TDmonthly's Toy Fair 2007 Preview
Category: Eco-Friendly

MiniMitts™ by BELLYLAF LLC

MiniMitts are a thumbless, easy on/off pair of child-size wash mitts designed for "little hands” that enable children to master personal hygiene skills. While parents teach children how to wash with BellyLaf’s coordinated Grippees™ adult wash mitts, children model after Mom and Dad by using MiniMitts. MiniMitts incorporate SmartShapes™, geometric shapes of colorful circles, squares, triangles and stars that are combined together to create clever characters that appeal to kids and parents alike. They are made with an ultra-soft, eco-friendly bamboo/cotton blend. "MiniMitts teach children bathing independence and make bath time an interactive and learning experience. The SmartShapes™ appliqué designs on the top of each mitt allow parents to teach children about shapes and colors," Denise West of BellyLaf told TDmonthly. Launch date: September 7, 2008. 9/19/2008 (Price: $9.95)

Grippees™ by BELLYLAF LLC

Patent-pending Grippees are designed to help parents bathe children with confidence and reduce risk of injury. Grippees' clear, soft and non-toxic silicone gripping dots are strategically placed on the palm of each wash mitt and aid in holding slippery children as you wash or move them in and out of the bathtub. Colorful embroidered appliqué designs incorporate SmartShapes™, bright and cheery geometric characters that make bathing time fun and interactive for all. The product is made with an ultra-soft, eco-friendly bamboo/cotton blend. Grippees wash mitts actually solves a problem with its clever gripping system. Everyone on the planet that has bathed a child knows how slippery they are. "Bathroom accidents occur every day in American households involving children. Having wash mitts that wash as well as aid in safely holding the child is an ideal combination. The bamboo/cotton blend makes it perfect for delicate skin," Denise West of BellyLaf told TDmonthly. Launch date: September 7, 2008. 9/19/2008 (Price: $16.95)

CALAFANT Pirate Fortress by CREATIVE TOYSHOP

Children can easily build this sturdy Pirate Fortress, decorate it, and play with it. This kit transforms from a crafting activity into a real toy, and, best of all, is recyclable. All pieces are made from pre-cut and pre-punched sturdy white cardboard and can be put together without glue and scissors. "It's a great choice for parents who want to promote their children's creativity, and it is a wonderful, unique present for a kid that wants a cool toy," Martina McConnon, owner of distributor Creative Toyshop, told TDmonthly. It received the Spiel gut 2008 award in Germany. Launch date: September 8, 2008. 9/19/2008 (Price: $24.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

CALAFANT Castle L2 by CREATIVE TOYSHOP

This Calafant cardboard kit transforms into a sturdy castle that is fun to build and decorate. It comes with 12 washable, non-toxic markers and is easy to color. When the child has completed the castle, it is a great toy and ideal for play with 3" dolls. Best of all, it's recyclable. "It is made from very high-quality cardboard — unless you sit on it, it won't bend!" Martina McConnon, owner of distributor Creative Toyshop, told TDmonthly. The product received a TOY Innovation award in the creativity category in 2006 (in Germany). Launch date: April 1, 2008. 9/19/2008 (Price: $14.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

CALAFANT Palace L3 by CREATIVE TOYSHOP

The Calafant Palace is easy to build and decorate with any craft materials, acrylic paint, watercolor, rhinestones, scrap paper, glitter and aluminum foil — anything that comes to the creative mind. The sturdy structure is the ideal size for play with 3" dolls. All pieces are made from pre-cut and pre-punched, high-quality white cardboard and can be put together without glue and scissors. "It is exactly what parents look for when they want to promote their child's creativity while making an eco-friendly purchase," Owner Martina McConnon of distributor Creative Toyshop told TDmonthly. The product/line received the following awards in Germany: TOY Innovation 2006 and "spiel gut" 2008. Launch date: April 1, 2008. 9/19/2008 (Price: $24.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Prince Lionheart Balance Bike by PRINCE LIONHEART INC.

The Prince Lionheart Balance Bike is the only spoked wheel "like the big kids have" on the market to date. It features quality construction from plantation timber as well as a height-adjustable seat for the growing child. The bike promotes gross motor skills, primarily in balance and coordination. Launch date: October 2008. 9/19/2008 (Price: $89.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Soft Play Double Headed Dragon by BULLYLAND TOYS INC.

This 22", PVC-free, hand-painted "Soft Play" dragon has posable wings, feet and heads. It passes the highest EU standards for toy safety. Launch date: 2007. Display Ideas: Place it where kids and parents can easily play with it and experience the fun of posing its wings, neck and head. ( Watch Video) 8/27/2008 (Price: $28.00) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Planet Pixies by I LOVE MY PLANET TOYS

All over the planet, Pixies are losing their homes due to pollution, deforestation and global warming. Kids can save a Pixie and learn about the environment and ways to help. Planet Pixies are earth-friendly soft toys made from natural and organic cotton fabrics. They educate children, encourage their imaginations, and provide knowledge to make eco-conscious decisions. The Planet Pixies website includes interactive games and information on how to help the environment. Launch date: October 2008. ( Watch Video) 8/27/2008 (Price: $24.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Butterfly Bush Micro Terrarium by DUNECRAFT INC.

The Butterfly Bush is the ultimate plant to attract butterflies, hummingbirds and all sorts of wildlife. This fast-growing plant will flower lilac and purple-colored flowers in its first year, attracting hummingbirds and butterflies. The fragrant flowers also have an orange “eye” that makes this plant attractive to all winged creatures. It is originally native to northwestern China and Japan. "It is a complete, educational, eye-catching kit that has a very low cost," PR Specialist Alicia Borley of Dunecraft told TDmonthly. Launch date: February 2008. 8/21/2008 (Price: $2.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Think Green! by KIDS THINK BIG LLC

Think Green! is a wonderfully illustrated children’s book about simple ways kids (and adults) can help keep Earth clean and safe for all people, animals, fish and birds. It’s a fun book with easy-to-grasp everyday ideas, includes a page to personalize characters and new green ideas, and is a great gift idea for schools, libraries, non-profit fundraising and corporations. Several of the illustrations show website addresses of green-thinking resources. Think Green! is the "first children's book in history to have it's own eco-audit ... an environmental benefits statement explaining the resources saved by printing Think Green! on recycled/post consumer paper vs. virgin fiber," Jeanine Behr Getz, managing director and author for Kids Think Big, told TDmonthly. This book received a Dr. Toy 2008 Summer Vacation Award. Launch date: April 10, 2008. 8/21/2008 (Price: $15.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Groovy Holidays Party Hat by GROOVY HOLIDAYS

This reuseable felt party hat can be personalized with the child's name on the front panel. 8/21/2008 (Price: $5.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

UBERARC™ 1200—Empire State Building by UBERSTIX

The ÜBERARC™ 1200 Empire State Building is part of the architectural series, designed for students, architects, engineers and anyone else who just loves to build. Using full-scale authentic blueprints, builders create a foundation and representation of the Empire State Building. Builders apply for a building permit online that will show the seismic and wind loads for their proposed ÜberArc Empire State Building location. They can even pinpoint the location on a map and create their own unique building name displayed to other ÜberArc builders. This architectural dream set will teach basic building techniques to create load-bearing walls, curves, arches and more. The completed UberArc Empire State Building is more than 4' tall. Launch date: August 2008. This set is a JCPenney exclusive until January 2009. ( Watch Video) 8/19/2008 (Price: $129.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Anyu the Ice Pixie by I LOVE MY PLANET TOYS

Anyu is an Ice Pixie from the North Pole. Located on the northernmost point on Earth, the North Pole is a magical, wintery wonderland that is home to reindeer, polar bears, seals - and of course Pixies! The North Pole is made up of a huge mass of floating ice in the Arctic Ocean. The Planet Pixies were designed to encourage little girls to think about ways to save the planet. Each Pixie comes from a different endangered zone of the globe. The doll set includes tips for recycling and taking care of the environment, so the Pixies' homes can be saved. The Planet Pixies are made from organic cotton fabric and natural materials. Their boxes are made of  100% post-consumer recycled cardboard. Launch date: 2008. 7/23/2008 (Price: $24.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Maia the Tree Pixie by I LOVE MY PLANET TOYS

Maia is a Tree Pixie from the Amazon Rain Forest. The Amazon is the world's largest and most famous rainforest and is home to more species of plants and animals than any other place on the planet. About 30% of the world's animal species are found there including the jaguar, parrots, crocodiles, many kinds of monkeys - and of course Pixies! The Planet Pixies were designed to encourage little girls to think about ways to save the planet. Each Pixie comes from a different endangered zone of the globe. The doll set includes tips for recycling and taking care of the environment, so the Pixies' homes can be saved. The Planet Pixies are made from organic cotton fabric and natural materials. Their boxes are made of  100% post-consumer recycled cardboard. Launch date: 2008. 7/23/2008 (Price: $24.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Kayla the Marsh Pixie by I LOVE MY PLANET TOYS

Kayla is a Marsh Pixie from the Florida Everglades. The Everglades are tropical marshland located in the southern portion of the U.S. state of Florida. It is a rare and beautiful place that is home to panther, manatee, bobcat, alligators and of course Pixies! The Planet Pixies were designed to encourage little girls to think about ways to save the planet. Each Pixie comes from a different endangered zone of the globe. The doll set includes tips for recycling and taking care of the environment, so the Pixies' homes can be saved. The Planet Pixies are made from organic cotton fabric and natural materials. Their boxes are made of  100% post-consumer recycled cardboard. Launch date: 2008. ( Watch Video) 7/23/2008 (Price: $24.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

My First Train by WONDERWORLD

This all-around edge train promotes sound reception, sorting & stacking abilities, body movements and balancing. By pressing the first bogie, a child can enjoy a full 20 seconds of locomotive sound.The train measures 11 x 51 x 12 cm. 7/14/2008

Bye Bye Monster Gift Set by YOUR THYME INC.

This gift set includes a 4-oz. plastic bottle of all-natural monster spray made with organic essential oils that help induce sleep; “Bye Bye Monster, Joey’s Adventure on Monster Street” storybook, which takes a little boy on a nighttime adventure with his new monster friend; and a 16” under-stuffed monster named Barley. All three products come in a colorful box. Kelly Lucente, co-creator of the "Bye Bye Monster" line, told TDmonthly that "73 percent of children age 4-12 experience nighttime fear. ... Test-marketed with the help of child psychologists, teachers, parents and Montessori children, there is nothing on the market today doing what this product has been designed to do … assist children with nighttime fear." This product won a 2008 Best Picks award from Dr. Toy as well as a 2008 Preferred Choice Award from Creative Child Magazine. Launch date: August 15, 2008. 7/1/2008 (Price: $49.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Foundling Whale by HUGG-A-PLANET

The Foundling Whale is approximately 7” long with a 100-percent organic cotton shell filled with unbleached cotton clippings and embroidered eyes for added safety. The Foundling Whale is one of the most environmentally friendly toys and makes a great gift for children and grandchildren. With nothing to fall off and choke a child, this toy is even safe for newborns, making it perfect gift for eco-conscious families. Launch date: 1992. 7/1/2008 (Price: $9.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Xeko Mission: Indonesia by MATTER GROUP LLC

In this third Xeko mission, two players must work to protect the islands of Indonesia. Along the way, via cards featuring animals with endangered, rare and common status, they will meet creatures unique to that region of the earth. The crate packaging, made of sustainably farmed pine wood from New Zealand, holds 41 cards, a playmat/eco-map, giant learn-to-play cards and two limited-edition sketch cards. Launch date: September 2007. ( Watch Video) 6/19/2008

Smencils – Watermelon by EDUCATIONAL INSIGHTS INC.

Each of the five scented pencils in this set comes in a freshness tube and is designed to retain its Watermelon scent for two years. Smencils are made from 100-percent recycled newspaper. Many other scents are available. 6/18/2008 (Price: $5.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Ecotots Surfin' Art-Time Easel - Leaf by ECOTOTS

Constructed from just three pieces of 100-percent formaldehyde-free, Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) Certified SmartWood® and featuring a durable, 100-percent, non-toxic, water-based finish, this easel assembles and disassembles (for easy storage) in minutes with our patented, no-tools assembly method. It has a lifetime construction guarantee and comes in cocoa, fire, leaf and natural finishes.
Display Ideas: Ecotots is flatpacked and assembles without tools or hardware in minutes, making it fast and easy for retailers to display the product fully assembled atop shipping boxes to conserve valuable floor space. 6/18/2008 (Price: $180.00) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Ecotots Surfin' Project Table and Stool Set - Cocoa by ECOTOTS

No two toddlers sit the same way, so this Project Table and Stool is designed to be the right height whether a toddler sits, stands or kneels. It features patented, simple, no-tools assembly and a lifetime construction guarantee. The stools can nest underneath the table when not in use. It is made in the USA of 100-percent formaldehyde-free birch plywood (SmartWood®) with non-toxic, water-based stains. The company is a member of the Sustainable Furniture Council, and the product's UV-cured finishes (in cocoa, natural, leaf and fire) minimize greenhouse gases.
Display Ideas: Ecotots is flatpacked and assembles without tools or hardware in minutes, making it fast and easy for retailers to display the product fully assembled atop shipping boxes to conserve valuable floor space. 6/18/2008 (Price: $400.00) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Ecotots Surfin' Hang-Ten Coat Rack - Fire by ECOTOTS

Cleaning up a room (and the planet) has never been so easy. Toddlers can display their latest fashions on this perfectly proportioned Hang-Ten Coat Rack. The product features four oversized hooks, a sturdy base, patented, no-tools assembly, and a lifetime construction guarantee. It is made in the USA of 100-percent formaldehyde-free birch plywood (SmartWood®) and features non-toxic, water-based stains. The UV-cured finishes minimize greenhouse gases. It comes in fire, natural, leaf and cocoa finishes.
Display Ideas: Ecotots is flatpacked and assembles without tools or hardware in minutes, making it fast and easy for retailers to display the product fully assembled atop shipping boxes to conserve valuable floor space. 6/18/2008 (Price: $120.00) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Aurora Naturally Eco Teddy Bear by AURORA WORLD INC.

Part of the company's eco-friendly plush line, Aurora Naturally, this teddy bear is handmade in Indonesia of 100-percent soy fiber on the outside and stuffed with 100-percent Kapok, which is a hypoallergenic, silky fiber from the seed pods of kapok trees in the rainforest. Its hangtag is printed on 100-percent recycled paper. The 7.5" and 12" plush carry respective suggested retail prices of $15.99 and $39.99. Launch date: June 2008. 6/13/2008 (Price: $15.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Sprig Adventure Series Adventure Guides by SPRIG TOYS, INC.

These friendly Adventure Guides can’t wait to go on their next expedition. Wearing LED-lit headlamps, individual guides light up when plugged into any of our fun, rugged vehicles, and the Discover Rig can bring all of their unique audio adventures to life. Cap, Miki and Rudi are available exclusively with the purchase of a Discover Rig, Rally Racer or Baja Scout, respectively. Violet and Edmund are sold individually. Recommended for ages 3 and up 6/10/2008 [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]