March 2009 New Specialty Toys — Eco-Friendly

The Dumbell Rattle is handcrafted in wood and colored with natural, vegetable-based dyes. It makes gentle sounds, is safe for babies, and is made by Channapatna artisans in India. The craft is over two centuries old and is made in locally available, sustainable (Hale) wood. The toy is in compliance with the ASTM F963 Safety Standard. Earthentree Toys has been awarded the Baby Planners' Seal of approval and featured as one of Mothering Magazine's "Best Natural Toys of 2008." "The shiny gloss comes from natural 'Shellac' resin. The Shellac used is allnatural and hypoallergenic; it is an excellent product for use around children [or] chemically-sensitive or allergic individuals," Deepti Shankar, president of Earthentree Toys, told TDmonthly. Launch date: 2008.

Bamboo Sunshine Dollhouse is constructed of sustainable bamboo and includes a working solar panel in the roof.  An adjustable, fully operational solar panel absorbs light energy and transfers it to four rechargeable batteries through wiring in the walls, just like in a real house. This energy then lights five LEDs to brighten three rooms of the house with just a push of a button. A light, water-based stain is used on the bamboo and then polished with beeswax. This dollhouse comes fully furnished with nine rooms of bamboo furniture and a modern family of five. "The three-level home is the first dollhouse to offer eco-friendly materials with contemporary designs and modern technology, satisfying both a parent's interest in green products and a child's fascination with role play," Robin Lehnert, marketing manager at Hape, told TDmonthly. Launch date: 2009.

This recycled cuff bracelet features two rows to display colorful, snap-on Shains letters and icons. The cuff is available in black, blue, concrete, earth, grass, orchid, pink, poppy, red, sky, sun and vanilla shades. This set includes each letter of the alphabet along with seven icons.

Classical pull toys encourage kids to walk. This colorful pull toy is designed to grab children´s attention. It is tested to meet European and U.S. safety standards.

Preparing your children for school is so important today, you´ll want to give them the best start possible. Combining colorful fun and learning and designed for little ones age three and over, this whimsical case contains everything your child needs to begin learning the alphabet and numbers. Your little one can draw and write on the white board or create words and numbers with the 52 wood letters and 10 wood numbers. And, when you are ready to pick up, the pieces fit nicely in the attractive case, featuring a contemporary smiling cow. Tested to meet European and U.S. afety standards. THIS PRODUCT HAS BEEN DISCONTINUED since July 1, 2010.

Healthy imagination is part of any happy childhood. Designed for toddlers 24 months and older, this high quality, colorful and attractive puppet theater will help your little one create new worlds while feeling good about putting on a show for Mom & Dad. This brightly colored set features 4 wood Boikido stick puppets and a theatre with electronic sounds. The thoughtful design includes a handle so you can take your young one´s show on the road. Tested to meet European and U.S. safety standards. THIS PRODUCT HAS BEEN DISCONTINUED since July 1, 2010.

Winner of 2009 Creative Child Seal of Excellence Award!
This environmental friendly wooden turtle is made of wood from FSC monitored source, painted with water based paints, packaged in a box made of recycled materials and printed with soy bean ink. Parents and gift givers will be proud to have made an environmental friendly purchase. This whimsically painted Tina The Turtle is happy to help kids to figure out how things fit together. Just the right size for little hands, the three colorful pieces of Tina’s shell nest inside each other – a terrific activity to improve motor skills and get your tiny tot thinking. Tested to meet European and U.S. safety standards.

Winner of Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Gold Seal Award 2009! Building hand-eye coordination is an exciting part of being a toddler. Designed for children 18 months and older, this unique and colorful bead maze features a nautical theme, with two wire bead coasters and a maze – featuring a fun whale and boat to spur your little one’s imagination. Children love to play with these toys in doctors’ offices and waiting rooms – now you can have one at home. Tested to meet European and U.S. safety standards.

This kit includes printed cotton canvas, a doll pattern, scissors, needle, thread and stuffing so that kids can make their own dolly. Awards: TDmonthly Top Toy 2009.

Where to Buy: Creative Kidstuff

Brightly colored beech wood flowers bring this beautiful clutching toy to bloom. Haba's non toxic water based stain brings out the beautiful essence of this infant toy. Just the right size for any little girl's hands!

It's Springtime at Haba with this triangular clutching toys for little girls. Wooden shapes on an elastic string are sure to stimulate any youngster's senses! Made in Germany of beechwood and non toxic waterbased stain.

Let the race begin! Nicely colored clutching toy for the young car enthusiast. Made in G ermany of beechwood, this clutching toy has non toxic waterbased stain finish and is totally safefor all young drivers!

Brightly colored, simple and elegant clutching toy for infants six months and up. Made with German Beech and colored with non-toxic water based stain!

Brightly colored clutching toy for infants six months and up. Made with German Beech and colored with non-toxic water based stain!

Made out of recycled plastic bottles, this environmentally friendly moose stands 10" tall and features a dark brown coat and tan antlers. Launch date: 2009.

Made in the United States and available in pink, purple and green, this eco-friendly jump rope features 7' rope that's adjustable and made of 100-percent cotton, and handles made from recycled plastic. Launch date: 2009.

This certified, 100-percent organic cotton yoyo doll is handmade by fair trade artisans in India. This is the classic yoyo doll made for decades by grandmas, updated for the green community. "It's so difficult and time consuming to make this doll that it can only be made by hand. Yoyo dolls have been childhood favorites for generations," Jenny Krauss, president of Kinderware, told TDmonthly. Launch date: 2009.

The Red Bolt Cape is elegant and durable. Each satin cape is lined with supersoft velvet chamois (made from recycled plastic bottles) and adorned with a retro-cool handsewn wool felt applique. The high neckline has a one-size-fits-all snap closure. It includes a drawstring bag, perfect for tucking away secret identities. Available in various styles, and two sizes, the cape starts at $18. It is handcrafted in San Francisco. Launch date: March 2009.

Recycle Kyle™ likes to get people motivated about recycling because it is fun, easy, and something everyone can do. From Seattle, he loves to ride his skateboard, a pollution-free form of transportation. Kyle's dedication to recycling began one day while cruising through a park. He hit a soda can and fell down and hurt himself. Since then he has been spreading the word about recycling. He even started a recycling program at school. Kids can join Kyle and the other Global Green Pals on their mission. "The Global Green Pals are a unique group of dolls that highlight important environmental issues and encourage children to learn through play. They have the capability of inspiring children of all origins to take action by changing small things in their daily activities," Malini Goel, founder and president of Restoration Gallery LLC, told TDmonthly. Launch date: February 15, 2009.

The heavy-duty Tire Time Swing Set makes a great replacement or upgrade for your existing playground set. It includes a heavy-duty plastic tire, a 4 foot double looped nylon rope, and a metal looped attachment device for connection to your playground set. With only four simple steps, the Tire Time Swing Set is assembled easily. Lead free and made of recycled materials. For ages 3-8 with maximum weight of 75 lbs. Adult supervision required.

From the sustainably-minded Plan Toys company comes a dollhouse built with many of the latest advances in green engineering in mind. The house itself is made out of recycled rubberwood accented with safe vegetable dyes for color. It includes a retractable canopy wall made from organic cotton, a wind turbine, solar panels and recycling bins. The house is available furnished and unfurnished. Launch date: 2009.
— Plan products were named as best sellers at Green Frog Toys in Portland, Ore., in March 2009. “They’re eco-friendly and beautifully designed and made,” Owner Patricia Fiedler told TDmonthly.

This handcrafted, wooden pull toy is made by artisans in India and features coloring provided by natural vegetable dye. The turtle's shell rotates as the toy is pulled along. It measures 5" x 5" x 4.5".

Adding to the earth-friendly series that encourages kids to recycle products through their constructions, the PirateShip comes with 112 pieces as well as a scavenger list of items children must collect to create their sailable ship. Launch date: February 2009.

This cuddly bear is made of eco-friendly materials, including hypoallergenic stuffing and sustainable toy bean fiber, and includes a heart-shaped vibration unit that offers gentle vibration at two modes: heartbeat, a soothing pulse; and continuous, a constant motion. It comes with the Polar Cuddle Cub Storybook that tells the bear's story while educating kids on endangered animals. This product received a 2009 iParenting Media Award.