October 2009 Notable Toys — Eco-Friendly

Methodically, eight legs work in harmony to create a ballet style “tippy-toe” movement. Similar to its cousin from Alaska, the Walking King Crab scurries along to safe passage when powered by the sun's rays. Walking King Crab is powered with a mini solar cell (included) and demonstrates alternative energy principles. No batteries or tools are required; there are 35 parts to assemble. "Because of its entry-level price point, retailers will grow fond of its movements; both off the shelf and after assembly. If a make-it and take-it type product is what you are looking for, this hands-on terrestrial tantalizer will make you the local hero," Craig Morioka, president of OWI Inc., told TDmonthly. Launch date: April 2007.

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. Elephant Buddy features large ears and trunk, characteristic of the typical elephant. Made of an Ultra soft blend of bamboo and organic cotton.

These solar-powered, remote-controlled vehicles measure about 2.5" in length and and are powered for 30 minutes of playtime when the micro solar panel in the roof is exposed to direct sunlight. The vehicles can also be charged from the controller. Car and SUV styles are available, and the racers can pop wheelies. Launch date: August 2009.

The Table Topper disposable “stick-in-place” placemats with adhesive strips are designed to protect baby from germs on restaurant tables. The designs aim to keep baby occupied so everyone else can eat, too. The product comes in resealable, zip-close travel packs with 18 mats that each fit conveniently into a diaper bag. Launch date: April 2009.

Mary Meyer’s Fuzz that Wuzz collection is made from plastic bottles. The outer fabric and stuffing are high-quality polyester made from 100-percent recycled plastic bottles. There are six Mini Zzzzoo animals. Launch date: June 2009.

Pedoodles shoes are manufactured using environmentally friendly processes. Carefully selected quality remnant leather is used in construction of Pedoodles in order to reduce waste. Recycled materials are also used for the manufacturing of the soles, and the “green” packaging for Pedoodles is made from recycled materials. Designed to be developmentally correct for little feet, the shoes have PedFlex Soles that are lightweight and flexible to offer protection, durability and traction. Launch date: June 2008.

These natural colored piggy banks are handmade fair trade in a small artisan community called Quinea, in the province of Huamanga in Peru's central highland department of Ayacucho. Some designs are available in large, medium and small, and each bank has a cork stopper. Launch date: April 15, 2008.

The cotton outer body of this fair-trade, artisan-made animal is filled with acrylic and rice, so the pet may be used as a heating pad after placed in the microwave for a very short period of time. Velcro on the bottom of the animal enables washing of the cotton body and acrylic inside. The uncooked rice is separate, in a bag. Caution: When heating, please carefully check the temperature prior to giving it to a child. Launch date: May 20, 2007.

These frogs, fish and turtles are handmade in Vietnam using the ecologically harvested woods of the tropical jackfruit tree, and only when the tree is no longer able to bear fruit. The company calls them "bop-animals," as "bop" is the Vietnamese word for the "ribbit" you hear when you run a wooden stick (included) along their spine. These fair-trade items are made by artisans. Launch date: April 22, 2006.

There are three different Make Your Own Kits: Make Your Own Chewing Gum, Make Your Own Gummies and Make Your Own Chocolate Kits. Each kit has a short story describing the life and surroundings of a hypothetical child and explains what his or her family and neighbors do regarding the kit's contents. "These kits are all Fair Trade Made. They have an important message; for example, the Make Your Own Chewing Gum Kit includes an educational booklet describing the benefits of the Rainforest and how Chicle is tapped from trees to make gum," Sylva Dvorak, in marketing for One World Projects, told TDmonthly. Launch date: 2004.

ReUsies are a reusable alternative to plastic sandwich bags. They are cotton on the outside and leak-resistant nylon on the inside, sealed with Velcro closures. ReUsies can be machine or hand washed, and each one is designed to replace hundreds of plastic baggies. ReUsies come in two sizes (larger sandwich and smaller snack) and many different patterns to appeal to all members of the family. "We use reusable items in many other areas of our lives (reusable water bottles, shopping bags, lunch boxes, etc.), but there are very few products that replace those plastic sandwich baggies we all use and toss every day," Karen Whorton, owner of ReUsies, told TDmonthly. Launch date: March 2009.

Baby BeeHinds Reusable Bamboo Diapers have been designed with comfort and absorbency in mind. Harnessing the naturally absorbent and anti-bacterial properties of bamboo and organic cotton, Baby BeeHinds reusable diapers are designed not only for use during the day; they can also cover heavy wetters through the night without leaks. The diapers are available in natural, plus three new colors exclusive to the North American market. "The unique design of the Baby BeeHinds Bamboo Diaper allows parents to adjust sizing to fit from birth to potty training, and from daytime/light absorbency to nighttime/heavy absorbency. This versatility means that parents can use the same set of reusables even if they have more than one baby in diapers. For retailers, the multi-fit sizing streamlines the ordering process and drives sales for busy, budget-conscious consumers," Selena Volodzskis, president of Eco Brands Ltd., told TDmonthly. Launch date: September 2009.

This small, fuzzy penguin features an exterior of high-quality polyester fiber created from recycled plastic bottles. Launch date: Summer 2009.

This small, fuzzy owl features an exterior of high-quality polyester fiber created from recycled plastic bottles. Launch date: Summer 2009.

This 8.5” x 11” oversized peel-and-stick postcard from Greenie2Steps is produced with inks, coatings and adhesives that are all water based. It is designed to be removed and relocated hundreds of times without losing adhesive ability, marring walls or leaving residue. It depicts TelleyGreen, the beautiful and magical home of Greenie, the eco-friendly elephant. She is traveling the world to discover new places, learn new lessons, and meet new friends in her pineapple plane. Launch date: July 29, 2009.

Jumbo Greenie2Steps whimsical wall art prints (36" x 48") are both educational and eco-friendly, and depict the friends and adventures of Greenie, the eco-friendly elephant. The peel-and-stick wall art is designed to be removed and relocated hundreds of times without losing adhesive ability, marring walls or leaving residue. The inks, adhesive and coatings are all water based, so the wall art is safe for infants, toddlers and children of all ages. Launch date: July 29, 2009.

Huge Greenie2Steps whimsical wall art prints (24" x 36" are educational and eco-friendly, and depict the friends and adventures of Greenie, the eco-friendly elephant. The peel-and-stick wall art is designed to be removed and relocated hundreds of times without losing adhesive ability, marring walls or leaving residue. The inks, adhesive and coatings are all water based, so the wall art is safe for infants, toddlers and children of all ages. Launch date: July 29, 2009.

The Recyclable "Over 100 Projects" kit contains materials that can be used to make more than 100 projects. The Show Box contains 120 Feet of Plastic Lacing, Craft Foam, EZ Gimper TM, 50 Poms (Assorted sizes and colors), 20 Craft Straws, 120 Plastic Beads and many other items. It also comes with an instruction/idea booklet plus a bonus Wacky Whirly. The box measures 13.5" Long x 6.5" Wide x 5.5". It's made in the USA.

These big, whimsical wall art prints (18" x 24") are both educational and eco-friendly, and depict the friends and adventures of Greenie, the eco-friendly elephant. The peel-and-stick wall art is designed to be removed and relocated hundreds of times without losing adhesive ability, marring walls or leaving residue. The inks, adhesive and coatings are all water based, so the wall art is safe for infants, toddlers and children of all ages.
— Michelle, A Happy Hippy Mom, highlighted the fabric texture of the print and its extremely easy application and reapplication process. The eco-friendly inks, laminates and adhesives used for the print allowed Michelle to safely hang the print low enough for her son to fully appreciate his new animal friends.
— 2 Wired 2 Tired’s Tésa used a Greenie2Steps lion print to help her daughter conquer her nightmares. The bright and colorful lion makes Tésa’s daughter smile as it keeps bad dreams away.

Cheekeyes are a series of wooden play sets with distinctive pink cheeks and dreamy eyes. These toys are handmade from eco-friendly rubberwood and are partially painted. There are more than seven playsets: Arctic, Africa, Dino, Forest, Farm, Rainforest and Sea. The average size of an animals is between 6 and 14 cm wide and 8 and 12 cm high. "Brought to you from The Netherlands (Europe) by STUDIO SPOON ... there are no bells or whistles, no batteries or flashing lights. All you need is just a little imagination and magic begins to happen. The Cheekeyes will definitely spark your kid's imagination and will encourage open-ended, educational play," Rogier van Zijp, designer for STUDIO SPOON B.V., told TDmonthly. Cheekeyes received a 2009 Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Platinum Award. Launch date: 2009.

Created for both boys and girls, the Sweet Pea onesie is paired with soft green leggings and a knotted hat. It comes in a Sweet Cottons box and is machine washable. "Sumptuously soft and beautifully embroidered, each item is made from eco-friendly 100-percent Pima Cotton in a fair trade factory," Carrie Murray, vice president of Sweet Cottons, told TDmonthly. Launch date: 2009.

The Just Plane Cute onesie is paired with our soft blue leggings and a knotted hat. This three-piece gift set comes packaged in a Sweet Cottons box, is machine washable, and is made from Pima Cotton in a fair trade factory. Launch date: 2009.

The Cupcake is lovingly matched with bright pink leggings and a sweetly knotted hat. The three-piece gift set is presented in a Sweet Cottons box and is machine washable. "Sumptuously soft and beautifully embroidered, each item is made from eco-friendly 100-percent Pima Cotton in a fair trade factory," Carrie Murray, vice president of Sweet Cottons, told TDmonthly. Launch date: 2009.

Ideal for all seasons, this onesie is paired with orange leggings and a knotted hat. The three-piece gift set is machine washable and comes in a Sweet Cottons box. "Sumptuously soft and beautifully embroidered, each item in our collection is 100-percent Pima Cotton," Carrie Murray, vice president of Sweet Cottons, told TDmonthly. Launch date: 2009.