My newest PAL Award winners come from Green Toys™ and are great for pretend play to build language skills. Kids these days are much more savvy about eco friendly practices and love to hear that their toy is made in the USA from 100% recycled plastic milk jugs that save energy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. As parents and therapists, we have to keep our toys clean so I love the feature that they can go in the dishwasher to clean off all the sticky fingerprints. Here are my new favorites:
This Ferry Boat combines three favorite children’s play themes–cars, boats and water! Come aboard for a trip across the tub with a special pull out ramp to glide the two cars onto the ferry. Slide the ramp back into the boat and you are off. Simple but with just enough detail to get imaginations going–ridges to hold the cars in place during a bumpy ride, benches on top for observation, and cleats to tie up the boat–this ferry floats for water fun but was just as much fun on land. Kids were so busy driving the cars in and out and sailing around, providing wonderful sound effects and narrating their story. Children get a lesson in using eco friendly products, knowing their ferry is made in the USA from 100% recycled plastic milk jugs that save energy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, using no BPA, phthalates, PVC, or external coatings. Moms loved that the hull detaches for easy cleaning and the whole toy can go in the dishwasher!
Blast off for some eco-friendly pretend play with this space Rocket, equipped with a detachable top capsule and two astronauts suited up for the mission. Made in the USA from 100% recycled plastic milk jugs that save energy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, this rocket fires up its main and auxiliary boosters to lift off to space. Kids loved loading and unloading the main cavity and nose rocket’s drop down doors with the astronauts who were well equipped with molded spacesuits, helmets, and dual-tank backpacks. “It can transform into a little rocket!” declared a little boy as he unscrewed the top capsule and flew around the room. I knew this rocket was a hit when 2 and 4 year-old brothers were fighting over playing with it. I loved watching the 2 year-old grab the rocket by the nose and take it from room to room to play. Kids get lots of language practice as they provide sound effects and develop their space story!
Kids are so much better educated today on earth-friendly practices that I think they would actually be proud to know that their tractor was made from recycled milk bottles! Green Toys’ first Tractor is lightweight and the perfect size for little hands. Our friends took off with their tractor to pick up some yummy crops to load into the detachable rear trailer. Being able to load and unload adds to the pretend play, as well as a big driver’s seat to add a figure. Parents love this “green” toy, made in the USA which is super safe with no metal axles to rust or external coatings. This tractor can bring the play outside as its big tires navigate wet grass, gravel, or mud (which is often preferred) and start the story telling with little ones.
Available at Green Toys: Click here
The above is solely the opinion of the author. The toys were provided for review by
Green Toys™
