As more and more consumers look for environmentally-friendly
products, manufacturers
in every industry are responding with innovative “green”
goods.
The toy industry is also engaging actively in the development of
environmentally
sustainable products. From games to plush, “green” toys
are being
with manufactured from either reclaimed, recyclable, or eco-friendly
materials
such as cotton, bamboo or other organic materials. Others products can
be used
to teach kids about the environment, animals or endangered species
… and
how to be a good “eco-citizen.” Each gives adults an
opportunity
to instill in children an understanding of the environment and the
importance
of making a difference for our planet.
This month’s “Reyne Talks Toys” video segment
introduces
you to a few of the many eco-friendly toys that are now available in
the marketplace.
So whether you live in the rain forests of Brazil or the concrete
jungles of
Manhattan – the Toy Industry Association and its members wish
you a very
happy Earth Day 2010 … and encourage you to stop and smell the
flowers
along the way.
For more information about the items featured in this month’s
video,
please follow the links shown below:
Hosung My
Natural
– Jane Goodall Wild Animal Collection
Ages: 0+ | Price: $9.99
This doll is from Hosung … a creator of eco-friendly, non-toxic
baby
and infant plush toys. Hosung uses natural fabrics such as organic
cotton, natural
cotton, and bamboo and also a unique all-natural color process called
PureWaterWash
to create the brands miYim, and My Natural.
Hosung is also the creator of original organic and bamboo pet
products branded
SimplyFido®, a natural toy collection for pets.
ImagiPLAY is a pioneer in the eco toy category … not only does
it produce
toys using only earth-friendly materials, but it’s one of many
companies
that have committed themselves to ethical labor practices. This
eco-friendly
version of the timeless yo-yo is designed to be simple, elegant and
fun –
especially since it features "yin-yangy" pictures on
opposite sides
and comes in six different styles.
ImagiPLAY uses wood from the rubberwood tree as its primary material
…
and only after the tree is done producing rubber sap.
Sumoku is a unique crossword-style game with numbers. Just add up
tiles to multiples
of the number shown on the die, connect them all together, and you
have a sumoku!
The other neat thing about this product is that Blue Orange Games has
made
a commitment to plant two trees for every tree used to create its
games. In
the first year of this program, they planted more than 10,000
trees!
This Sand Truck is a composite of recycled wood and reclaimed
plastic. It is
a durable vehicle that cleverly transforms into sturdy sand tools like
a bucket
… shovel … and rake.
It’s perfectly sized for “take along” fun to your
local beach
and dishwasher safe for easy cleaning when you get it home.
The ÜberStix Scavenger Series are the first toys to reward kids
for recycling
and offer a fun approach to teaching kids about green living at an
early age.
This series has kids use products they have around the house to
“recycle”
them for their projects. When you open the construction kit, you will
discnover
that it requires more than just building it!
Insect Lore - The
Butterfly
Garden
Ages: 4 and up | Price $19.99
The Butterfly Garden by Insect Lore includes habitat, full
instructions, activity
guide and a coupon for three to five Painted Lady caterpillars and
their food.
After redeeming the enclosed coupon by phone, online or through the
mail, the
company will send caterpillars and food directly to your home.
In three to five weeks, the caterpillars will become butterflies. At
each step
along the way, your children will watch the metamorphosis from
caterpillar to
chrysalis to adult butterfly.
These small aquariums provide all the benefits of a larger water
environment
in a small, convenient and easy to maintain unit that’s idea for
homes,
offices, schools, and dormitories. Each EcoAquarium is a complete
aquatic ecosystem
that requires no additional chemicals, filters, or aeration. The
"Living
Gravel"™ that’s provided with the product which acts
as a natural
filtration system for the aquarium and never needs to be cleaned.
