February 2010 New Specialty Toys — Eco-Friendly

Eco-dough is a molding dough handmade with flour, salt, cream of tartar, organic rosemary oil, vitamin E oil, soybean oil, coconut oil, potassium sorbate, citric acid, natural and organic fruit, plant and vegetable extracts from beets, spinach, paprika, carrots, purple sweet potato, red cabbage, blueberries and tomatoes. Also available in a Gluten-free version. Watch Eco-Dough: Top-5 Video, Toy Fair 2010

Encouraging kids to reuse, recycle and be creative, makedo kits include connectors that help fashion masterpieces out of cardboard and other objects. The Kit for One houses 69 pieces, including 30 pins, 30 clips, eight hinges, a construction tool and an inspiration poster. Watch makedo: Top-5 Video, Toy Fair 2010
— John MacDougall, owner of Golden Apple Learning Store in Pleasanton, Calif., thought the makedo line "clever" at Toy Fair 2010.
— Susan Stephenson, The Book Chook, called Makedo “beautifully thought out.” Although she found the cutting tool less effective than scissors, she loved the value and limitless possibilities of a set that uses what would otherwise be junk.
— Makedo was a Readers’ Choice Winner for TreeHugger’s Best of Green Awards.

This eco-friendly board game has children compete to create their very own garden. Each player travels around the board visiting different vendors to pick up vegetables, flowers, herbs, and more for their garden. The first to gather all items and head home to tend to their garden wins. Game board folds out to 18x18" and all game pieces are made without plastics.  For 2 to 4 players.

This 100-percent organic clothing is made in the United States using fair-trade cotton and labor. "We are in the process of setting up a 5-percent donation for all online sales to go to selection of charities. All of our artwork is done by amazing artists all over the United States," Samantha Fowler, owner, Green as Wee Grow, told TDmonthly. Launch date: November 2009.

This environmentally friendly plush doll is part of Hosung's My Natural brand and is made from certified non-toxic cotton and shaded via a chemical-free PureWaterWash process. It's in partnership with the Lorax Project, an environmental initiative for the Dr. Seuss brand. Launch date: Spring 2010.

Made entirely from recycled milk containers, these sturdy plates are free of phthalates, PVC, BPA and external coatings. They are dishwasher safe. The packaging is made with recycled and recyclable materials. There are four plates to a pack.

Suitable for ages 6 months and up, these bowls are free of PVC, phthalates, BPA and external coatings. They are dishwasher-safe, and are made from recycled plastic milk containers, packaged with recycled and recyclable materials, and printed with soy inks. “Our customers tell us they love Green Toys products because they know where the toys are made and exactly what they are made from,” Robert von Goeben, president and co-founder of Green Toys Inc., told TDmonthly.

Suitable for ages 6 months and up, this eco-friendly version of a classic is made in the USA from 100-percent recycled milk containers. The packaging uses only recycled and recyclable materials and is printed with soy inks.

These environmentally friendly greeting cards feature art from the award-winning game I Cherish Planet Earth. They are printed in the USA on recycled paper using vegetable inks. Each card comes with a “Geolope,” an envelope made from recycled surplus maps. The $2 pack contains eight cards.

These blocks were created for parents as concerned as their child's development as the environment they will inherit. They are made from 100-percent renewable bamboo, as is the storage box. They can be decorated by kids using non-toxic Be Block markers. The stencils are made from partially recycled polyester. All the paper and packaging is partially or completely recycled. The set comes with 18 blocks, eight markers, more than 100 stencils and an idea booklet. They're perfect for “people who want to design everything,” Founder Leah Hamilton told TDmonthly. A percentage of the proceeds funds arts education. Watch Be Blocks: Top-5 Video, Toy Fair 2010.

 

Crazy Cheese is both a puzzle and a brain-teaser, all in the same slice of cheese. With two levels of difficulty, the Crazy Cheese puzzle is designed to provide hours of entertainment for the whole family. "Beware, as simple as it appears, completing this puzzle without the solution key is a phenomenal feat of perseverance and brain power!" Bert Devort, Sales Department, Blue Orange Games, told TDmonthly. Launch date: February 14, 2010.
― Two of 40 retailers told TDmonthly in June 2010 that Crazy Cheese is one of their top-selling puzzles.
— Jeanette Lauture of Aunt Jean's Toys and Treats in Montclair, N.J. Sells about two to four Blue Orange games per month, she said in the fall of 2010.

In turn, players flip their top card. As soon as two cards match, both players with matching cards race to stack up the requested number of piggies with the right color on top. The goal is to be the first player to get rid of all his cards to win the game. "How quick and precise are your fingers? Find out as you build piggy piles in this lively stacking game. Stay on your hooves! There is more than one silly way to stack up your piggies," Bert Devort, Sales Department, Blue Orange Games, told TDmonthly. Launch date: February 14, 2010.
— "Loved this game," Kate Tanner of Kidstop Toys told TDmonthly at Toy Fair 2010.

Sumoku is a unique crossword-style game with numbers that can be played five different ways. Players add up the tiles to multiples of a number shown on the die. Once all the tiles are connected together, it's a sumoku. "Whether you look for fast action with friends, a challenging pastime, or an addictive game that brings family together, sumoku has it all! Packed with endless challenges, sumoku is pure adding fun!" Bert Devort, Sales Department, Blue Orange Games, told TDmonthly. Launch date: February 14, 2010.

Each of these plush characters comes with an interactive/educational CD enclosed in its home, which doubles as a reusable container. "Our products have several characteristics that set us apart. For one, our packaging is actually a container that can be used over and over again and has a four-way lip lock system to store small toys as well as other items," Douglas Robertson, President, AMSFrontline.com, told TDmonthly. Launch date: 2010.

The Starter Kit includes the following: a signed Think Green! book with an environmental message, a reusable children's shopping bag, a reusable napkin to color, and a Kids Think Big bracelet made from reclaimed climbing rope. It can be all wrapped with a colorful piece of 100-percent PCW wrapping paper. Awards: Moonbeam Children's Book Award 2009, Creative Child 2009 Preferred Choice Award, Garden Club of America’s 2009 Club Conservation Award. Launch date: 2010.

The Pink line includes organic rattles, teethers and developmental toys designed with purpose. The soft and huggable First Doll is made of plush velour with adorable stitched details, and is stuffed with natural corn fiber filling. She is machine washable. A portion of the proceeds from the PINK line will support Breast Cancer Research. "First Doll is the perfect choice as a safe and soft, simply styled, teethable toy," Beth Saunders, marketing manager for Dandelion, told TDmonthly. Launch date: September 2009.

Cardamom is used in aromatherapy to awaken the senses and refresh the mind. 100% natural and gluten free. Comes in a re-usable recyclable PP tub with a hinged lid so the lid won't be lost. Warning: Choking hazard. For children ages 3 and up.

Sweet Orange is used in aromatherapy to treat depression and inspire focus. Beautiful orange colored clay. Comes in a re-usable recyclable PP tub with a hinged lid so the lid won't be lost. Warning: Choking hazard. For children ages 3 and up.

Bergamot is used in aromatherapy to ease anxiety. Beautiful yellow colored clay. Comes in a re-usable recyclable PP tub with a hinged lid so the lid won't be lost. Warning: Choking hazard. For children ages 3 and up.

Lavender is used in aromatherapy, and everyday life! to soothe and create a sense of calm. Beautiful lavender colored clay. Comes in a re-usable recyclable PP tub with a hinged lid so the lid won't be lost. Warning: Choking hazard. For children ages 3 and up.

Lemongrass is used in aromatherapy to inspire creativity. Beautiful greenish yellow clay. Comes in a re-usable recyclable PP tub with a hinged lid so the lid won't be lost. Warning: Choking hazard. For children ages 3 and up.

Chamomile is used in aromatherapy to calm, soothe, relax and help prepare for sleep. Beautiful night sky colored clay. Comes in a re-usable recyclable PP tub with a hinged lid so the lid won't be lost. Warning: Choking hazard. For children ages 3 and up.

Geranium scented play clay. Geranium is used in aromatherapy as a balancing oil. Beautiful rose colored clay. Comes in a re-usable recyclable PP tub with a hinged lid so the lid won't be lost. Warning: Choking hazard. For children ages 3 and up.

Kids can release their inner Robinson Crusoe with this building set. The natural wood pieces can fit together in a number of ways to build the perfect island getaway.