Here are a few more of our favorite green toys – this time, from The Land of Nod … this site offers a nice array of sensibly priced non-toxic and eco-friendly toys, arts&crafts and clothing for tots and toddlers; some of these are now on sale and all are easy to find (under eco-friendly) on their site … give the gift of green, and have fun!

Related: “eco-friendly toys holiday gift guide – part one” from The Alternative Consumer

This time of year is all about the kiddies. And having fun. With so many eco-friendly, safe, engaging gift items for the wee ones now available – scoring a cool, worthwhile present is easy as 1, 2, 3.

We’ve gathered a few of our favs from Planet Happy Toys – one of the best conscious consumer shopping sites dedicated to the discerning mini me crowd. Choose from their well curated selection of Fair Trade, phthalate-free toys, games, musical instruments, dollhouses, decor & furniture, and lots more … shop by age, interest, country of origin or brand – it makes shopping for playful tots and toddlers a pleasure.

Pictured above:

• Shuttle Playhouse $79.95
• For the leisure minded: Patio Play Set $24.95
• Large Puzzle Stacker $39.95
• Fair Trade Junior Rhythm Pack from Jamtown $49.95
• Airport from Plan Toys $99.95
• ABC Learning Game $12.95

Related: more green holiday gift ideas from The Alternative Consumer

When we think of the ‘word’ environment, an image of a tree may come to mind. But, humans make up an important component of our environment. And unfortunately, the issue of people suffering from hunger here in the United States sometimes goes overlooked. Feeding America is a nationwide domestic hunger-relief charity that addresses this environmental issue.

Feeding America seeks to engage America in the fight to end hunger by feeding the nation’s hungry through a network of member food banks across the country. This relief organization recognizes that the issue of hunger is not confined to small areas of our nation. Hunger is everywhere. In fact, the unemployed are not the only people who suffer from what this organization calls a “silent epidemic.” Working Poor families also suffer from hunger. The Working Poor are American families who are living below 100 percent poverty but have at least one family member working. According to the 2010 US Census Bureau, 21 million people live in working poor families. Thirty-six percent of the households serviced by Feeding America are classified as Working Poor. Children and seniors are other common victims, going without food or meals for potentially several days.

This organization fights hunger with the implementation of a variety of programs, including Kid’s Cafe. Kid’s Cafe makes available free meals and snacks to low-income children in various places where kids are during after school hours. These places may include churches, public schools, as well as the Boys and Girls Clubs. (more…)

Designer and artisan Nitasia Timms of Maine hand-crafts these lovely heirloom-quality baby quilts from upcycled cashmere sweaters. Each made-to-order patchwork quilt consists of 4-6 upcycled pure cashmere sweaters. Nitasia can adorn the blanket with color-coordinated needle-felted bunny rabbit appliqué, and berries.

The cashmere raw material is lightweight, soft, and breathable – perfect for year-round use. The double-sided blankets have no exposed seams, andare backed with wonderfully soft organic bamboo velour (Oeko-tex 100 certified), in creamy white. Bamboo velour is eco-friendly, anti-bacterial, resists wrinkles, and is a renewable resource. (more…)

How about making recycling fun? Designer Benjamin Jones created his cartoonish “Binster” monster to make recycling a more playful endeavor for children of all ages.

Children can develop positive recycling habits just by feeding recyclables to the ever-hungry Binster. Jones envisions the monster coming in different forms for gulping different sorts of trash. Remember November 15th is America Recycles Day.

Related: more eco design

Author and award-winning freelance photographer David FitzSimmons has created a sophisticated and beautiful new book, Curious Critters to instill in children an appreciation for nature. Intended to stimulate and instruct, be prepared to learn a thing or two yourself, as you explore what it’s like to be a Red Flat Bark Beetle, Black Swallowtail butterfly, Spotted Salamander, Red Eyed Vireo or Chinese Praying Mantis.

FitzSimmons’ macro animal photography is amazing, the critters jump off the page and into your mind and lap.

21 critters are cleverly presented and detailed:

• each close-up appears with playful “first-person” text
• there’s a “natural history” 2-page recap – a small snapshot with info akin to an encyclopedia (more…)

It seems many schools are taking a more thoughtful approach to managing waste, and as part of their eco-conscious efforts some are banning single serving packaged items from packed lunches. So the trick is how to pack lunch and snack items without using plastic. Opting for safe (BPA-free) reusable packing solutions is a positive move on so many fronts, it not only cuts down on the amount of trash, but also

• saves you money
• promotes healthier eating
• instills in your children an awareness of the impact purchasing & disposing of products has on the environment
• reflects the responsibility we have to take care of our personal health and that of the planet.

Whether dictated by school policy or not, the healthy and eco benefits far outweigh the minor inconvenience … we’ve outlined our Top 7 reusable and plastic-free, lunch packing alternatives to help you stay the course:

(more…)

Here’s a toy that can serve as a child’s first introduction to the wonders of renewable energy.

Swiss toy-makers, Betrand and Masha Metrailler, create these nifty solar airplanes out of solid chestnut. When exposed to sunlight, or another strong light source, the propeller spins – the stronger the light, the faster it spins.

No batteries or switches to interfere with the toy’s performance. The Metraillers also make a solar helicopter. (more…)

It’s starting to be cold season with the accompanying coughs, colds and sniffles so we thought we’d shine a light on Maty’s Healthy Products – a line of safe and effective, all-natural cough and cold products for children and adults.

Maty’s provided us with 2 products for the purposes of a real, Tried and True Green Products Review. My 7-year old nephew, Austin, was deemed our primary product tester. (more…)