We’re bringing back some of our faves of Summer this week. In this case we wanted to because any berry picking expedition requires a few tools including a bucket with a handle for independent berry picking toddlers. This little Sand Play set made by Green Toys contains the precursory bucket perfect for small hands with an eco-friendly rope handle, rake and shovel. Plus, a sand castle mold for days at the beach. And once again Green Toys amazes us with a cool product that contributes to improving the health of the planet. By using recycled materials such as recycled milk jugs, they reduce CO² emissions and fossil fuel use. Sweet. $19.99, here.

When we think of upcycling, we can’t say skateboard decks are the first resource to pop into our heads, but then again, why not? We love these tiny top spinners by Portland’s Board Games. They’re the perfect toy for kids of all ages and are repurposed from the coolest of materials. Constructed by stacking the layers of three old decks, each spinner is unique and (in their words) “spins like your grandma’s dreidel”. Can’t beat that. Pictured spinner measures 1 ¾” x 2″. One, two and three deck spinners. Dirt cheap and awesome. $10.00 each, here.

We love books about nature and so do our kiddos, so in honor of Earth Day we thought we’d recycle a review of a cleeo & bea fave book. Janice May Udry’s classic “A Tree Is Nice” is on our list of favorites for a few reasons. Not only is it wholesome and sweet, it teaches our tots that trees are beautiful and quite useful in their living state. Marc Simont’s illustrations are fantastic, too. Originally published in 1956 and a Caldecott winner in 1957, “A Tree Is Nice” is just the kind of message we like to convey to our kiddos about caring for the earth. It encourages them (and us) to slow down, appreciate simple beauty and remember not to take it for granted. We particularly like that Urdy mentions babies and cows can nap in the shade of a tree. Too cute. Used and new from $3.50, here.

We’ve been on a cookie baking kick as of late and our kiddos have been ever grateful. They love to assist in the kitchen, too, so we’ll likely be up to our ears in flour and sugar this coming week. We do our best to find cookie cutters while thrifting, but sometimes we can’t find exactly what we’re looking for. We like these classic cookie cutters we found at Sur La Table, especially the lips and heart in hand. Perfect for little hands with assistance and a great way to spread a little bit of valentine love. .56 cents (yep, 56 cents) and up @ Sur La Table.

It seems there’s consistently been a drooling, tooth cutting tot among the cleeo & bea kiddos for the last few years, so we always have several teethers on hand. We found this little wooden heart teether by Little Sapling Toys and felt it was a must have for the our teething valentines. Each heart is sanded satin smooth, left unfinished and measures 3.75″ from side to side, 2.75″ top to bottom, 1.5″ diameter center hole for easy clutching. And every purchase made contributes to the planting of a tree for the future, so cool. $12.00, here.

We’ve been trying to find a ball equivalent to or better than Gertie, but have yet to find one we like as much, which is why they top our gifts under $20 list. Gertie balls are sticky, not really sticky, but they have an interesting surface, making them easy for tots to grasp and catch. They’re also inflatable with a straw, so parents can control their squishiness and level of graspability. Our kiddos prefer them to other balls and have become quite proficient at ball play because of these cool balls. Made from non-toxic, latex-free PVC, Gertie balls aren’t tip-top in the eco-friend department, but they’re kid safe and make game-play a breeze for the most wee of wee ones. They’re durable too, have survived a few dog chews without deflation and they’re an excellent value. Available in several styles and colors, from nobby to animal friend Gerties. Original measures 9″ in diameter. $5.95, here.

Remember Hotwheels and Matchbox cars? We were a little infatuated with the Dukes of Hazard and had Daisy’s Plymouth Roadrunner, which we faithfully took everywhere for instant play. Although we grew up playing with toxic toys, we’re a little bit wiser now and are going to skip out on the Roadrunner as an appropriate teething and learning toy for our kiddos. We found the perfect eco-friendly and safe alternative for gift list under $20 in Educo’s Little Autos, made by the German company HaPe. Constructed from sustainable natural wood and finished with child-safe, non-toxic water-based paints Little Autos come in four vibrant, fun colors and have a cool modern design. Vroom, vroom baby. 10 months +. $8.00, here.