://www.livingecho.com/products/gift-items/toys/gaiam!kite-building-kit-gaiam-64-0043



Make your own to give, or what about a kite- making kit that you've put together:

Instructions / patterns:

http://www.motherearthnews.com/Do-It-Yourself/Make-A-Recycled-Kite.aspx


http://www.howtomakeandflykites.com/ - nice selection of kites to make

http://www.making-and-flying-kites.com/ - nice selection of kites also

Materials:

http://www.goodwindskites.com/

La Petite Tica

Toys for babies and young children. Good prices on organic toys. Room decor.

Image from La Petite Tica

Child Trek

Natural toys. There is a list of toys available for under $30.
There's a nice selection of male and female multicultural dolls. Anatomically correct. In the same section: Spanish and Hebrew alphabet blocks.

Image from Child Trek

Dharma Trading Co

If you or your recipient are a fabric artist of any sort you must know about this website! Great prices on all sorts of blank white cotton clothing and "dyeables", and just about any type of dye, paint or tool that one might require.
Consider fabric marking pens and a nice white lunchbag, hat, or apron to decorate. This would make a nice gift for just about any kid.
"Dharma Trading Co. was started in 1969 on the principal that it's possible to be involved in business while maintaining good ethical values. "


Image from Dharma Trading Co

Discover This

As a homeschooling mother, I couldn't help but include this site. A great place to find educational science kits and toys. Searchable by price range.

Image from Discover This

Printable Paper Dolls

 

Here is a great site that has all kinds of paper dolls available for you to print out. What about putting together a nice homemade paper doll making kit? You could include printed-out dolls, eco-friendly colored pencils, paint etc (see my arts & crafts category), small scissors, and materials for the child to make their own dolls and clothes. You could even get fancy and use recycled tag board (cereal packages???) and bits of fabric...

Other ideas for homemade kits as presents could be puppet-making supplies; wood working supplies (thanks, Auntie Diane- that was a great gift!); knitting / crochet; art kit; juggling kit; jewelery making kit (with nature objects included if you want to keep the cost low); baking basket; there are lots of possibilities, what are the child's interests??

Image from About,com

Stuff Junction

All sorts of solar, wind, and water powered clocks, calculators, gadgets, chargers, and toys!
Section with prices under $20
 The Sun Jar, pictured, would make a great get-well gift.

Image from Stuff Junction

Amazon Used Book Sellers

If you have a tight budget this could be your answer. The used book sellers on Amazon can pretty much be relied upon to ship within a day or two and be very fair in their dealings. It is important to them to give you good service and a good product in order to keep their ratings up. Individual merchants have their own return policies, etc - you can look them up by clicking on the merchant. I consider it to be a reasonably reliable way to purchase like-new books for an (often) tiny fraction of the regular price, even when you consider shipping. I've purchased new books off the shelf that were in worse shape than any I've ordered from Amazon.

Used books help preserve the environment!

Amazon is my personal favorite but these are also often recommended:

alibris.com
abebooks.com
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/used/search.asp
bookbyte.com -can be a good place to find deals on expensive books

Edmund Scientifics

Edmund Scientifics "Think Green" section. More than sixty science items. There is a broad price range.

Image from Edmund Scientifics

Northwest Nature Shop

Environmentally friendly toys. Learning toys to inspire the future caretakers of the Earth.
Has a section with prices under $10.

Image from Northwest Nature Shop

The Hunger Site Store

Wonderful selection of toys and other gifts for kids. These are fair trade products from around the world. Each item you buy helps fund food for the world's hungry, yet prices are very reasonable.

Image from The Hunger Site Store

WannaLearn.com

This site is a great resource about making toys. It would also be a good place to inspire you about putting together a toymaking kit as a gift.

Stubby Pencil Studio

"Stubby Pencil Studio offers natural art materials and eco friendly office and school supplies..."

"You'll find unique gifts, non-toxic toys, classic games, books, craft projects and creative kits. Planning a party? Stubby Pencil Studio also offers party favors and decorations, and many other products for your creative family."

Image from Stubby Pencil Studio

Taraluna

fair trade, organic, green -Useful items that would make good gifts. Quality inexpensive jewelery and accessories great for teen girls, furniture for kids, toys,  gifts for bereaved parents, pet supplies, lunchbox/picnic

Image from Taraluna

Magic Cabin Doll Kits

Waldorf- style doll making kit - recommended for use by ages 12 to adult.
Also sells dolls,                                                                                     






 Image from Magic cabin Doll Kits

That Pet Place

Thinking of making or purchasing a sandbox? Some people are worried about crystalline silica in play sand because inhaled silica dust is known to cause silicosis.

Before you purchase sand alternatives, you may want to take a look at these websites if you haven't researched the subject already:

Sand IS silica, don't worry

About sand

Err on the side of safety

Play sand not safe (and where to buy Safe Sand)

Just water it down

Don't use sand meant for construction (eg: making concrete) because it will be too rough and will be dusty.

If, after researching this, you'd still like a source for ground walnut shells ( a highly recommended alternative!) try this link: Walnut Shells
or type "walnut shell bedding" into That Pet Place's search box.

ALSO : This pet store has good prices and a "gift" category with nice suggestions.

Hearth Song

Giving-oriented site: shop by price, age range, gender, holiday.
All sorts of active play.






  Image from Hearth Song