DIY | Eco-Mothering

August’s Top 5 Eco Crafts

By Donna DeForbes | August 8, 2014 - 5:00 am | Arts and Crafts

Welcome to my monthly installment of eco-friendly arts and craft projects gathered from around the Internet. While some projects require adult supervision, they are a fun, educational and green hobby for your kids to enjoy! This month’s collection includes a few back-to-school ideas. T-Shirt Tote from Planet Forward Jute-Wrapped Pencil Holders from Untrendy Life Rock Dominoes from Childcareland Blog Juice Carton Desk Organizer from Inhabitos Mini Cardboard Guitar from Mini Eco This post has been shared at Natural Family Friday.

July’s Top 5 Eco Crafts

By Donna DeForbes | July 3, 2014 - 5:00 am | Arts and Crafts

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Welcome to my monthly installment of eco-friendly arts and craft projects gathered from around the Internet. While some projects require adult supervision, they are a fun, educational and green hobby for your kids to enjoy this summer. Tin Can Outdoor Lantern from Inhabitat Sea Shell Mobile from I Love Shelling Paper Bag Kites from KinderArt Animal Flower Pot from Crafts Unleashed Egg Carton Fairy Lights from Red Ted Art

Top 5 Summer Solstice Family Activities

By Donna DeForbes | June 13, 2014 - 5:00 am | Holidays and Celebrations

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This June 21 we celebrate the Summer Solstice — also known as Litha or Midsummer Night — as the longest day of the year. In the northern hemisphere, we often unofficially honor this time as the start of summer when kids finish school and vacation begins. On a deeper level, the Solstice is a fire festival, which our ancestors have celebrated for centuries, honoring our connection to the burning warmth and life-giving rays of the sun. Here are five ideas for celebrating the Summer Solstice with your kids: Build a Bonfire This is the traditional activity in cultures around the world. In Greece, men leap over flames; Norwegians often stay up all night with the fire; and Bulgarians perform a barefoot dance on smoldering embers. You can choose a much safer ritual around a backyard fire pit or campfire. Sing songs, have a drum circle, roast marshmallows or dance around with … Continue reading →

Wood Recycling: From Wheelchair Ramp to Garden Bed

By Donna DeForbes | June 3, 2014 - 5:00 am | Home and Garden

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It’s not often (maybe never?) that I build something, and this home reuse project seemed the perfect thing to highlight on this blog. We bought our house five years ago, and the previous owner used a wheelchair – hence, the ramp off the back door. I said it would be the first thing to go when we moved in. It wasn’t. The ramp came in useful for large appliance delivery and as a place to lock Mike’s bike. Needless to say, it fell way down on the list of priorities in shaping our new home. Last year when some of the balusters started falling off, the ramp became dangerous for little kids, so we decided to finally take it down. So far, it has been a girls’ project: me and Sofie using mallets, hammers and crowbars to remove each piece of wood and simultaneously release pent-up frustration. It’s stacking up … Continue reading →

June’s Top 5 Eco Crafts

By Donna DeForbes | May 30, 2014 - 5:00 am | Arts and Crafts

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Welcome to my monthly installment of eco-friendly arts and craft projects gathered from around the Internet. While some projects require adult supervision, they are a fun, educational and green hobby for your kids. This month’s collection includes a few ideas for Father’s Day. Enjoy! Cardboard Toolbox from The Cardboard Collective Necktie Eyeglass Case from Artists Helping Children A great reuse for all those Father’s Day necktie gifts languishing in the closet!) Family Bowling Pins from No Time for Flash Cards Bottle Top Calculator from Learn With Play at Home Edible Playdough from Kids Activities Blog This post is shared at Natural Family Friday.

Tips and Ideas for Gardening with Kids

By Donna DeForbes | May 27, 2014 - 5:00 am | Home and Garden, Kids Going Green

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Gardens of every kind are a delight to behold. As a sustainable source of healthy food and outdoor exercise, gardening is an ideal activity. But how do you get your children involved and make it fun for them? For inspiration, check out the posts below. Planting and Activities Gardening with Toddlers from Montana Homesteader Egg Carton Gardening with Toddlers from Healthy Roots Happy Soul 4 Simple Tips for Teaching Children to Garden from Eco-Mothering 10 Unique Gardening Activities for Kids from Code Name: Mama 5 Growing-Themed Activities for Children from Diary of a First Child Make Stickers from Flowers from Real Food RN Creating a Children’s Garden from Five Little Homesteaders Kids Craft Window Garden from We Know Stuff How to Plant a “Miss Rumphius” Garden from Red and Honey Critters and Fairies Adventures with Earthworms from Mama Rosemary How to Plant a Bee-Friendly Garden with Kids from Natural Living Mamma Creating … Continue reading →

May’s Top 5 Eco Crafts

By Donna DeForbes | May 2, 2014 - 5:00 am | Arts and Crafts

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Welcome to my monthly installment of eco-friendly arts and craft projects gathered from around the Internet. While some projects require adult supervision, they are a fun, educational and green hobby for your kids. This month’s collection includes some great ideas for Mother’s Day. Enjoy! Upcycled Cloth Kindle Case from Mommy By Day Crafter By Night Personalized Garden Stepping Stones from Condo Blues Chalk Paint Candle Holder from The Creative Headquarters Make it eco: Substitute beeswax candles in recycled glass jars. Upcycled Mug Jewelry Holder from Indulgy Juice Lid Photo Magnets from Crafting Chicks

April’s Top 5 Eco Crafts

By Donna DeForbes | April 4, 2014 - 5:00 am | Arts and Crafts

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Eco-Friendly Spring Crafts | Eco-Mothering.com

Welcome to my monthly installment of eco-friendly arts and craft projects gathered from around the Internet. While some projects require adult supervision, they are a fun, educational and green hobby for your kids. This month’s collection focuses on crafts for Earth Day, plus make-your-own Easter baskets. Enjoy! Food Jar Terrarium from Our Big Earth Printable Tree Planting Tag from Chickabug Blog Plantable Paper from Alpha Mom Upcycled Mobiles from Plum Pudding Recycled Paper Easter Basket from Roots of Simplicity See more ideas for making your own Easter baskets at Crafting a Green World.