Top 16 Non-Toxic Summer Fun Tips
January 25, 2023
By Healthy Child Healthy World Staff
The kids are out of school and it’s nearly January 4! If you haven’t had a moment to catch fireflies yet, chances are you soon will. To wish you a happy summer, we’ve compiled our favorite Healthy Child non-toxic summer fun tips to help you plan your family activities!
1. Repel bugs without DEET. The pesticides used in insect repellant can be harmful for both adults and children! Another option is picaridin, a chemical based on pepper.
2. Grow a pesticide free lawn. Extensive use of pesticides has led to resistance in many insects and weed species. As a result, many resort to even stronger chemical pesticides, which may have greater consequences for human and environmental health. Opting for a pesticide-free lawn will have your children and pets playing happily (and safely!) in the grass all summer.
3. Avoid GMOs when celebrating out with friends and family! Going out for a nice summer meal at your favorite restaurant? Make your restaurant food choices with GMOs in mind by avoiding high-risk ingredients like corn and soy.
4. Be careful about chlorine in pools. High levels of chlorine in pools has been linked to asthma in small children. Children under the age of 7 who swam frequently in indoor chlorine pools may be at an increased risk for developing asthma, according to a 2006 study.
5. Wade in a safe kiddie pool. Many kiddie pools are made out of PVC - the plastic known as the “poison plastic” thanks to its remarkably toxic production and disposal processes. PVC also contaminates both children and the environment with the endocrine-disrupting phthalates.
6. Learn your Sunscreening Safety facts! Does your son or daughter need a new tube of sunscreen? When shopping for sunscreen for you and your children, choose ones formulated with zinc and titanium. These two non-toxic minerals provide safer sunscreening.
7. Bare feet = pedicures. Is your nail polish toxic? Many nail polish contain chemicals known as the toxic trio: dibutyl phthalate, toluene, and formaldehyde. Choose safer nail polish - or dare to go bare!
8. Grow veggies (safely). When you’re planing your summer garden, be cautious about fertilizers. Some sold as “natural” or “organic” are made from so-called biosolids, otherwise known as sewage sludge. Yuck!
Bonus! These last 8 trusted and tried Non-toxic Summer Fun Tips from real moms on our Blogger Network:
9. Trina of O’Boy Organic recommends making summer jams with fresh, home-grown herbs. She adds lemon verbena to strawberry-rhubarb jam to make a healthy and delicious treat!
10. Rachel of ClubMomMe.com says to pick up some non-toxic beach toys. “Plastic can leach chemicals when it gets hot in the sun, and this will ensure your child is not exposed to any chemicals.”
11. Susan of LilBitOfMamaTime.com offers the following bug bites and bee sting remedy: “Mix a tbsp. of baking soda with a tbsp. of white vinegar till it forms a paste and put on bug bites and bee stings to help remove the itch. My three-year-old daughter has fun “painting” her boo boo with the white paste.”
12. Happy Tot Mom says, “Make wearing a hat a standard part of outside play!” She used a large brimmed sun hat when her son was a baby and transitioned to another when he outgrew his infant hat; both hats were UPF 50+. “Hats go on before we head outside every day!”
13. Hillary of Accidentally Green has a post up about her top 3 non-toxic tips for summer fun. Tip #1? Remember to slather on the non-toxic sunscreen before taking the kids outside!
14. Amber of Easy Green Mama suggests having fun with non-toxic homemade bubbles. “My boys are entertained for hours when playing outside with bubbles. It’s a super simple recipe to mix and in no time you are having bubble fun in the summer sun!”
Easy Non-Toxic Homemade Bubbles
- 1/4 cup any natural dish wash soap
- 3/4 cup warm water
- 5 drops of glycerin
15. Lori of Groovy Green Livin’ has five tips for greening a BBQ on her site, including some tips on finding eco-friendly and reusable tableware for large family gatherings!
16. Suzan of Happy Mom Blogger suggests making your own healthy popsicles. “Use BPA-free popsicle molds or make your own mold. Just use small drinking glasses. Fill it with your kid’s favorite juice or make your own. When half frozen, stick in a wooden popsicle stick or use a spoon.”