November 2007 New Toys — Eco-Friendly

Bamboogaź - The Human Puzzle Game by UNCLE SKUNKLE TOYS, INC.

In this human-puzzle game, players use color wristbands to bind their hands and feet to one another, leading to a sticky mess of people. The goal of the game is to crawl, walk, scoot or jump one’s way towards the finish line, all the while maintaining the connections determined by a shake of the Bambooga Shaker. Bambooga is safe and eco-friendly, adhering to "green-" manufacturing practices with second-generation, sustainable bamboo construction. “Bambooga is the result of a social-entrepreneurship project sponsored by Kids Ark Foundation of Thailand,...an organization that hopes to find a solution to the AIDS epidemic in Thailand,” Uncle Skunkle Toys Inc. Marketing and Communications Director Maya Cardoso told TDmonthly. A portion of "the proceeds from the manufacturing of Bambooga [is] recycled back to Kids Ark and [goes] towards projects to raise education and standards of living.” Launch date: April 2008.
Awards: Bambooga is a winner of "Dr. Toy’s 100 Best Picks Children’s Products for 2009" and also won Creative Child Magazine's "Toy of the Year Award" for 2008. Bambooga has also been recognized with a favorable review by The Old Schoolhouse, a magazine for homeschooling families. ( Watch Video) 11/30/2007 (Price: $34.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Bobs & Lolo: On Your Feet by BOBOLO PRODUCTIONS

This musical DVD features 10 songs from Bobs & Lolo's award-winning CDs, “Musical Adventures” and “Sea Notes,” and full-length videos that will get kids dancing, singing and playing along in an exciting world filled with bikes, gardens, rocket ships and more. The packaging is made from 100% recycled materials. “Bobs & Lolo are dedicated to connecting kids to the natural world with music, movement and make-believe,” Lorraine Pond (aka “Lolo”) told TDmonthly. “Produced by Playground Media Inc., the videos give life to Bobs & Lolo's songs through creative imagery, energetic performances and engaging animations.” Launch date: November 2007. 11/27/2007 (Price: $17.99)

Waverly, the Water Drop Idbid Kit by IDBIDS LLC

A little dreamy, very sweet and loves a good laugh. He even makes fun of himself – often saying he may be all wet, but he is certainly no drip. Of course, as an Idbid, he also has a serious side. Waverly is particularly – and deeply – concerned about protecting the Earth’s water resources and keeping them clean.

AREA OF EXPERTISE: Oceans, seas, rivers and lakes
INTERESTING FACT: A fan of 60s music who is known to turn up the volume a little too high

Waverly is a huggable, soft, plush toy handcrafted in Egypt with 100% Egyptian cotton. No two are alike - just like children!.

Launch date: February 2008. ( Watch Video) 11/19/2007 (Price: $39.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Lola, the Flower Idbid Kit by IDBIDS LLC

She’s pretty, a fact it is best not to forget. Happily, she also believes that “pretty is as pretty does.” She has a lot of patience with the boys (which is particularly helpful when Waverly loses his focus). She is wise, sees both sides of an issue, is a natural mediator, and offers well-reasoned advice.

AREA OF EXPERTISE: Trees, plants and flowers
INTERESTING FACT: An art lover who draws, collects pictures of shells, and loves bright colors

Lola is a huggable, soft, plush toy handcrafted in Egypt with 100% organic Egyptian cotton. No two are alike - just like children!

— The kit, packaged in a window box that breaks down for use as a game, comes with one Idbid, a book, a field guide to fill out and a cinch-sack backpack. Launch date: February 2008. 11/19/2007 (Price: $39.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Scout, the Cloud Idbid Kit by IDBIDS LLC

Yes, he’s a little out there. But that’s a good thing. It gives him a “big picture” view of what’s happening on Earth. (The reason he claims to be group leader – much to the chagrin of the others.) He’s loyal, honest and a good listener. But fair warning, he can get a little cranky on the subject of air pollution.
AREA OF EXPERTISE: The air we breathe
INTERESTING FACT: A bird watcher of great renown (he runs into them all day, every day)
Scout is a huggable, soft, plush toy handcrafted in Egypt with 100% organic Egyptian cotton. No two are alike - just like children!
— “Idbids are made of organic cotton and all kit components are made from Earth-friendly materials – and they’re incredibly adorable!” Idbids LLC representative Tracey Smith told TDmonthly. Launch date: February 2008. The product line received a 2008 Preferred Choice Award from Creative Child Magazine. 11/19/2007 (Price: $39.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

EcoRanch by ENLIGHTENED PLAY

The game is one of strategy, based on inner and social awareness. It celebrates Earth Day every day and invites everyone to think about their choices and actions and the larger community around them. By answering questions and engaging in discussion, players learn how their choices affect the earth and its inhabitants. "[This is] the only game on the market where a player wins by using a 'pay-it-forward' strategy," Elightened Play! Owner Eileen Thournir told TDmonthly. Launch date: February 17, 2008. ( Watch Video) 10/25/2007 (Price: $34.95)

Build-It Space Explorer Kit by The Little Experience

This kit includes everything required to build a space rocket and more. It comes in an eco-friendly box with printing on the inside so that children can create a project out of the box itself, and is designed to encourage manual dexterity, parental interaction, creativity and recycling. It includes seven language translations. ( Watch Video) 10/4/2007 (Price: $18.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Baby Lauren and Theodore by HEALING TREE ARTS

This environmentally friendly book is printed on high-quality recycled paper and processed chlorine free. The story is based in part on real life events, and the four seasons are playfully introduced while children learn the important role that trees play in the environment. “Baby Lauren and Theodore” is a story of friendship, love, loss and renewed hope that is sure to warm the hearts of children of all ages. “With global warming being a major issue … this is a very timely book. It teaches children at an early age to love and respect nature, while instructing on basic earth science,” Author Deborah Sherrell of Healing Tree Arts told TDmonthly. Launch date: March 2007. 8/30/2007 (Price: $17.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Indoor Gardening Kit by GREEN TOYS INC.

Young green thumbs can watch nature at work by growing an indoor garden in just days with this environmentally friendly Indoor Gardening Kit made of recycled plastic milk jugs. The planting kit comes with a peapod-shaped planter, three planting pots, a trowel, three packages of organic seeds (Teddy Bear Sunflower, Basil and Zinnia) and soil disks. It is made from environmentally friendly materials, helping to reduce fossil fuel use and CO2 emissions in the name of Good Green Fun™. Launch date: September 2007.
— Angel Stahl, owner of Angel's Toy Barn in Greensburg, Pa., thinks these eco-friendly toys will do well for her in 2008. ( Watch Video) 8/21/2007 (Price: $34.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Cookware and Dining Set by GREEN TOYS INC.

Make-believe culinary treats benefit the earth when young chefs concoct them with this environmentally friendly Cookware and Dining Set made of natural bioplastic. The 27-piece set comes with a stock pot and lid, a skillet, four plates, four bowls, four cups, and four place settings (fork, spoon and knife). It is made from annually renewable, sustainable resources (such as corn), helping to reduce fossil fuel use and CO2 emissions. This company received a 2008 Green Toy Company Award from Dr. Toy. Launch date: September 2007. ( Watch Video) 8/21/2007 (Price: $44.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Sand Play Set by GREEN TOYS INC.

Kids will dig building castles and hunting for buried treasure with this environmentally friendly Sand Play Set made of natural bio-plastic. This classic four-piece collection of tools includes a bucket, a sand castle mold, a shovel and a rake. It is made from recycled plastic milk jugs. Launch date: September 2007.
— Kristin Pollard of Mud Puddle Toys in Marblehead, Mass., has had a "good response so far to the sandcastle set that has come in,” and has more sets on order, she said in early 2008. Products by Green Toys were a Toy Fair favorite for five of 24 retailers surveyed by TDmonthly. ( Watch Video) 8/21/2007 (Price: $19.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Head1Liners Board Game by KVALE GOOD NATURED GAMES LLC

In each round of Head1Liners, players privately write a news headline to a shared, mysterious "front-page" photo card. Straightforward journalistic attempts or satirical, funny headlines alike are equally encouraged. Headlines are read in random, anonymous order by the round's editor, and every player votes for a favorite headline (not their own). Writers move one space for each vote received. Later rounds include intentionally surprising theme assignments that often result in hilarious headlines. According to Owner Tony Kvale, Good Natured Games is the only eco-friendly board game publisher manufacturing mainstream game concepts locally within the United States. The company’s website offers a free sample round of play. Launch date: November 2006. 8/16/2007 (Price: $38.99)

Tea Set by GREEN TOYS INC.

This environmentally friendly tea set includes a tea pot with lid, a sugar bowl with lid, creamer, four cups, four saucers and four teaspoons. The set is constructed of bio-plastic made from renewable, sustainable resources in order to help decrease fossil-fuel use and greenhouse gas emissions. Starch-based bio-plastic is ultimately biodegradable. "We do our best to make environmentally friendly business decisions, given today's available technologies from product development to packaging," according to Laurie Hyman, a partner at Green Toys. Green Toys also produces all of its products in the U.S. which cuts down on transportation costs and CO2 emissions. "Green Toys products are ideal for parents looking to make environmentally conscious decisions when it comes to shopping for their children," stated Hyman. Launch date: September 2007.
— “One of my new favorite toys is the Green Toys tea set and cooking set,” said Michelle Smith of Piccolo Mondo Toys in Portland, Ore., at the end of 2008.

Past Videos: ASTRA 2009
( Watch Video) 8/7/2007 (Price: $34.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]