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

Indoor Gardening Kit by GREEN TOYS INC.

Young green thumbs can watch nature at work by growing an indoor garden in just days with this environmentally friendly Indoor Gardening Kit made of recycled plastic milk jugs. The planting kit comes with a peapod-shaped planter, three planting pots, a trowel, three packages of organic seeds (Teddy Bear Sunflower, Basil and Zinnia) and soil disks. It is made from environmentally friendly materials, helping to reduce fossil fuel use and CO2 emissions in the name of Good Green Fun™. Launch date: September 2007.
— Angel Stahl, owner of Angel's Toy Barn in Greensburg, Pa., thinks these eco-friendly toys will do well for her in 2008. ( Watch Video) 8/21/2007 (Price: $34.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Cookware and Dining Set by GREEN TOYS INC.

Make-believe culinary treats benefit the earth when young chefs concoct them with this environmentally friendly Cookware and Dining Set made of natural bioplastic. The 27-piece set comes with a stock pot and lid, a skillet, four plates, four bowls, four cups, and four place settings (fork, spoon and knife). It is made from annually renewable, sustainable resources (such as corn), helping to reduce fossil fuel use and CO2 emissions. This company received a 2008 Green Toy Company Award from Dr. Toy. Launch date: September 2007. ( Watch Video) 8/21/2007 (Price: $44.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Sand Play Set by GREEN TOYS INC.

Kids will dig building castles and hunting for buried treasure with this environmentally friendly Sand Play Set made of natural bio-plastic. This classic four-piece collection of tools includes a bucket, a sand castle mold, a shovel and a rake. It is made from recycled plastic milk jugs. Launch date: September 2007.
— Kristin Pollard of Mud Puddle Toys in Marblehead, Mass., has had a "good response so far to the sandcastle set that has come in,” and has more sets on order, she said in early 2008. Products by Green Toys were a Toy Fair favorite for five of 24 retailers surveyed by TDmonthly. ( Watch Video) 8/21/2007 (Price: $19.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Head1Liners Board Game by KVALE GOOD NATURED GAMES LLC

In each round of Head1Liners, players privately write a news headline to a shared, mysterious "front-page" photo card. Straightforward journalistic attempts or satirical, funny headlines alike are equally encouraged. Headlines are read in random, anonymous order by the round's editor, and every player votes for a favorite headline (not their own). Writers move one space for each vote received. Later rounds include intentionally surprising theme assignments that often result in hilarious headlines. According to Owner Tony Kvale, Good Natured Games is the only eco-friendly board game publisher manufacturing mainstream game concepts locally within the United States. The company’s website offers a free sample round of play. Launch date: November 2006. 8/16/2007 (Price: $38.99)

Tea Set by GREEN TOYS INC.

This environmentally friendly tea set includes a tea pot with lid, a sugar bowl with lid, creamer, four cups, four saucers and four teaspoons. The set is constructed of bio-plastic made from renewable, sustainable resources in order to help decrease fossil-fuel use and greenhouse gas emissions. Starch-based bio-plastic is ultimately biodegradable. "We do our best to make environmentally friendly business decisions, given today's available technologies from product development to packaging," according to Laurie Hyman, a partner at Green Toys. Green Toys also produces all of its products in the U.S. which cuts down on transportation costs and CO2 emissions. "Green Toys products are ideal for parents looking to make environmentally conscious decisions when it comes to shopping for their children," stated Hyman. Launch date: September 2007.
— “One of my new favorite toys is the Green Toys tea set and cooking set,” said Michelle Smith of Piccolo Mondo Toys in Portland, Ore., at the end of 2008.

Past Videos: ASTRA 2009
( Watch Video) 8/7/2007 (Price: $34.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

"CAMP" Outdoor Activity Book by EDUCATION OUTDOORS

This 48-page activity book allows kids to color their favorite animal characters from the CAMP game while learning fun facts about the great outdoors. It includes animal camouflage pages, drawing lessons, trivia, CAMP stories and more. “Our CAMP Activity book ‘grows with you’ just like the CAMP board game — beginning with simple coloring pages and increasing in difficulty,” Jesse DenHerder of Education Outdoors told TDmonthly. “The interior pages are printed on a durable 50# offset paper that will adhere to ink, pencil and crayons with ease.”

This product received The Family Review Center/Magazine Gold Medal award. Launch date: September 12, 2007. ( Watch Video) 7/13/2007 (Price: $5.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Bamboo Rapelli by HAPE

This well-designed game is simple, yet challenging. Rapelli, a game made of bamboo, is a game of chance. Children pick their favorite color caterpillar and roll the color and arrow dice to see whether they move a caterpillar in or out.  The last one not to fall out is the winner.  Launch date: 2007. 6/22/2007 (Price: $29.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Book One - Jasmine the Butterfly Girl by WILDWOOD MEDIA

Jasmine is a butterfly girl — half human and half bug — who can fly and talk to the animals of the forest. As protectors of nature, Jasmine and her butterfly friends are growing concerned about the damage being done to Mother Nature. The Butterfly Girls decide to go out on a quest to find a young girl who will them help fight the destruction. Launch date: June 2007.
— "We have just launched our new children's brand, The Little Humbugs. There is a book series, a collection of dolls, and apparel," said David Hughes of Wildwood Media when talking to TDmonthly about serving the American market. 6/18/2007 (Price: $9.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Jasmine the Butterfly Girl in her chrysalis Pod by WILDWOOD MEDIA

This beautiful butterfly girl comes snuggled in her very own chrysalis, just like a real butterfly. Jasmine brings her environmental message in a unique and fun way. With her bug-shaped body and gorgeous colored wings, she will inspire children to imagine they are the protectors of nature too. This toy was inspired by nature, and developed to give something back. Launch date: August 2007.
— “We believe there hasn't been a toy that encourages children to think about the environment, and that by caring for nature we can all help in some small way,” David Hughes of Wildwood Media told TDmonthly. ( Watch Video) 10/13/2006 (Price: $29.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]