I love learning about companies that take a concept or product used in everyday life and create something magical and more eco-friendly for home life, school, or the office.  The company O’BON has produced ‘the greatest pencil on earth’ and made it very child friendly with fresh designs that help educate kids about the environment and helping animals.  These products have newly arrived to Canada and Green Planet Parties is proud to be carrying 3 of their products in the Crafty Fun section of their site.  

O’BON is truly special because they’ve produced a pencil made from recycled newspapers surrounding the graphite stick.   2-3 times stronger than traditional wood pencils, parents can teach their kids that no trees were cut to produce these pencils.  Now add the fact the pencils are perfect for children because they are instantly drawn to the Wildlife series designs.  Check out these beautiful pictures courtesy of the Green Planet Parties site that showcase the fun animal print designs and great packaging:

I’ve been on the hunt for a year now to source color pencil crayons for my kids.  Well looky looky.  Not only do the 12 pencil crayons included in this pack work with incredible quality, they showcase an animal at the top and then carry the design and colors of the animal on the outside of the crayon and actual pencil color. 

Both of these products have been such a hit in my house ~ ages 3-7 I’m proud to share.  Nothing but good stuff here, from the message of helping our animals to teaching our children that unlike wood pencils, no trees were cut to produce them.  Also interesting, the O’BON pencils don’t have the metal piece that joins the eraser to most traditional pencils  This further eliminates waste because when is the last time you thought to remove this piece to recycle?

The price-point of the pencils and pencil crayons is also worth a shout-out because it’s so amazing!  The 2 pack pencil sets are under $2 (perfect to complete birthday party goodie bags) and the pencil crayon colored set of 12 is $8.95.  Both items are available to order online at Green Planet Parties, plus a 3rd item carried in the Wildlife series called the Animal Fact Book & Wildlife Pencils.  Perfect for your upcoming spring party or special treat for some craft table magic.

With Earth Day approaching, I’ve started hoarding eco-activities and lessons for the month of April that I can participate with my kids.  I was told about the Hancock Wildlife Foundation web site by an amazing preschool teacher and what an exciting activity it is for children to catch a ‘bird’s eye view (couldn’t resist) of eagles interacting courtesy of live eagle cams.  The Hancock Wildlife Foundation that has setup these cams was founded by biologist David Hancock.  The mission statement or goal of this foundation has such an important message with promoting the conservation of wildlife and its habitats through science, education, and stewardship.  The fact that Bald Eagles are endangered is also a great conversation to have with your children about the importance of protecting our environment and the animals that live within it.

The Hancock Foundation has installed various live wildlife cams and it’s amazing to study these proud, beautiful eagles; it’s fascinating to watch them so close in their nest tending to their eggs, nest and each other.  Check out these live streaming videos!  The forum on this site is also packed with information, pictures, and live cams of other animals from Africa to Vancouver Island.  A great computer activity if you are looking for a break from the Nick Jr. or Lego web sites and with April just beginning, it’s the perfect month to celebrate more earth friendly web sites for kids.

Some may say ‘freaky’ looking; I personally think it’s the most adorable sea animal ever!  And sadly enough, I discovered it because their status on earth is ‘seriously threatened with extinction’ due to water pollution and destruction to its environment.  Want a visual to help teach children about water preservation and helping our environment?  Get ready…this creature is seriously cute.

Picture from Treehugger site: 

There are several pictures on the Treehugger article about these animals and they look like they’re smiling in every shot!  Their official name is the Axolotl salamander, otherwise known as the Mexican walking fish or Mexican water monster.  The Axolotl has been listed endangered on the annual list from the International Union for Conservation of Nature, but researchers now say it could disappear within 5 years.  Millions once existed in lakes where Mexico City was built, but between draining lakes to create city growth and with pumping waste-water into waterways, things have changed for this animal.

According to the Yahoo News/Associated Press:

“If the axolotl disappears, it would not only be a great loss to biodiversity but to Mexican culture, and would reflect the degeneration of a once-great lake system,” says Luis Zambrano, a biologist at the Autonomous University of Mexico, or UNAM.  The number of axolotls (pronounced ACK-suh-LAH-tuhl) in the wild is not known. But the population has dropped from roughly 1,500 per square mile in 1998 to a mere 25 per square mile this year, according to a survey by Zambrano’s scientists using casting nets.

When I showed the pictures of the Axolotl to my children they shrieked and thought it looked like an alien, but at least it got their attention.  I think it’s adorable and thought it might remind us what cute little creatures are affected by our decisions with habitat destruction and water pollution.  Show this to your children and see what they think.

Back in April, I wrote an article highlighting an eco-friendly project for kids – Kid Friendly Eco Project.  The activity involved storm drain marking with fish decals to remind the public that water ways lead to fish.  I was very excited to reserve my marking kit with the city, but because of a fish decal shortage, I only received it this week.  I’m wanted to report back on the success of the activity.

Well, my sons and I loved marking the drains.  Actually, there is nothing my boys didn’t enjoy with this project.  I think I feel a paper route coming in their near future because they loved delivering the educational literature to the houses the most.  Of course at the beginning of this adventure, hitting the fish decals with the mallet was pretty fun too.  <smile>

The entire process of storm drain marking is wonderful for a family project. You put on a reflective vest, brush away debris from the road where you plan on putting the decal, then you pour the glue onto the road, peel and stick the fish decal, then pound it with a mallet approx. 100 times.  When you see the roadway bumps coming through the decal, you’ve done a good job.  These decals need 48 hours to completely stick to the road, so I’m really hoping people don’t lift them up before this time.  I guess this is another wonderful thing about having children. 
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With two bears shot and killed in my neighborhood last week, I’m reminded of the fragile balance of living so close to nature.  Did you know that bears have an amazing sense of smell?  They can smell garbage from great distances and once they learn that garbage means food, they’ll keep returning to eat.  Because human odour is on the garbage they learn to associate people with food. Like the case of the woman that got mauled (while gardening) in my city last week, bears may become aggressive, expecting food when they see or smell people. Here are some tips for discouraging bears at your home.

Garbage should stay inside until pick-up.  Occasionally wash bins and empty cans and jars that are waiting to be picked up in the recycling box.

Did you know that bears are attracted to petroleum products such as paint, kerosene, and turpentine?  Put these products away.

Backyard composts should be sprinkled with lime to decrease the odor.  Actually, if your compost stinks, you’re doing something wrong.  You can turn your compost with leaves, lime and soil to further reduce odours. Unrinsed eggshells, fish, meat, fat, oils, or cooked foods should not be composted in summer or fall. 

Pick fruit daily from fruit trees on your property.  Don’t allow a large amount of dropped fruit to accumulate on the ground. 

Keep your BBQ equipment debris and grease free after use.

Feed pets indoors and between April and November remove bird feeders.

Don’t store food in outdoor freezers or coolers.