August 2009 Notable Toys — Eco-Friendly

What happens when some earthworms, an arctic tern, a few rockin' humans and a moose get together to figure out how to help the planet? "Singin’ Green" — the CD, for listeners of all ages. It is performed by a musical-comedy troop of children's entertainers, covers principles of science, and offers fun songs with an environmental theme. Launch date: June 2, 2009.

Kids Crooked House can customize a playhouse specifically to the interests or needs of a child. Custom-designed playhouses are handcrafted and built to individual requirements. Parents can turn to the company's existing designs for inspiration or ask their kids (or inner kid) to describe their dream playhouse. Launch date: June 2009.

Taggies Naturals  are ideal for the family that embraces a natural lifestyle and has both safety and the environment in mind. These small 12" x 12" blankets are made of exceptionally comfortable, 100% certified organically grown cotton fibers, pure silk ribbons and safe dyes. With an eco-friendly conscience, the Naturals collection offers sophisticated and unexpected prints. Launch date: 2009

The Parking Garage has three floors of parking space, a working elevator tower, attendant's booth and helipad. The set also includes a figure, car, gas station and car wash. It measures 19.3" x 13.8" x 13".

Made of recycled material and available in a heart, circle or flower shape, Shains Key Clips allow individuals to express themselves through letter and icon elements that easily attach through the holes.

Cute and cuddly stuff animals with therapeutic benefits. The unique twisted nubby’s for the hands and feet are great for tactile stimulation and a safe alternative to teethers. Zebra Buddy features black stripes and extra tactile nubby's for its mane. Made of an Ultra soft blend of bamboo and organic cotton.

Cute and cuddly stuff animals with therapeutic benefits. The unique twisted nubby’s for the hands and feet are great for tactile stimulation and a safe alternative to teethers. Lion Buddy features a bright, orange mane around its head. Made of an Ultra soft blend of bamboo and organic cotton.

These nature-themed, gender-neutral wall cards are numbered one through 10. The images are made using recycled paper. The cards are designed to be educational, stylish and environmental from start to finish, using only 100-percent recycled materials and soy ink for the product and packaging. "Wall cards are known as an economical alternative to expensive wall art, which makes them the perfect product for families on a budget. And their versatility allows them to be individually framed, or simply tacked up to the wall!" Rebecca Peragine, CEO of Art and Philanthropy, told TDmonthly. Launch date: May 2009.

Museumline Pteranodon Sternbergi is made of a non-PVC material called synthetic rubber. It is handpainted, made to 1:30 scale, and produced to the company's high standards of design and safety in Germany. Each piece comes with a ring screwed into the creature's back, so it can be hung on a thread to "fly." The tag contains information about Pteranodon Sternbergi and his pre-historic environment. The fish in its mouth is detachable. "Museumline Pteranodon Sternbergi's design has been created in cooperation with and approved by the National Museum for Natural History "Museum am Lowentor" in Stuttgart, Germany," Rico Fabbroni, director of sales for Bullyland Toys, told TDmonthly. Launch date: 2002.

This “run bike” or “balance bike,” which is pedal free and without training wheels, is designed to help a child develop balance and motor skills necessary to later ride a two-wheel bicycle with pedals. Smart Balance Bikes work to develop a child’s balance and coordination by simply allowing the child to sit and walk or run with the bike by pushing with his or her feet. If the bike starts to fall, kids instinctively regain balance using their feet. Once they’ve gained some momentum and balance control, they can lift their feet up as they feel comfortable and start cruising. Smart Balance Bikes are made from birch wood from a replenishable source, with real inflatable rubber tires, handle bar grips, an adjustable, cushioned leatherette seat to grow with the child, and a distinctive carry handle incorporated into the bike's body. The construction uses formaldehyde-free lacquer and non-toxic paints, and the carton is made from recycled paper with water-based ink. Launch date: September 2008.
— In a March 2012 survey, Chris Lowe, owner of Beanhead Toys in Sandy Springs, Ga., told TDmonthly that Balance Bikes from Smart Gear were one of her best selling ride-on toys.

The Rocking Caterpillar features a wooden base, a soft, plush seat and a squeaky red nose. The multi-colored fabric plush can be removed for easy cleaning.

Babies can learn sorting, matching and association skills. Looking through the blocks, children will see the world in different colors. The Wonderworld Rainbow Sound Blocks are comprised of wood and transparent multi-colored plastic, and filled with rattling beads that produce different tones when shaken. "Wonderworld, as a strong advocate of protecting the environment, insists on using only rubber-wood that is of replenishable source[s]... Wonderworld strictly uses only non-toxic color and laquer constituent for all our products," Jason Cohen, president of Smart Gear, told TDmonthly. This product received a National Parenting Publications Award. Launch date: September 2007.

This kit includes the Little Yogis DVD, the Little Yogis Eco Mat, which is colorful, durable and free from phthalates, phenols, dioxins, and furans; a cartoon yoga poster with 21 poses; a handy tote bag made from recycled materials; and silly cartoon stickers. The DVD has received the following awards: Film Advisory Board Award of Excellence, Parent's Choice, Dr Toy, and Dove. Launch date: April 2009.

These washable nursing pads are the comfortable, eco-conscious choice in nursing gear! OnGuard™ nursing pads are recommended by Lactation Consultants for their superior quality and affordability. They are available in 2 sizes and 2 styles: pure organic cotton or luxuriously soft organic merino wool. (Organic merino wool is antibacterial and absorbs up to 30% of its weight in moisture before feeling wet. It also keeps the breast warm during use helping to decrease the risk of nursing difficulties.)

This Organic Caboose® wool bag is an example of our innovative accessory items. This bag has detachable handles to fit around any stroller, door knob, or bathroom hook. It closes easily with velcro and is machine washable! We also offer a growing bedding line including baby blankets and mattress/puddle pads. The ideal accessory for organic crib mattresses!

Organic Caboose® reusable diapers, chosen a “Best Product”, is the affordable, convenient choice in cloth diapering. This Newborn Fitted Diaper utilizes 100% pure organic cotton, has elasticized legs and waist, secures with adjustable snaps and has a snap-down umbilicus for ultimate newborn comfort! Organic Caboose® diapering system also offers bamboo, organic merino wool and eco-fleece diapers covers, organic wipes, changing pads and more.

Organic Caboose® diaper covers are constucted from Malden Mills' Polartec® Ecospun® fleece made from recycled soda pop bottles or Organic Merino wool.

Super soft and highly breathable, perfect any time of year! Great alternative to wool and a superb nighttime cover. Fold-back tabs for ease of washing.

Color available: oatmeal.

Sizes: Small (6-12lb/2-6kg) Medium (12-18lb/6-9kg) Large (18-28lb/9-14kg) Extra Large 28+lb/14+kg

Ultra soft, absorbent puddle pad works wonders under the sheets! Wool can absorb up to 30% of its weight in moisture before feeling wet. Helps to keep warm in the winter and cool in the summer. Sizes Twin-King have elastic stay-put corners. Now with a luxurious plush wool!

Sizes: Crib: 31" x 54" (Available in Classic organic merino wool or our new ultra plush organic merino wool!) Twin: 40" x 76" Full: 55" x 76" Queen: 62" x 82" King: 78" x 82"

Perfect natural accessory for cloth diapers. This bag holds wet and soiled diapers while "on the go". Closes easily with Aplix® brand velcro. Size small (shown above) offers one detachable handle for that perfect fit around doorknobs, restroom hooks, and strollers. Size large (shown right) has two detachable handles. Handles detach completely with durable plastic snaps. These are wonderful accessory bags for almost any occasion, too!

Reeves International announced its exclusive U.S. distributorship for WWF® - Games by Terra™ in 2009. Under the license of the largest multinational conservation organization in the world, the World Wildlife Fund, Terra Toys introduces the Wildlife Conservation Collection. These classic, timeless, family-friendly games and puzzles are made from sustainable materials, incorporating 19 endangered species and their habitats that are currently under protection. In Amur Chinese Checkers, players choose their favorite feline and walk, run or leap to find out the fastest route through the wilderness of the Amu-Heilong region. It includes 60 wooden playing pieces (six colors), an Amur-Heilong themed wooden playing board and playing instructions. Launch date: September 2009.

The Pink line includes organic rattles, teethers, and developmental toys designed with purpose. The House Sorter comes packed with four shape blocks ready to be shaken, squeezed and sorted. It's designed to stimulate and develop babies' sensory, motor and social skills vital to their personal growth and most importantly, have fun doing it. “From the organic cotton grown without pesticides and chemicals, coloring process, and right down to the plant-based fibers used in filling the plush toys, we’re all about delivering toys that babies will enjoy learning from and that don’t harm the environment,” Re-Think It Co-founder Amy Shumway told TDmonthly. A portion of the proceeds from the PINK line will support Breast Cancer Research. Launch date: September 16, 2009.

This hands-on, interactive science collection is full of fossils, minerals, marine life and insects that children can touch and examine. The wooden box includes more than 30 items, such as trilobites fossils, pyrite, geode, sand dollar, starfish, murex shells and an insect in lucite. Also included is a hand lens and activity guide. "It stimulates a child's sense of curiosity and encourages kids to make discoveries in the back yard, at the beach or on a hike. The Discovery Box becomes an heirloom that children will share with their own children and grandchildren in the future. The activity guide provides parents with great activities to do with their kids," John Skowlund, president of World Discovery Box, told TDmonthly. This product received a 2009 Dr. Toy Best Classic Toy award and was named a Homeschool.com Best Educational Gift 2008. Launch date: November 2008.

Simply fill the vase 3/4 full with water, add Vase-Over powder and stir. After thirty seconds, add the fun, themed foam and glitter accents, and voila — a decorated, multi-dimensional container. All that's left to do is add flowers. "There is no need to change the solution, and most cut flowers will last longer in our patent-pending formulation than water! This is the only product on the market that revolutionizes vases and how they look, as well as being made in the United States," Alicia Borley, PR manager for DuneCraft, told TDmonthly. Launch date: February 2009.