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"Green" Toys From the Discovery Channel Store

796805_a2xl.jpgWe all knew the Discovery Channel had green interests when it purchased Treehugger.com for $10 million, but now the Discovery Channel Store is featuring “eco-friendly” and “green gifts” toys for the 2007 holiday season. My family recently played with three of these products. Two of these toys (Pyramid Building Blocks and the Tolo Baby Carousel) will be featured in this post; one toy (the Hydrogen Fuel Rocket) deserves its own post, which will occur next week.

Wooden blocks are the best toys for children! Children learn so much from block play. Wooden blocks promote open-ended, creative play, and lay the foundation for geometry and mathematical learning. Although Pyramid Building Blocks may not be as open-ended as a Standard Unit Blocks, they present their own unique challenges that fascinate children and adults alike, as these Pyramid Building Blocks are designed for children ages 5-99. The Pyramid Building Blocks consist of 67 pieces, including 18 different shapes. At first, my six-year-old daughter was completely confused by the pyramid blocks. Yet after a few days, she became an independent, expert pyramid builder, although she insists on the calling the Sphinx a “human lion”. These wooden blocks are made by Haba, a high-quality German toy company. I couldn’t find any information on the forestry practices used in harvesting the wood for the blocks, although the company states, “We do however put a premium on materials that can be manufactured on an ecologically beneficial basis. We use primarily indigenous maple and beech wood and water-based paints for our toys. ” Haba is also socially responsible. Part of their corporate philosophy is

Only a company that is profit-oriented can secure its future. We take the word social seriously! Both in terms of social benefits for our employees and in relation to our mutually successful relationship with our partners.

The only unfortunate thing that I could discover about the Haba Pyramid Building Blocks is they are manufactured in China.

796607_lg.jpgThe second toy we tested from the Discovery Channel Store was the Tolo Baby Carousel. Honestly, I don’t know why they sent us this toy to review, given my stance on plastic toys. This classic, plastic baby toy is also made in China, which of course raises the red flag of junk toy; however, this plastic does not contain any Bisphenol-A, Phthalates or Formaldehyde. The baby carousel is made by Tolo, “the #1 selling toy line in Europe and the UK and the most earth-friendly non-wood pre-school toy you can buy”. Very young children do find baby carousels fascinating. They love to press the top of the carousel and watch it spin and keep spinning, discovering the properties of physics through their early play! Although this toy does not require batteries (an eco plus!), I am not sure I can classify it as an eco-toy…I just can’t get past the plastic, no matter how “earth-friendly” it is. You decide: Is this a junk toy?

Stay tuned until next week, to find out what happens when a 38-year-old boy plays with a hydrogen fuel rocket…

Images courtesy of Discovery Channel Store.

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Comments

  1. mama k says

    November 14, 2007 at 3:30 pm

    I hear you about the plastic. I do think there are some responsible toy makers in China, like Haba. But I will certainly be staying away from any if I don’t know about the companies reputation.

    Have you checked out Plan Toys? They are an eco-friendly, wooden toy co based in Thailand.
    I just opened a new baby/kids store and will be carrying their products.

    I am running a toy giveaway on my blog now too.
    http://mamaknj.blogspot.com/2007/11/grand-opening-and-giveaway.html

    (found you via parent hacks)

    Reply
  2. Jennifer Lance says

    November 14, 2007 at 3:44 pm

    Yes, I love Plan Toys. I’ve written about them many times.
    http://ecochildsplay.com/category/plan-toys/

    Reply
  3. The Not Quite Crunchy Parent says

    November 17, 2007 at 5:39 am

    Great post! Blocks are both a eco friendly and incredibly educational toy. They last for years and can be played with in a variety of different ways.

    In general it’s not the hard plastic toys that contain Bisphenol-A or phthalates – these are softeners used in soft plastic toys…but in general,I agree, natural is better!

    Great point about the junk toys….many plastic toys have a short life span as well as a high breakage factor!Wood toys last and last

    Reply
  4. Jennifer Lance says

    November 17, 2007 at 7:22 am

    MC, I thought that the hard plastics for drinking containers (i.e. Nalgene bottles and the hard clear baby bottles) were the one that had higher contents of BPA. I read that the softer plastics (like #1 used in bottled water) is safer, if only used a single time (but not environmentally friendly!).

    Reply
  5. Daniel says

    November 17, 2007 at 11:25 am

    I have to say, that I could not agree with you in 100% regarding Toys From the Discovery Channel Store, but it’s just my opinion, which could be wrong 🙂

    Reply
  6. Educational Toy And Game says

    November 23, 2007 at 3:52 am

    How many times have I thought about this (“Green” Toys From the Discovery Channel Store)? This is a great article and I appreciate the thought you put into it. Thanks!!

    Reply
  7. tina says

    January 2, 2010 at 8:45 am

    pyramid blocks for preschoolers

    Reply

Trackbacks

  1. Jonathan says:
    November 25, 2007 at 5:07 pm

    Jonathan…

    I just wanted to write to say that you have a great site and a wonderful resource for all to share….

    Reply
  2. Eco Child’s Play » Blog Archive » Alternative Energy Hydrogen Fuel Rocket says:
    November 26, 2007 at 10:39 am

    […] To read more about “green” toys from the Discovery Channel Store, click here. […]

    Reply
  3. Eco Child’s Play » Blog Archive » Alternative Energy Hydrogen Fuel Rocket says:
    November 26, 2007 at 10:39 am

    […] To read more about “green” toys from the Discovery Channel Store, click here. […]

    Reply
  4. Melina Perez says:
    December 4, 2007 at 4:19 am

    Melina Perez…

    Man i just love your blog, keep the cool posts comin…..

    Reply
  5. The Eco-friendly Haba Blossom Stroller Chain Nurtures Infant Development : Eco Child’s Play says:
    May 21, 2008 at 7:34 am

    […] was delighted with the find. It’s thoughtfully designed and well crafted toy made by the Eco-friendly German Company, Haba. It was important for me to stay away from toys made in China the recent controversy of toxic […]

    Reply

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About Eco Child’s Play

Our ethos is to provide news, information, and opinions on natural, green parenting to help your family live a greener, healthier life! Additionally, we offer personal consulting services to help you achieve your green living goals.

Jennifer is a vegetarian, yoga teacher, gardener, hiker, teacher, and mother that has been living off-the-grid for over 20 years.

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