Teaching kids about sustainability and why it's important can be a fun and engaging experience with the right activities. By making learning about the environment and eco-friendliness fun, kids are more likely to take an interest in it and develop habits that promote sustainability. Here are ten fun activities parents can do with their kids to learn about sustainability:

1. Create a compost bin: Show your kids how to make a compost bin and teach them about the benefits of composting. You can even use the compost for gardening and teach them about the importance of growing their own food.

2. Go on a nature scavenger hunt: Take your kids on a nature scavenger hunt and encourage them to find items like leaves, rocks, and flowers. This activity will teach them about the natural world and the importance of preserving it.

3. Have a waste-free picnic: Pack a waste-free picnic and teach your kids about the importance of reducing waste. Use reusable containers and utensils and encourage them to pack only what they need.

4. Make recycled crafts: Gather materials like cardboard boxes, paper towel rolls, and egg cartons and have your kids make recycled crafts. This activity will teach them about the importance of reusing materials.

5. Plant a garden: Teach your kids how to plant a garden and the importance of growing their own food. You can also teach them about composting and how it can benefit their garden.

6. Reduce energy use: Encourage your kids to turn off lights and unplug electronics when they're not in use. You can even make it a game and see who can remember to turn off the most lights throughout the day.

7. Go on a hike: Take your kids on a hike and teach them about the natural world around them. Point out different plants and animals and teach them about the importance of protecting them.

8. Make eco-friendly cleaners: Teach your kids how to make eco-friendly cleaners using natural ingredients like vinegar and baking soda. This activity will teach them about the importance of using non-toxic products.

9. Make a rainwater collection system: Show your kids how to make a rainwater collection system and teach them about the importance of conserving water. You can use the collected water for gardening or other household activities.

10. Host a clothing swap: Host a clothing swap with your kids' friends and teach them about the importance of reducing textile waste. This activity will also teach them about the importance of reusing and recycling clothes.

Teaching kids about sustainability can be a fun and engaging experience with the right activities. By making learning about the environment and eco-friendliness fun, kids are more likely to take an interest in it and develop habits that promote sustainability. Try out these ten fun activities with your kids and see how much they learn and enjoy themselves.

The fashion industry is one of the biggest polluters in the world, and the production of footwear is no exception. In addition to the environmental impact, the production of shoes can also involve the use of animal products and the exploitation of workers. Choosing sustainable, cruelty-free footwear is not only a responsible choice but also an important step towards creating a more ethical and sustainable fashion industry.

One of the main reasons to choose sustainable footwear is to reduce your environmental impact. The production of shoes involves the use of non-renewable resources like oil and gas, as well as toxic chemicals and dyes that can pollute waterways and harm wildlife. Sustainable footwear, on the other hand, is made from environmentally-friendly materials like recycled plastics, organic cotton, and natural rubber. These materials have a lower impact on the environment and are often biodegradable or recyclable at the end of their lifespan.

In addition to the environmental benefits, choosing cruelty-free footwear is an ethical choice that promotes animal welfare. Many shoes are made with animal products like leather, suede, and fur, which involve the exploitation and suffering of animals. Choosing cruelty-free footwear means opting for materials like vegan leather, recycled rubber, and sustainable textiles that do not harm animals in their production.

Another important consideration when choosing sustainable, cruelty-free footwear is the treatment of workers in the supply chain. The fashion industry is notorious for its use of sweatshops and other forms of exploitative labor, which can involve long hours, low pay, and unsafe working conditions. By choosing shoes from brands that prioritize fair labor practices and ethical sourcing, you can support a more equitable and sustainable fashion industry.

In conclusion, choosing sustainable, cruelty-free footwear is an important step towards creating a more responsible and ethical fashion industry. By reducing your environmental impact, promoting animal welfare, and supporting fair labor practices, you can make a positive impact with your purchasing choices. With so many great options available, there has never been a better time to choose shoes that align with your values and make a positive difference in the world.

The Petit Vagabond is full of surprises. Not only is it crafted from Cactus Leather, making it partially biodegradable and a great deal more sustainable than traditional leather boots, the Petit Vagabond style is a Goodyear Welted shoe, finishing it off as an item of heritage quality. 

As you may know, a Goodyear Welt is a specific method of welting the uppers to a shoe. This is performed by a strip of leather that is sewn around the bottom edge of a shoe, attached to both the insole and the upper. The welt can then be easily unstitched, which thus detaches the sole without damaging the rest of the shoe, meaning it can be replaced time and time again as it is worn down. In our case, we use a strip of specialised rubber welt instead of the leather. This type of construction has many advantages: a Goodyear Welted shoe is flexible, comfortable, durable and often more breathable than the average shoe. In addition, the welt enables shoes to be repaired over and over again, allowing each child they are passed down to to build up the highly desirable patina of a well-worn shoe over the years.

The Goodyear Welt method of craftsmanship dates back to 1869, when the machinery used to produce it was invented by Charles Goodyear Jr., and incorporates more than 200 steps, most of which are completed by hand, resulting in a pair of incredibly high quality shoes.

There are several different techniques for making children’s shoes, consisting of the Stitchdown method, Cemented, Side Wall Stitched, Blake / Blake Rapid and the Goodyear Welt method, which is a far more superior method, but also much more timely. Compared to the Goodyear welt construction, the other mentioned methods are less expensive methods of sewing shoes together that are predominantly used in Italy. Blake, for example, simply has a leather sole and no cork which makes the soles thinner, more flexible but also less comfortable to stand on. Moreover, the soles are more prone to get wet with these less superior methods of construction. 

The Goodyear Welt is a superior shoe construction method to Stitchdown, Cemented, Side Wall Stitched and Blake / Blake Rapid because it keeps your child’s feet much more dry and are ultimately more comfortable to walk in. On top of that, it can be repaired easily, whereas other construction techniques are much more difficult to repair and re-sole.

Overall, this is a fascinating technique that has been around for approximately 150 years. Today, with so many other construction methods on the market, only higher quality shoes still carry this kind of quality construction, and this is generally reflected in the product price.

Whether your child is starting school for the very first time, or returning to school after a wonderful summer vacay, let’s list out some of the things that can make this transition a little smoother. 

Good Reads 

During the summer, introduce some school-relatable books to keep the idea fresh in your child’s mind — and a great way to do that is to put relatable books on the bookshelf! These books about school adventures and antics make for a great read. 

Peppa’s School Day

Time for School, Little Blue Truck  

I Believe I Can 

Peachy and Keen #1: A School Tail

Fuzzy Takes Charge (Class Pets #2)

The King of Show-and-Tell

Matilda

Wayside School (Boxed Set)

Books like these keep kids learning, and remind them that a time of friendship, laughter, and unexpected discoveries lies ahead in the fall. In doing so, they help get young learners eager to put on their boots, show an interest in and excitement about the classroom, and grow a passion for learning that lasts a lifetime.

Routine 

It’s also a great idea to get a school routine in motion, before the time comes to actually return to school. If your child hasn’t been attending Summer School, it’s a great idea to establish a similar routine to that of the school year about a month before school begins. Firstly, just start talking to your children about school. It can also consist of getting them into bed early enough so that they can wake in time for school hours. Getting their little bodies well-rested and ready for school hours will keep everyone in much higher spirits. Having morning-snack and lunch at the same time each day also gets them in the rhythm. Kids do well with routines, so establishing a school routine early is really important for a smooth transition.

School gear 

Let your child participate in choosing their new school gear. This will get them super excited about the upcoming year and the thought of getting to put their new gadgets and outfits to good use. There are LOADS of fun supplies and accessories out there, but with that being said, keep in mind what they actually need for kindergarten / preschool. 

Your child’s school will most likely provide you with a list of items that your kiddo will need, so be sure to refer to that. Most schools also have lists of what not to bring - this is a really helpful tool.  It helps the teachers tremendously when those lists are adhered to.

Here is a list of suggested items to get you started if your school doesn’t have a list, or you’re feeling uninspired.

School Bag - having something personalised is a nice little touch, and what kiddo doesn’t love this! 

Lunch Bag - these Fluf lunch bags are great for school lunches, and weekend picnics. 

Lunch Box - there are so many bento boxes on the market, here’s a suggestion of 1 style that we like due to its superior non-leak feature. Bento boxes are a great way to get lots of different food types into young kiddos. 

Water bottle 

Sunscreen 

An assortment of practical shoes that are weather friendly.

• Warmer months - we feel strongly about always having our kids in closed-in shoes at school, these breathable and lightweight sneakers by Veja are a great option to keep your kids feet protected and cool. The velcro straps also make it easier for children who are learning to put their own shoes on. If you prefer sandals though, try this option that has a closed-toe.  
• Fall - we love our Dominic & Dempsey boots for fall because as the cooler months approach, you’ll rest assured your children’s feet are warm and protected and if there are some rainy days in the forecast, they’re covered for indoor and outdoor play. 
• Winter - we like to get a little festive in the winter months, and the Petit Vagabond boot in Red Earth fits the bill perfectly. A faux-lined sneaker for winter are also a great go-to. 
• Spring / rainy months - Spring is renowned to be wet, nationwide, so having a pair of rain boots on hand is definitely a good idea. We like these ones. For dry days, a sneaker or boot works wonderfully. 

Meet & Greet 

This can be really important for some children! Even if your child’s been at the preschool for years, they’ll most likely have a new teacher and a new classroom each year. Try to attend any preschool orientation days that the school is offering. 

Independent Young Learners 

Young children really love to assert themselves as a way to show their independence, and while we would never expect them to do everything on their own, it’s really important to encourage this age-appropriate independence. Real-life jobs allow kids to learn to take care of themselves.  It also gives them a really great feeling of accomplishment. 

Have your child help clean up after themselves after meals, pick their outfit for the day, dress themselves. While the goal isn’t to perfect a task, it will really encourage your child to work towards becoming more independent. 

Fun - the most important of all! 

All the research and preparedness in the world is great, but so is having fun as a family!  Keep up the special traditions that you and your family cherish. Reading together, having dinner together, taking a family walk together, visiting the park together — all of these things will keep you connected and having fun!