November 2010 Notable Toys — Eco-Friendly

With over 194 pieces, Teifoc’s Beginner Brick Construction Set incorporates real, reusable miniature bricks for building, encouraging imaginative play for children interested in constructing up to three of their own designs. Safe and soluble sand and corn extract-based mortar holds the bricks together. To build a new model, simply soak in water, dry the bricks and start again.

Incorporating real, reusable miniature bricks for building, this set encourages imaginative play for children interested in constructing up to three of their own designs. A safe and soluble sand and corn extract-based mortar creates a house and water mill. To build a new model, simply soak in water, dry the bricks and start again.

With over 394 pieces, this set encourages imaginative play for children interested in constructing up to three of their own building designs. A safe and soluble sand and corn-extract based mortar holds reusable bricks together. To build a new model, simply soak in water, dry the bricks and start again.

Kids can channel their inner creativity with Eitech’s Solar Powered Construction Kit and build an environmental friendly model powered by sunlight. Simply place the solar panel directly under sunlight and watch as it takes off. Each kit builds up to three solar powered models. Illustrations and tools are included for easy assembly. "Solar Panels allow for eco-friendly fun!" Eitech Media and Marketing Coordinator Caitlin King told TDmonthly.

This sustainable, nitrosamine-free toy features wood rings that spin and rattle around a central ring to entertain baby. Sustainable rubber wood is a natural, germ-repellent surface. This product is biodegradable and recyclable.

This soft organic cotton terry mitt doubles as a bath mitt and entertainment puppet. It includes a hanging loop to dry.

This plush blankie doll is easy for little ones to hold. It is made of organic cotton/poly velour with cotton fill. "This unique toy combines the comfort of a blankie with the fun of a stuffed animal," Noelle Brown, i play Inc marketing associate, told TDmonthly.

The backpack-style Boba 2G is a baby carrier featuring removable foot straps ensuring babies and toddlers’ knees are supported while their legs are placed at a natural 90-degree angle, allowing for increased support for baby. Boba 2G also comes with a matching removable sleeping hood that provides extra head support when the child is sleeping, as well as added protection from the sun, heat, cold, wind, light rain and snow. The 2G is available in Organic and Classic versions.
Awards: 2010 Mom's Choice Award; 2010 iParenting Media Award; 2010 PTPA Winner; 2010 JPMA Certified

These organic one-pieces and tees feature reclaimed wool appliques. "Each is a one of a kind creation," Cate & Levi CEO Josh Title told TDmonthly.

Utilizing images from Rachel Arbuckle, one of Ireland’s most recognized image artists, Purrfect Puzzles are made in Europe with durable, smooth-edged pieces. The Celtic Collection uses an environmental compact box, which means that the amount of oil consumed in shipping is saved by more than half, compared to larger packages. Awards: Dr. Toy Best Green Toy Award 2010

Li’l Chugs is an ecologically friendly collection of trains that are constructed of highly renewable, natural rubberwood harvested from reforested forests. Each bright colorful piece meets ATSM, CPSIA and EN71 safety standards and features durable magnetic couplings so kids can create many different combinations. Awards: Dr. Toy Best Green Toy Award 2010

This set of realistic birds, licensed by the National Audubon Society, features real bird calls provided by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. Each bird is carefully researched, and comes with an educational hang tag that includes information about its appearance, eating habits, habitat maps and sounds. This series includes a Mallard Duckling, Baby Chick, Baby Emperor Penguin, Baby Piping Plover, Baby Ostrich and Baby California Sea Gull.
Awards: Dr. Toy Best Green Toy Award 2010, Dr. Toy 100 Best Children's Products - 2010
— Shana Hack, owner of Moon Rabbit Toys in Santa Fe, N.M., told TDmonthly in a June 2014 survey that Wild Republic plush is a best-seller in their store.

This novel item is nutrient-rich animal dung from an elephant, reindeer or rhino. From the Natural History Museum, the Poo in a Box begins at a British zoo or safari park and is treated to be germ and odor free. Kids and adults simply sow the seeds, water the cardboard box and watch the plants grow. Awards: Dr. Toy Best Green Toy Award 2010

The Sustainable Earth Lab science kit gives children the tools and information to learn first-hand about the environmental problems burdening the planet and how we can overcome these challenges through sustainable practices. The full-color, 48-page manual explains over 40 different experiments and energy conservation activities. Awards: Dr. Toy Best Green Toy Award 2010
— In late summer 2010, five percent of 43 retailers named Thames & Kosmos a top selling science and nature brand.
— “Thames & Kosmos — we sold out of all their items,” Carly Gerhardstein, manager of The Durango Kid in Durango, Colo., told TDmonthly in August 2010.

This children's rocking chair is made of fir wood, and features a non-toxic green painted finish, silk-screened with the image of a giraffe. This product meets ASTM F963-07 safety standards, and is eco-friendly.

This chart provides hands-on environmental education by introducing six key recyclable material categories and teaching how to sort 48 “recyclable” cards into the right bins. The cards are made of 65-percent recycled card stock and the chart is made from 80-percent recycled plastic. Awards: Dr. Toy Best Green Toy Award 2010

This set is designed to help children practice their beading and fine motor skills while learning the alphabet. It includes 26 chunky wood letters, a wooden needle, cotton lace and a stopper. This product is made with sustainable wood, natural inks, and packaged with recycled paperboard. Awards: Dr. Toy Best Green Toy Award 2010

These colorful boxes can be used to stack and create scenes. The boxes can be stacked vertically up to 35" tall or laid horizontally. This product is made with recycled paperboard and printed with soy ink and water-based varnish. Awards: Dr. Toy Best Green Toy Award 2010

Tri-Cross is a game that requires strategy before the first game piece is even placed. It evolves from poker-like play (reading your opponent) into total strategy (much like chess). Play takes less than 20 minutes, and the more times one plays, the more challenging the game becomes. There are no ties or draws, and beginners should not be totally intimidated, since they still have an outside chance to win against the pros. The game is for two to four players and features five variations of play. This version is made from wood and is designed to be eco-friendly. Awards: Dr. Toy Best Green Toy Award 2010

Eco Collage Kits contain a variety of eco-friendly, recycled, and recyclable collage items. Each item has been carefully sourced to make sure that they are earth friendly. Each Eco Collage Kit includes recycled Kraft cardstock and paper bags, multi-colored recycled tissue paper “shred,” "Green Glue" made from plants and natural ingredients, biodegradeable natural wood shreds, grosgrain ribbon made from recycled plastic bottles, fiber ribbon-made from 65-percent reclaimed cotton and 35-percent recycled plastic bottles, four Eco-Tree colored pencils, green craft felt and recycled designer tissue paper.

Eco Dough cutters are biodegradable and are made in the USA from 100-percent recycled corn (PLA). This set of four includes teddy bear, heart, star and house shapes.

These eco-friendly pencils are made from from sustainable Tamarind Trees, which are farmed for their fruit in Southeast Asia. Each set comes with 10 colored pencils.