Walking Stick Toys features lots of wooden toys painted with non-toxic paint. I like their goat figure, but they offer plenty more of these tiny treasures for only $7. The wooden figures are 3 inches tall and made with organic Maple. Other animal figures include a panda, kangaroo, donkey, camel and ram. Walking Stick Toys offers lots of larger toys too.

Green Toys make a nice selection of recycled goods for boys or girls. I like their jump rope with 100% recycled handles and the awesome recycling truck toy! The recycling truck might fit in a stocking, but it’s too cute not to show you anyway. If you visit the Green Toys website, click the “Where to Buy” icon on the left to find out how to purchase their eco-friendly toys.

For other sweet little eco offerings, don’t forget the cate & levi collection. Though they are a bit more expensive, they’re still worth considering. My favorites: the cat cube made with reclaimed wool and the hippo wall art, also made with reclaimed wool and a natural frame. And the stuffed chicken is too cute to ignore!

Have you started holiday shopping?

(Images via retailers linked above: Walking Stick Toys, Green Toys and cate & levi collection.)

Post from: Tree Hugging Family

Jennifer has done a really great job with this blog from the very beginning, and I’m sad to see her go, but will still be reading her green writing online.

You’ll see a few things change (like the blog look, again), but some things will stay the same too. I’ll feature truly green products, not greenwash. And tell you my honest opinion in product reviews.

I’ll try to tackle the hardest green issues in our lives. Tree Hugging Family should have something for everyone in the family, from baby and college students, all the way to the family pets.

For those of you who don’t remember me from writing here in 2007-2008, I don’t want to be a complete stranger, so here goes. I live with my husband Michael, cat Choco and betta fish I never really named. Having grown up out in the country or “out in the sticks” as some of my friends said, I have a deep love of nature and animals and fresh veggies like real homegrown tomatoes.

While I don’t have kids myself, I do have nephews. And I’m always checking out new books, toys, recipes and food for kids. You’ll likely see a few guest posts from green parents too.

In November, we’ll focus on green Thanksgiving choices, including food, yum. I look forward to getting to know everyone better as we enter the crazy holiday season when it’s usually a bit of a challenge to stay totally green. Please leave a comment to say hello.

(Image via stock.xchng)

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The NRDC, among others notes that toxins found in toys related to plastics can interfere with normal sexual development, and may even lead to early onset of puberty.

Collect up any soft plastic toys, toys with older paint (could be lead based), and drop them off at the recycling center. Make sure that friends and family know that your goal is safe holiday toys. Tell them to limit the amount of toys they buy your kids, and also look for toys made with sustainable materials. Instead of plastics, look for wooden toys, toys made from recycled plastics, wool, organic cotton, and other eco-friendly materials.

Additionally encourage friends and family to offer other gifts – i.e. not toys but an outing, or experience, like a play, vs. a toys that may get tossed aside.

Also see…

• Nine Affordable Green Toys for the Holidays
• Well-priced organic toys for baby
• 2008 “10 Worst Toys” List

[image via stock.xchng]

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1. Eco-Friendly Tea Set from Green Toys – $24.99
2. Oval Xylophone from Plan Toys – $22.99
3. Crayon Rocks – $5-27
4. CitBlocs – starting at just $15
5. Contemporary Dollhouse from Plan Toys – $99.99 (seriously, one of the best deals for an eco-friendly dollhouse, most are well into the triple digits.
6. Sprig adventure toys – $9-28
7. Organic Veggies and Crate from Under The Nile – $25.99
8. Whole World Fun Eco Activities – $5.99 (Cedar loves this)
   
9. HappyMais Building Blocks – boy’s set and girl’s set available – $29

Post from: Tree Hugging Family

Ping Pong Catapult – fun outside with some action! This toy is a cool idea for older kids (small parts make it bad for very young children). This natural, non-toxic wooden ping pong catapult is powered by a single rubber band and your kids. Kids lock the ball cup in place, load a ball, and push down on the lever to launch a ball across the yard. The launch is strong enough to toss balls, marshmallows, or acorns through the air but it won’t shoot hard enough to hurt a kid who gets in the way. Kids can even set up targets to aim for.

The Double Playstand Set is on the pricey side, but if you have more than one child or are ok with a summer splurge, it could be worth it due to the versatile fun factor. The set comes with two Playstands, four Play Clips and an Elemental Silk. This is a great outdoor or indoor play space for kids and allows their imagination to run the show. Kids could use this to put on plays, set up house, or just relax in the shade and read or draw.

The Nature Bag is such a great summer-time toy. Sustainable, educational, and way fun. Plus, I like that it’s a good choice for the whole family. The kit includes: a Fair Trade 100% certified organic cotton shoulder bag, an all season activity booklet, 2 leaf viewers, 8 color cards, recycled notepad, recycled pencil, soy based crayons, hemp twine, organic cotton blindfold, and a rubberwood magnifying glass. The kit also comes with various outdoor suggested activities like scavenger hunts, bug searches, and clay imprints.

SUMMER-MINDED TOYS WE’VE SEEN BEFORE:

Brand New Spring Line of Green Toys!

Perfect Summer Recycled Dollhouse Project – OK, NOT a bought toy, but so very cool.

Action Toys without Batteries

Solar Grasshopper Robot Kit

What kinds of toys do your kids like for summer fun?

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Like all Green Toys, this new collection is made with recycled milk jugs. Other new toys include a recycling truck, dump truck, and adorable play tool set. Go see all of them. Oh, and speaking of giveaways, we’ve got one coming up, where you can score green parenting reading material so stay tuned.

Images via Green Toys

Post from: Tree Hugging Family

Most likely, not all the toys your kids get this year are going to be perfectly green. First of all, for holidays, you should do the following:

• Encourage family and friends to purchase green toys for you child. Of course, you need to do the same.
• Make sure that handmade, safe, green toys continue to be an option for your child.
• Buy less or give the gift of time over simply giving products to kids.

Not all the tips above work all the time though. Some family members can be a hard sell, and will continue to give your child toys that aren’t so green, and that may not be safe. To protect your kiddos do the following:

• Sign up to receive information about toy recalls.
• Always fill out and return the registration cards that come with toys – many have online registration options. If there is a recall, you’ll be notified.
• Read the label to make sure the toy is age appropriate and check for out of the box broken pieces.
• Thrift store are a good green choice, but one investigation reveals that 63% of thrift stores sell hazardous or recalled items. Be careful, and always check with cpsc or the manufacturer to make sure a thrift store toy hasn’t been recalled.

Stay up to date with current toy news at:

• Leadsafe
• W.A.T.C.H
• Toy Industry Association
• Consumers Union

For more tips read this excellent article; 250+ Lead-Free Toys Made in USA 4 Tips for Finding American Toys This Holiday.

[image via stock.xchng]

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Hopefully you’ve been following the handmade toy issue going on. If not, read my previous post, Help save handmade toys in the USA – sign the online petition.

I wanted to update you about something I just saw at Cool Mom Picks – an adorable and of course useful, Save Handmade! button that you can place on your blog or website (see above). Using this button allows everyone to learn about this important topic, and the button is so nicely done that it’ll look great on just about any child-minded or eco site. I put one up at Little Slices of Green, and it looks great.

Get the button and spread the word.

[image via Cool Mom Picks]

Post from: Tree Hugging Family

Sunflower – Espresso Cap Sleeve Baby Doll or Owl – Chocolate Cap Sleeve Baby Doll – I couldn’t decide…

Daffodil – Eco Hoodie

All are hand screened, made with organic cotton, and are totally cute. Plenty of colors too – I just like these shades. These would make a great eco gift for a teen girl, or someone older (like me!) B Hive Designs carries men, women, and kids clothing, jewelry, and the cutest cards.

$36 – $52 – Organic women’s clothing

+ B Hive Designs

November current events at Tree Hugging Family – themes, reviews, news, and more…

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Zoom to the Moon is a great eco-friendly, inexpensive holiday gift for the littles. The set comes with everything you see above and each space happy figure is made of sustainable rubber wood.

$27.00 Zoom to the Moon

+ Modern Tots

November current events at Tree Hugging Family – themes, reviews, news, and more…

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