The Modern Playhouse collection has a minimalist design, but boasts maximum planning and consideration. Manufactured in California from FSC-certified domestic lumber and maple apple-ply and finished with a non-toxic, non-formaldehyde interior finish, the homes are ready for some DIY family fun (the houses come in 5 pre-assembled panels and will take less than 1/2 hour to put together). Modern Playhouse intends to release three beautiful color finish options next spring, but in the meantime, work with the kids to paint the interior and exterior with eco-friendly no-VOC paints.

Available in two styles, the Wedge ($1,250) and the Circle ($1,450), the houses are currently available for pre-sale and will ship out September 1st. You can purchase now through August 31st and get 20% off using the coupon code: MPPS20. Better yet, make sure you’re signed up with ecofabulous for a chance to win a Modern Playhouse of your choice! We’ll be drawing one random subscriber next Monday (the 23rd).

Once you have a house, it’s time to think about furniture and accessories! Modern Playhouse has a modular furniture collection that doubles as convenient storage when not in use. If you’re not ready for anything as committal as housing or furniture, take a look at the gorgeous textiles. From aprons to pillows to bunting, the colorful collection boasts organic cotton and non-toxic, water-based pigment inks. Pillows come with a kapok fill (our favorite).

After hearing Bill McDonough’s TED talk a few years ago on Cradle to Cradle design, we can’t help but associate this innocent toy with a larger concern about how products (especially those designed for kids) are made. Check out the video below to learn more about C2C, and stay tuned for updates from the recently launched Cradle to Cradle Institute.

In the meantime, enjoy the same squeaky sound and same loveable look from a toy in Rich Frog’s rubber duckie collection – maybe that bookworm will inspire your child to start those good study habits early! Available at a variety of online retailers, including Amazon.com.

Whether you have a budding little pirate or a surfer in training, fierce hugs carries designs for every interest and personality. We love their commitment to fair trade labor and support of independent artists – check out the current designers here and be sure to scoop up some tees for all the kids in your world.

You may know Nature’s Path for their delicious cereals (we love Optimum® Blueberry Cinnamon and Flax Plus® Red Berry Crunch) but on this occasion, people were going nutty for the bars! With flavors like Lotta Appricotta, Pumpkin-N-Spice and Chococonut, they’re a great way to satisfy your sweet tooth while stocking up on great, organic ingredients like whole grains, flax, hemp seed, fruit and nuts.

For those with kids in the family, or for those that like to indulge in kid cereals now and again (we’ll admit to keeping a stock of Gorilla Munch at the office!) try the EnviroKidz line – a collection of products that appeal to the slightly sweet side for kids, but keep parents happy with the use of organic cane sugar, rather than high fructose corn syrup or artificial sweeteners.

It’s not just the tasty treats the company produces that keeps us going back to the shelves for more, it’s also their dedication to the organic movement and commitment to triple-bottom line business that we’re happy to support. Check out the video below to meet Nature’s Path founder, Stephen Arrans and hear about how he started the company based on the words of his father:  ”to always leave the soil better than you found it.”

Click here to view the embedded video.

*Top photo credit: Sara Beugen & Stephen Mabry of Shoot My Events

Cue Hot Mama Gowns. Started by a hot mama that wanted to usher in her newborn in style and organic comfort, the full line of fashionable maternity gowns are the answer for expectant mothers. A full-coverage snap back is paired with an adjustable tie-front top for easy breast-feeding convenience (check out the video below) and comfort.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Using 100% organic cotton and natural, low-impact dyes, Hot Mama Gowns are as gentle on the environment as they are on you and your newbie – and make the perfect baby shower gift! At $119, the gowns aren’t cheap but the comfort during delivery and the use you’ll get in the months that follow are worth the investment. Choose from the current styles listed or try your hand at a custom design (choose anything from Harmony Art or you can even send in your own fabric).

Kids grow fast but run even faster. KEEN is one step ahead, giving them solid grounding with their durable shoes. Making strides in greening their footware, the Coronado is outfitted with recycled aluminum eyelets and features vulcanized construction, which eliminates the use of adhesives. These small changes will have your kid taking a big step in the right direction.

Sign-up now for a chance to get your kids out of the house and into the open KEENdom.

Governor Schwarzenegger was joined by companies like Steelcase, Method, Herman Miller and Shaw Carpet that have been sustainability trailblazers and boast numerous Cradle to Cradle Certified products. Bill McDonough and Michael Braungart have gifted the Institute with this certification and its protocols so that one day all companies may close loops and create products that celebrate abundance and allow us to “love all children of all species for all time” (McDonough) by creating products that either go back to the earth as a biological nutrient or go into the technosphere (having a plan for the products next iteration). Our founder, Zem is on the board and the founder’s circle includes Yves Behar, Wendy Schmidt, Chad Hurley and Brad Pitt, so yesterday was a quite a celebration. Congratulations to all on a very successful launch. And thanks Rosario Dawson for adding the social justice conversation and a little glamour as well!

A few of our faves include the Baby Body Wash (such a sweet label), the Winter Weight Sleep Cocoon (do they come in adult sizes?!), and the oh-so-adorable line of organic wool apparel… thankfully we can refer to the Rambler’s Way collection for us fully-grown folk.

Fashionable and environmentally conscious, the apparel also incorporates water-based tagless back printing so that skin won’t be irritated – genius. Keep kids looking smart by steering clear of conventional fabrics that use pesticides, herbicides and insecticides that get into our soil and waterways. And take a cue from the Green Sproutlets team, “Being natural doesn’t mean that we have to be boring!”