Being green is no reason to be blue. It’s not all granola and patchouli, or carrying your kids to school on a sling on your back. It’s more than lamenting the losses of polar ice caps and the ozone. Yes, being green can be fun, even for kids.

When it comes to your kids, you can extend your green lifestyle to include them by using everyday consumer choices as opportunities to educate them and build a sense of responsibility and empowerment in our next generation of global citizens.   Here are “The Top 10 Ways” you can takepart in making the world more sustainable with your children:

1. Eco-friendly Kids Clothing

When it comes to clothes, kids these days have options.   You may opt to avoid giants of the sweatshop-laden garment industry in favor of smaller companies pledged to human rights and environmental conservation.   WeWe Clothing (pictured above) is an example of a company which offers an alternative to clothing mass-produced at environmental cost.

2. Shoes for Change

Kids go through a lot of shoes.   On average kids feet grow a half-size every three months for the first two and a half years, and a half size every four to six months after.    That’s sixteen pair of shoes before age six.

For each pair you purchase from TOMS shoes, the company gives a pair to a child in need.   They gave 50,000 pairs to South Africa.   Plus, they come in polka dot and camo, and are pretty affordable.

3. Kid Media with Earthy Might

Okay, so you’ve watched Harry Potter for the hundredth time and you’re ready for a change.   How about a classic book with a “save our planet” message?  The Lorax by Dr. Seuss tells the story of the eponymous, outspoken guardian of the “Truffala” trees.   If you’d prefer a DVD, Happy Feet takes on climate change, plus it’s very cute.

4. Clean & Green

Soccer, baseball, playing in the backyard all day.   From changing diapers to washing up before bed, keep your kids clean and healthy while doing the same for Mother Nature.   Household “green” giant Seventh Generation offers chlorine-free diapers and  baby wipes.   For the older kids, Jason Natural Cosmetics “Kids Only” is Eco-friendly shampoo and conditioner with organic plant extracts.

5.  Green Junk Food

Green-guilt free candy, so why not splurge on a five-pound bag of Lollipops?  They’re Organic; allergen-free; gluten-free; GMO-free; egg-free; soy-free; nut-free; casein-free; dairy-free–basically free except for $25.  There are also fruit snacks and animal cookies.

6. Super “Eco” Toys

A list of ways to green up your kids would truly be incomplete without toys.   A good way to gauge if a toy is Eco-friendly is to look at the materials.    The more natural the better.   Blue Orange Games made a commitment to protect the environment by planting two trees for every one they use making games.    How about a Hydrogen Fuel-Celled H-Racer toy car?  See the manufacturer’s site for more.

7. Green Activities

So far on our list, our ways to “keep it green” are pretty passive.   (i.e. read a book, watch a movie, eat a lollipop).   But kids are active, some hyper!   Thank God there there are ways to keep your little green monsters physically fit (and not bouncing off the walls from Eco-candy).

Yoga Pretzels (by Gaiam) is a deck of 50 Fun Yoga Activity Cars for Kids & Grownups.   The idea is kids don’t always need a piece of plastic or something electric to be stimulated.   And hey, if you can spend some quality time working on your “downward dog” with your kids, what’s not to love?

And finally, if you really want to breed future green-thumbed offspring, try out an Indoor Gardening Set.   Clinical Counselor Kelly E. Nault says, “Kids want to contribute, period! And [preparing meals] is a positive way they can contribute every day.”  It has to be more validating for kids growing something to feed your family than hitting the minute button on the microwave.   Plus, it tastes a lot better than Play-Doh.

8.  Wheels of Change

How about a bike?  One really cool product is LIKEaBIKE, a chain-less pushbike that moves by foot-power (a la “The Flintstones”).   Safety and function first, says designer Rolf Mertens, “It’s purpose is to help children with their balance and boost their confidence”, plus it’s made of non-toxic materials.

An alternative tack is to look to a line from a time before we had high-tech ways (and plastic polymer paints) to pollute with.   The Radio Flyer Tiny Trike is made mostly of wood, metal, and rubber.   How’s that for old-school innovation?  Plus, you can upgrade to the Dual Deck edition.   Sharp!

9. “Party Time”

Party like it’s “in-the-future-and-you’re-looking-back-glad-you-chose-sustainable-party-wares”.  From gourmet cakes to exotic party favors–how about a compact fluorescent party bulb? In red, blue, or green.

Preserve makes vibrant-colored disposable plates and cutlery from 100% recycled plastic.    Pottery Barn Kids offers biodegradable settings made of corn starch, which decomposes in compost.

10. Kid Power

From Nintendo DS, to Sony PSP, kids go through batteries.   Over 720 tons of household batteries are disposed of each year.   Recycling and conservation keeps heavy metals out of landfills and prevents groundwater pollution.   You can use power adapters and travel chargers whenever possible (i.e. at home on the couch).   For on the go consider rechargeable batteries.   USBCeLL batteries charge in USB ports–just pull off the cap.