Parent’s Guide to Choosing Eco-Friendly Toys

These days, when the effects of humanity’s abuse of planet Earth are so apparent, more parents are becoming environmentally aware. If the terms “organic” and “eco-friendly” are things you now consider for the food you eat to the bags you carry, it may be a good idea to introduce this concept to your children and make it part of their lifestyle, too.

Criteria for Eco-Friendly Toys

Parents can choose or help their children choose eco-friendly toys that are:

• made of natural or recycled materials
• recyclable
• non-toxic
• produced with the highest regard for environmental protection and conservation.

Wonderworld Toys

A manufacturer of wooden toys in Thailand, Wonderworld began its Tree Plus Project in 2007, a tree planting program to plant one more tree in addition to one rubber tree planted by a farmer for every rubber tree cut down in the production of wooden materials. Only rubberwood, an environmental-friendly replantable wood from old rubber trees, that no longer produce latex, is used. Packaging is made of 70% recycled paper and paint is water-based, making it safe for kids, the workers and the environment.

Sample toys from their Eco Series:

Rolling sorter – 18m+ (Php 750)

Musical set – 24m+ (Php 998)

Fruit Basket – 36m+ (Php 780)

Eco House – 36m+ (Php 5,488)

Photos taken from local distributor's multiply site: www.babysmiths.multiply.com

Exclusively Distributed By:
Baby Depot Incorporated
703-3468/ 0917-8822711

Stall location:
Shangri-la Plaza
EDSA corner Shaw Blvd.
Mandaluyong City, Philippines

Click here for more eco-friendly toys.

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Ecobloks  by Loot Fairy

No trees are cut down in the production of these wooden toy blocks that are great for developing spatial awareness, learning mathematical concepts and encouraging creativity. Materials are excess Mahogany wood from manufacturing furniture and wooden slippers (or bakya). It is proudly Philippine-made.

Ecoblocks are available in 2 sizes and recommended for 36m+:

Ecobloks 19
- packed in a canvas drawstring bag
- Weight: Approximately .5 kg
- contains 19 blocks
- PhP385

Ecobloks 52
- packed in a canvas bag
- Weight: Approximately 1.2 kg
- contains 52 blocks
- PhP950

For orders and inquiries, email lootfairy@gmail.com or send a text message to 0918-9448332.

To view more product information, visit www.lootfairy.multiply.com 

Photos taken from www.lootfairy.multiply.com 

Plan Toys

Reusing materials and innovative methods to reduce waste and save energy are practiced in the process of making the products of Plan Toys. “Green material” are used such as chemical-free rubberwood, E-zero glue instead of traditional toxic glue, water-based colors, recycled and recyclable materials, soy-ink and water-based ink, and even solar energy and bio-fuels to power machineries used for kilning, curing and molding wood.

Samples from the Plan Toys Catalogue:

Photo taken from link: http://heart-2-heart-online.com/2010/04/10/creating-safe-eco-friendly-toys-is-plantoys-mission/ 

Exclusively Distributed By:
Rustan Commercial Corporation
Rustan's Makati, Shangri-la Mall, Gateway, Alabang Town Center and Robinsons Cebu

Click here to read on about do-it-yourself organic toys.

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Do-It-Yourself Organic Toys

Homemade play dough

Make kid-safe clay with all-natural ingredients that can be found right in your very own kitchen. Enjoy following this very simple recipe with your child and make it a memorable parent-child bonding activity.

What you’ll need:

• 4 cups flour
• 1 cup salt
• 4 tbsp oil
• 1 ½ cups water

Just mix all the ingredients together and knead. You have instant organic play dough which will keep for several weeks if sealed in an airtight container.

Nature's bubbles

If you have Gumamela in your garden, bring out your mortar and pestle and have some fun showing your kids what they can do with its petals and leaves. In case Gumamela is not available, okra can be used as a substitute.

What you’ll need:

• Gumamela flowers and leaves
• mortar and pestle
• organic dishwashing soap
• water
• bowl for mixing
• old bottle or jar for storing

Pound the Gumamela until petals and leaves disintegrate and the slimy substance remains. Pour in some water and organic dishwashing liquid. Mix together. A hollow papaya stalk would make a good bubble blower. Add in more Gumamela or organic soap as needed, until bubbles are completely formed when blown.