August 2011 Notable Toys — Eco-Friendly

Illuminate your message with Shains Glow in the Dark Starter Kit with 30 Glow in the Dark elements. Perfect for the Halloween season. "What sets these apart is the ability to change your message whenever you want and the ability to mix, match and combine various Shains products to create new cool looks," Chris Ohama from Shainware told TDmonthly. Launch date: July 2010.
Awards: 2010 Women in Toys Green Award
— Diana Nelson, owner of Kazoo Toys in Denver, Colo., told TDmonthly in a Fall 2012 survey that Shains bracelets are one of her top-2 best selling jewelry items. "This is a great new line," she told us.

Got Something to Say? Want to keep your thoughts in writing? Kids can let their inspiration and imagination flow with Shains Notebook. Personalize the cover with their name, class subject, or decorate and change it whenever you want. Use the unlined paper as a journal, sketchbook or scrapbook. Portable. Available with 30, 60 or 100 elements. Price quoted is for 30 elements. "What sets these apart is the ability to change your message whenever you want and the ability to mix, match and combine various Shains products to create new cool looks," Chris Ohama from Shainware told TDmonthly. Launch date: July 2007.
Awards: 2010 Women in Toys Green Award

This recycled cuff bracelet features two rows to display colorful, snap-on Shains letters and icons. The cuffs are now available in our favorite Popsicle colors; Blue Hawaiian, Grape, Cherry and Lime. "What sets these apart is the ability to change your message whenever you want and the ability to mix, match and combine various Shains products to create new cool looks," Chris Ohama from Shainware told TDmonthly. Launch date: July 2007.
Awards: 2010 Women in Toys Green Award

Ten sturdy earth-friendly boxes to stack, build and nest with early-learning concepts on each side. Learning letters, numbers, shapes, colors and baby animals has never been so fun and easy. It's a "Classic development toy made entirely from earth-friendly recycled materials," Rich Hill, director of marketing at innovativekids, told TDmonthly. Launch date: July 2011.

Earth-friendly wooden play ball puzzle that exercises skills that prepare children for reading, math, problem solving and more. This 16-piece puzzle features four scenes of a boy playing sports. It's made of wood harvested from sustainable forests, and comes packaged in a handy carrying case to help keep track of the pieces.Launch date: July 2011.

This 22 piece rattling building block set was designed specially for Little Builders. Shake, rattle, and build with these colorful blocks sized for little hands. Launch date: June 2011.
Awards: Dr. Toy 10 Best Toys of 2011

This award-winning patented cloth pocket diaper is made with sturdy snap closures, which are made to last and require no maintenance. FuzziBunz diapers have no Velcro®, so they won't fray, collect lint or snag your baby's clothes. FuzziBunz come in a variety of sweet and fun colors and they fit snugly on your baby without the added bulk that  comes with most one-size diapers. They offer "Lots of adjustability with 30+ adjustable buttons and snap settings to adjust waist, leg casings and rise. It is the most adjustable one-size diaper," Ashley Boudreaux, marketing director at FuzziBinz, told TDmonthly.
Awards: 2007 Iparenting Media; 2008 PTPA Media; 2009 Best of Business Awards; 2010 Stevie Awards: Best New Product of the Year; 2010 Stevie Awards: Most Innovative Company

Earth-friendly wood rainbow fairies puzzle that exercises skills that prepare children for reading, math, problem solving and more. The 12-piece puzzle is made of wood from sustainable forests, and comes in a handy carrying case so kids can easily keep track of all the parts. Launch date: July 2011.

Rock away on Rocker-feller, a carefully designed and crafted rocking horse. All details are laser engraved. Overall measurements are 29"" long by 11 1/2"" wide by 19 1/2"" high. Seat is 12"" off the floor. Sized for early toddlers, up to age three. Made from responsibly harvested solid pine and with a non-toxic finish. Ships fully assembled. "Rocker-feller is constructed out of all wood," Barbara Rainville, marketing manager at Maple Landmark Woodcraft, told TDmonthly. Launch date: January 2011.
Awards: 2011 Baby and Child Best New Products Awards Winner, 2011 Blogger's Best January NY International Gift Fair

The cooperative board games collection includes Count Your Chickens, Hoot Owl Hoot, Lost Puppies, Mermaid Island, and Stone Soup. Ideal for children two years of age and up, the games focus on socialization skills in a cooperative, group play setting. "Unlike traditional games where there is one winner and one (or many) losers, with cooperative games the players work together against a common obstacle in the game, not against each other. If the game is lost, the defeat is shared equally among the players. And, if the game is won, everyone is a winner," Donna Modrell, marketing & operations manager at Peaceable Kingdom Press, told TDmonthly. Launch date: January 2011.
Awards: Hoot Owl Hoot! - 2011 Dr. Toy Best Green Product

Nourish Toddler celebrates a toddler's growing independence with an easy-to-use, impossible to spill and healthy drink of their own. It is 10 oz of purified spring water in a unique, patented bottle designed for little hands and complete with a spill-proof sippy top. Nourish is also BPA-free, Phthalate-free, made in the USA and 100% recyclable and reusable. Toddlers can now quench their thirst without drenching themselves and everything around them. ""Nourish Toddler is the only 100% spill-proof sippy cup on the market,"" Brittany Roderick from Nourish Inc told TDmonthly.
Awards: 2010 MAX Award for Most Innovative New Product in Georgia; 2011 Water Innovation Award: Runner Up for Best New Water Brand

Nourish Baby eases the stress of feeding time on the go. It is 8 oz of pre-measured purified spring water with a wide neck for easy formula mixing. Nourish is also BPA-free, Phthalate-free, made in the USA and 100% recyclable and reusable. ""Nourish Baby is like no other baby bottle because it already comes with water in it and is the first immediate consumption drink for babies on the market,"" Brittany Roderkick, from Nourish Inc, told TDmonthly.
Awards: 2010 MAX Award for Most Innovative New Product in Georgia; 2011 Water Innovation Award: Runner Up for Best New Water Brand

These reusable machine-washable crowns will last for many years. Just replace the right birthday number. Felt numbers 0 to 9 included. Organic Cotton fleece lining is soft and comfy for little heads and is free from harmful chemicals. Adjustable hook and loop closure fits most children. Can be also used for dress-up play or as a fashionable accessory. Any felt shape can be attached to the front.

This 5 in 1 transforming truck has vehicle and sand play all in one. The water resistant playset is complete with Dunebug, truck, rake, shovel, bucket, and wildflower seeds. Expand your world with additional Sprig Hollow toys.
— In late Spring 2011, Margy Peine, owner of the Tree House Toy Shop in Cumberland, Md. told TDmonthly that the Sand Truck was a recent best-seller in the infant & toddler category.
— Want this? As of 05/06/2011, this product was available for purchase at Tree House Toy Shop.