Published on August 3rd, 2008
Toys nowadays seem to be so self-explanatory and automatic that the toys need toys to keep company. (Not sure if that made sense) Filled with blinking lights which I am strongly opposed to and a buttons that need power (i.e. costly batteries) to just function; I long for the good old days when a toy can simply be a toy. That means no buttons to push, no lights to blind your children with, and better yet, it can be a craft project that could be the next opportunity to simply be with your child. The crafty Socktopus is here to be the answer for those parents who long for the much simpler days (and toys).
Friends of Socktopus are taking the concept of sock animals to a new level. Made out of old sweaters like the one your grandmother used to have; The DIY Socktopus kits turns them into a stuffed animal for your children to play with. However, it is recommended for children three and over since it does have buttons. A choking hazard for the wee ones. Friends of Socktopus are Eco-friendly because it recycles old sweaters and best of all, it’s made in the USA which guarantees that it’s Fair Trade. My only caveat is that its filled with polyester; I feel they could have used another fill that’s a bit more natural like hemp or even Eco-friendly bamboo; but I still love the concept regardless.
I also really love the concept of building something together. It can be a memorable for you to sew a Socktopus or one of his friends with your child. When time is a commodity and everything rushes by in a blur; taking the time to craft something together could be something you two can enjoy. I wish Layla was old enough so we can do this together. For the DIY kit, it is recommended for older children of ages 8 and up.
And in celebration of Mother’s Milk Series, Eco Child’s Play is having a second giveaway. Two DIY Socktopus Kits. To read more about the Mother’s Milk Series Giveaway, just click on the link. Read the rest of this entry »
Published on July 31st, 2008
I have the unnatural love for my California Baby Diaper Rash Cream; any hint of redness on my baby’s bum; I slather on the cream and viola! It’s gone. It’s also used under the chin because my little one has folds of chin and moisture seems to get trapped under there. The funky smell and the irritation is supposedly common in chunky babies; My pediatrician recommended vaseline and hydrocortisol cream, but I am not a fan of petroleum made products. I read the back of California baby which claimed its anti-fungal ingredients so I tried it. Totally worked. I also loved how it’s food grade so I felt it was safe enough to use around my baby’s face. I wouldn’t recommend putting it on where your little one can wipe it off and put it in ones mouth; but the triple chin on my little one did come in handy.
*** The Evidence of Triple Chin and how easily moisture collects there.
Other reasons to love California Baby Diaper Rash Cream
- Made in the USA
- Contains Organic and sustainably grown ingredients
- Eco-friendly and Biodegradable
- Cruelty Free meaning not tested on animals
- Contains Calendula and Arnica; both are which used homeopathically
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Published on July 21st, 2008
I dislike electronic toys for children, such as so-called “educational” toys made by LeapFrog. As I have stated before, I think that children learn more from playing with wooden blocks than any battery operated gizmo can teach them, but what about other tech devices, such as iPods and digital cameras? At what is it appropriate for a child have these “grown up” toys?
Ever since my daughter could hold our camera, we have shared it with her. Last year, her grandmother decided to buy her a digital camera for her birthday. At first, we looked at several digital cameras designed for children; however, in the end, we decided to buy her a real camera that would last her many years. The quality of children’s digital cameras is poor, and we have made a commitment to giving gifts that last our children as many years as possible. As an eco mom, I won’t buy junky toy emulations of technology designed for children that will only break and end up in a landfill. As an artist and a photographer, I felt a good camera would help my young child develop her artistic expression. Her compositions amaze me, and her photographs help me view the world through her “lens”. I can see what is important or interesting to her by what she photographs. Read the rest of this entry »
Published on July 16th, 2008
I am not a fan of plastic toys, as they often end up in landfills after a very short play life, and plastic is derived from oil. The number of plastic toys in my household could be counted on one hand, yet I fear I have derived my children of the creativity and spatial relations Legos can teach children. Then I discovered Uberstix, which are compatible with other building toys, such as Legos, K’Nex and Erector.
The Uberstix Scavenger Series utilizes recycled materials, such as straws, water bottles, and cups, to create working models. This is a unique idea in children’s toys to use upcycling, the process of using something of waste to create a product of greater value. My only concern is that Uberstix uses name brands, such as Starbucks or McDonald’s, in its list of suggested waste materials to use. Considering I try to raise my children as commercial-free as possible, this is concerning to me. I also think that Uberstix could much farther towards greening its product by making the products from recycled plastic. Read the rest of this entry »
Published on July 10th, 2008
If you are seeking less than convention crib mobiles for your child, look no further than Flensted Mobiles. Handcrafted in Denmark; It’s whimsical, engaging, and entertaining. The perfect trio that’s an answer to design obsessed parents who do not want their abode to scream Children aboard.
On the island of Funen in Denmark, where Hans Christian Andersen was born, you can find a present-day fairy tale - Flensted Mobiles - a family business that designs and makes mobiles at “Frederiksminde” the old village school at Brenderup.
According to Flensted Website, Mobiles are traditional part of Denmark’s craft. Flensted is a family runned business that was started by Christian Flensted and his wife, Grethe, in 1954. Today, their son, Ole and wife, Aese, continue on the tradition by creating modern and thoughtful mobiles through the ”The Department of Space Research”. Each mobile are meticulously assembled and balanced by craftsmans. This was the first gift I purchased for Layla before she was born. I was very pleased with the beauty and the lovliness of the mobile. And I love the fact that it was very modern in aesthetics. It’s very delicate, literally strung up by thin strings and metal rod.
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Published on July 3rd, 2008
One of my fondest childhood memories was playing with a brand new refrigerator box with our neighbors in the front yard. This large box was a space ship, a school bus, a house, etc. Parents know that kids love boxes, and sometimes these corrugated containers are more interesting than the toys they contain on birthdays and holidays. Kidsonroof has combined children’s love of cardboard boxes with dramatic play to create the MobileHome.
The MobileHome is made from recycled cardboard, is biodegradable, five percent of profits are donated to UNICEF, and is made in China. It has eight secret rooms and is easy to take with you to the park, on vacation, or around the house. My children immediately integrated their other toys, including their children’s yoga mat, into dramatic play with our MobileHome. Read the rest of this entry »
Published on June 17th, 2008
My children’s birthdays are only two days apart, so we have only one party. That party is rapidly approaching, and though I ask guests to not feel compelled to give gifts and to consider the planet when doing so, my children like to give out party favors to their friends. There is nothing I hate more than coming home from a birthday party with a bunch of dollar store junk we have to get rid of immediately. Now, GreenPartyGoods offers solutions for eco-friendly birthday parties.
GreenPartyGoods explains their company’s motivation for offering parents eco-friendly solutions for birthday parties:
While walking my dog through our local park and watching families disassemble their parties, I was horrified at all the waste that ended up in the garbage cans. Bags of plastic utensils, plastic table cloths, crepe paper and cheap goodies bags filled with dollar toys headed for land fill. This is what motivated me to create GreenPartyGoods.
Here are some of my favorite green party goods offered by GreenPartyGoods:
- Toy Wooden Racing Boat: These hand-crafted, hand-painted wooden racing boats are my favorite party favor and the ones we will be giving to our party guests. Since we hold our party at the river, the boats will be perfect for added water frolicking fun. The boats are made by award-winning Anatex. The wood comes from Germany, paint from Russia, and assembled in China. They are tested lead free by a third party and cost $2.50 a piece.
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Published on June 11th, 2008
Most new parents dread the “teething stage” as much as they dread colicky babies. It’s a stage they just want to get over. The drooling, cranky, little bubs, however precious they are, can be a painful ordeal for your little one as well as for you. This is where teething toys come in to save the day. The Happiest Baby on the Block helped my borderline colic, high needs baby get through her fussy stage, and with that over with; I was ready to find the perfect teething toy to soothe her sore gums. I was searching for a non-toxic and non-plastic toy that wasn’t made in China. (I am aware China is getting a lot of flack for this; but seriously, it is your child’s health you are dealing with).
I wasn’t too comfortable with the idea of toys made out of cloth although the Under the Nile Veggie Toys made out of Organic cotton was promising. I wanted something rubbery, squishy, and a throwback to toys I had as a child. “Then I saw her face… and I am a believer.” No, it’s not the Monkees; it’s Sophie the Giraffe. The Très Chic Teething Toy made out of natural rubber and finished with non-toxic paint. Sophie is handcrafted in the French Alps and has been a favorite among infants since the 60’s. A definite throwback to my days (and beyond).
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Published on June 4th, 2008
Children are fascinated by animals. Perhaps they feel a closer connection to our furry friends than adults, or perhaps their fascination stems from their cravings to learn about the world around them. Playing with toy animals opens up possibilities for dramatic play beyond dolls and blocks, as well as complements these traditional toys. You’ve probably seen the plethora of plastic animals in toy stores, from zebras to giraffes, but the wooden toy animal options are usually simple cutouts that are hardly recognizable as animals. Anamalz are different, in that they truly look like animals, are made from wood and felt, and are poseable.
I first read about Anamalz in a post titled “What Makes Toys Green” on Z Recs. I was intrigued and had to get a set for my family. These are the first wooden toys I have encountered to be made from organic wood! Designed in Australia and made from non-toxic European materials, these maple animals are interactive and encourage creative play. Children can bend, balance, intertwine, move, etc. to their heart’s content without breaking these quality toys. Anamalz comes in 30 different species, including a 7 foot tall giraffe! Of course, my favorite is the elephant. Read the rest of this entry »
Published on May 29th, 2008
With the continuing onslaught of Chinese toy recalls, it is no wonder that parents are searching for toys made in the USA. Down to Earth Toys makes this search easy, considering over 90% of their natural and wooden toys are made in the United States! The company states:
We feel that protecting your child, while also supporting America’s economy, are of utmost importance.We know that toys made in America are constructed with safe materials and built by fair labor practices.
One of our family’s favorite toys from Down to Earth Toys is the Lunastix Enchanted Juggling Sticks. If you have ever been to an outdoor concert, you have probably seen someone playing with Lunastix. The kid size version of the juggling sticks is fun for children to play with and master, and they are great for hand-eye coordination. Children’s (and parents’) dexterity, balance, focus, and perseverance improve as they learn to do tricks with the sticks. Let me tell you, it is not as easy as it appears. Read the rest of this entry »
