Eco-friendly toys « ittybittygreenie

Posts Tagged ‘Eco-friendly toys’

Building puzzles = building life skills

Putting together puzzles is something I hadn’t done for years until my son was old enough to take an interest, and when we started doing them together, I was quickly reminded why I loved the activity as a child.

It involves several aspects of the thinking process, and it’s this cognitive engagement that makes puzzles a great activity for children of all ages. Child play therapists argue that puzzles build skills that can be applied to most aspects of daily living.

Here are the top five developmental benefits of doing puzzles:

1) Hand-eye co-ordination: From an early age, simple puzzles and stacking toys can help babies recognize shapes and, through trial and error, they can manipulate pieces to fit in the proper spots. Wooden puzzles and shape sorters are great for this.

2) Fine motor skills: As their spatial awareness develops, puzzles give children a chance to exercise mental manipulation as well as physical dexterity. By learning to grasp and manipulate pieces, children develop their fine motor skills in the process.

3) Problem solving: Puzzles create an opportunity to develop your little one’s critical thinking, work on planning, logic, reasoning, organization and deductive skills.

4) Language development: Word and picture association offered by puzzles allows children to build and expand their vocabulary. Puzzles built around nursery rhymes, for example, can be a fun way to build associations with pictures and stories.

5) Social skills and self-esteem: When children work together in co-operative play it encourages communication as they take turns, negotiate where they think the pieces should go and why, and in the end they can share the satisfaction of seeing their masterpiece completed. Puzzles can also help children with attention issues, such as those with ADHD, to stay engaged.

At Itty Bitty Greenie, we aim to offer a range of challenging eco puzzles and games for children aged 0-5 that are not only intellectually stimulating, colourful and fun, but also environmentally friendly. Click here to view our range of eco-friendly puzzles (made from recycled board) by Orchard Toys, Ravensburger, Mudpuppy, and more.

14 May 2013 |

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Makedo your own toy masterpiece this Christmas

For many of us with children, there’s a familiar scene on Christmas morning after all the presents have been opened and the kids are happily playing with their new treasures: a mass of packaging carnage littered across the lounge room floor. And while it used to be that this “waste” was discarded or recycled and forgotten, there’s a better way to engage kids in the process, and even get them making their own new toys and Christmas masterpieces by upcycling.

Makedo is a connector system that enables everyday materials including cardboard, plastic and fabric to easily join together to form new objects or structures. It has been hailed as the “Lego of the next generation” by media around the world, and has won some very impressive toy and design awards. But did you know that it was conceived by a Melbourne-based company?

I love the brand because not only does it inspire children to use their creativity and change their perspective on what might otherwise be thought of as rubbish, it also has no boundaries, it celebrates sustainability and aims to foster social change and sharing.

The makedo system started with the Freeplay Kit that includes their clever “re-clips” (reusable nylon connectors), “lock hinges” for creating corners, and “safe saw” for cutting cardboard or plastic as needed. Recently they’ve added new products to the line, including a “Find & Make Robot” “Find and Make Car” “Find and Make Dollhouse” and “Find and Make Flowers”, which are all based on the same concept of using found materials to inspire new creations.

And of course, coffee lovers will adore their newest addition to the makedo family: Makedo Cup Critters, which allow you to take an ordinary coffee cup and turn it into a cute creature, from silly monkeys and cheeky chicken, to happy hippos and waddling penguins.

Best of all, the parts are reusable, and the possibilities are endless. The makedo website has instructional videos, teacher resources and a photo gallery where you can upload your own creations and connect with others.

Discover the makedo range this Christmas at Itty Bitty Greenie, and share your creations with us too – we’d love to see them!

6 December 2011 |

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Win a Green Toys Recycling Truck!

I had a laugh the other day when I dropped my son off at childcare, and noticed as I was leaving that there were quite a few kidlets with their noses pressed against the window watching intently… and just what were they so interested in? Why it was rubbish day, and the recycling truck was on it’s way down the street to pick up the bins.

I don’t know what the fascination is about the rubbish truck, but I do remember waiting eagerly to watch the same weekly event when I was a child. And that’s probably one of the reasons the Green Toys version of the recycling truck is such a popular toy. It’s an awesome eco design, made from 100% recycled plastic milk containers and no metal axles – it even has a movable recycling bed and open/shut rear door.

My son received one as a gift on his second birthday, and I can honestly say he’s played with it almost every day since. He sorts rocks, sticks, cardboard and just about anything he can find before re-enacting the ceremonial “dumping of the rubbish” complete with some pretty interesting sound effects.

Since we know our customers love this classic, we’re giving one away in time for Christmas! Just tell us in the comments below any of your own recycling tips. Whether it’s getting the little ones to help with sorting, or “upcycling” by reusing household items for crafts and such, we’d love to hear your ideas.

A winner will be chosen at random and notified on Dec. 10. In the meantime, discover the entire Green Toys range at Itty Bitty Greenie – and save 20% until Christmas!

21 November 2011 |

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Happy Birthday Sophie!

Oh Sophie, you don’t look a day over … wait a second. You’re 50? Wow, what’s your secret?

For those of us who know and love this little giraffe there’s no secret to her lasting appeal. Born in 1961 in France, Sophie the Giraffe has made parents (and SO many drooling babies) smile for half a century now with that soft little squeak, cute contrasting spots, and super-soft texture that is just the best for teething relief.

I love the fact this toy is still hand made using the same traditional rotational molding process, from eco-friendly, all-natural and sustainable rubber derived from the Havea tree. The fact that it’s natural rubber means it’s also completely safe and free from BPA, phthalates or other harmful additives commonly found in teething toys.

To celebrate Sophie’s birthday, Itty Bitty Greenie is offering 25% off any Sophie sold in May. We’ll gift wrap her for free, too!

Here’s a fun little video that tells more about Sophie’s heritage and journey through the years:

14 May 2011 |

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From milk jugs to pure joy

I love seeing people discover the classic and colourful Green Toys range for the first time. The reaction is generally the same: “Hey, look! That’s so cool!” Then when I tell them they are made from 100% recycled plastic sourced from thrown away milk jugs, their eyebrows raise, and I get a surprised: “Really?”

Yes, really! Green Toys is one of the most innovative eco-friendly companies on the planet, committed to using environmentally friendly materials in everything they produce, from their unique line of recycled plastic toys, right down to their 100% recycled cardboard packaging that comes without the usual mess of twist-ties and glue to cause frustration for anyone having to open them and delaying the joy of a child waiting to play.

The recycling truck is a perennial favourite, not only for its unique design with no metal axles and slots for sorting recyclables, but because it also fits so perfectly with the “green” message we can pass on to our children in a fun way. It’s also important to note that these toys contain no BPA, PVC, phthalates or external coatings. They’re food-safe and are also safe for babies to teethe on.

And just when I thought this company couldn’t top itself, after winning accolades and multiple toy and child development awards the world over, they release a new line of toys that are now available for the first time in Australia at Itty Bitty Greenie. Check it out:

1) The Green Toys Fire Truck
Put out 3-alarm blazes. Rescue kittens from treetops. Protect the environment from harm. This is just a typical day in the life of the Green Toys Fire Truck, the world’s greenest emergency vehicle. Watch how this truck (and all it’s features) work in action with this YouTube video.

2) The Green Toys Tugboat
There’s no end to the good green fun young sailors can have with the Green Toys Tugboat. This colorful craft floats and has a wide spout to scoop and pour water. It comes in 3 colour combinations too. Watch kids playing with it here.

3) The Green Toys Racecars
Available in blue or pink, this cool hot rod is better than any hybrid, and proudly displays the #2 recycled plastic symbol from which it is made on its hood.

4) The Green Toys flatbed truck and racecar
This sturdy blue truck hauls our sleek red hot rod on its back, and has a flatbed that tilts up to allow the car to roll off.

5) The Green Toys Blocks
All 18 boldly coloured blocks are oversized and lightweight, making it super easy for tiny hands to stack and unstack. This unique block set includes a variety of shapes for building castles, towers, or any imaginative structure budding architects can dream up. Watch the YouTube video of kids in action with these blocks.

6) The Green Toys Stacker
The eight whimsically coloured nesting pieces stack easily from large to small, while also allowing little builders to use their imagination and stack in any order. This toy has won multiple parenting awards – see how real kids use it here.

7) The Green Toys Pizza Parlour
Pizza lovers can pretend and play chef and server by taking orders, creating custom pizzas, and serving guests. This colourful 27-piece set features four slices that can be stacked with toppings galore to dish up any personal pie.

8) The Green Toys Sandwich Shop
Young chefs can open their own imaginary cafe and take orders, create sandwiches and serve guests. This 15-piece, stackable, mix-and-match play food set comes with all the fixings to create two complete sandwiches.

For more information on Green Toys, visit their website, where there’s lots more information about how the brand started, what others are saying about them, and they even keep a running tally of the number of milk jugs that have been recycled to date.

To celebrate the release of Green Toys’ new line in Australia, Itty Bitty Greenie is offering the complete range at 20% off until the end of May, and as always, we gift wrap for free!

9 May 2011 |

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Gifts for the Itty Bitty MasterChef

Whether they’re practising their cooking skills in their cubby house, or simply copying what mummy or daddy does in the kitchen, these toys are great for encouraging imaginative play, role playing and language development, and are perfect gifts for your little MasterChef-in-training!

1) Organic Cotton Kids’ Aprons in gorgeous Scandinavian-designed fabrics (RRP $34.95)

2) Orchard Toys Lunch Box Game, made from recycled cardboard (RRP $32.95)

3) My First Garden book, made from recycled paper and printed with soy inks (RRP $12.95)

4) Green Toys 17-piece Tea Set, made from recycled plastic (RRP $51.95) *On sale now $41.56

5) Fruit and Vegetable Play Set, made from sustainable and eco-friendly rubber wood (RRP $37.95)

6) Green Toys Chef Set, made from recycled plastic milk bottles ( RRP $29.95) *On sale now $23.96

7) Food and Beverage Play Set, made from eco-friendly wood – perfect for the cubby house (RRP $39.95)

13 December 2010 |

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Gifts for the Itty Bitty Animal Lover

There’s a reason why so many children’s books and films have animal themes and characters – kids love them! And when toddlers are learning their first words, sound effects make great teaching tools. (I still wonder whether my son will ever learn that it’s actually called a dog and not a “woof woof!”)

Inspired by my own love of animals, (and the joy I get from watching children learn about animals and all their noises), here are some gift ideas for the Itty Bitty Animal Lover.

1) Organic Bath Towels with a hood, perfect for the bath or beach … and dress-ups too! (RRP $ 54.95)
Elfie the Elephant, Hazel the Hippo, Milo the Monkey, Chico the Chicken and Tito the Tiger

2) Orchard Toys Farmyard Puzzles, set of 6 made from recycled cardboard (RRP $27.95)

3) Sophie the Giraffe Teething Toy, made from all-natural rubber, she’s ever-so-sweet (RRP $34.95)

4) Dandelion Plush Duck, 100% organic cotton and stuffed with corn fibre, it rattles too! (RRP $34.95)

5) Little Panda soft book, and Little Monkey soft book, made from Polartec Fleece (recycled material) (RRP $16.95)

6) Zebra Pull-a-long toy, made from eco-friendly rubber wood (RRP $34.95)

7) Organic Cotton “Jungle” Lunchbug (RRP $39.95)

8) Set of 4 Farm Animals Puzzles, made from recycled cardboard (RRP $19.95)

8 December 2010 |

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Gifts for the Itty Bitty Locomotion Lover

My son loves his trucks and trains and planes and … well, basically anything that has an engine and moves. If you have a little one in your life with the same kind of locomotives obsession, you know what it’s like to always be on the lookout for new and interesting things that will appeal.

So here are some of my favourite Greenie picks found on my never-ending journey of plane, train and automobile spotting.

1) “Hybrid Cars” Organic Bib with pocket (RRP $21.95)

2) Set of 4 Mini Tractors & Trucks puzzles, made in Norway from 100% recycled board (RRP$ 19.95)

3) Green Toys Dump Truck, made from recycled plastic milk bottles (RRP $54.95)

4) Propeller “Lunchbug”, made from acrylic-coated organic cotton (RRP $39.95)

5) Plan Toys Helicopter with Pilot (RRP $24.95)

6) Mini Cooper Organic Cotton T-shirt, made with certified ecological dyes (RRP $34.95)

7) Wooden “Go-Go” pull-along toy, hand-made in India under fair trade conditions (RRP $33.95)

8) Plan Toys Classic Airplane with Pilot (RRP $24.95)

10) Engine Stacker, pull-along and stacking toy, hand-made in India under fair trade conditions (RRP $34.95)

3 December 2010 |

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Sophie’s the #1 choice

For nearly 50 years Sophie the Giraffe has been loved by babies all around the world, and she has become an iconic toy that has been passed through generations, a favourite among celebrity mums, old-school mums and modern mums alike. But what makes me love this classic teething toy so much more, is the fact it is also eco-friendly, all natural and toxin-free.

For those who don’t know her heritage, Sophie was born in 1961 in Paris. She is made by the French company Vulli, located in the French Alps, from 100% natural rubber derived from the sap of the Hevea tree that grows in Malaysia. Every morning, before the daytime heat sets in, the milky liquid latex that oozes from beneath the bark of these trees is collected. Vulli then applies a traditional process of rotational moulding to shape the rubber into Sophie as we know her. Amazingly, each Sophie is still produced traditionally, involving 14 manual operations before completion. With more than 30 million Sophies sold around the world, that’s a lot of manual labour!

Even more amazing, Sophie’s popularity grew by simple word of mouth – mums obviously know a good toy when they find one – and there are plenty of reasons why. This toy is not only soothing for teething babies, it’s great for early learning because it stimulates all five senses:

SIGHT – the dark and contrasting spots of the giraffe provide visual stimulation for young babies

HEARING – the gentle squeak of Sophie stimulates hearing and keeps babies amused

TASTE – the natural rubber is soft on gums and the all-natural food paint is non-toxic and completely safe for babies

SMELL – the singular scent of natural rubber makes Sophie the Giraffe very special and easy for a child to identify among all their other toys

TOUCH – the shape of Sophie’s long neck and legs is easy for little hands to grip; she’s also very light and soft to touch

It’s no wonder this sweet little giraffe has become the star she is today. Soft and soothing, the perfect size to hold and chew, Sophie comforts and pacifies babies like no other toy or dummy can.

Buy Sophie here and we’ll gift wrap her for free!

13 September 2010 |

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The big ONE

first-birthday

Of all the milestones your child reaches in their first year, the big one – the big ONE – that first birthday is so special. And while it’s true most children at this age can’t tell much difference between all those brightly coloured toys, before you know it they’ll master every single one of them and even choose some favourites.

But finding toys that are fun AND safe can be a bit of a challenge. Since most toddlers put absolutely everything in their mouths and toys of any kind are sure to get a workout, it’s best to be mindful of the materials used. Ask retailers about safety standards and non-toxic paints, and try to consider environmental impacts by choosing items made from natural and eco-friendly materials. Afterall, those plastic playthings might live in your toybox for a little while, but how long will they live in the landfill?

Here are some toys and toy companies I have found recently that are making wonderful and eco-friendly, non-toxic toys that are perfect for toddlers:

Green Toys Inc. have a great line of classic children’s toys like tea sets and trucks made from recycled, environmentally friendly materials. Check out the recycling truck.

Bajo is a Polish company with high ethical and environmental standards making sturdy, beautiful and well designed wooden toys.

Plan Toys is a green company that creates toys that inspire children’s imagination as well as promote their physical and intellectual development. They’re also proving that it is possible to maintain superior quality standards while following a path of environmental and social responsibility. I particularly like their pull-along toys, like the zebra, dancing alligator and snake.

Be sure to let us know about some of the other eco-friendly toys you have found!

11 January 2010 |

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Itty Bitty Greenie

Posts Tagged ‘Eco-friendly toys’

Building puzzles = building life skills

Makedo your own toy masterpiece this Christmas

Win a Green Toys Recycling Truck!

Happy Birthday Sophie!

From milk jugs to pure joy

Gifts for the Itty Bitty MasterChef

Gifts for the Itty Bitty Animal Lover

Gifts for the Itty Bitty Locomotion Lover

Sophie’s the #1 choice

The big ONE

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