February 2010 Notable Toys — Eco-Friendly

This set of 200 precision-cut pine planks for building features red, yellow, orange, pink and natural color planks. Each plank measures 1" x 4.5" x 0.25", and the color comes from water-based stain that is naturally absorbed by the wood. Fifty- and 100-piece sets are also available. Launch date: February 2010.
Awards: The National Parenting Center's Spring 2010 Seal of Approval; 2010 Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Best Toy Award, Platinum; 2010- Dr. Toy Best Green Products, NAPPA 2010 Honors Award recipient, NAPPA 2010 Best Bang for Buck Award winner.
Watch Toy Fair 2010 Video

The multicolored 200-piece "Cool Colors" set features four different block colors plus natural wood blocks. This set features redesigned packaging, revamped colors and a lower price.
Awards: 2010 Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Best Toy Award, Platinum; 2010 National Parenting Center Seal of Approval; 2010 Dr. Toy Best Vacation Products, NAPPA 2010 Honors Award recipient, NAPPA 2010 Best Bang for Buck Award. Launch date: February 2010.
See 2010 TDmonthly Video Demo

Designed for ages 6 months and up, this 8-pack of utensils is made in the USA from recycled plastic milk containers. Free of PVC, BPA and phthalates, the plastic forks and spoons have rounded edges and are dishwasher safe. The packaging features recycled and recyclable materials as well as soy inks. Launch date: March 2010.

Designed for ages 6 months and up, this toy for bathtubs and mud puddles is made in the USA of recycled plastic milk containers. It floats, is equipped with a spout on the front for scooping and pouring water, and is free of BPA, PVC, phthalates and external coatings. It comes in packaging made of recycled or recyclable materials and featuring soy inks. Launch date: March 2010.
— In an April 2012 survey about bath toys, two of eleven retailers told TDmonthly the Tugboat from Green Toys was their best seller.
— Kristen Dolle, Manager of Playthings Toy Shoppe in Louisville, Ky. named the Green Toys Tugboat as a best-seller in the bath category when surveyed by TDmonthly in late Spring 2011.
— Want this? As of 05/06/2011, this product was available for purchase at Playthings Toy Shoppe.

Designed for ages 6 months and up, this colorful set of 18 oversized building blocks is made in the USA from recycled plastic milk containers. The lightweight blocks are free of PVC, phthalates and BPA. Launch date: March 2010.
— "Green Toys looks like a choice for parents that lean green and want a toy product that advertises no BPAs, no Phthalates and no PVCs. Really, a perfect first toy!" Jennifer Shuman, owner of 1SmartNoodle, told TDmonthly at Toy Fair 2010.
— Jeremiah of Z Recommends appreciated that the blocks are “chunky but hollow, making them lightweight and giving them built-in handles all the way around for little hands.” Jeremiah found the moderate size of the set perfect “for those of us who already have plenty of toys, but no oversized-Lego-style locking blocks for toddlers.”
— Reviewers on Amazon gave the Green Toys Blocks an average of 4 stars out of 5, praising the blocks for their large size and eco-friendly yet tough construction. However, some reviewers had trouble keeping the blocks attached to each other.

This marshmallow softy of a wild animal is designed to be incredibly squishy and huggable, made from organic terrycloth and canvas with natural corn fiber filling. It has canvas on the face and feet, and a knotted tail that makes it touchable and teethable for little kids. The polar bear is machine washable and measures 9" x 5" from head to rump.

This marshmallow softy of a wild animal is designed to be incredibly squishy and huggable, made from organic terrycloth and canvas with natural corn fiber filling. It has canvas on the face and feet, and a knotted tail that makes it touchable and teethable for little kids. The polar bear is machine washable and measures 15" x 8.5" from head to rump.

This marshmallow softy is designed to be incredibly squishy and huggable, made from organic terrycloth and canvas, with natural corn fiber filling. It has canvas on the face and feet, and a knotted tail that makes it touchable and teethable for little kids. The rhino is machine washable and measures 8" x 5" from head to rump.

This marshmallow softy is designed to be incredibly squishy and huggable, made from organic terrycloth and canvas, with natural corn fiber filling. It has canvas on the face and feet, and a knotted tail that makes it touchable and teethable for little kids. The rhino is machine washable and measures 14" x 8.5" from head to rump.

This marshmallow softy is designed to be incredibly squishy and huggable, made from organic terrycloth and canvas, with natural corn fiber filling. It has canvas on the face and feet, and a knotted tail that makes it touchable and teethable for little kids. The elephant is machine washable and measures 8.5” x 6" head to rump.

This marshmallow softy is designed to be incredibly squishy and huggable, made from organic terrycloth and canvas, with natural corn fiber filling. It has canvas on the face and feet, and a knotted tail that makes it touchable and teethable for little kids. The elephant is machine washable and measures 15” x 8.5” head to rump. 

This environmentally friendly wooden activity board is made of wood from an FSC-monitored source, painted with water-based paints, packaged in a box made of recycled materials, and printed with soy-bean ink. It is colorful, fun and has cute moving eyes, designed with a 1-year-old in mind. It teaches hand-eye coordination, colors, shapes, numbers and characters. It also works like a shape sorter and color-matching game as each of the different shapes has its own home (slot) and can be placed on the wooden pegs of the gears for added color matching and spinning fun. Tested to meet European and U.S. safety standards. Launch date: February 14, 2010.

Players help the mighty polar bear navigate the ice caps of the Bering Sea to find his way back home. This game features endangered wildlife species and includes a manual for kids to learn more about them. Approximately 5 percent from the sale of this product will be donated to support WWF’s global conservation efforts. "The Wildlife Conservation Collection is an assortment of classic, timeless, family-friendly games and puzzles that are made from sustainable materials," Sean Tyrrell, Category Manager, Terra Toys, told TDmonthly. Launch date: October 2009.

Under a licensing agreement with World Wildlife Fund, Terra Toys introduces the Wildlife Conservation Collection. Players can challenge themselves in strategy and conservation with the 8-in-1 Combo Games Set, learning about some incredible species. Illustrated game boards and pieces are designed to bring endangered species and habitats to life. Games featured include: chess, checkers, backgammon, dominoes, ludo, pick-up sticks, and salamanders and ladders, plus playing cards and instructions for all games. The games teach strategy and teamwork, improve numbers skills and provide social companionship. The set is portable and compact. The components, including the playing cards, wood pieces, boards and the storage unit, are made from Forest Stewardship Council materials. The pick up sticks are made from bamboo. Package size is 10.5" L x 2" W x 10.5" H. "The Forest Stewardship Council is an independent, international non-profit association established to promote the responsible management of the world’s forests. Approximately 5 percent from the sale of the product will be donated to support WWF’s global conservation efforts. In addition, the products are beautifully designed to stimulate empathy for and understanding of the animals and the unique habitats depicted," Sean Tyrrell, Category Manager, Terra Toys, told TDmonthly. Awards: Dr. Toy Green Toy of the Year 2009. Launch date: January 10, 2009.

Itsy Bitsy Hearts offers 100-percent organic cotton and each garment comes on a 100-percent recycled hanger. The company's slogan is "Clothing with Heart" because 20 percent of profits are donated to the Heart Gallery in an effort to help foster children find families. They offer hip stone art creations, including adoption designs and black organic styles, for newborns and young children. They are hand pressed in the United States. Launch date: 2009.

This pail liner to hold soiled diapers provides non-wicking, bacteria-free and odor-control storage. Made from a high-quality PUL (poly urethane laminate) fabric with a special anti-microbial* effect, the Kissaluvs Antibacterial Pail Liner lets soiled diapers sit another day or so, worry free, without collecting gunk. The special finish also helps reduce unpleasant odors and protects against the spreading of health-hazardous bacteria, which can sometimes collect on soiled diapers. It may also be used for storing laundry, dirty shoes, wet swim suits and more. Launch date: December 2009.

This soft-structured baby carrier provides comfort and health benefits. Boba is eco-friendly — the shell and batting are made with GOTS and OE100 certified organic cotton and lined with 100-percent organic Texas cotton. No pesticides or herbicides are used. Made in the USA, it is designed for children ages 1 to 4 years old and is available in six different earth-inspired colors: Aspen, Cedar, Chestnut, Pine, Walnut and Willow. "Boba is the first baby carrier to feature patent-pending foot straps allowing the child’s legs to be held at a natural 90-degree angle, ensuring complete baby leg support and better alignment for a child's hips and spine," Ria Romano, PR Manager, NAP, Inc., told TDmonthly. Launch date: October 30, 2009.

Ideal for decorating a large space on a budget, these 26, 5" x 7" cards give an individual freedom to space them as they'd like. "Our products introduce global exploration and environmental stewardship with stylish, eco-friendly and culturally diverse images full of whimsy. Each product is lovingly created with recycled papers, scraps and earth-friendly inks," Rebecca Peragine, Owner, Children Inspire Design, told TDmonthly. Launch date: January 15, 2010.

This 100-percent organic cotton blanket features a natural silk trim with corn fiber batting and comes in a 100-percent recycled paper package with soy ink printing. The embroidered monkey is made of a blend of organic cotton, silk and hemp. The blanket measures 40" x 32".

A safe and easy option for storing and heating your little one’s edibles at home, daycare or on-the-go. Unlike plastic, little bites storage jars are bacteria resistant and BPA, Phthalate and Lead free. These stylish, versatile silicone jars and lids feature an innovative, patent-pending design and are made from high-grade silicone, making them dishwasher, refrigerator, freezer, and microwave safe. Little bites stackable storage jars can be used for preserving baby food, storing and defrosting leftovers, stowing and warming lunches, and serving up snacks, and more. Size: 3 1/2" wide x 2 1/4" tall. Volume: approx. 3.5 fl/oz.

Like the classic little bites jars, these bigger, portable silicone jars provide a safe and easy option for storing and heating child's edibles at home, school or on the road. Serves as an alternative to plastic lunch boxes as, unlike plastic, bigger bites storage jars are bacteria resistant and BPA, Phthalate and Lead free. These stylish jars come in sets of two and feature an innovative, patent-pending design. These toxin-free jars are dishwasher, refrigerator, freezer, and microwave safe. Size: 4 1/2" wide x 2 7/8" tall. Volume: approx. 10 fl/oz.

These portable, stackable silicone bowls feature a wide base (to prevent tipping), low profile and nifty sidewalls to help your little one scoop up their edibles. For home use, at daycare or on the road, little bites bowls are dishwasher, refrigerator, freezer and microwave safe. Serves as an alternative to plastic as, unlike plastic, little bites bowls are bacteria resistant and BPA, Phthalate and Lead free. Size: 5 1/2" wide x 1 1/2" tall. Volume: approx. 12 fl/oz.

Little bites cups feature a wide base and low profile to minimize tipping and spills. Their slightly textured exterior helps to prevent slippage. These stackable little cups are highly portable, easy to clean and, like all Kinderville products, are an alternative to plastic for being bacteria resistant and BPA, Phthalate and Lead free. Size: 3 1/8" wide x 2 3/4" tall. Volume: approx. 6 fl/oz.

Made of durable, BPA-free, non-leaching silicone, these ice pop molds are the perfect size for small hands and bellies. The unique tapered design allows the ice pop to be pushed to the top to enjoy. The fluted rim helps any residual liquid go back into the mold and not over little hands. No sticks and less mess. Dishwasher, refrigerator, freezer, and microwave safe. Size: 2 1/8" wide x 5" tall. Volume: approx. 3.5 fl/oz.