Kelly Mahaffy
Content Director at Mom’s Choice Awards
Earth Day, observed annually on April 22nd, serves as a poignant reminder of the importance of environmental conservation and sustainable living. It’s a day when people worldwide come together to advocate for the protection of our planet and to raise awareness about the challenges facing our environment. At Mom’s Choice Awards, we believe that instilling a sense of environmental responsibility in our children is paramount to securing a brighter, greener future for generations to come.
As we approach Earth Day, we celebrate the efforts of individuals and organizations dedicated to promoting eco-consciousness, and we proudly recognize products that inspire environmental awareness and sustainability. From books to toys, these award-winning selections not only educate children about the importance of caring for our planet but also empower them to become agents of positive change. Join us in honoring Earth Day by exploring these exceptional products and fostering a lifelong commitment to environmental stewardship in our children.
Here are some award-winning selections that connect children with the importance of caring for our planet:
- Adventerra Games: Adventerra Games creates board games designed to help make children aware of environmental issues through actions and concrete examples (waste reduction, recycling, use of renewable energy, etc.). Issues like pollution or climate change are scary for kids and adults. Therapists even have a name for it: eco-anxiety. Studies show that the best way to handle it is to show children how they can help.
Ages: Birth to 10+ - ebba Eco Collection by Aurora: The ebba Eco Collection offers a range of eco-friendly plush toys, lovingly designed with babies’ safety and comfort in mind. Each piece in this collection is responsibly crafted from recycled materials, featuring soft fabrics made from plastic bottles.
Ages: Infants & Toddlers - Everything Tesla: Written by kids for kids, Everything Tesla is more than a book – it’s a commitment to our planet. Every purchase contributes to 1% for the Planet and moves us one step closer towards a more sustainable future.
Ages: Ages 5 & Up - I’m A Future Scientist Book Set: This exciting set of full-color books for 6–12 year old will spark sustained interest in scientific fields, such as botany, marine biology, conservation and the environment, and many more. Through clearly written educational articles, fun cartoons, suggested hands-on activities, as well as full-color photographs and illustrations, these books are the perfect companions for budding scientists and ecologists.
Ages: 6 to 12 - Monsterkins by Wild Republic: Single-use plastic bottles take more than 450 years to fully decompose. Monsterkins eat plastic water bottles from land and sea. These adorable fun plush monsters are made of eco-friendly fill and fabric made of recycled water bottles. Monsterkins help teach kids about recycling and that not all monsters are bad.
Ages: 3 to 8 - Libby the Loving and Kind Cares for the Earth: This wonderful book introduces children to the basic concepts of caring for nature and the Earth while also encouraging the importance of taking care of our Earth through environmental awareness and sustainability.
Ages: 3 to 8 - The Night The Stars Went Missing: Winston learns that the stars go missing because of stress the humans have placed on their friend, planet Earth. It is up to Winston to convince the stars to return.
Ages: 3 to 8 - Playper: Most plastic toys are recyclable, yet many end up in oceans and landfills. Playper’s imaginative playsets are crafted from paper-based material sourced from sustainably managed forests, using kid-friendly PlayperBoard™–a robust, non-toxic, and plastic-free material made from 50% recycled post-consumer goods.
Ages: 3 to 6 - PLAYMOBIL Wiltopia: Discover Wiltopia – PLAYMOBIL’s first eco-friendly product line consisting of, on average, more than 80% sustainable materials. Discarded plastic waste is given a new life and serves as a source of material for this extraordinary play world. This conserves resources and, above all, the environment. Of course, all Wiltopia products meet the usual high safety standards and the proven PLAYMOBIL quality and durability.
Ages: 4 & Up - Sea Life Puzzle by The Learning Journey: This eco-friendly puzzle is shaped as a dolphin and is made with 70% recycled paper. This fun puzzle helps children develop problem solving skills while expanding their knowledge of different environments.
Ages: 5 to 12 - Soppycid Reusable Water Balloons: More than 1.5 billion single-use water balloons are sold annually. Soppycid Reusable Water Balloons help reduce the plastic waste problem associated with single-use balloons. Made from a soft biodegradable, latex-free silicone and magnet seals, these are a safe, fun and eco-friendly product that will provide years of use.
Ages: 3 & Up - A Tree For Me: This sweet book captures the meaningful journey we embark upon in search of unconditional love and genuine acceptance while kindling a sense of wonder, reverence, and connection with the world around us.
Ages: 2 to 8
In addition to recognizing outstanding products, we also commend the educators, parents, and caregivers who champion environmental education and sustainability initiatives in their communities. Their dedication to teaching children about the importance of environmental stewardship is invaluable in shaping a more eco-conscious generation. By fostering a love for nature and instilling eco-friendly habits from an early age, we empower our children to become responsible caretakers of the Earth.
This Earth Day, let’s celebrate not only the products that inspire change but also the individuals who are committed to nurturing a deep respect for our planet in the hearts and minds of our youth. Together, we can create a brighter, greener future for all.
About Kelly Mahaffy
Kelly Mahaffy is a seasoned professional with a passion for empowering families through quality content. As the Content Director at Mom’s Choice Awards, Kelly oversees the strategic development and curation of educational and entertaining content aimed at parents and caregivers. With a background in marketing and a deep understanding of the needs of modern families, Kelly is dedicated to providing valuable resources and insights to support families in their journey of raising happy, healthy children.
View all posts by Kelly Mahaffy here.
