October 2008 Notable Toys — Eco-Friendly

Kids can help Dora save the Magic Kingdom by planting their very own colorful cleansing plants in a vibrant underwater world. Rainbow plants grow very quidkly and have fantastic, flowing multi-colored foliage. The “underwater” garden can be completed with the included deep blue gravel, sea shells, a Dora-themed stake and natural beach sand. Rainbow plants are easy to grow and will flourish in the garden on a windowsill for years in bright, indirect light as they clean the air and water. "The Dora Mermaid Adventure Garden is licensed from the top-rated creator of children's shows and exemplifies our mission to ignite an interest in plants and the world around us," Alicia Borley, PR manager for DuneCraft, told TDmonthly. Launch date: October 2008.

The Red Maple is a showstopper through all four seasons and is one of the first trees to bloom, as they gracefully usher into spring. The Red Maple comes complete with everything needed, including seeds, germination mixture, a plant stake and a biodegradable coconut coir pot that the tree can be planted outside in. Five percent of the proceeds from this line will be donated to the Arbor Day Foundation. "It is 100-percent natural and easy to grow!" Alicia Borley, PR manager for DuneCraft, told TDmonthly. Launch date: October 2008.

For a preschooler’s first foray into gardening, Sprig offers Honey Bee’s Garden Home. “Plantable” packaging grows into  wildflowers and herbs in the flower pot and beehive that double as a sand strainer and water bucket. Kids can help the included Honey Bee character grow a beautiful garden for the Sprig Hollow community.

Dune Bug’s Farm Truck is a durable vehicle that cleverly transforms into a sturdy sand tool. Sized for 
“take along” fun, this water resistant, five-in-one play set includes a Sprig Hollow insect character with interchangeable wings. Dune Bug’s Farm Truck has a sand bucket, a snap-on shovel and  rake that doubles as the truck’s cab.  Launch date: 2008.

Dragonfly’s Heli-Scoopter is a durable vehicle that cleverly transforms into a sturdy sand tool. Sized for 
“take along” fun, this water resistant, five-in-one play set includes a Sprig Hollow insect character with interchangeable wings.Dragonfly’s Heli-Scoopter is also a shovel and the helipad is a sand strainer.  Launch date: 2008.

Butterfly’s Farm features a water-resistant “farmhouse” with four play/garden shelves.  When assembled by an adult, a large funnel and chute fit into slots on the shelves, ready to be filled with sand or water for plenty of flowing fun. The two insect characters—Bee and Butterfly—have chunky bodies with soft, interchangeable wings and a simple slot that allows them to “sit” on the shelves and in the sturdy Farm Truck.  The hood of the truck doubles as a sand rake or plow. “We want parents to get outside and spend time with their kids,” says  Sprig Toys co-founder and toy industry veteran Chris Clemmer. “And, 
since Sprig Hollow is made from recycled materials, the toys provide an opportunity to talk about caring for the earth.” Launch date: 2008.

Past videos: Toy Fair 2009

These super funky Huggers are made in Australia and will keep little legs and arms covered, protecting them from the elements and hard surfaces. They are also the perfect accessories for helping little ones learn to dress themselves. Children are able to pull Huggers on all by themselves, even over shoes, one at a time without the hassle of pulling up bottoms or pulling a shirt over their heads. Huggers also fit over clothing. "Our top is wider than the bottom cuff, allowing for varied fit," Owner Carol Lavinthal of Huggalugs North America told TDmonthly. Launch date: September 30, 2008.

The Little Environmentalists proudly print their books using 100% post-consumer waste, chlorine free and non-toxic toner. This picture book follows a little girl discovering what everyone sees when they stop to look and smell the roses. a falling leaf, fluttering butterfly or crunchy grass beneath bare feet become an instant nature lesson. “Children will smell, hear, feel and see their way through their own backyard nature discovery,” explains Rebecca Mattano, creator of The Little Environmentalists. “Each page offers a new and unique look into nature with colorful pictures that not only teach but challenge children to find all that nature has to offer.”

From the Jewels Girls Love to Wear Collection, this jewelry features bright colors while reinforcing eco-friendliness. MSRP: Choker: $14.00; Bracelet: $10.00. Launch date: 2008.

Catnip plants sprout quickly and are easy to grow for great fun for kids and their cats. Fresh catnip causes a stronger reaction among cats. Catnip was originally native to Europe and Asia and can grow to 3 feet high. If you crush the foliage of this herb, it releases oil that attracts cats. In fact, cats will rub up against the foliage themselves to bruise it and release the scent. Fresh catnip leaves are used in tea, which is said to relieve head colds, and can also be added to salads, stews, and sauces. Catnip is also said to attract good luck. Safe for ages 4 and up. "We pack a lot of eye-catching fun into a small package with our Micro Terrarium Line," noted Alicia Borley, PR manager for DuneCraft. Launch date: February 1, 2008.

One of many species indigenous only to Madagascar, Madagascar Palms are one of its most breathtaking prizes. These fascinating plants will sprout in less than a week and will form into unusual seedlings that resemble an artistic rendering of a full-grown palm in miniature. Although this plant forms leaves at its top like a palm, it is actually a unique succulent with a thick, spiny grey trunk that stores water, and will reach heights of 15 feet in nature. This kit comes complete with a state of the art terrarium, natural sand and stones, a custom plant stake, and more. "It is educational, unique, 100% American made, and includes a plant that was chosen based on its special characteristics, longevity, and ease of germination," said Alicia Borley, PR manager for DuneCraft. Launch date: February 2008.

Who knew saving waste can save money and the environment? These eco-friendly banks, recycled from paper, mud and glue, come in 13 wildlife and marine varieties. Kids can smash the bank once it's full; it's biodegradable and will decompose by itself, plus it doesn't leave any sharp edges. "It's the only recycled bank in the U.S. market ever featured, as of the moment. We are educating the kids to save up and, at the same time, care for the environment," Janelle Go-Lin, president of King-Max Products told TDmonthly. Launch date: January 2009.

MiniMitts are a thumbless, easy on/off pair of child-size wash mitts designed for "little hands” that enable children to master personal hygiene skills. While parents teach children how to wash with BellyLaf’s coordinated Grippees™ adult wash mitts, children model after Mom and Dad by using MiniMitts. MiniMitts incorporate SmartShapes™, geometric shapes of colorful circles, squares, triangles and stars that are combined together to create clever characters that appeal to kids and parents alike. They are made with an ultra-soft, eco-friendly bamboo/cotton blend. "MiniMitts teach children bathing independence and make bath time an interactive and learning experience. The SmartShapes™ appliqué designs on the top of each mitt allow parents to teach children about shapes and colors," Denise West of BellyLaf told TDmonthly. Launch date: September 7, 2008.

Patent-pending Grippees are designed to help parents bathe children with confidence and reduce risk of injury. Grippees' clear, soft and non-toxic silicone gripping dots are strategically placed on the palm of each wash mitt and aid in holding slippery children as you wash or move them in and out of the bathtub. Colorful embroidered appliqué designs incorporate SmartShapes™, bright and cheery geometric characters that make bathing time fun and interactive for all. The product is made with an ultra-soft, eco-friendly bamboo/cotton blend. Grippees wash mitts actually solves a problem with its clever gripping system. Everyone on the planet that has bathed a child knows how slippery they are. "Bathroom accidents occur every day in American households involving children. Having wash mitts that wash as well as aid in safely holding the child is an ideal combination. The bamboo/cotton blend makes it perfect for delicate skin," Denise West of BellyLaf told TDmonthly. Launch date: September 7, 2008.

Children can easily build this sturdy Pirate Fortress, decorate it, and play with it. This kit transforms from a crafting activity into a real toy, and, best of all, is recyclable. All pieces are made from pre-cut and pre-punched sturdy white cardboard and can be put together without glue and scissors. "It's a great choice for parents who want to promote their children's creativity, and it is a wonderful, unique present for a kid that wants a cool toy," Martina McConnon, owner of distributor Creative Toyshop, told TDmonthly. It received the Spiel gut 2008 award in Germany. Launch date: September 8, 2008.

This Calafant cardboard kit transforms into a sturdy castle that is fun to build and decorate. It comes with 12 washable, non-toxic markers and is easy to color. When the child has completed the castle, it is a great toy and ideal for play with 3" dolls. Best of all, it's recyclable. "It is made from very high-quality cardboard — unless you sit on it, it won't bend!" Martina McConnon, owner of distributor Creative Toyshop, told TDmonthly. The product received a TOY Innovation award in the creativity category in 2006 (in Germany). Launch date: April 1, 2008.

The Calafant Palace is easy to build and decorate with any craft materials, acrylic paint, watercolor, rhinestones, scrap paper, glitter and aluminum foil — anything that comes to the creative mind. The sturdy structure is the ideal size for play with 3" dolls. All pieces are made from pre-cut and pre-punched, high-quality white cardboard and can be put together without glue and scissors. "It is exactly what parents look for when they want to promote their child's creativity while making an eco-friendly purchase," Owner Martina McConnon of distributor Creative Toyshop told TDmonthly. The product/line received the following awards in Germany: TOY Innovation 2006 and "spiel gut" 2008. Launch date: April 1, 2008.

The Prince Lionheart Balance Bike is the only spoked wheel "like the big kids have" on the market to date. It features quality construction from plantation timber as well as a height-adjustable seat for the growing child. The bike promotes gross motor skills, primarily in balance and coordination. Launch date: October 2008.

This 22", PVC-free, hand-painted "Soft Play" dragon has posable wings, feet and heads. It passes the highest EU standards for toy safety. Launch date: 2007. Display Ideas: Place it where kids and parents can easily play with it and experience the fun of posing its wings, neck and head.

All over the planet, Pixies are losing their homes due to pollution, deforestation and global warming. Kids can save a Pixie and learn about the environment and ways to help. Planet Pixies are earth-friendly soft toys made from natural and organic cotton fabrics. They educate children, encourage their imaginations, and provide knowledge to make eco-conscious decisions. The Planet Pixies website includes interactive games and information on how to help the environment. Launch date: October 2008.

The Butterfly Bush is the ultimate plant to attract butterflies, hummingbirds and all sorts of wildlife. This fast-growing plant will flower lilac and purple-colored flowers in its first year, attracting hummingbirds and butterflies. The fragrant flowers also have an orange “eye” that makes this plant attractive to all winged creatures. It is originally native to northwestern China and Japan. "It is a complete, educational, eye-catching kit that has a very low cost," PR Specialist Alicia Borley of Dunecraft told TDmonthly. Launch date: February 2008.

Think Green! is a wonderfully illustrated children’s book about simple ways kids (and adults) can help keep Earth clean and safe for all people, animals, fish and birds. It’s a fun book with easy-to-grasp everyday ideas, includes a page to personalize characters and new green ideas, and is a great gift idea for schools, libraries, non-profit fundraising and corporations. Several of the illustrations show website addresses of green-thinking resources. Think Green! is the "first children's book in history to have it's own eco-audit ... an environmental benefits statement explaining the resources saved by printing Think Green! on recycled/post consumer paper vs. virgin fiber," Jeanine Behr Getz, managing director and author for Kids Think Big, told TDmonthly. This book received a Dr. Toy 2008 Summer Vacation Award. Launch date: April 10, 2008.

This reuseable felt party hat can be personalized with the child's name on the front panel.

The ÜBERARC™ 1200 Empire State Building is part of the architectural series, designed for students, architects, engineers and anyone else who just loves to build. Using full-scale authentic blueprints, builders create a foundation and representation of the Empire State Building. Builders apply for a building permit online that will show the seismic and wind loads for their proposed ÜberArc Empire State Building location. They can even pinpoint the location on a map and create their own unique building name displayed to other ÜberArc builders. This architectural dream set will teach basic building techniques to create load-bearing walls, curves, arches and more. The completed UberArc Empire State Building is more than 4' tall. Launch date: August 2008. This set is a JCPenney exclusive until January 2009.