We interviewed Penny Bauder, Founder and CEO of Green Kid Crafts, an innovative company whose products we feature in our myStonyfield Rewards program. We really love these creative little craft kits for kids, made from sustainable products, and wanted to learn more about what makes the company – and its founder – tick.
SF: How did your company get started?
GKC: There were two sources of inspiration for Green Kid Crafts. The concept itself was really born out of need. I’m a busy mom, but nothing is more precious to me than spending quality time with my two children. So, like many other parents, I want to spend my limited time connecting with them, not scrambling for ideas and shopping for safe and earth-friendly supplies. I saw an opportunity to do something that would make it as convenient as possible for parents and kids to spend quality time together doing something fun and enriching, that is not only good for the earth but also teaches kids to love and respect the environment. Our Discovery Box subscription program delivers 3 nature-oriented craft kit activities, including all needed (sustainable) supplies and instructions, right to your doorstep each month. Families can just open the box and have fun!
The other source of inspiration was based out of want. I saw the opportunity to start the business as a way to stay at home with my children while continuing to work and participate in the environmental movement. Through Green Kid Crafts, I am able to marry my deep environmental ethics with creativity, and share this experience with kids all over the country while we serve as another example that a sustainable company can be successful.
SF: What is your company’s mission/philosophy?
GKC: Green Kid Crafts’ mission is to provide parents with time-saving and planet-friendly choices for arts, crafts, and science activities that spark their child’s creativity, build confidence and cultivate respect and love for the environment.
We believe in doing this in a way that is sustainable which means, among other things, that we maintain a carbon neutral status, use minimal packaging and source craft materials from nature to be renewable, recyclable and/or biodegradable. We also give back to the community through our partnerships with local nonprofits and membership in 1% for the Planet.
We invite people to learn more about our social responsibility, the eco-ingredients of our Discovery Boxes, and our commitment to nurture a Happy & Healthy Child on our website.
Stonyfield: Why are you excited about being a partner in the rewards program?
GKC: We love and admire Stonyfield so much, and are tremendously excited to be aligned with you and the other amazing companies involved to promote people- and planet-friendly products from companies that care. Most of all, we are really looking forward to connecting with fellow Stonyfield fans and introducing them to our craft kit subscription service!
SF: Tell us about one thing your company is working on right now that you are really excited about.
GKC: Since every month’s Discovery Box is a new theme with three unique craft activities, we always have so many fun ideas percolating! Right now we are actually working on a “food adventures” theme box for November and testing lots of fun planting experiments and thematic games that we can make with recycled felt.
SF: So…what is your favorite Stonyfield yogurt or product?
GKC: I’m pretty simple – my favorite is the plain (whole milk) yogurt. We have to keep at least 2 of those big containers on hand at all times for the kids, and I top it with fresh fruit and granola. I actually ate this meal so much during my pregnancy that we joke that our daughter’s middle name should be Parfait. The plain is also such a great thing to have on hand for cooking and baking!
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Check out Green Kids Crafts two-month craft kit subscription on the myStonyfield Rewards site. Not already a rewards member? No problem – sign up here!
Excellent read, I just passed this onto a friend who was doing some research on that. And he just bought me lunch since I found it for him smile So let me rephrase that: Thank you for lunch! “Bill Dickey is learning me his experience.” by Lawrence Peter Berra.
Very nice blog. This is a great time of year for kids crafts. More inside time.