Shopping: Earth Day Essentials

Celebrated in more than 192 countries worldwide, the Earth Day rolls around this year on April 22. This year, bring your children into the mix as you celebrate Mother Earth by going green.

Here, we’re pleased to present our top picks for organic, eco-friendly, and Earth-centric toys and gifts–all of which are sure to make it easier than ever to go green!

Original Formula Eco Dough
Using all-natural ingredients, such as fruit and vegetable extracts, Eco Dough makes cooking and sculpting green and fun! The colors are vibrant, earthy, and gluten-free, plus this fun kit is available locally at Brooklyn toy shop Norman & Jules. $23, normanandjules.com
"Eco Babies Wear Green" Book
This Earth Day, spend time with your little ones by reading them this fun story about why it's important to recycle and reuse. This lovely board book, available from Land of Nod, showcases the beauty of nature and what kids can do to keep it green as they grow up. $6.99, landofnod.com
Green Toys Build-a-Bouquet
Made from 100 percent recycled plastic milk jugs, you’ll be able to build your own flower garden with countless floral arrangements right at home. Use your creativity and welcome the beautiful spring with this new product from Green Toys! $27.99, greentoys.com
Pop-out and Play Modern Birds
Add a bit of spring air to your kids’ shelves, desks, and tabletops with these adorable pop-out flowers and birds made from sturdy, thick material (available locally at the Pink Olive). The best part? They are made from recycled stock and printed with vegetable inks--making them totally eco-friendly. $15, pinkolive.com
Branch Pencils
Looking for a special Earth Day gift for the creative child in your life? These Branch Pencils, which are available locally at the American Museum of Natural History, are made from real tree branches so each one is totally unique! We’re sure your kids will love them for writing and sketching, or just putting on the shelf for display. $5.99, amnh.org
Plan Toys Marine Puzzle
By using environmentally safe and sustainable methods to produce, Plan Toys designed this marine-themed puzzle including a crab shape, a shell shape, a whale shape, and a turtle shape, encouraging kids to learn about marine life while also staying aware of why it's important to protect our oceans. $20, plantoys.com
Apple Park Organic Patterned Panda Blankie
Patterned with a cute and cuddly panda, these sweet blankies are made with organic fabrics and other eco-friendly materials. Your little ones are sure to fall in love with this tactile delight! $25.50, applepark.com
The Honest Company Nesting Gift Set
Treat yourself--or an expectant friend--to this collection of beautifully designed plant-based new baby essentials wrapped in an artsy lightweight reusable wooden box, from Jessica Alba's the Honest Company. The box is made from sustainable paulownia wood and perfect for storage of photos, toys, and art crafts after the gift has been opened! $39.95, honest.com
Babyganics Outdoor Essentials Kit
Your babies can brave the great outdoors with Babyganics’ essential kit filled with small bottles of Mineral-based Sunscreen Lotion, Pure Mineral Sunscreen Stick, Alcohol-free Foaming Hand Sanitizer, and Natural Insect Repellent. All made by plant-based and alcohol-free ingredients. babyganics.com
Zen Rocks Lotus Amethyst
A super-cool twist on teething jewelry trend, Zen-Rocks' products are great for both mom and baby. Zen-Rocks features trendy and original product designs, all made from non-toxic silicone. We love the Lotus shape, which is super-Earthy! $15, eylas.com

Chickenshed NYC

Chickenshed is an inclusive theatre company that began in the UK in 1974. Chickenshed NYC is a young organization bringing that same ethos and unique methodology to the USA. Chickenshed&rsquo;s mission is to create entertaining and outstanding theatre that celebrates diversity and inspires positive change. Chickenshed's model of Inclusive Theatre is based in the belief that everyone can flourish when everyone is included. At Chickenshed everyone is welcome, everyone is valued, and together we produce remarkable theatre. We want to break down barriers between people to create a world without labels and where differences no longer divide. At Chickenshed, support is given to those who need it, and given by those who can . We believe that creative activities, self-expression and performance should be available to anyone who has the desire, no matter their background or circumstances. We know that when everyone has the opportunity to shine, amazing things happen. Chickenshed NYC provides programming for little ones, children and youth through semester-long activities and performances.

Music Together

Music Together&reg; is for infants, toddlers, preschoolers, and their parents/caregiver. The classes include songs, rhythmic rhymes and movement, and instrument play activities that are developmentally appropriate for the children and easy for parents and caregivers, regardless of their own musical ability.

Aviator Sports Summer Day Camp

Aviator Sports Summer Day Camp offers five daily rotating activities such as swimming, ice skating gymnastics, rock climbing, parkour, indoor/outdoor turf, and courts plus more in its ample 175,000 sq. ft. facility and 35-acre outdoor area. Aviator Summer Camp also offers off-site and on-site field trips such as a day at Green Meadows Farm, Launch Trampoline Park, and a Brooklyn Cyclones game. The summer camp runs from 9 am-5 pm with early drop off and late stay available. Bus transportation is also available throughout Brooklyn. Lunch and an afternoon snack are included. Sign up by February 28th to receive up to $300 off camp with early bird discounts.