Eco-Friendly Toys

Why not help save a tree with the presents you put under the tree this year? Here we offer a collection of award-winning products made from environmentally-friendly materials as well as those that teach important lessons about protecting our planet's resources. Who knew saving the earth could be so much fun?

Buddy Blocks - Farm Buddy, Jungle Buddy, Backyard Buddy

Stack them into a tower; fit the pieces together to create one of four backyard critters (fox, raccoon, squirrel, and rabbit); balance the blocks on top of a train engine and take them for a spin around the room. My son, who loves learning his colors and animals but who much prefers throwing blocks to stacking them, pointed to the rabbit on the side and then went and got one of his Peter Rabbit books. And then, he actually used the blocks as they are intended and worked to match up the animal parts.

Mini Fire Engine

This charming wooden Mini Fire Engine is not only eco-friendly, it's imagination friendly as well. The ladder swivels, the wheels turn, and the fun races on for hours.

Also look for the Mini Excavator

Pull Along Caterpillar

This endearing orange caterpillar, with his crooked little wobbles, immediately be-bopped his way into the heart of our testers. The caterpillar is solidly built from brightly painted wood and withstood quite a beating as he made the rounds in the house and around the neighborhood; he even took many road-trips in the car seat.

Push Along Duck

Amiable and enchanting, this colorful duck is almost impossible to resist. As the toddler propels it forward, the feet squeak as they flip-flop across the floor. And yes, this toy is made of natural, chemical free recycled rubberwood and painted with non-toxic water based dye.

10 Things I Can Do To Help My World

Melanie Walsh's green-themed new book is subtitled "Fun and easy eco-tips," and that truly sums it up. Her bottom line is that saving the planet isn't just a matter for scientists and Nobel Laureates---it comes down to advice that, quite literally, a child can follow. This book is full of simple, practical, common sense tactics to combat environmental issues such as global warming and wasteful energy policies. Her bold, cheery acrylic illustrations and simple shapes are similarly full of kid eye-appeal.

Captain Owen's Dolphin Explorer Boat

Captain Owen's Dolphin Explorer Boat, is one in a series of eco-friendly adventure playsets made from a combination of reclaimed sawdust and bits of recycled plastic. Even the recycled cardboard box has additional pieces that can be cut out and used in play. Our young testers dove right in to creative storytelling and imaginative play.

Eco-Trucks Dumptruck

The Sprig Eco-Truck Dump truck is made entirely from SprigWood which the company describes as "a child-safe, bio-composite material made from recycled wood and reclaimed plastic." The truck is lightweight, well constructed and easily transportable, which makes it perfect for indoor or outdoor play. The dumping bin is large enough to hold any pre-schooler's load - be it sand, dirt, crayons or small toys - and the chunky handle lifts to dump everything.

Twig

Opening the box containing this exquisitely designed set of blocks elicited gasps of "Ooh's" and "Ah's" from goggle-eyed youngsters who couldn't wait to get their hands on them! The children have never before seen blocks like these, which have open spaces, holes and slots that make it possible for the compatible, precision-cut pieces to slide into, between and alongside one another. The 72 wooden pieces (from 100% reclaimed wood) include six sets with the same components. Each set of 12 pieces is painted in a different brilliant hue, and they nest together perfectly like a three-dimensional jigsaw puzzle.

Ask the Planet

Ask the Planet opens with the rave up "Get Out (side)" in which skilled adult musicians back the strong and joyful voices of the Missoula Coyote (children's) Choir. The equally ebullient "I Want to Be Like a Tree," features the lead vocals of project songwriter Amy Martin. Other highlights include the jazzy little title track, which spells out the many lessons that animals, insects and plants can teach humans; "Keep it Cool," a timely ballad about the dangers of global warming, and the rambunctiously rhythmic "School of the Wild," featuring guest vocals by Bill Sims Jr. and Laura Love. The environmentally friendly packaging is complete with lyrics, and lists a supporting website that includes tools for teachers.

The Original Ultimate Spinner

If your kids are like ours, and change moods and interests in a matter of seconds, The Original Ultimate Spinner is just what the doctor ordered. By simply swapping one of the five colorful and inviting cardboard game face spinner discs for another, they can change games just as quickly. The 12 games and activities ranges from Al-Fe-Bet to Pin Spin Bowling and includes games for the mind as well as the body. Contents include: Pine Wood Base Platter and Spinner, 5 Game/Activity Discs, Instruction Disc Speedway Racetrack, 4 Pine Wood Race Cars, 12 Addition, 12 Subtraction and 12 Multiplication Math Cards, 60 Spin-do Game Cards, 2 Clock Hands, and 2 Scoring Pads and pencils. The 100% USA handcrafted white pine toy components are Maine-grown and certified under the Sustainable Forestry Initiative.