In honor of Earth Day, on April 22, we rounded up some of Oregon’s best eco-friendly kids brands you should know about. Some are old, and some are new, but they all make some of the cutest products for little ones that use processes that are kinder to the planet. 

Woolybubs

Woolybubs, the maker of planet-friendly kids’ shoes, introduced the Newbie, the world’s first disappearing baby shoe. Made with 100% biodegradable materials that dissolve in boiling water, the Newbie was created for parents who want stylish baby products that are kind to the environment. The flexible, soft-sole shoe supports a tiny foot’s natural development and helps parents reduce the waste of parenthood.

“The Newbie is our first step to empowering more parents with ways to leave a smaller footprint,” said Megan Millikan, Woolybubs co-founder. “As parents of three, we’ve seen first-hand the amount of waste that comes with having kids, no matter how conscious we are. Hand-me-downs are a great option, but eventually, they wear out and end up in landfills. The idea behind the Newbie was to create a product that will disappear once outgrown, leaving behind less harm to the planet.”  

Woolybubs was founded in 2021 by NE Portland parents Megan and Jesse Milliken, who were disappointed with the lack of environmentally friendly options for their kids. They wanted cute and stylish products designed for natural growth and development that did no unnecessary harm to the planet. When they learned many other parents felt the same, they combined their expertise in footwear and sustainability to launch Woolybubs.  https://woolybubs.com

North of West

North of West is a sister team based out of North Portland that makes sustainably made children’s and women’s clothing. Everything is ethically made in the USA and designed by these “print-obsessed sisters, making clothing for good fun and feelings.” The kids’ line features onesies, pants, sweatshirts, jumpers, and more, all made with organic eco-cotton. Their colorful prints are done with natural dyes and eco-inks. The onesies and the comfy pants make good staples for any baby wardrobe. The orca print onesie is so cute. North of West opened a Portland showroom in December.

Papa Don’s Wooden Toys

Papa Don’s has been making natural wooden toys in Oregon since 1973. Second-generation toymaker Diana DeFazio carries on her family’s tradition of handcrafting safe, durable, and eco-friendly toys. Papa Don’s began when Diana’s father wanted to make a better alternative to plastic toys for her and her brother. The wood toys are made with red alder, a non-toxic food-grade mineral oil finish, and paint that has been independently tested for lead, heavy metals, and phthalates. These heirloom quality toys are the favorites you remember from your childhood. https://www.etsy.com/shop/PapaDonsWoodenToys

Mako the Children’s Shop

Mako, the children’s shop, has been selling their local, hand-knit children’s clothes for over three decades. Sisters Mako and Yoko learned to knit from their mother and grandmother and have loved making things by hand since they were children. Their one-of-a-kind hand knits have been loved and gifted by families for generations. The brick-and-mortar location on NW 23rd finally closed up shop after 35 years, but Mako’s unique hand-knits can be found at their online store. https://www.makohandknits.com

Goumi Kids

Goumi Kids started out making organic baby mittens to keep newborns from scratching themselves. Today, the Portland-based natural babywear company has an expansive line that includes clothing for babies, kids, and women, as well as nursery items like blankets and sleep sacks. Most of their products are made with 100% organic cotton or a combination of organic cotton and viscose made from bamboo. Goumi Kids is also part of the REWEAR® Collective, an initiative that encourages consumers to purchase high-quality products that last well beyond the use of just one family. https://goumikids.com

Do you know of any other great eco-friendly kids’ brands from Oregon? Let us know in the comments!