Kids & Commercialism

New Dream's Shara Drew offers tips on ways to share our kids’ things, providing great opportunities to help our children learn the value of reusing and making do. 

Jean discusses how screen-time overuse is affecting kids' social-emotional and physical health, and provides tips for parents seeking to reduce screen time.

Here are five steps you can take to help make childhood what it should be for kids: filled with play, quality time with caring adults, and exploration in the natural world. 

Shara Drew, the director of New Dream's Kids & Commercialism campaign, reviews two recent children’s books that deal with the topic of consumerism in a way that's impactful and fun, and also suggests eight more oldies but goodies.

Our newest guide provides inspiration and practical tips for you to plan special celebrations that reduce waste and expense, emphasize meaning over material goods, and strengthen relationships. With specific sections on: The Year-End Holidays, Birthday Parties, Baby Showers, and Community-Building Celebrations.

In this short animation, psychologist Tim Kasser discusses how America's culture of consumerism undermines our well-being.

New Dreamer Rinny Yourman describes how her family ditched goody bags in favor of giving guests at her daughter's birthday and Bat Mitzvah parties a more meaningful experience. 

Our updated guide provides insight into the excessive advertising that children face today, as well as practical tools to help parents and caregivers push back.

This helpful guide offers simple steps to understanding and pushing back against rampant in-school commercialism.

Give the gift of more fun and less stuff today by creating an alternative registry for your child's next birthday, holiday, family celebration, and more.

This webinar provides guidance on how to start a toy lending library in your community, with a special look at successful initiatives in Minneapolis and Cleveland.

Concerned about screen time taking over your free time? This special resource is chock full of ideas to help you reclaim your summer. 

An alternative gift catalog for those who want to wrap their holidays in more of what matters—meaning, connection, and joy—and less of what doesn’t (stuff, stress, and waste). Check out the specific sections on gifts for kids, young adults, and the whole family.

Give gifts of time, experience, and memories—not more stuff! New Dream's Printable Coupon Book is an easy-to-use template that you can print out, customize, and give to family and friends of all ages.

Playfulness contributes to well-being for all ages. So let’s disconnect from our devices and connect more with our children, our inner-children, each other, and mother nature. Take our challenge – and go out and play!