May 2009 New Specialty Toys — Eco-Friendly

Designed to be cute, functional and economical, these diapers feature the following: a wide range of fit, for babies from 10 to 35+ lbs.; three body layers and a snap-on soaker that provides absorbency even for heavy wetters; the company's trademark ruffled legs and proprietary elastic; which almost guarantee no blowouts; a designer print cotton outer and a bamboo velour inner fabric; a simple, snap-on design; two lovely, chic prints, one of which was especially printed for Kissaluvs. "The diapers are one size, and fit kids from birth through potty training," Noelle, business manager for Kissaluvs, told TDmonthly. Launch date: January 15, 2009.

This soft, tan- and cream-colored mouse is made from the sustainable resource bamboo. It is 8" tall. Launch date: 2009.

Dozy Dolphin On The Go helps re-create sleep time routines by bringing familiar soothing sounds while away from home. Dozy Dolphin’s peaceful, water-based sounds are designed to take a child on a tranquil journey while effortlessly transforming unknown surroundings to a more familiar environment. Tucked inside Dozy Dolphin is a removable sound machine that plays fun sounds for play time and soothing sounds for sleep time. Dozy Dolphin On The Go is made from eco-friendly bamboo fabric. "It needs no plugs and comes with multiple soothing sounds with two timer options. All Cloud B products are made in consultation with our advisory board made up of pediatricians, sleep specialists and child experts," Emily Chae, marketing associate for Cloud B, told TDmonthly. This product received a a 2009 NAPPA Honors award. Launch date: May 2009.

Butterfly Puzzles are Consumer Product Safety Commission 2009 tested and approved. All Wee Organics products are hand rubbed with natural oil that is FDA approved. Designed for early learning, the 7" x 5" puzzles measure are 1" thick, and each of the four to five pieces is 2" to 3" high. Wee Organics recommends that parents help their child initially and then let them progress on their own. "Wee Organics hand rubs each wood piece for a smooth, tactile experience. Each puzzle can also stand up on its own," Ed Bogosian, president of Wee Organics, told TDmonthly. Launch date: 2004.

Kids can recycle a soda can into a silly, walking, wobbling robot. The kit includes all the parts needed, right down to the googly eyes, except for the two AAA batteries that are required. Launch date: 2008.
— “The Tin Can Robot is a huge hit. It’s from their Green Science series, which has been doing great,” Jennifer Schneeweis, owner of Izilla Toys in Seattle, told TDmonthly in late August 2009. Two of 40 retailers mentioned the brand when discussing best-selling educational items in fall 2009.
― “Right now we have the Tin Can Robot for 8- to 10-year-olds and that's doing well,” said Marlene, manager of Kits & Kaboodle in Carmel, Ind., when asked about her best-selling item for tween boys. Seven of 39 retailers surveyed in October 2009 said science kits are their top sellers for tween boys.
― “It's a good price point and an excellent product.  It sells all the time,” Priscilla Moore, owner of Mr. Fub's Party, Toys and More  in Yellow Springs, Ohio, said of the Tin Can Robot and other 4M science kits in spring 2010.
— In August 2010, seven of 43 retailers told TDmonthly that Toysmith is a best-selling science and nature brand. Two retailers named Tin Can Robot as a top product.
AWARDS: 2010 TDmonthly Top Seller

Kids can learn about renewable energy by building this functioning wind generator. When the blades turn, they create electricity that powers an LED light, demonstrating renewable energy from the wind. Users just add a recycled plastic bottle and the kit provides everything else they need. No batteries required. Launch date: 2008.

There will be no hazardous waste dumps with this mini dump trucks; it's made of sustainable bamboo. Launch date: Early 2009.

These little planes are made from bamboo. Launch date: Early 2009.

This durable, adjustable cotton apron for children features an eco-coating that is Oeko-Tex® Standard 100 certified to not contain harmful chemicals. It is machine washable and may also be spot cleaned. It is designed for use when kids are working on art projects, cooking, eating or conducting science experiments.

Going green takes a whole new hands-on approach with new Simply Natural plush.  Made using 100% all natural cotton, 100% recycled paper hangtag and vegetable dyes for coloring, what could be more eco-friendly... or fun. The Monkey is 7" tall.

Going green takes a whole new hands-on approach with new Simply Natural plush.  Made using 100% all natural cotton, 100% recycled paper hangtag and vegetable dyes for coloring, what could be more eco-friendly... or fun. The Hippo is 7" tall.

Going green takes a whole new hands-on approach with new Simply Natural plush.  Made using 100% all natural cotton, 100% recycled paper hangtag and vegetable dyes for coloring, what could be more eco-friendly... or fun! The Elephant is 7" tall.

The chickens are hanging out on their colorful wooden perch. But if one of them decides to leave, the whole perch will teeter. The goal is to collect as many chickens, hay bales and wagon wheels before the rocking perch topples. The chickens, hay bales and wagon wheels have different weights, meaning different point values. The player with the highest score wins the game. Selecting a heavier piece receives more points but entails more risk of making the perch topple. If a player causes the perch to topple, five points will be deducted from his or her total. "Two trees are planted for every tree used in the creation of this game," Adeline Bertrix, sales manager at Blue Orange Games, told TDmonthly. Launch date: February 15, 2009.
— Chickyboom is a top seller at Golden Apple Learning Store in Pleasanton, Calif., Owner John MacDougall told TDmonthly in summer 2009.
— Three of 44 retailers named this game as an overall best seller in late fall 2009.

In this game, players are forest rangers trying to help the animal and human families get past the spreading crevices caused by an earthquake and to their homes. Their job is to work together as a rescue team, sharing ideas and giving a helping hand to all creatures. The random set-up makes each game different and is designed to get children thinking. The games includes a 12 x 12" board, rules for easy and hard games, quake pieces, bridge tokens, and a collection of human and animal cards. Launch date: April 25, 2009.

This is a complete, all-natural prenatal supplement system. "It's the most complete and only all-natural prenatal supplement on the market. All others are incomplete and/or include many to all synthetic ingredients that many can't absorb," Birgitta Lauren, president of Expecting Fitness Inc., told TDmonthly. "Whether you miss some nutrients and or you can't absorb the synthetic ones, you may end up deficient in some nutrients or get toxic high levels of others; either way, baby will suffer. Prenatal nutrition molds the health or lack of it, of a baby for the rest of its life." Launch date: August 2007.

This 400-ml, 7" bottle is made from 100-percent recyclable, high-quality, food-grade stainless steel so it doesn’t need a synthetic lining like aluminum bottles. It’s BPA-free and designed so it won’t leach chemicals, toxins or funky flavors into beverages. The removable hinged dome lid (an aerated sport lid) is designed to ensure that the leak-resistant pull-up top stays clean. It can be scrubbed with soap and water to clean. Launch date: April 25, 2009.

Made from all-natural wood and watercolor-based paints, and packaged in recycled material, this activity walker includes a block puzzle, working gears, wire beads, a spinning block, a peg maze, a shape sorter and a xylophone, plus a storage space with mesh netting in the back. It's "the only wooden walker on the market that is eco-friendly," Kris Millington, VP of marketing and development for Maxim Enterprise, told TDmonthly. Launch date: June 2009.

Designed to develop hand-eye coordination, color recognition and basic number skills, the Junior Ramp Racer may entertain children even after the checkered flag is waved. "Made from all-natural wood, painted with watercolor-based paints, and packaged in recycled materials, our EverEarth line of goods is our way of trying to take care of Mother Earth," Kris Millington, VP of marketing and development for Maxim Enterprise, told TDmonthly. Launch date: 2009.

Made from all-natural wood and watercolor-based paints, and packaged in recycled material, this cute wooden dog wags his tail as he's pulled along. "No other wooden pull toy is taking the same measures with recycled packaging materials, watercolor-based paints, and the use of sustainable forestries for raw materials," Kris Millington, VP of marketing and development for Maxim Enterprise, told TDmonthly. Launch date: 2009.

Fashion prints in the softest flannel on one side and a sumptuous organic cotton velour on the other make these wipes hip and green. They are available in a relaxed, beach-y stripe or a colorful infusion of energetic blooms. "They offer endless uses: use as burp cloths; tuck at neck for an instant bib; excellent as traveling towels; use to clean up eating messes, drooling mouths and more," Tashi Nibber, president of Kissaluvs, told TDmonthly. The wipes are "hand-sewn by moms and grandmoms with love in Houston, Texas." Launch date: April 2009.

Though one tree in a meadow seems all alone, this story shows how that tree is important in the lives of so many other living things. The 20-page hardcover book itself is made from 98-percent recycled materials. Launch date: April 2009.

The Greedy Gorilla's come all the way from England to teach kids better eating habits. Give him something unhealthy and he burps. He's made of  75% recycled cardboard. Launch date: February 2009.

This soft, plush puppy features an earthy color palette, is made with organic cotton, and has pure silk ribbons. Launch date: 2009.

Quentin is part of line of colorful and quirky eco-friendly plush designed to encourage children toward environmentally friendly initiatives. The Eco Snoopers characters each have their own stories. Launch date: April 22, 2009.