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What’s Your Favorite Eco-Friendly Toy?
Christopher Gavigan
Sunday, September 06, 2009
I think every parent has a favorite eco-friendly toy. The kind of toy that makes you feel so good watching your child play with it that you're desperate not to get rid of it the moment they grow out of it. The charming giraffe, the wood blocks from Grandpa, the cotton baby doll that either ends up as a decoration on a shelf or gifted to a close friend or relative. Well, now you can nominate it for the Second Annual Best Green Toys Contest sponsored by Eco-Child's Play and The Goddard Schools for Early Childhood Development.
Toys must meet the following criteria:
* the toy is eco friendly
* the toy is affordable (under $25)
* the toy encourages creative, social, and engaging play activities
* the toy is interactive and lends itself to child-initiated play
* the toy is appropriate for preschool to early elementary school-aged children
According to the Eco-Child's Play announcement the top green toys will be awarded the Eco Friendly Toy seal and listed in the Top Ten Eco Friendly Toys of 2009. In addition, preschoolers at participating Goddard Schools will get to play with the Top Ten and then name the "Local Preschoolers Picks" for the top kid's choices.
The contest is open to environmentally safe toy submissions until October 1, 2009, and the winners announced at the end of October. To enter, download the Eco Friendly Toy Test entry form and read the guidelines.
Now they need your help!
What's your favorite eco-friendly toy under $25? Please leave your nominations at EcoChild's Play. Personally, I nominate Green Toys, Inc and their "Indoor Gardening Kit". This earth, social, and health conscious company actually makes all toys in California from recycled milk jugs. No batteries here. The toys are packaged in recycled corrugated boxes with no plastic, tie downs, or cellophane. Of course they meet all safety requirements, as well has having NO traces of phthalates, lead, or BPA. Good for the earth, and great fun for you kids.
If you're on Twitter, please complete and Tweet this using the hashtag #bestgreentoys @EcoChildsPlay: I nominate ______ for the #bestgreentoys contest.
If you know a green toy company, reach out to them to enter the contest by sending them a link to this post.
There is a Flickr stream set up (bestgreentoys) for you to upload a picture of your child with their favorite green toy (tagged with #bestgreentoys) to suggest that the company should enter the contest. And we have a Best Green Toys Facebook Page (please become a fan and upload pictures and leave comments).
I can't wait to see all the nominations. Regardless who wins, I'm sure it'll be an awesome list of wonderful, safe, eco-friendly toys.
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Posted by Claudia on 09/06/2009 at 12:57 PM
What a great way to endorse eco-friendly toys. We offer eco-friendly learning and activity toys on our online store at www.bloomingbods.com. They are really fun toys are are great for our planet because they are sustainable.