March 2009 Notable Toys — Eco-Friendly

The Dumbell Rattle is handcrafted in wood and colored with natural, vegetable-based dyes. It makes gentle sounds, is safe for babies, and is made by Channapatna artisans in India. The craft is over two centuries old and is made in locally available, sustainable (Hale) wood. The toy is in compliance with the ASTM F963 Safety Standard. Earthentree Toys has been awarded the Baby Planners' Seal of approval and featured as one of Mothering Magazine's "Best Natural Toys of 2008." "The shiny gloss comes from natural 'Shellac' resin. The Shellac used is allnatural and hypoallergenic; it is an excellent product for use around children [or] chemically-sensitive or allergic individuals," Deepti Shankar, president of Earthentree Toys, told TDmonthly. Launch date: 2008.

Bamboo Sunshine Dollhouse is constructed of sustainable bamboo and includes a working solar panel in the roof.  An adjustable, fully operational solar panel absorbs light energy and transfers it to four rechargeable batteries through wiring in the walls, just like in a real house. This energy then lights five LEDs to brighten three rooms of the house with just a push of a button. A light, water-based stain is used on the bamboo and then polished with beeswax. This dollhouse comes fully furnished with nine rooms of bamboo furniture and a modern family of five. "The three-level home is the first dollhouse to offer eco-friendly materials with contemporary designs and modern technology, satisfying both a parent's interest in green products and a child's fascination with role play," Robin Lehnert, marketing manager at Hape, told TDmonthly. Launch date: 2009.

This recycled cuff bracelet features two rows to display colorful, snap-on Shains letters and icons. The cuff is available in black, blue, concrete, earth, grass, orchid, pink, poppy, red, sky, sun and vanilla shades. This set includes each letter of the alphabet along with seven icons.

Classical pull toys encourage kids to walk. This colorful pull toy is designed to grab children´s attention. It is tested to meet European and U.S. safety standards.

This Fishing Game with a colorful 3-D boat is designed to teach kids numbers and shapes and help develop motor skills. They use the magnetic fishing rod to pick up fish and sea shells. Pieces can also be stored inside the boat and can be conveniently stored away. It includes two magnetic fishing rods, three magnetic fish, three magnetic sea shells, and a fishing boat. The product is tested to meet European and U.S. safety standards.

Building blocks are classics, but these colorful musical building blocks will attract kids for hours and hours of fun. This set is designed to be the first building block set for juniors. The musical elements are unique and fun which further add to the play value. Use your imagination in building - the sky is the limit! Tested to meet European and U.S. safety standards.

Building blocks are classics. These colorful and high-quality buidling blocks will attrack kids to them like honey to bears. Develop motor and problem solving skills. Learn shapes. Great value for 30 pcs. Use your imagination - the sky is the limit. Includes a storage bag for easy storage. Tested to meet European and U.S. safety standards.

Building blocks are classics. These colorful and high-quality building blocks will attrack kids to them like honey to bears. Develop motor and problem solving skills. Learn shapes. Great value for 50 pcs. Use your imagination - the sky is the limit. Includes a storage bag for easy storage. Tested to meet European and U.S. safety standards.

So much fun with these 4 Activity Cubes. Not only are the colors attractive, but they are also quality-made. Lots of fun with the stacking cubes, magnetic puzzles, shape sorter and pull along. Great for learning how to count, and developing kids´ motor skills. The cubes nest for easy storage. Tested to meet European and U.S. safety standards.

Kids love puzzles, particularly the colorful and attractive ones. Musical puzzles just make them even more irresistible! Kids will be facinated by the sound elements which encourage learning. Learn animals. Tested to meet European and U.S. safety standards.

Kids love puzzles, especially colorful and attractive ones. Musical puzzles just make them even more irresistible! Kids will be facinated by the sound elements which encourage learning. Vehicle recognition. Tested to meet European and U.S. safety standards.

Kids love puzzles, especially colorful and attractive ones. Musical puzzles just make them even more irresistible. Kids will be facinated by the sound elements which encourage learning. Animal recognition. Tested to meet European and U.S. safety standards.

Musical toys are always facinating to kids. This colorful and attractive multi-musical instrument table will keep children busy for hours. It helps kids develop rhythm and melody. Drum, Xylophone, mini Cymbal, and 2 drum sticks are included. Tested to meet European and U.S. safety standards.

Musical toys are always facinating to kids. This colorful and attractive Xylophone will keep kids busy for hours. It helps kids develop rhythm and melody. The cute Giraffe character is one of kids´ favorite! Tested to meet European and U.S. safety standards.

Some kids seem to march to the beat of their own drum - here´s a perfect toy to help them keep the beat. Designed for children 18 months and older, your little one will be drawn to the whimsical, colorful animals painted around the outside of this cute drum. They´ll have fun using the two included drumsticks while they learn rhythm and coordination. Tested to meet European and U.S. safety standards.

Maybe you have dreams of your child fronting the next Rolling Stones - or maybe the next generation´s Nashville star... Designed for children 36 months and older, this colorful four string guitar is the next step for kids who love music but have moved past the simpler toys. It´s a good size for a child. Your guitar is a colorful light blue and yellow with a cool cow design. Tested to meet European and U.S. safety standards.

Kids will be attracted to this colorful puzzle and will be engaged in hours of fun play. It helps kids learn their alphabets. A must have for all children. Tested to meet European and U.S. safety standards.

This high quality, colorful, attractive and easy to assemble Push & Play Rabbit Wagon will engage kids in hours and hours of wholesome play with lots of fun. This is a must have for every child as it encourages walking and balancing. The maze on both sides of the wagon will satisfy children´s curiosity. Tested to meet European and U.S. safety standards.

Preparing your children for school is so important today, you´ll want to give them the best start possible. Combining colorful fun and learning and designed for little ones age three and over, this whimsical case contains everything your child needs to begin learning the alphabet and numbers. Your little one can draw and write on the white board or create words and numbers with the 52 wood letters and 10 wood numbers. And, when you are ready to pick up, the pieces fit nicely in the attractive case, featuring a contemporary smiling cow. Tested to meet European and U.S. afety standards. THIS PRODUCT HAS BEEN DISCONTINUED since July 1, 2010.

Healthy imagination is part of any happy childhood. Designed for toddlers 24 months and older, this high quality, colorful and attractive puppet theater will help your little one create new worlds while feeling good about putting on a show for Mom & Dad. This brightly colored set features 4 wood Boikido stick puppets and a theatre with electronic sounds. The thoughtful design includes a handle so you can take your young one´s show on the road. Tested to meet European and U.S. safety standards. THIS PRODUCT HAS BEEN DISCONTINUED since July 1, 2010.

This multi-activity Counting Station is colorful, attractive, high quality and durable which will definitely keep your children busy. There is plenty of learning elements (counting, mazes, coasters, numbers recognition) to help kids learn and develop fine motor skills. It even includes a blackboard for drawing and writing. The maze on the top can easily be flipped up-side down for easy storage. Tested to meet European and U.S. safety standards.

This unique Stacking and Counting Game is fun and attractive just by looking at it. Not only is it colorful, but is of superior quality, which defines Boikio´s standard. The educational value of the Stacking and Counting game is so valuable that it is a must have for all kids during their development stages. It develops motor skills and helps kids learn colors, counting and shapes. The stacking just adds a lot of fun to the play. Tested to meet European and U.S. safety standards.

This high qualtiy, colorful and attractive wooden train set is the first train set for every child. The chunky trains are specially designed for preschoolers. The locomotive has electronic sounds for added fun. The building blocks included and track layout configuration will encourage imagination and problem solving - the sky is the limit! Tracks are compatible with other major brands in the market so kids can build massive track layouts by combining with other wooden train sets together. Tested to meet European and U.S. safety standards. THIS PRODUCT HAS BEEN DISCONTINUED since July 1, 2010.

Kids will be attracted to this colorful puzzle and be engaged in hours of play. It helps kids in learning numbers and telling time. A must have for all children. Tested to meet European and U.S. safety standards.