March 2010 New Specialty Toys — Eco-Friendly

The Creation Cottage is made from 100% recycled cardboard material. The unique design allows for a sturdy drawing surface for child. The white exterior is a blank canvas that child will be able to design on their own. Measurements (Assembled): 42.25"L x 39.5"W x 54"H

USA-made and eco-friendly, Rock-a-Thigh Baby thigh-highs (a tights and legwarmer hybrid) are fashionable and functional socks designed to stay up and stay on. These stylish socks are for girls and boys, infants and children, starting at size 0-6 months. Rock-a-Thigh Baby President Jennifer Dutcher told TDmonthly, "Cuff design and ribbed panels make RTBs the Kiddie socks that rock and stay up on top!" Launch date: 2010.

For urban parents with babies on the go, RoSK provides attachable stroller gear that protect against the elements. The Sun Cover is made of 100-percent organic cotton and offers SPF 30 sun protection that lasts all day and doesn't need to be reapplied. Designed with lightweight cotton to not add warmth on hot days, the Sun Cover comes with RoSK signature ribbon ties for attaching to strollers, carriers, infant car seats, and more. It provides an alternative to chemical sunblocks on babies and children with sensitive skin. "The combination of the Sun Cover being made of organic cotton and SPF 30 makes this cover an original," Heather Correa, owner of Rain or Shine Kids, told TDmonthly. Launch date: April 28, 2010.

Reducing fossil fuel use and CO2 emissions is part of the recipe for aspiring gourmets who use the Green Toys Chef Set. This classic collection of kitchen essentials is made in the U.S.A. from 100% recycled plastic milk containers. Safe, non-toxic, BPA-free, and even meets FDA food contact standards. Dishwasher safe. The set includes a stock-pot with lid, skillet, ladle and spatula.
 

Made in the USA using 100-percent recycled cardboard material, the Shuttle Imagination is designed to take a child on a new adventure every day. It allows for a sturdy drawing surface and encourages creative play. Measurements (assembled): 39" L x 34" W x 72" H. Fin attachments are 12" in length. Launch date: February 22, 2010.
Awards: 2010 Tillywig Top Fun; Spring 2010 National Parenting Center Seal of Approval

The Easter Grass-kit offers an eco-friendly, all-natural alternative to wasteful plastic grass. It's designed as a fun and educational activity for parent and child to enjoy together in anticipation of the holiday. Each kit contains enough materials for two medium baskets of real grass. Recommended growth time is seven to 10 days. Launch date: March 5, 2010.

Satsuma Bento Gift Box Sets are designed to welcome baby to the world. Each baby bento gift box set is enclosed in the chocolate gift box and ribbons and lined with novelty papers (each one unique) to coordinate with the eco-elegant gift set. "The brand new Satsuma Bento Gift Box Sets are an innovative combination of organic baby gear with easy, affordable and eco-luxe gift giving," a representative of Satsuma Designs told TDmonthly. Launch date: March 2010.

Pippalily's organic toy straps keep baby's favorites on board and off the ground. Simply Velcro one end of the 100-percent organic cotton toy strap to a car seat, stroller, carrier, etc., and the other adjustable end to the object of choice: teethers, snack containers, sippy cups, plush toys, etc. MSRP is $10 for the standard cotton and $11 for the organic. The product is made in Canada. Launch date: November 2009.

This colorful version of Memo features some of the smartest animals from the animal kingdom, such as the elephant, chimpanzee, dolphin and parrot. Players try to match up as many of them as they can before their opponent. Terra Toys produces "environmentally friendly products that teach about conservation through an easy to understand medium, Saving Wild Animals," Sean Tyrrell, Category Manager, Terra Toys, told TDmonthly. Launch date: June 2010.

SOLAR PET ROCK by Desk Pets is the rocking robot that responds to light. The more light it gets, the more it rocks. Four different colors rock in four different ways. The Solar Pet Rock uses 100-percent green energy for power. Batteries never need to be replaced. Launch date: August 29, 2009.

Crazy Crayons are made from 100-percent recycled crayons. Crazy Crayons and packaging are made in the USA with 100-percent non-toxic materials. When individuals are finished using them, they can send them back to the company to be made into new crayons. Launch date: February 15, 2010.

Made from soft bamboo velour and natural corn fiber filling, this take-along friend features tug and teethe elements for baby. Launch date: May 2010.

This multi-paneled portable play space can be toted around as a book but opens up to reveal themed scenes that create a large, personal play area for children. Kids can fold out the panels all around them and play with toys and accessories inside the impromptu play area.The cardboard and paper is made from 100-percent recycled material, and the glossy, UV-cured outer layers are designed to prevent fading and offer a dry-erase surface. The Castle Edition has 15+ panels with a suggested retail price of $39.99 to $42.99. Launch date: May 2010.

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.