Eco-Halloween Costumes to DIY For!

Last minute Halloween-costume blues got you down? Take a look at some inexpensive, eco-friendly costume designs to save your sanity (and a few trees!)

Halloween always seems to bring out the parental paranoia. I suppose it’s no surprise with kids running around after dark, knocking on the doors of people you may or may not know, and essentially taking candy from strangers.

What I don’t hear is any concern about the costumes. And with the mounting evidence of BPA in plastics, and the ever-present danger of off-gassing from things like PVC shower curtains, shouldn’t the same precaution be applied to your kid’s Halloween costumes?

They are often packaged in plastic and when you open them they do not smell good, probably due to the synthetic paint and dyes. Halloween costumes chock full of chemicals sure sound scary to me! (If your child insists on one of these costumes, at least wash it–if you can–or air it out before they wear it.)

So those smelly plasticized costumes might not good for your child’s health, but it’s a given that they are not the best thing for the planet. So here are some Halloween costume ideas that borrow from the reduce, reuse, recycle principle–costumes you can put together from stuff around the house or things you can pick up at a thrift store. No need to even pull out the sewing machine, and you might even save a little green while you’re at it–and who doesn’t like that?

Recycling bin: Grab some paper, cans, bottles, etc., and attach them to your child’s clothing. This is one costume that’s creative and on message.

The versatility of a white sheet: There’s the old standby ghost, or rewatch “Animal House” and make your kid a toga. If you’re feeling especially crafty, tear the sheet into strips and make a mummy costume. Just make sure you reuse those strips as rags instead of throwing them into the trash.

Ride ‘em, cowboy (or cowgirl): Blue jeans, a checked shirt, boots and hat–I’ll bet your kid has at least one or two of these items. Find some rope and make a lasso. As a bonus, tie a bandanna around your dog’s neck as the perfect trick-or-treating accessory. My 4-year-old nephew did this last year and it was a big hit.

Blast from the past: This one can be really fun, with some bell-bottoms, a tie-dye T-shirt or and a headband for a 60s hippie. (Don’t forget to tell your kid to display the two-fingered peace sign!) Or grab the fringe leather jacket/hand-knitted poncho/paisley psychedelic polyester shirt in the back of the closet–you know you kept them for a reason–for a 70s-themed look. Or pull out those leg warmers and shoulder pads for a not-so-pleasant reminder of the unfashionable 80s. Your kids will probably get a good laugh out of it at least!

Sleepwalker: Dress them up in their pajamas and slippers, mess up their hair and they’re all set.

Make like a tree, and leave: If your backyard is as full of fallen leaves as mine, this one is a snap. Attach the leaves to your kids clothes, hair and shoes. And the bonus is that the costume can go straight into the green waste can.

Ballerina/Princess/Fairy: A leotard, a poofy skirt and some great accessories can turn your little girl into her fantasy.

Box robot: If you’ve got a cardboard box around the house, you’ve got the start of a great costume. Just cut out holes for the arms and head, then let the imagination of you and your child be your guide. Just make sure you use non-toxic glue, markers and paint when doing the decorating.

Please share your ideas in the comments and have a safe and happy Halloween!

Stop the #1 Killer of African Children

Sponsor: William J. Clinton Foundation
Malaria is the single greatest killer of children in Africa. And even though this disease is completely curable, one to three million children will still die, because for many families in developing countries, effective treatments and preventative bed nets are too expensive. Last year, the Clinton Foundation launched a pilot subsidy program in Tanzania--the country with the highest rate of deaths from malaria in southern Africa--to make safe, effective malaria treatment available to those who couldn't normally afford treatment. The initial findings of the pilot showed a drop in price from $10 to $0.50 in pilot areas--a 95 percent decrease. But they can't do this alone. Please support President Clinton and the Clinton Foundation in their goal to increase access to affordable ACTs to people around the world.
More about this petition »

Beyond Paper: Eco-Friendly Crafts, DIY Fingerpaints & Playdough!

Today's Quote: Some things are simple and some things you make difficult for yourself.

Lena Rai, Cheboygan, MI
Click to visit her SocialVibe page! =)

By Terri Hall-Jackson, contributing writer, Care 2

Sometimes I think kindergarten teachers should be arrested because of the mounds of paper that are sent home on a daily basis. The father of my child’s preschool buddy looked mortified at me when I said that, but I could wallpaper my entire home with the voluminous amounts of printables and doodles that enter our doorway Monday through Friday, September through June.

I was kidding about the kindergarten teachers, of course. I love, love, love and deeply respect them. And I love seeing my children express themselves artistically. But the extensive use of paper does drive me nuts.

When doing crafts at home, may I suggest going paperless? Or at least recycle paper by creating a bin of paper that is clean on one side for kids to draw, doodle and play games on. If you are interested in crafts that don’t require the use of clean sheets of paper, consider the following activities.

1. Make a mosaic out of scraps of broken tiles, pictures from old magazines, paper scraps, odd cards from board games that are no longer played with. Potential material options are limitless.

2. Instead of using paper, how about making your own recycled paper and holiday cards, using ingredients such as newspaper, junk mail, paper scraps and dried flowers?

3. Check out resourcefulschools.org to learn how to make a kite, woven placemats, book covers and more out of old paper bags.

4. Before dumping items into the trash or recycle containers at home, consider if there’s any potential artistic use for them. A milk container could become a bird feeder. Can you see that baby jar as a snow globe or a paperweight? For more ideas on turning trash into art, check out The Imagination Factory’s Trash Matcher.

By Melissa Breyer, Producer, Care2 Green Living

With summer vacation in full swing, the constant clamoring for more Play-Doh and finger paints may be ringing in your ears. While buying toys that require creativity and young hands rather than batteries is certainly preferable—we have a better idea.

Homemade art and craft materials are all natural, non-commercial, inexpensive to make, eliminate excess packaging, and encourage creativity and resourcefulness. There is a bit of magic in seeing modest kitchen ingredients transformed into toy store favorites—and these recipes are as much fun to make as they are to play with afterwards.

Finger Paints
1 cup cornstarch
1/2 cup water
1/3 cup soap flakes melted with 1/2 cup
boiling water
Juice dyes (see below)

Make your own soap flakes by grating a bar of homemade hand soap (available at your health food store) until you have 1/3 of a cup of soap flakes. Combine the cornstarch, water, and melted soap in a bowl. Stir to blend. Let the mixture set until it has become thick. Divide into separate bowls and stir in juice dyes for color.

Play Dough
1 cup flour
1/2 cup salt
1 cup water
2 tablespoons oil
2 tablespoons cream of tartar

Stir together flour, cream of tartar, salt and oil, and slowly add water. Cook over medium heat stirring frequently until dough becomes stiff. Spread onto wax paper and let cool. Knead the dough with your hands until it reaches a good play dough consistency.

Springy Play Dough
2 cups baking soda
1 1/2 cups water
1 cup cornstarch

Mix with a fork until smooth. Boil over medium heat until thickened. Remove from heat and carefully spread on wax paper, cookie sheet or a plate until cool. Play.

To Add Color or Scent
For an extra sensory addition to your art materials, you can add color and/or fragrance. These additions are food-based and fun!

Adding Color: Juice Dyes
Experiment with different foods: try berries, beets, walnut hulls, cranberries, or tea. Combine 1/4 cup of the food material with 2 cups of water and simmer over low heat for an hour. Strain if necessary and store in a covered, glass jar. You can also use the juice from canned beets, which requires no cooking. Straight turmeric mixed into a paste with a little water will give you a vibrant yellow hue. Once you have your dyes prepared, add to finger paints or divide your play dough into balls and knead in color.

Adding Scent:
This couldn’t be easier, just add a few drops of flavor extract, vanilla or peppermint extract for example, from your spice cupboard.

Banning Phthalates in Toys

Originally posted by Melissa Breyer Jul 30, 2008 9:05 am

Finally, lawmakers in D.C. are taking action against phthalates. It’s about time. At Care2 we’ve been issuing a clarion call against these toxic chemical plasticizers that are commonly used in children’s toys and have been banned for use in children’s toys in Europe since 1999. More than a dozen other countries have banned the chemical, as has California.

According to the Washington Post, federally funded research found that male babies born to women with high levels of phthalates in their blood exhibited changes related to low sperm count, undescended testicles and other reproductive problems. Other studies have connected some phthalates to liver and kidney cancer. Health experts argue that dangers may be more significant from cumulative exposure, because phthalates surround babies not only in toys and products but also in breast milk if the mother has been exposed to the chemicals.

Although it isn’t law yet, the House and the Senate have agreed to ban three types of phthalates from children’s toys as well as three other phthalates. Since U.S. companies make $1.4 billion worth of phthalates a year, you can imagine there was some serious lobbying going on against a ban; Exxon Mobile is a major manufacturer of phthalates. Not all that surprising to find that President Bush opposes the ban, but it is unclear whether or not he will veto the measure. The legislation would also ban lead in children’s products. It is stunning that this isn’t law already.

If you’d like to help, please sign this Consumers Union letter at the Care2 Petition site.

Read the complete Washington Post article here.

More from Melissa Breyer (203 articles available)

Tell Congress to Finish the Job for Toy and Product Safety

Target: U.S. Congress
Sponsored by: Consumers Union

We have momentum for making toys and products safer for our families, including a product safety bill now in Congress that will stop secrecy about problem products -- making public shoppers' complaints about toys and other goods. This is one important victory, and we couldn't have done it without you.

But time is running out to get the bill to the President. Congress leaves in less than two weeks for summer recess, and they must finalize the bill before then.

Industry is pulling out all the stops to stall the bill. We need your voice now to pass this bill and make sure that all toys meet safety standards before they reach store shelves, ban certain dangerous chemicals from children's products, and protect strong state laws.

The clock is ticking -- let's not miss this opportunity for real change. Tell your lawmakers to make toys and products as safe as possible, before Congress adjourns for its summer break!

Tell Congress / Sign the petition!

Signature goal: 20,000
Current signatures: 12,195

Lead With Your Heart

Sponsored by: William J. Clinton Foundation

Too many children die before their time—40 children die of AIDS every hour. President Clinton's visit to Africa is an important opportunity to save lives that need not be lost. For example, President Clinton and the Clinton Foundation have already negotiated a 90 percent reduction in the cost of pediatric medicines!

In 2007 the Clinton HIV/AIDS Initiative's pediatric program, in partnership with UNITAID, helped double the number of children on treatment in 33 countries. That means two out of every three children globally receiving treatment for HIV/AIDS is supported by the Clinton Foundation's program.

That's what it means to lead with your heart—doing what you can to build a bright, healthy future for children who would've otherwise suffered or even died. In keeping with this spirit, stand together with President Clinton and pledge your support. Help make the next generation the first generation free of AIDS.

Pledge your support here!

Current pledges: 4,190