Selecting a toy made from natural or recycled materials this holiday season is a thoughtful choice that you can really feel good about. Here is a wide selection of toys that range from being made of organic, recycled or sustainable materials, and some are even packed in recycled or recyclable packaging. If you are planning on going green this year, these toys are about as environmentally friendly as you can get.
Green Toys for Girls
Eco-Friendly Tea Set
This 17-piece pastel colored tea set by Green Toys includes a pink teapot, a purple sugar bowl, four yellow teaspoons, four green saucers, four blue teacups and two lids. It is made from completely non-toxic materials so it's safe for kids and the environment. The durability of this product is outstanding.
Chalet Doll House with Furniture
This doll house by Plan Toys is crafted from recycled rubber wood and is chemical free. It features three levels, has two staircases and open sides for accessibility. It also includes five sets of doll house furniture and is packed in recyclable packaging.
These dolls by Keptin-Jr are made from 100% organic cotton and non-toxic fabric dye. The adorable ten inch dolls in pigtails come in three different versions. The Asian doll wears a pink dress, the African American doll wears a yellow dress, and the Caucasian doll wears a red dress. All of these dolls are as cute as can be.
Green Toys for Boys
Bamboo E-Racers
These sporty race cars from the Bamboo Collection by HaPe Toys International are crafted from a highly renewable bamboo. They come in red, green and blue and are painted with non-toxic paint. The wheels of these cars are specifically designed not to scratch wood floors.
Eco-Friendly Classic Wooden Balance Bike
This pedal free bike by Smart Gear teaches children to balance, a necessary skill for riding a two wheel bike without training wheels later on. It's made from environmentally friendly and non-toxic materials. The girl's version of this bike has painted on hearts and flowers.
Green Toys for Baby
Organic Fruit Basket Teething Toys
This adorable fruit basket toy by Under the Nile is a safe, non-toxic, certified organic toy and employs fair trade. This toy is perfect for those teething babies who always seem to be putting things in their mouths. An Organic Veggies & Crate Teething Toy is also available, as are individual fruit and veggie teethers.
Challenge & Fun Furnis Farm Puppet
This super cute organic hand puppet is great for pretend play. It features a cow, duck, donkey and frog in a farm style setting. This puppet is also machine washable.
Educational Green Toys
These award winning toys teach children to be green and learn about what they can do to make a difference. Choose from Waverly-Water Drop Idbid, Lola-Flower Idbid or Scout-Cloud Idbid. Each eco-friendly starter kit by Idbid includes a storybook, field guide, daily checklist, cinch sack and plush toy made from organic cotton. This toy is listed under the Dr.Toy 10 Best Socially Responsible Children's Products and the Dr. Toy 100 Best Children's Products for 2008.
Discovery Paper Recycling Studio
This toy by the Discovery Channel Store, teaches kids to recycle their own paper. The kit includes a manual paper blender, paper press, mesh screen, tray, six design deckles, two cloths and an instruction manual for crafting your own paper.
Eco-Friendly Indoor Gardening Kit
This children's gardening set from Green Toys includes three pots made from completely recycled materials, three packets of organic seeds, a gardening shovel and a planting tray. The packaging for this kit is made from recycled cardboard.
Giving organic or eco-friendly toys this holiday season is a great way to teach children to take care of their planet and improve their environment. Learning how to sustain the earth is truly a gift that is priceless.
Minka Gantenbein - Minka Gantenbein is a freelance journalist from the beautiful Central Coast of California. She has a Bachelor of Science degree in ...
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