Sustainable Parenting 101: Easy Hacks for Toddler Parents
Let’s be honest: raising little humans comes with a lot of stuff. From clothes and toys to gear, the toddler years are a whirlwind of outgrowing, upgrading, and accumulating endless amounts of stuff.
But here’s the good news—you don’t have to give up quality, convenience, or the brands you love to parent more sustainably. Small, thoughtful changes can have a big impact.
Here are a few easy, everyday hacks that help protect the planet while still keeping up with the demands of toddler life:
1. Swap New for Pre-Loved Clothing
Why it matters: Kids grow fast. That means many clothes are barely worn before they’re outgrown. The fashion industry is a surprisingly big contributor to global greenhouse gas emissions—accounting for an estimated 8–10%, according to the UN. Shopping secondhand helps reduce demand for new production, cutting down on emissions, textile waste, and natural resource use.
The hack: Choose secondhand instead of buying new. Not only are you giving great pieces a second life—you’re also getting well-made clothing from brands you love, at a fraction of the original price.
➡️ Our curated collection of kids' clothing is a great place to start: Shop secondhand at Bounce Mkt.
2. Choose Pre-Loved & Long-Lasting Toys
Why it matters: Toys accumulate fast—and many don’t hold your toddler’s interest for long. Cheaply made, short-lived toys often end up in landfills.
The hack: Join local buy/sell/trade groups or check out toy libraries for secondhand finds. And when your child loses interest, pass them along to another family. We also love open-ended toys like blocks, magnetic tiles, LEGO, and art supplies. They fuel creativity and grow with your child—meaning fewer toys tossed, and more value long-term.
3. Go Reusable Where You Can
Why it matters: Having toddlers often means going through a lot of single-use items—from snack bags to paper towels to pull-ups to stickers—and all that waste adds up.
The hack: Try swapping out single-use items for reusables. Some of our favorite easy swaps to start out include reusable snack pouches, paper towels, and cutlery.
4. Make Celebrations a Little Greener
Why it matters: Toddlerhood comes with no shortage of reasons to celebrate—birthdays, holidays, milestones big and small (all of which we love!). But those celebrations often come with lots of waste: plastic cutlery, single-use decorations, cardboard signs, and goody bags filled with stuff that’s tossed five minutes later.
The hack: Keep it simple with reusable decorations, tablecloths, and plates/cutlery. Skip the favor bags or craft them more mindfully with small books, art supplies, or secondhand treasures that are less likely to be quickly trashed.
5. Meal Plan to Reduce Food Waste
Why it matters: Toddlers are famously unpredictable and picky eaters, which often means half-eaten meals and wasted groceries. Food waste is a big environmental issue, contributing to greenhouse gases and lost resources.
The hack: Meal plan with flexibility in mind. Opt for freezer-friendly meals, prep smaller portions, and include a mix of tried-and-true favorites alongside more adventurous options. Get creative with leftovers—repurpose them into new meals or freeze for later. And when you can, use food scraps for homemade broths or add them to your compost pile to cut down on waste.
In Conclusion:
Sustainability isn't about perfection—it’s about progress, including celebrating small steps that, together, can add up to help protect this planet for our kids. Choosing secondhand, reducing waste, and being more mindful about what comes into (and out of) your home adds up over time. And if done right, living more sustainably often makes life simpler, not harder, by removing clutter and reducing expenses over time.
Parenting is already full of decisions. Let’s make a few of them a little gentler—on the planet and on ourselves.