They feature safe organic toys from renewable resources. In 2008 Earth Friendly was chosen by MAYA to exclusively distribute their products in the US. Most of these toys are very affordable, and retail from $8 to 22.

From the company:

The nonprofit Maya Organic Collective (MAYA), created 1989, has provided a livelihood for workers throughout India, while ensuring that the children of these artisans were educated, given proper nutrition, medical services and other opportunities. During the
first five years of its inception, MAYA worked directly with children, removing them from work places and enrolling them into schools. Now MAYA combines children’s rights with the creation of sustainable family wage employment for MAYA collective workers.

In addition all of the ornaments and toys are colored using Indigo, Tumeric, Kanchi KumKum plant extracts and extract from Ratanjyoti tree.  The toys are also crafted out of Hale wood (Wrightia Tinctoria). The tree entire tree is not chopped down, instead the larger branches are cut out and the tree is allowed remain, and grow back. To find out more about how they produce these toys and to find retail locations check out the Earth Friendly website.

My son loves their tops. His favorite is the Flip Top. You start it spinning, and it flips over. It looks like such a simple toy, but it’s so fun to watch. The String Top is also very interesting, you hold on to the ball where the string is, then pull the string to set it in motion.

The Tutu Pull Turtle, Abacus Rattle, and Aba are all really cute for the little ones. They have very tight construction to help them handle all the attention they will receive.

If you’re looking for organic, sustainable toys it’s definitely worth the time to check out what Earth Friendly has to offer.

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Sprig toys are also made from recycled materials and include no decorative paint (that means no lead paint problems).  The toys use a push-and-pump play action for power.  Here are some details from a Sprig Toys press release earlier this year:

“Made from Sprigwood™, a child-safe, bio-composite material derived from recycled wood and reclaimed plastic, the Sprig Adventure Series harnesses the natural energy of push- and pump-action play to power lights and other electronics—all without batteries.  Fun Adventure Guide characters wearing LED-lit hats plug into durable, attractively designed vehicles and engage preschoolers with audio that guides them through exciting adventures as they play.”

These new Sprig toys won’t be out until the fall, but they’ll make great Christmas and holiday gifts!

Image: Sprigtoys.com

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First, I love that a classic toy has been recreated into an eco-friendly version.  Second, I think the Earthopoly version of Monopoly adds even more educational elements into the classic board game than the original version has.  For example, the original version teaches children about money and investing, but the Earthopoly version also teaches them about the world as they become caretakers of locations across the globe.  Finally, Earthopoly teaches children about the environment (of course).  Children collect Carbon Credits throughout the game and trade them in for Clean Air.

Earthopoly is made by Late for the Sky.  According to the company’s website:

• All paper is 100% recyclable.
• The plastic shrinkwrap used in the packaging is completely biodegradable.
• All tokens are made by nature.
• The glass used for the game’s Carbon Credits comes partially from recycled glass (the goal is to use 100% recycled glass once a supplier can be found).

You can read more about Earthopoly and the story behind its creation on the Late for the Sky, Earthopoly web page. 

Image source: Lateforthesky.com

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So, I mentioned awhile back that, as a family, we’re trying to think and act a bit more eco-friendly in our home. We’ve made some big strides in composting and recycling, and a bit better in just buying less stuff (never a bad thing, I think!). The kids love helping to figure out what can and can’t go in the compost bowl, and trips to the recycling bin are coveted “helper” roles for all the kids—even the 2 year old! Very fun.

A b5media blog that I’ve been enjoying recently is Tree Hugging Family written by Jennifer Chait. In her blog, she shares tons of ideas on getting the kids involved in helping take care of, and have an appreciation for, the environment. Here are a few that I liked:

Just How Strong Are Plants?
Color Your World Green
10 Fun Organic Gardening Projects for Kids

What are some of the ways you’re passing on eco-friendly lifestyles to your kids?

photo credit: Elsie esq.

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The See Toys are green, environmentally friendly, electronic toys that never need batteries! They feature a power crank that makes fun, authentic sounds that encourage kids to keep powering up the fun!

For some reason, I can’t see to capture an image here for you to see, so you’ll just have to go check out the toys for yourself. But what I want to know is, have you or anyone you know tried these toys? What has been your experience if you have?

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In relation to all of that, I found this article sharing the vision and plans of a new company, Green Toys, very interesting.

From Playthings.com:

Recycled wood, bamboo, organic cotton, natural color dyes and other non-toxic materials are some of the more earth-friendly approaches to manufacturing toys these days. So, where does corn come into the picture? The answer is bioplastic, a material created from corn and other natural materials by new toy manufacturer Green Toys, San Francisco.

I’m all for this idea of including more sustainable methods of producing goods in all areas of our lives. Of course, just buying less toys for our kids who, for the most part, already have too many would go far as well, I’d think.

Would you be more likely to lean toward purchasing from a toy company that you know is taking a more eco-friendly approach to production than one that is not?

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