📚 Nontoxic Back to School Favorites 📚
Here is a link to the kit I send to school with my Kindergartener
Back-to-school season is upon us. With all the excitement and anticipation for kids and parents alike, figuring out what school supplies are needed and the best options can be overwhelming. Some of these items are pricier than their conventional versions but they're built to last. Most of what we use gets handed down from kid to kid, year after year, so the cost per school year ends up lower than replacing cheaper versions every fall.
Before the supplies: a little ritual of connection- Every year, I give each of my kids a bracelet that matches mine.
When I give my kindergartener hers, this is what I say:
"I gave you this little bracelet to match mine, so even when we are apart, we are still connected. When you are at school and your heart misses me, you can hold your bracelet, think of me, and remember that I am thinking of you too. It is like a tiny thread of love between us — quiet, warm, and always there, until we are together again."
For older kids, skip the speech and keep it simple.
These are the ones we use: this mama-and-me set for the kindergarten crowd and this first-day version for middle schoolers.
When choosing non-toxic school supplies, there are a few things you should keep in mind - avoid common harsh chemicals such as BPA, lead, phthalates, lead, and VOC; choose natural materials such as organic cotton, wood, natural rubber, and bamboo; and choosing products from brands that are committed to using sustainable practices.
Below are some of my top recommendations for non-toxic school supplies. I'd recommend prioritizing lunch boxes, food storage containers, and water bottles since chemicals could leach into their water and food.
🥗Lunchboxes: Choose lunchboxes that are made with stainless steel. My favorites are the @planetbox rover lunch box
Planetbox magnetic utensils
PlanetBox ice pack (love that you can wash the outside ice pack protector)
✋@handzies hand wipes that I include in my kids lunchboxes.
Fluf GOTS-certified organic lunch bag
🍽️ @_willaby_ organic napkin (use code DRORGANICMOMMY).
💦 Water bottles: Choose water bottles that are made of glass or stainless steel. I love using the glass water bottles with a silicone sleeve from @mybkr.
Here is a stainless steel optionwith this cap if your school does not allow glass bottles.
THERMOS CONTAINERS:
👕 Some of my favorite organic companies to buy back to school clothes and accessories are from:
🛏️ Nap mats from Organic Designs Co
🛏️ Nap Mat or travel bed from Pure Earth Collection (USE CODE DRORGANICMOMMY)
👟 Be Lenka (use code DRORGANICMOMMY)
👟 Wildling
Also love the Little Bug shoes (*Not Pictured)
Hat: Jan & Jul
See a full list of my favorite organic clothes here
See a full list of my favorite winter and rain gear here
* 📚 Here are also some better options for school supplies:
🖍️ Crayons: Choose beeswax or soy crayons that are free of asbestos. I like these from Stockmar, Filana or Honeysticks.
✏️ Colored pencils: Choose pencils that are made with non-toxic wood. My children use and love these Lyra pencils. ✏️ @lyra_feelcreative makes my favorite pencils.
Erasers: Look for erasers that are made with natural rubber. I prefer the @onyxandgreen eraser.
✂️ Scissors @onyxandgreen scissors
📄 It is good to use recycled paper. I like also like this hemp paper that you can find on my Amazon storefront.
These sew on organic name labels from Etsy are great if you have a child with sensitive skin.
My favorite labels (and I have tried them all) are @mabelslabels and they are offering 10% off using code DRORGANICMOMMY
Comment with questions or any brands that you think are missing ⬇️