Nature Child

Summer’s here, so what better way to pass the afternoon than with a teddy bear’s picnic, and getting our hands dirty in the garden. To bring you some of the hot new things out for kids, we did a photo shoot…

Summer’s here, so what better way to pass the afternoon than with a teddy bear’s picnic, and getting our hands dirty in the garden.

To bring you some of the hot new things out for kids, we did a photo shoot in the garden, ‘cos gardening’s the new baking.

Here are some of the summer essentials out now for kids this summer.

So, we donned our Nature Baby summer 2011/12 clothes made from organic cotton and set to work in the garden.

We chose Nature Baby organic cotton to wear as its good for the planet AND good for yoru child’s skin, without the harmful chemicals used in conventional cotton farming. The farm they use, in India, is an organic village self sufficient in food, energy and education. In addition to this the workers are paid above India’s average wage with equality between male and female workers, and no child labour is permitted.

Below: Sowing the seeds of a fruitful enterprise.

The organic cotton 3-button grandpa tee $29.95 in mushroom stripe.

Putting in the spade work.

Nature Baby organic cotton drawstring trouser $29.95 and stripe grandpa tee.

Aveeno summer essentials including hand cream, Daily Moisturing Lotion and Body Wash, and a summer essential for protecting skin, Positively Radiant tinted moisturizer with SPF30; oil-free, hypoallergenic and noncomedogenic.

Insect repellent is a holiday essential in New Zealand, as we try to avoid big red spots up the back of our legs! This year, just what you need to keep the bugs away is Pure Fiji Lemongrass Insect Repellent Body Spray, a natural way to keep biting bugs out of your holiday without resorting to harsh chemicals. This citrus-scented body spray effectively wards off mosquitoes and unwelcome insects and gives long lasting natural protection. 240ml $49.00 or a handy travel size 29ml for $12.00.

An insect repellant you simply clip on and wear is new Parakito wristbands.

The wristbands retail for $29.95 and come in a variety of colours. The refillable pellet contains plant-based essential oils and is available at sports stores and pharmacies.

Sunscreen for kids. Yep, it’s as easy to put on the little squirmers as tying a knot in a boa constrictor. So Neutrogena have put out Wet Skin, a spray on sunscreen for children that can go onto wet skin at the beach. Spray, and go. And for an organic sunscreen, we like Green People children’s sun lotion SPF25.

And to complement your sunscreen, a sunhat is a summer must.

Hat with drawstring ribbon by Nature Baby $29.95. Poplin Sunhats give baby’s delicate skin great protection against the sun with a large full brim.

Made from 100% organic cotton poplin which is lightweight and perfect for hot days when you need to keep baby cool.

Nature Baby Lucille Dress in red stripe $39.95. We like the keyhole neckline, drawstring waist, and wide hem detailing.

So, what are some fun summer activities we’ve been looking at lately? First up, you can’t go past a good book, particularly a book that gets you doing stuff. For the creative child, we recommend Art In Action by Maja Pitamic.

This fun, full-colour paperback book references 21 famous works of art, done for children using different techniques in mixed media, such as this tissue paper picture, below. Designed for children 5 to 12 years and retailing for $29.99 from New Holland Publishers.

And to burn off a bit more energy than book reading, the biggest trend this summer on two wheels must be the scooter. Or, should we say, on three wheels?

This Grit Kidz scooter ($130 from Toyworld) is convertible from three to two wheels as your child grows in skill and stability. It is recommended for ages 3 and above and we liked its ease of assembly, and that they take safety so seriously.

Just chillin’ out with my homies, wearing Nature Baby navy stripe leggings, mushroom stripe singlet suit and check poplin sunhat all available instores or from www.naturebaby.co.nz.
Owl and the pussycat Bunting $25 from Freedom.
phoyo wooden playhouse from www.phoyo.co.nz

It’s been a long day on the shoot. Time for a nap.

…Unless you’re an owl.

Megan Robinson 5 November 2011
Photographs Kevin Robinson