After watching my toddler struggle to push around a broom I got to thinking, "Gee, that little guy would just love one of those plastic 'poppers on a stick'". But being the green-meany Mom that I am I just couldn't bring myself to bear the eco-responsibility of bringing another plastic toy into this world.

Well you're in luck little guy! A local San Francisco family was having a garage sale and we picked up the little plastic beauty for .75¢ Who could imagine that a garage sale could contribute to global happiness? Happy toddler gets a perfectly good used toy for a fraction of the price. The environment is spared the production of another plastic toy and our *new to us* toy avoided going to a landfill and of course our neighbors made .75¢

With Earth Day just around the corner (April 22nd), the roll out of green products has begun. I love that Barbie has gotten into the Green groove. You can buy a Barbie that wears a t-shirt that says "Think Pink, Live Green" (a child size version of the shirt also exists).  Also new is an attractive line of Barbie BCause accessories that are made of  re-purposed Barbie clothing scraps. The accessories include notebooks, bags, diaries, etc. They look a lot like Coach in styling. A really nice concept.

Since Brio was acquired by K'nex, the train line has taken a back seat to their core business. Sure there were a couple of new add-ons shown at toy fair, but I miss the "lines" of trains that had interesting themes. Having covered wooden train sets for over seventeen years (how many people can say that?), it's sad to see how the line has diminished. The lead issue also rocked the world of parents who believed that they were bringing home heirlooms to their kids when they bought pricey bridges and sets from Learning Curve's Thomas the Tank Engine line.  The bridges, stations, and other accessories are always great from this line. It will be interesting to see if they can regain the trust of parents.

So you can imagine that we were pretty happy to see Plan Toys new Road and Rail set. The handsomely designed station also converts into the storage box for the whole set (pretty neat). We look forward to testing this set. Plan Toys had a number of sleekly designed wooden play settings (garage, airport, etc.) that have that level of design you won't mind having out in your home. The company also reports that they are phthalates and lead free. We look forward to testing these sets when they're ready.

When recycling was a huge trend in toyland (about 15 years ago) it translated into a lot of clever recycling trucks--but that was about it. We're really looking forward to seeing how the industry responds in a more meaningful way by using greener or re-purposed materials as well as delivering the message in a way that is playful (as opposed to overly preachy).

My personal goal--to remember to bring all the bags I already purchased to the grocery store!

The action figures will plug into the vehicles via a USB port built into the vehicles and from there the vehicles can suggest "adventures" for the child to participate in.  From our point of view the directed play mode is not that important since we strongly believe that kids can generate their own adventures. It was clear that the folks from Sprig think so too--and therefore you can turn off the directed play mode.
The lights and sounds are generated by the motion of the vehicle (not batteries).  Also clever. The "electronic base" in each vehicle can also be removed for repair and perhaps, most importantly for smart recycling.  Much like a toner cartridge, you can take this component out of the vehicle and not just send it to the landfill.  All good.

We look forward to testing the vehicles out with kids.  The company is producing the products in Canada--no paint, no phthalates, no lead....They're off to a very good start.

The partnership was announced at the opening of the Hong Kong Toys and Games Fair, the second-largest fair of its kind in the world.

Michael Cookson, CEO of Corgi International, said: “This agreement represents a new chapter for Corgi International and is clear evidence that, as a company, we are at the forefront in bringing new and cutting-edge environmentally-friendly and green technologies to the international toy market.

“A sustainable future begins with today’s children and I am delighted that as a result of this partnership Corgi International stands at the vanguard of developing the future of play right here today.”

Taras Wankewycz, Vice President, Horizon Fuel Cell Technologies, said: “This partnership with Corgi International is a hugely exciting step for Horizon and provides a unique opportunity to take fuel cell technology out of the laboratory and into millions of homes around the world.”

About Corgi International

Corgi International is a global Pop Culture company, which develops and markets innovative and high-quality licensed and unlicensed toys, gifts and collectables with broad appeal to a consumer demographic ranging from 8 to 88 years of age via direct, specialty, hobby, collector and mass retail channels worldwide. The Company’s line of products range from premium entertainment prop replicas and limited edition adult memorabilia to traditional toys and gift merchandise for young adults.

The company holds varying licenses for many of entertainment’s highest grossing franchises including Disney Classics, Harry Potter, James Bond, Star Trek, Nintendo, Halo and The Beatles, amongst others. Corgi International also has partnerships with cutting edge technology innovators around the world.

The Company was formed in December 2006 through the merger of Master Replicas, Corgi Classics, and Cards Inc, with its headquarters in Hong Kong, and operations in Walnut Creek and Chicago, USA, and in Watford and Leicester, UK.

About Horizon Fuel Cell Technologies Pte Ltd

Thinking big, yet starting small, Horizon pioneered the sales of next-generation fuel cell power products in small consumer products, while developing larger-scale clean power solutions for practical applications in portable remote power, light-duty transportation and aerospace. With comprehensive technological developments focused on enabling fuel cell commercialization, Horizon is the first company to bring advanced fuel cell technology out of the laboratories and into the mass market today. For more information, visit http://www.horizonfuelcell.com.

I went to Target (my most favorite shopping venue) yesterday to buy a gift for my nephew and a few friends who have young children.

As I walked down the toy aisles looking at the selection I had second thoughts about purchasing anything. I looked at all that packaging for just one toy and could not stomach having it go into the landfill.

More importantly, and I have been having this on-again off-again conversation with my sister, what am I teaching the children around me. As an adult I have had to struggle with realizing that happiness and fulfillment do not come from things. I often wonder if I learned this lesson as a child and if I am, inadvertently, teaching the young children in my life this lesson?

Here’s another dilemma. I like giving gifts to kids. It’s just so much and fun and they get such joy out of it.

As I stood among the selection of toys contemplating what to do, a few choice thoughts crossed my mind.

1. I could go ahead and purchase toys. I mean who at the Ramadan Compact would know that I was living out of integrity with my core values.

2. I could not purchase anything and explain the environmental and socio-political impact of purchasing toys to the kiddies. I just have a feeling that would not work.

3. I could give each kid a little certificate that says “A donation was made on your behalf to plant trees” or “save the whales”. That would go over really well with a five year old, don’t you think? 

What is the middle of the road answer to wanting to be a responsible global environmental citizen and spoil a few kids with stuff they will play with for a few hours and then forget?I did buy a few toys.

Actually I bought kids craft kits packed in cloth bags with minimal packaging. As a bonus I will stuff the bags with candy. I figure the parents will really enjoy having their kids hyped up on sugar.

With the marvel of the internet I found a great activity. Having the kids hunt for treasure…Argh! I am creating a treasure map and inviting all the kiddies (about five very loud kids) over to my parents place to go treasure hunting. At the end of the treasure hunt they get their treasure (or craft kits).

Sure it’s not gold, or Sponge Bob, or Dora the Explorer paraphernalia. But isn’t the fun in searching for the treasure, sharing the fun, and getting doped up on sugar than the actual treasure. Something like…”it’s the journey not the destination that’s important”.

I’ll let you all know how it goes.

P.S. Some Companies that Make Ethical Eco-Friendly Toys (just found this in an internet search after I purchased the craft kits)

GreenToys.com

Peaceful Company.com

Think Button.com

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so as i've mentioned (or did i?) i bought some army men and decided to play around with them to create a new series.  here's a couple more from last week.