All posts by Angelika Arroyo

Eco Friendly Product Guide, Home Living

Best Organic Mattress Brands For Healthy Sleep

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Non-Toxic And Sustainable Mattress Brands For Every Budget

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Whether you’re moving out on your own for the first time, or just need to replace the current mattress that you’ve been sleeping on for decades, one thing is certain:

You want organic and healthy sleep without all the chemicals!

Why Choose A Sustainable Mattress?

Adulting is hard enough, and at the end of the day, you want to fall asleep on a mattress that offers pressure relief and posture support, without compromising your health.

The typical [non-organic] mattress is constructed from material that has most likely been treated with pesticides, flame retardants and many other hormone disrupting chemicals.

According to WebMD, “Mattresses are known to release minute amounts of gaseous chemicals called volatile organic compounds (VOCs). These VOCs come mainly from the polyurethane used in the mattress, but also from other chemicals used in flame retardants and plastics, the researchers said.”

A green mattress, on the other hand, is made from all-natural and certified organic material that doesn’t pollute your sleeping environment and still meets fire-retardant and other safety guidelines.

What Are The Benefits Of An Organic Mattress?

Fewer allergens: Unlike a conventional mattress, which is typically made from Polyurethane, a sustainable mattress is made with material(s) like organic cotton and organic wool—both of which are resistant to dust mites and great for allergy sufferers. Wool especially, is hypoallergenic, naturally antimicrobial, and flame resistant.

Comfort: Natural fibers are more breathable and do a better job at wicking away moisture which results in cooler sleep. It’s no wonder that those who own a sustainable mattress fall asleep faster and stay asleep longer.

Durability: An organic mattress is far more sustainable than a conventional mattress because organic wool and natural latex, in particular, last an extremely long time (about 15-20 years).

What To Look For When Shopping For An Organic Mattress?

When shopping for an organic mattress, you should consider sustainable certifications and environmentally friendly material which ensure that ethical standards are being met.

Sustainable mattress brands should also be transparent and willing to list all material used to create each mattress.

A sustainable mattress should be made with natural fibers like natural latex, organic cotton, sustainably sourced wool and nontoxic glue (if any).

Reputable certifications include GREENGUARD, OEKO-TEX, GOTS, GOLS, CertiPUR-US, OTCO, Made Safe, and Green America.

Below is our list of top-rated organic and environmentally friendly mattress brands that offer a great sleep experience.

All of the organic mattress brands in this article also meet federal and state flammability requirements, without the use of harsh flame retardants and chemicals.

Naturepedic

Naturepedic

Made In | USA

Sizes | Twin | Twin XL | Full | Queen | King|
Cal King

Price Range | $1,199–$9,999

Material | Organic Fiber | Organic Wool | Organic Latex | Glueless Encased Coils

Warranty | 10–20 year limited warranty


If you’re looking for an organic mattress with customizable layers, then Naturepedic is worth exploring. This eco-friendly family-owned mattress company offers many mattress models to choose from, and they have an impressive list of environmental and safety certifications, as well as awards.

Naturepedic is an organic and customizable mattress brand that makes their products in a GOTS certified facility right here in the USA. This green mattress brand is GREENGUARD gold certified, and offers free shipping throughout the United States.

Shop Naturepedic
Eco Terra

Eco Terra

Made In | USA

Sizes | Twin | Twin XL | Full | Queen | King|
Cal King

Price Range | $1,609–$2,259

Material | Natural Latex | Organic Wool | Organic Cotton

Warranty | 15 year limited warranty

If you’re looking for a soft, supportive feel that eliminates pressure points and provides profoundly restful sleep, then an Eco Terra mattress might be right for you.

The Eco Terra mattress is a handcrafted hybrid mattress made with natural latex, organic wool, organic cotton, and encased coils; and each is calibrated with the precise support you need to reach deep levels of REM sleep.

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Essentia

Essentia

Made In | Canada

Sizes | Twin | Twin XL | Full | Queen | King|
Cal King

Price Range | $2,225–$4,550

Material | Organic Latex | Organic Cotton

Warranty | 20 year warranty

Essentia is the world’s only organic memory foam mattress, and this green mattress brand has four different models to choose from. Essentia mattresses also tend to be on the firm side, which make them ideal for sleepers who need more support.

This eco-friendly mattress brand uses organic latex foam and GOTS certified organic cotton covers; as well as other organic material that are sourced from farms that follow all sustainable and ethical farming practices, including strict fair trade and labor standards. 

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Eco Gift Ideas

Last Minute Christmas Gift Ideas Your Toddler Will Love!

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Safe And Non-Toxic Last Minute Toddler Gift Ideas To Complete Your Holiday Shopping

Every year, the days can slip away from us during the holiday season, and we end up scrambling to finish our holiday gift shopping. It happens—we’re human.

And if you have some little ones left to buy gifts for, then The Natural Baby Company is your go-to place to complete your holiday shopping!

With a magical line of toys that go from the outdoors to the tub to winding down at bedtime, The Natural Baby Company has curated a special collection that is largely made up of small, family-owned businesses.

Each product is of the highest quality, healthy, and environmentally friendly and is designed to last for a very long time. That means, while maybe considered last-minute, you don’t have to skimp on the quality of your gift.

To help you shop, here are some fantastic last minute gift options to check out…

They’ll love to role play as a famous chef or homemaker with the Plan Toys Stand Mixer Set. Great for developing creative thinking and communication skills, fine motor skills, and hand-eye coordination, the Stand Mixer Set has a spinning axis that rotates 360 degrees – resulting in realistic play. A mixing bowl made from PlanWood™, a pat of butter, a flour bag with pretend flour, and an egg that can be cracked like a real one make this playset the ultimate addition to imaginary kitchen play!

Plan Toys

Help them discover the joys of fixing and creating projects with the Plan Toys Tool Belt! The tools include a hammer, a wrench, a screwdriver, and a level and kids can practice using these tools with a nut and a bolt that are also included.

Plan Toys

Speaking of music, what kid doesn’t love making their own? To become little musicians, Plan Toys Musical Setcomes with melody xylophone; cymbal, and guiro that helps enhance hand-eye coordination and boost concentration skills. Plus, it’s just plain fun!

Plan Toys

A kid-favorite, the Glo Pals believe in the magic of childhood and it is The Natural Baby Company’s goal to bring that magic into ordinary, everyday activities. Inspired by a child with autism who did not like the bath, his mother used the technology behind the Glo Pals to encourage him to overcome his fear of water and learn to love bath time. Glo Pals have since helped brighten days and help bath time become playtime. Grab a Glo Pal Character with bendable arms and colorful personalities or just gift the cubes like the Glo Pals Sesame Street Elmo Pack.


The best toys, are of course, those which educate children as well as entertain them—something the Djeco is very good at. The Djeco Locktou set features wooden animal characters with various locks and clasps that will keep little hands busy, encouraging them to improve their motor skills.

Djeco Locktou

Now, head over to The Natual Baby Company today to view even more amazing products that any kid would love to get under the tree and finish that list!

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baby gear, Eco Friendly Product Guide

Best Eco-Friendly Crib Brands For Safe Sleep

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An Eco-Minded Parents’ Guide To Top-Rated Non-Toxic Cribs With Safety Certifications

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Babies deserve a safe and healthy sleep environment, and because they’ll be spending a good amount of time in their nursery, it’s important for parents to consider non-toxic furniture—especially when it comes to cribs.

Today’s parents are more eco-minded when shopping for nursery furniture—because they know that eco-friendly furniture is made with non-toxic chemicals, and will contribute to cleaner air quality within the home (especially because a lot of baby furniture is made with formaldehyde, which is a toxic chemical linked to allergies, asthma and even cancer).

Seasoned parents also know that when babies start to go through the teething process, they will eventually start to mouth and chew on crib rails—so it’s crucial to choose a crib that contains natural wood and a non-toxic finish, to prevent toxins from entering their baby’s body.

Why Choose An Eco-Friendly Crib For Your Nursery?

Aside from the fact that eco-friendly cribs are non-toxic and contribute to better air quality in your child’s bedroom, eco friendly cribs are also sustainably sourced and responsibly manufactured.

The non-toxic cribs recommended within this article are all natural wood, and made from sustainably sourced New Zealand Pine, which is one of the most sustainable and renewable wood resources in New Zealand, and other sustainably harvested wood such as beechwood, walnut and more.

As far as the mattress board and any pullout drawers, all of these sustainable cribs use CARB II compliant MDF (engineered wood). 

What Should You Look For When Shopping For A Non-Toxic Crib?

Because anyone can “greenwash” a product and claim that it’s non-toxic and eco-friendly, it’s important to look for reputable certifications which prove that a crib has indeed met, and/or, exceeded safety standards and emissions testing.

One of the best “green” certifications that a crib can have is a GREENGUARD certification. Cribs that are GREENGUARD Certified, have been tested for over 10,000 chemical emissions and volatile organic compounds. Not all cribs and nursery furniture will have this certification, but will come close (as long as they’re tested by a third party).

When it comes to product safety, it’s important that cribs meet or exceed CPSC requirements through 3rd party testing, and conduct annual testing with the Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association (JPMA).

Now, let’s take a look below at some of the safest and environmentally friendly crib brands for your little one to enjoy! You’ll find that our picks are practical, functional and stylish!

Non-Toxic Cribs For Your Eco Nursery

Baby Letto

Baby Letto

Mini Cribs | Convertible Cribs | Portable Cribs | Toddler Bed Conversion Kits

Baby Letto is a modern and stylish children’s furniture brand that specializes in creating safe, non-toxic and environmentally friendly furniture.

Every Baby Letto crib is made from 100% solid wood, and you can rest assured that this brand sources only the most renewable and sustainable tree species—like New Zealand pine wood.

Baby Letto has a variety of Greenguard Gold certified cribs to choose from, and each one has been tested for over 10,000 chemical emissions and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). They’re even finished in a non-toxic multi-step painting and staining process that is lead and phthalate safe.

Shop Baby Letto

.

DaVinci

DaVinci

Mini Cribs | Convertible Cribs| Changer Combos | Portable Cribs

DaVinci is a another wonderful children’s furniture brand that specializes in creating safe, eco-friendly and stylish nursery furniture.

The eco-friendly DaVinci baby cribs are constructed from sustainable New Zealand pine wood. For the cribs that contain pull out drawers, the material used for the storage space is made with CARB II or TSCA compliant engineered wood called medium-density fiberboard (MDF).

Davinci has a variety of Greenguard Gold certified cribs to choose from, and each one is specially crafted with your baby’s safety in mind. They contain a modern style and various color options to choose from, so that you can create the nursery of your dreams!

Shop DaVinci
Dadada

Dadada

3-in 1 Convertible Cribs

Dadada cribs are a sustainable crib brand that makes beautifully crafted contemporary cribs for parents who love stylish yet simple furniture styles.

Made in Italy, the Dadada cribs are made from solid beechwood with a non-toxic finish, and add a natural calm to any eco-themed nursery.

The eco-friendly Dadada cribs are GREENGUARD gold certified, lead-free, phthalate-free, and meet strict JPMA standards.

Shop On Modern Nursery
Dream On Me

Dream On Me

Mini Cribs | Full Size Cribs | Portable Cribs | Cradles

Dream On Me is a modern children’s furniture and baby gear brand that creates some of the safest products on the market.

The Dream On Me solid wood cribs are made of sustainable New Zealand pinewood and TSCA compliant engineered wood.

While only certain models contain a Greenguard Gold certification, you can rest assured that all Dream On Me products meet or exceed CPSC requirements through 3rd party testing and ASTM, and conduct annual testing with the Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association (JPMA).

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Delta Children

Delta Children

Mini Cribs | Convertible Cribs | Changer Combos

Delta Children is a truly unique furniture brand because they create products for the entire family: babies, children, teens and adults.

The eco-friendly Delta Children solid wood cribs are made of sustainable New Zealand pinewood and TSCA compliant engineered wood.

Though not all cribs are Greenguard Gold certified, all of Delta Children products are free from added toxic fire retardants, lead, and phthalates. Their cribs are tested to meet or exceed all applicable JPMA, CPSIA and ASTM safety testing standards.

Shop Delta Children
Storkcraft

Storkcraft

Mini Cribs | Convertible Cribs | Changer Combos

Storkcraft is a nursery and children’s bedroom furniture brand that makes charming looking cribs from sustainable New Zealand pine wood.

Every Storkcraft crib has been tested to meet or exceed all applicable safety standards, and are certified by the Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association (JPMA). Storkcraft cribs also meet or exceed all applicable Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC) and ASTM International safety standards. Most of their crib models are also Greenguard Gold certified.

“Storkcraft is also a proud recipient of the 2018 and 2019 Women’s Choice Award® for America’s Most Recommended Baby Furniture, and the 2020 and 2021 Women’s Choice Award® for 9 out of 10 Customer Recommended Baby & Kids Furniture.” —Storkcraft

Shop Storkcraft
Million Dollar Baby

Million Dollar Baby

Convertible Cribs | Toddler Bed Conversion Kits

Million Dollar Baby is an eco-friendly nursery furniture brand that creates elegant and farmhouse inspired nursery cribs and baby furniture.

Million Dollar Baby uses different types of wood for various models such as Poplar.

All Million Dollar Baby cribs are GREENGUARD Gold certified and the brand continues to meet and exceed industry standards for safety, including voluntary ASTM standards for all of their products. 

Shop on Modern Nursery

Sustainable Fashion, Sustainable Parenting

Best Sustainable Clothing Brands For Babies And Toddlers

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Organic And Sustainable Clothing For Babies And Toddlers That Are Practical, Functional, Eco-Friendly And Stylish

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Why Is It So Crucial To Switch To Sustainable And Organic Fashion?


Did you know that most children’s clothing is still treated with hormone disrupting flame retardant and carcinogenic chemicals like Azo dyes during the production process?

Unfortunately, this is how the textile industry operates—especially because ”fast-fashion” is in high demand and corporate greed far outweighs any consideration for consumer wellbeing—even a child’s.

Baby skin is thinner than that of an adult, and children in general don’t develop that thick adult-like skin until they reach puberty. So, until they do, their delicate skin is more susceptible to a plethora of hormone disrupting chemicals that can be found in many popular clothing brands.

And since fast fashion isn’t slowing down anytime soon (as much as we would like for it to)—we, as parents, have to do a little extra work and find alternative clothing brands that are void of any hazardous chemicals.

Personally, I’m fine with doing a little extra research.

What Fabrics Are Best For Babies And Toddlers?

Since babies and toddlers have delicate skin, it’s best to choose eco-friendly fabric that’s as natural and organic as possible.

Natural plant-based fabric such as organic cotton, hemp, linen and bamboo are all excellent choices when it comes to dressing your baby and toddler because they are all breathable, don’t require the use of pesticides, and are hypoallergenic.

Bamboo viscose is a personal favorite of mine because in addition to being hypoallergenic, it is also anti-microbial and naturally uv resistant.

Now that you know why sustainable children’s fashion is such a big deal, let’s take a look below at a few of our favorite sustainable clothing brands that both you and your child will love!

Going Green Is Easy With These Amazing Sustainable Children’s Clothing Brands!

BeyaMade

Beya Made

3 Months — 4T

Beya Made is a children’s sustainable fashion brand founded by a mom who used to work in the fast fashion industry. After realizing that disposable clothing is horrible for the environment, she launched a sustainable clothing line with ethically sourced stain-resistant fabric that grows along with your baby.

Video by Beya Made

Beya Made is all about linen—and you can choose from the most adorable tops, pants, and rompers that were designed to last and make awesome hand-me-downs. You can also take part in their trade up program and receive a $15 credit toward a new purchase when you send in your used Beya Made apparel (provided it’s in great condition).

Shop BeyaMade
Bamboo Little

Bamboo Little

Newborn — 9 Months

Bamboo Little was founded by a mom who believes that comfort and conservation should go hand in hand. So she developed a sustainable clothing line for babies made exclusively from bamboo.

This sustainable fashion brand for babies carries footies, rompers, bath towels, wash cloths, swaddles and baby blankets that are always gentle on your baby’s skin. The fabric colors are really adorable too!

Shop Bamboo Little
Rylee + Cru

Rylee + Cru

Newborn — 14 years

Rylee + Cru is a small business who takes the ethical manufacturing process very seriously—from sustainably sourced cotton fabric to fair wages and beyond—this company plays by the rules big time.

When it comes to style, I particularly love this brand’s earthy tones, patterns and graphic designs. Riley + Cru has the cutest boho style designs that many minimalist moms love. The warm tones of each piece are also a must-have addition to your child’s closet and look fantastic in photo shoots.

Shop Rylee + Cru
Kyte Baby

Kyte Baby

Newborn — Size 7 (mom and dad too!)

Kyte baby was founded by a mom whose child had chronic eczema, and traditional fabric only made things worse. This mom went on to create a natural children’s clothing brand made from eco-friendly and hypoallergenic bamboo.

This all-natural children’s fashion brand carries all of the basics for babies, plus some really cool all-natural apparel for mom and dad! In addition to clothing, Kyte Baby also carries eco-friendly ring slings if you happen to be searching for organic babywear.

Shop Kyte Baby
Posh Peanut

Posh Peanut

Newborn — Age 12 (mom and dad too!)

Posh Peanut is a charming family-owned online boutique that sells clothing made from sustainable bamboo viscose in sizes ranging from newborn, all the way to size 12. They even have matching outfits for the entire family, and shipping is always free!

This sustainable children’s clothing brand carries everything from bodysuits to fun dresses and more. And because each fashion piece is made from hypoallergenic bamboo, you’ll never have to worry about your little one feeling itchy or uncomfortable.

Shop Posh Peanut
Patagonia Baby

Patagonia Baby

Newborn — 2T

I love Patagonia because this sustainable and responsible fashion brand uses renewable and recycled material to create high quality clothing for both young children and adults.

If it’s outdoor apparel you’re searching for, then Patagonia Baby is the clothing brand you want—hands down. It may be pricier than other brands, but there’s a good reason: it’s ethically sourced, ethically manufactured, and it’s incredibly durable.

Shop Patagonia Baby
Our Green House

Our Green House

Newborn — 24 Months

Our Green House is your one stop shop for all things safe and healthy when it comes to your home and your baby—one of them being ethically sourced fair trade products like children’s clothing.

This eco-friendly online store has a charming selection of organic baby clothing that’s both fair trade and GOTS certified. From bodysuits to outerwear, you’ll be sure to come across something that you’ll love!

Shop Our Green HouSe
Burt’s Bees

Burt’s Bees

Newborn — Size 7

As a mom of 2, I’ve definitely owned a few clothing essentials from Burt’s Bees! This eco-friendly baby brand makes all of their apparel from organic cotton, and gives back to charity organizations like Save The Children.

Burt’s Bees carries your everyday baby essentials consisting of body suits, rompers and pajamas. Their organic cotton fabric is durable, high quality, and available in soothing neutral colors and patterns that are perfect for both boys and girls.

Shop Burt’s Bees
Snug Bub

Snug Bub

Newborn — Size 6

Snug Bub is a really cool eco-friendly fashion brand that’s perfect for minimalists and families on tight budgets. Because in addition to using organic fabric, they carry both expandable as well as stain proof clothing for young children.

Snug Bub is a small family owned operation who were inspired by their own children to create clothing that would grow right along with their babies—reducing the need to constantly buy new sizes. Their brand helps parents save money, reduce closet clutter and minimize landfill textile waste.

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baby gear

The Best Slings And Wraps For Babywearing

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Our Favorite Eco-Friendly Baby Carrier Brands Made From Natural And Organic Fabric

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With my first child, I didn’t consider buying a wrap or ring sling because, to be honest, these cloth baby carriers looked like a lot of work.

For many first time moms who are not familiar with baby wraps, all of that tying can appear pretty intimidating, and can even create understandable fear and anxiety that your precious cargo will accidentally fall through.

However, after getting tired of lugging around a 20-30 pound car seat with me every time I went out to the grocery store, I decided to give babywearing a try—and it was one of the best “baby gear” purchases I’ve made.

What Are The Benefits Of Babywearing?

Babywearing mimics the womb, which reduces stress for your little one, allowing baby to feel calm and secure. That’s why certain styles of baby wraps are wonderful tools for skin-to-skin contact and soothing fussy babies.

Babywear also allows you to multitask by freeing up your hands! You can get things done around the house, or run errands while your baby is snuggled securely against your body. When I finally decided to wear my baby, a trip to the grocery store was much more pleasant—my wrap even had a pocket on the front where I was able to store my baby’s pacifier.

Lastly, babywear helps increase mom’s milk supply and even helps reduce baby’s spit-up after feedings because they’re resting in an upright position.

What Is The Weight Requirement For Babywear?

According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), slings and wraps are intended for infants and toddlers between 8 and 35 pounds. 

Babies younger than 4 months of age are still developing neck muscles, and babywear can put your baby in a position where their breathing can become obstructed.

Hence, please take caution and always monitor your baby to make sure that they are not in a curled up position, or have their chin down when being worn in a wrap, sling or other hybrid.

Which Babywear Style Is Best?

Baby carriers are constantly evolving, but typically range from unstructured hammock-shaped varieties to lengthy fabric that wrap around the body. There are also hybrids that offer a combined set of features.

Choosing the right baby carrier depends on baby’s age and weight. For example, a wrap was better in the first few months of my baby’s life because it was tight and allowed me to keep baby’s head more upright. It was also better for skin to skin contact.

Later on, as my baby grew and developed better head control, I was able to add a ring sling into the mix, which didn’t make me feel as sweaty during summer months. That’s because baby wraps tend to be a little thicker—trapping heat (at least that’s how it was for me).

Lastly, now a days, hybrid carriers are available which don’t require any tying or adjustment, and are the perfect fit for parents (like dads) who might feel self-conscious or intimidated to wear a fancy ring sling or over-complicated baby wrap.

Now that you’re familiar with the basics of babywearing and all of the different carrier styles, let’s look at my favorite brands that make their baby carriers in a responsible way and with non-toxic material to keep your precious one happy and healthy.


Our Favorite Eco-Friendly Babywearing Brands

Solly Baby

Solly Baby | Wrap Carrier

Weight Limit: Up To 25lbs

These buttery soft and breathable baby wraps by Solly Baby provide a secure yet comfortable fit that babies love and feel at ease in. The snug security that these wraps provide make them ideal for newborns, and are a perfect tool for that skin-to-skin contact. The Solly Baby wraps are available in various designs and are ethically manufactured in facilities where fair wages and humane working conditions are a top priority.

Video by: Solly Baby Newborn tutorial

Features

  • Made from 100% certified Lenzing modal (a luxuriously silky-soft, sustainable knit made from the pulp of Austrian beechwood trees)

Made with environmentally-friendly, nontoxic AZO, phthalate-free and metal-free dyes

Made without flame retardants

Lightweight and breathable for year round wear  

Shop Solly Baby
Kyte

Kyte | Sling Carrier

Weight Limit: 8lbs Up To 35lbs

The buttery soft Kyte linen ring slings by Kyte Baby are stylish baby carriers with a pretty rose gold ring that ensures a tight grip. These eco-friendly ring slings also have pockets, and I can’t stress enough just how convenient pockets are on baby carriers—especially for cell phone storage and pacifiers when you’re out and about and need access to them fast.

YouTube Video By: Kyte Baby

Features

Made from environmentally-friendly 100% pre-washed flax linen

Hypoallergenic and antibacterial

Contains two pockets: a large exterior pocket and a smaller interior pocket

Shop The Natural Baby Co
New Native

New Native | Baby Carrier

Weight Limit: 8lbs Up To 35lbs

The New Native baby carriers are the perfect solution for on-the-go caregivers who absolutely cannot stand ring slings or traditional baby wraps. That’s because New Native baby carriers are non-adjustable and fitted to the wearer—which means you never have to struggle with all those complicating tying instructions. They make a convenient breastfeeding cover, and dads love them because they’re simple and perfect for minimalists—which most men tend to be.

YouTube Video By: New Native

Features

Made from hypoallergenic organic cotton

Non-adjustable and hassle-free design is free of buckles, straps, and rings

Doubles as a nursing cover

Allows for multiple carrying positions

Available in sizes: XS (95 lbs) to XL (225lbs)

Shop New Native
Nalakai

Nalakai | Ring Sling

Weight Limit: Up To 35 Pounds

The super soft and eco-friendly Nalakai ring slings are made from a sustainably sourced bamboo-linen blend, which means that you don’t have to break them in—they’re automatically soft straight out of the packaging. These organic ring slings are also uv reflective and made with non-toxic dyes. You’ll also find that they contain a stylish logo made from sustainable vegan leather.

Youtube Video by: Nalakai

Features

Luxury bamboo and linen blend

100% vegan dyes

UV Reflective

Unwelded aluminum rings

Fits petite and plus size moms

Shop NalaKai
Boba

Boba | Wrap Carrier

Weight Limit: Birth To 35 Pounds

The Boba wrap is a very well known and popular baby carrier, but it wasn’t until recently that this brand has decided to go green! Boba has begun to use organic cotton fabric in a few of their wraps and many parents and caregivers are ecstatic!

Youtube Video By Boba

Features

95% Organic Cotton with a touch of Spandex to retain its shape 

Four way stretch that provides flexibility, adjustability, and real support

One size fits all—from petite to plus size

International Hip Dysplasia Institute – Certified Hip Healthy 

Shop Boba

Clean home

DIY Laundry Room Recipes

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All-Natural Cleaning Recipes For A Non-Toxic Laundry Routine

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If you’re a health conscious person like I am, and you’re concerned about what you put into your body, then you should be equally concerned about what goes on it.

Clothing, undergarments, bedding and towels—all of those items make constant contact with our skin. So washing these items with safe and non-toxic laundry alternatives is key to avoiding potentially harmful chemicals that can leach into our body.

The more friends and relatives I lose to cancer lately, the more I realize just how environmental factors really do influence our health. So for me, swapping to all-natural cleaning recipes has become a serious commitment—especially because I want my kids to be as healthy as possible.

When it comes to laundry products, I have begun to my make own—and it’s amazing how well they work and how much money I’ve been able to save. The only laundry product that I do purchase every once in a while are zero waste laundry strips for travel purposes—they’re so convenient for hotel stays and for when we visit family.

All of the ingredients required for DIY laundry products consist of simple pantry products, and to store them, you simple need a few glass mason jars—or anything with a tight sealing lid.

It’s also amazing how much little effort goes into making home-made laundry products, not to mention the freedom you have to experiment with different scents from essential oils.

So, without further ado, below are some of my favorite home-made laundry room recipes that are wonderful and effective alternatives to toxic store bought brands. I hope you give them a try and eventually make the switch for good!

DIY LAUNDRY SOAP

For this home-made laundry soap recipe, you’ll need to grate your Castile soap bar into fine powder (this can be done with a food processor). Once you have your powder, simply mix it with all of the other ingredients and store in a tightly sealed container of your choice (about a gallon sized container is ideal). This recipe yields around 90 loads of laundry.

To Use: 1 TBSP per load is ideal for high efficiency machines. 2 TBSP per load is ideal for regular machines.

To Brighten Whites: Pour in 1/2 cup of white vinegar into the bleach dispenser to whiten and soften clothing.

  • 1 Bar Of Castile Soap (Finely Grated)
  • 1 Cup Baking Soda
  • 2 Cups Of Borax
  • 2 Cups Arm & Hammer Super Washing Soda
  • 30-40 Drops of Essential Oils (Of Your Choice—I love using coconut and lemongrass or vanilla).

DIY LIQUID FABRIC SOFTENER

For this simple home-made liquid fabric softener recipe, you only need two ingredients. Mix them together and pour the mixture into your softener dispenser.

I really love this alternative fabric softener recipe because I can easily make it on demand whenever I do laundry and I love that I have the option to create different scents each time! My clothing and towels also come out soft, fluffy and fresh!

1/4 Cup Of White Vinegar

  • 5 Drops Of Essential Oil Of Choice (I love using Vanilla essential oil)


DIY FABRIC SOFTENER SHEETS

This home-made dryer sheet recipe is an alternative to liquid softener, though these sheets will also be wet. In addition to the ingredients, you will need a mason jar with a lid as well as flannel or cotton fabric that you will cut into about 20 or so 3 inch squares (I use old flannel receiving blankets which work perfectly).

Simply add the ingredients into your mason jar, shake well, and add the cloth which will soak up all the liquid. I typically place the cloth back into the jar where it will absorb some more mixture. When all of your sheets no longer feel damp, you should start the process all over again.

1/4 Cup White Vinegar

10 Drops of Essential Oil

20-25 Small Squares Of Flannel (Around 3 Inches)

1 Mason Jar

DIY Laundry Scent Booster

This easy laundry scent booster consists of only two ingredients. Simply mix the epsom salt and preferred essential oil in a mixing bowl (double the measurements for a larger batch) and store in an air tight container.

To Use: 1 TBSP per load is ideal

  • 1 Cup Epsom Salt
  • 20 Drops Of Preferred Essential Oil
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baby names

Nature Inspired Baby Names For Boys And Girls

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Earthy And Organic Names For Babies That Are Inspired By Nature

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Are you searching for the perfect “down to Earth” baby name? You’ve come to the right place!

Our list of nature inspired baby names for both boys and girls will add some character to your little one’s identity that they’ll embrace well into adulthood.


Are Nature Inspired Baby Names Popular?

More and more members of society are embracing eco-friendly living and minimalism, so it’s no surprise that expecting parents are leaning more toward earthy baby names to compliment a green lifestyle choice.

Earthy and organic baby names are also beautiful and rugged. They have a warmth about them that make a person approachable yet stand out amongst a crowd of cookie cutter names.

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What Are Earthy Baby Names?

Earthy names represent many aspects of our environment—from the animals that inhabit our eco-systems to unique plants, landscapes and even gemstones that never cease to captivate the human eye.

When it comes to nature inspired baby names, unfortunately not all will have a cool ”meaning” and exotic origin—but that’s ok, earthy names are meant to be ”in the now” and minimalistic.

Below are our hand selected earthy baby names for both boys and girls to inspire you on your baby name search.

We wish you luck, and if you would like to share a name you’ve chosen (whether it’s from this list or another place), please let us know in the comments!

Earthy Baby Girl Names

Amber (English) fossilized tree resin

Aspen (English) a quaking tree

Autumn (English) fall season

Brooke (English) small stream

Celestine (English) a mineral

Daisy (English) flower; the day’s eye

Dawn (English) sunrise

Gemma (English) gemstone

Hazel (English) the hazel tree

Holly (English) plant with red berries

Iris (English) delicate blooming flower

Ivy (English) climbing vine plant

Jade (English) green stone

Layke (English) from the lake

Lilly (English) lily flower

Meadow (American) field of grass

Olivia (English) from the olive tree

Poppy (Latin) from the flower

Rose (English) woody perennial plant

Sage (English) herb or prophet

Savanna (English) tropical grasslands

Season (English) a period of the year

Sky (Scandinavian) atmosphere

Violet (English) fragrant blue flower

Willow (English) the Willow tree


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Earthy Baby Boy Names

Arlo (English) a hill

Bear (American) bear-like

Briar (English) a thorny plant

Canyon (English) a large ravine

Clay (English) fine grained earth

Everest (English) Dweller on the Eure River

Ferris (English) he who is from France

Fields (English) lives near a clearing

Fisher (English) fisherman

Forrest (English) the woods

Fox (English) Wild animal, cunning

Halston (English) hallow stone

Harlan (English & German) rocky land

Hawk (English) like the bird

Jaden (English) from Jade; green stone

Jasper (English) a speckled stone

Knox (English) a small hill

Logan (Scottish) little hollow; basin

Ocean (Greek) the sea

Oliver (English) from the olive tree

Onyx (English) black gemstone

Parker (English) park keeper

Reed (English) a reed or red-haired

Ridge (English) mountain range

Rivers (English) the river

Rockwell (English) rock spring

Silas (Latin) man of the forest

Spruce (English) evergreen tree

Wolf (English) wild animal

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Clean home

All-Natural DIY Cleaning Recipes For The Kitchen

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A Collection Of My Favorite DIY Cleaning Recipes For A Non-Toxic Kitchen

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As a society, we keep our homes as clean as possible to keep everyone in our family healthy, but ironically use unhealthy and even toxic household cleaners to achieve what we think is a healthy home.

Next in line to the bathroom, the kitchen is the most utilized space in the home—and because of that, it requires constant cleaning.

Unfortunately, because of the pandemic, many people are quick to purchase the “strong” multi-purpose cleaners and hand soaps, when instead they could be using safe, home-made alternatives that kill germs just as effectively without any harmful side effects.

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While it’s important to keep our loved ones safe from dangers like viruses, it’s equally important to shield them from indoor dangers like cleaning products, which may contain dangerous carcinogens.

Even certain brands that present their cleaning products as “eco-friendly” are simply just green washing—passing off products as non-toxic even though the ingredient label insists otherwise.

That’s why I prefer home-made cleaning products. They’re safe, non-toxic and don’t smell like death.


With that said, below are my all-time favorite natural cleaning recipes for the kitchen that I’ve been using for a couple of years now—and I must say that they work extremely well and make worthy rivals to toxic store bought cleaning formulas.

You can certainly adjust the measurements to meet your workloads, and I hope that you will love these as much as I do.

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DIY ALL PURPOSE CLEANER

This all-natural purpose cleaner will work on any surface of your home (except marble, stone and granite due to the acidity of the formula). Simply mix all of the ingredients in a [glass] spray bottle and use a cleaning cloth of your choice.

  • 1 And 1/4 Cups Of Water
  • 1/2 Cup Of White Vinegar
  • 10 Drops Of Preferred Essential Oil (Optional)

DIY GARBAGE DISPOSAL CLEANER

This home-made cleaning solution is perfect for when the garbage disposal develops a funky smell. Mix all of the ingredients in a bowl until it forms into a fizzy, paste-like consistency, then pour your mixture into the disposal and allow it to rest in there for around 5 minutes.

Turn on the water and allow the garbage disposal to run for at least 30 seconds. You can also throw in a couple of ice cubes or lemon wedges as the water pours down the disposal as well.

  • 1/4 Cup Of Baking Soda
  • 1/4 Cup Of Lemon Juice (Or White Vinegar)

DIY DISINFECTING CLEANER

This home-made disinfecting cleaning solution is a wonderful and effective alternative to commercial disinfectant sprays. It’s perfect to use on doorknobs, kitchen counters, kitchen sinks and refrigerator shelves.

Simply pour all of the ingredients into a [glass] spray bottle and mix. Spray freely and wait ten full minutes before wiping. It’s important to note that this particular vinegar-based cleaning solution is not suitable for granite, stone or marble.

  • 1/4 Cups Of Water
  • 1/4 Cup Rubbing Alcohol (Or Vodka)
  • 1/4 Cup White Vinegar
  • 10 Drops Of Preferred Essential Oil (Optional)

DIY DISHWASHER TABLETS

Home-made dishwasher tablets are a less expensive and much safer alternative to store bought dishwashing pods and liquids. For this DIY recipe, you will need a mixing bowl and a few [silicone] ice cubes trays.

Simply mix together the Baking Soda and Borax in a bowl of your choice, and follow by slowly adding in the vinegar. Mix all of the ingredients together until they form a crumble-like consistency and then stuff the mixture into your ice cube trays.

After you’ve filled your trays, place them outside in the sun to dry/harden (they’ll still be a little crumbly and that’s ok). Allow for 24 hours to pass until you remove them and store them into a tightly sealed [glass] container.

If you see white residue on your plates, simply pour some white vinegar or lemon juice into the rinse aid compartment of your dishwasher for a shiny rinse.

  • 2 Cups Of Baking Soda
  • 2 Cups Of Borax
  • 1/2 Cup Of White Vinegar
  • 25 Drops Of Lemon Essential Oil

DIY OVEN GLASS STOVE TOP CLEANER

This is my favorite way to clean grime and residue from my glass stove top (and it works pretty well for the inside of the oven and outdoor grill as well). Simply mix the ingredients together in a bowl of your choice and create a paste. Spread it onto your glass stove top in a circular motion with a rag and leave on for 15-20 minutes.

Later, wipe off with a warm, damp cloth. A little elbow grease may be necessary, but this recipe gets the job done and leaves your glass stove top really shiny. I don’t recommend cleaning your glass stove top while it’s warm/hot because it can cause damage to the glass.

  • 1 Of Cup Of Warm Water
  • 1 Cup Of Baking Soda
  • 2 Tablespoons Of Organic Liquid Castile Soap (Dawn Will Work Great If You Don’t Have Castile)

DIY MICROWAVE CLEANER

This non-toxic method is an awesome way to clean your microwave as effortlessly as possible. Simply mix the ingredients in a glass bowl and microwave the contents for 4-5 minutes.

Not only will the steam help break apart all that food gunk, it will also deodorize and eliminate stinky lingering odors. When you’re done microwaving the contents, simply wipe everything with a damp cloth. You can wipe dry or unplug the microwave and leave the door open to air dry.

  • 1 Cup Of Water
  • 1/4 Cup Of Lemon Juice (You Can Add Or Subtract This Amount To Achieve Desired Strength Of Scent)

DIY CITRUS HAND SOAP

For this recipe, you can use any reusable soap dispenser—kids especially will love one with a foaming pump. Simply add the ingredients into a water-filled soap dispenser and shake it all up!

Although you can add just about any essential oil into this soap recipe, citrus is recommended for the kitchen because it neutralizes odors—especially if you’ve been working with fish, onion and garlic.

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Eco Friendly Product Guide, Sustainable Parenting

Best Reusable Training Pants For Toddlers

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The Best Reusable Cloth Underwear For Sustainable Potty Training

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My 3 year old just recently mastered potty training, but unfortunately, nighttime accidents sometimes still occur—and thank goodness for mattress protectors!

For a while we’ve had her in disposable nighttime diapers but eventually I decided that investing in a few reusable nighttime diapers was a better alternative.

Disposable diapers, no matter how ‘sustainable’ or ‘biodegradable’ they are, still contribute to landfill waste. Unless something is compostable and is actually placed into a compost bin with the necessary components to help break it down, it’s just going to sit on top of trash along with everything else.

Then there’s the money issue—as a society, we’re literally buying a product that we throw away the very same day. It makes much more sense to invest in a few top notch quality reusable diapers or training pants instead.

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What To Look For When Buying Reusable Training Pants

When shopping for quality reusable training pants, look for an absorbent inner layer and a waterproof outer layer—because those are important features.

When I first started shopping for reusable training pants, I honestly couldn’t find very many brands that offered what I was searching for.

I also made a huge mistake. I bought what I thought were waterproof training pants, but really these are just “thick cotton” underwear that are only good for catching a tiny amount of dribble. And I purchase them because they were marketed as ”training pants” (kind of deceiving). Here is my purchase:

U0U

No, just…no.

Are these reusable cotton “training” pants super cute? Absolutely. Are they a smart buy when potty training? Absolutely not. And if you do get these, I highly recommend purchasing additional inserts to absorb the pee, because these do not—we learned the hard way.


I quickly realized that many reusable training pants are mis-advertised as waterproof —clearly they’re not—because my daughter’s pee went right through these and her bedsheets were soaking wet in the middle of the night.

I did decide to keep these though, because my daughter is tall and slender and these help keep certain pants and leggings to stay on her hips better during the day.

So what reusable training pants did I finally end up buying that are leak-proof and actually works for both day and nighttime potty training?

The Grovia My Choice Trainers.

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THE GROVIA MY CHOICE TRAINER

After our disappointing experience with the “thick cotton” underwear, I decided to try something a little more “high quality“, and came across the brand Grovia, and their line of My Choice trainers reusable training underwear with a convenient pull-up design.

I ended up ordering 3 pairs—plus two additional organic cotton inserts (boosters) for extra nighttime protection (just in case).

When they arrived in the mail, my initial reaction to seeing these reusable training pants for the first time was “wow—these are really pretty”.

The colors are warm and earthy, the fabric is well sewn together and soft to the touch, and they contain snap buttons in several key areas which allow for alterations as baby grows.

These cloth training pants also contain an inner pocket with an absorbent hidden layer of hemp/cotton blend, where you can add a booster cloth for extra absorbency during nighttime.

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Do The Grovia MyChoice Trainers Fit Comfortably?

The Grovia reusable training pants come in one size and they run small—but don’t worry, they’re adjustable!

My 3 year old is really slender (under 30 pounds) and they fit her perfectly. So for a thicker baby or toddler, I would definitely recommend purchasing at least one set of their side-flex plus panels which attach via snap buttons to the side of the trainers and comfortably expand the fit.

My daughter sleeps comfortably in these trainers and she’s excited to put these on every evening after her bath.

Great For Both Day Wear And Nighttime

The Grovia My Choice Trainers are a great way to help your little one transition from diapers to using the potty like a big kid.

They’re also great for just nighttime wear if your little one has a habit of wetting the bed.

Reusable cloth training pants are not only zero waste and environmentally friendly, but also non-toxic and help save money that can be better spent on other necessities.

So if you’re tired of spending money on disposable nighttime diapers and want a more sustainable way to potty train your little one, then I definitely recommend the Grovia My Choice Trainers.

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Sustainable Parenting

The Best Minecraft Alternatives For Kids

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Fun And Free Downloadable Games For Kids That Are Just Like MineCraft

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When I was a kid, my classmates and I were obsessed with Mario, Zelda and Mike Tyson’s Punch Out, lol. Now I’m raising children who are obsessed with pickaxes and cement blocks.

How times have changed.

Earlier this year when my son turned 7, he came home from school one day and asked if I can download an online game for him called ”MineCraft”.

Now, I had heard about MineCraft, but I had never played it myself, so I had no idea what this online virtual game was all about, let alone if it was safe for a 7 year old child to play—and I definitely did not want to pay for an app that I wasn’t sure he was going to enjoy.

However, while at the app store, I noticed free apps with similar aesthetics to MineCraft—and I ended up downloading a gaming app called MultiCraft and other Minecraft “clones” that both of my kids enjoy to this day—even more than traditional video games.

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WHAT ARE THESE BUILD AND CRAFT GAMES ALL ABOUT?

As I’ve watched [in awe] my son play MultiCraft [in particular] for the past year, I’ve come to the conclusion that MultiCraft and similar apps are basically virtual LEGOs with endless possibilities.

Though these games allow you to choose between survival and craft mode, my son seems to enjoy the latter—he enjoys creating homes and building structures that never cease to amaze me. And I think it’s really neat that he’s found this love for engineering and architecture that I didn’t know he had.

In fact, one of my son’s favorite things to build in MultiCraft are treehouses.

These kid-friendly building apps also do not have any missions like MineCraft offers. And while there is a chat option to communicate with other players, my son doesn’t have a need to use it, and the kids that are on chat mode simply ask for help or tips on building stuff—it’s very rated G.

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THE BENEFITS OF LETTING YOUR CHILD PLAY WITH BUILDING GAMES

I have noticed several benefits to allowing my child play with building apps that consist of the following:

A Better Understanding Of Math And Engineering

I have noticed that since my son started playing MultiCraft, he’s more aware of and quick to point out geometric shapes everywhere we go. He’s also problem solving and figuring out how to make things fit together.

Developed Interest In Science (Particularly Geology)

MultiCraft has taught him all about different rocks and mining elements like obsidian, coal, iron, quartz, etc., and it’s really neat that he likes to research and learn more about these when he’s not on the app.

Fosters Creativity

As I’ve mentioned earlier in this post, my son’s newfound engineering and design skills have surprised me on many levels. He’s able to express his creativity in a safe and controlled virtual environment, and the pride that he has in his creations are priceless.

Helps Him Destress And Unwind

Building apps are a great way for your child to relax and unwind after a long day at school. When my son comes home from school, we allow him around 30 minutes of iPad time—which he really looks forward to.

These kid-friendly building apps are really great outlets, and I think that they are awesome alternatives to not only Minecraft, but traditional video games as well.

Some of these recommended apps are even made for players as young as 4 years of age, while most others are recommended for ages 9 and older (this is based on difficulty level, but I find that even my 3 year old can navigate those pretty well).


Without further ado, below are some of our family’s favorite Minecraft game alternatives for young children that your kiddo(s) will really enjoy.

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MULTICRAFT: Mine & Build

Developer: MultiCraft Studio

Age: 9+

Tagline: “World of unlimited opportunities.”

MultiCraft is the very first buidling app that I downloaded for my son and I honestly could not tell the difference between the actual MineCraft game and this free [copycat] version because the aesthetics are so identical.

This virtual building game contains almost the exact same features like: mobs, animals and building tools.

Like MineCraft, MultiCraft can be played in both survival and creative mode, and the only difference is lack of the infamous creepers. You do, however, get to spawn animals and villagers.

This game is for age 9 and up, but in my opinion it’s easy enough for a child as young as 6.

DINOCRAFT: Survive & Craft

Developer: Survival, Explore and Craft Games, LLC

Age: 9+

Tagline: “Dive into the world of prehistoric times with dinosaurs nearby. ”

In this app, your child is basically a caveman (or cavewoman) that can either build or play in survival mode.

This app is no different than all the other Minecraft alternatives with the exception of some really cool dinosaurs walking around.

Hence, if your child is into dinosaurs as well as virtual building, then this is a great app to download. This app is easy-going, easy to navigate, and the prehistoric theme is really cute.

BOOMCRAFT: Adventure & Building

Developer: Big8 Labs LTD

Age: 4+

Tagline: “An endless environment for building all your perfect buildings.”

Out of all the Minecraft clones, BoomCraft is perhaps the most basic and “little kid” friendly. It’s strictly all about building and doesn’t involve any mobs or weird creatures that try to raid your home.

BoomCraft is a very easy-going virtual game for kids, and easy enough for my 3 year old to navigate.

So if you’re looking for the most “rated G” building app out there, this is the MineCraft clone that you want to download.

KAWAII WORLD: Craft & Build

Developer: Bohdan Khylko

Age: 9+

Tagline: “a world of unlimited opportunities”.

Kawaii World may look feminine due to the pink color scheme, but both girls and boys, really enjoy playing this app.

This particular app begins with a pre-built house that your child can furnish and decorate, or you can venture out and build a whole new one.

Kawaii World gives your child the option of playing in both survival and builder mode, and your child can spawn a lot of really cute animals, villagers and traders.

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