Green Toys Galore!
by Jay Van Tussenbrook
Hope for the future rides in this year with a gaggle of "green" gifts. Take the time to reflect on the problems of the world today and what we are doing to tackle them and you will see that one of the best things we can do in our everyday lives is to buy "green" consumer products. Sure, they are a little more expensive, but the
cost we pay now saves the future from bearing that burden.
"Green" products are
more than just recycled plastic and environmentally friendly
materials, they are a way of embracing an idea.
The idea that every little thing we do, whether recycling
a soda can, using a refillable coffee cup, or just buying
a product produced by an environmentally friendly company,
we are slowly taking steps toward solving our problems.
One
of the largest steps we can take is to educate
our children. All the steps we are taking now
are only baby steps compared to the work that lies ahead
in the future. It will be our children and our children's
children who will inherit the challenges left to us by our
culture. It may seem daunting, and depressing, but these
challenges are driving some of the most exciting science
in the world today. Many believe that this science
and the works that spring out of it will be the key to finally
solving many of our environmental problems. Toy manufacturers
have picked up on this and we have seen a rise in
science
kits that use solar power or discuss alternative energy.
That is a great sign for the future but it is up to us as
consumers and caretakers to make this more than a fad. We
don't want to force these issues on our children, but it
is our duty to teach them what we can to be ready for the
challenges life will bring them. Be careful not to overwhelm
a child with depressing ideas, instead present them
with the excitement of new discoveries and let them be inspired
to create things using the knowledge they learn. Perhaps
one day they will make a bigger difference than any of us
could hope.
| If you are looking to inspire a young mind with science check out these "Green" science kits: |
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Energy Wiz
Join the
race to save the planet by learning the
basic concepts of energy from kinetic to
potential and find clean ways to power the
Earth.....
More Info...
Sugg. $21.00
Our Price $19.95 |
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Power House Experiment Kit
Create a vision of the future in
3-D and conduct 70 experiments as you investigate
the concept of sustainable living in the
21st century...
More Info...
Our Price $167.00 |
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What
children learn from a toy isn’t the only thing that
makes it a "green"
toy. Materials and manufacture are also important to consider
when labeling a product “green”.
Wooden
toys are great for many reasons, one
of which is that the materials used are natural, renewable,
and usually leave no toxic byproducts from their manufacture.
This alone would qualify wooden toys as being "green",
but they also have another useful quality, durability. A
good "green" toy
is built to last, as in it's NOT disposable, nor meant to
be disposed of. Wooden toys due in part to materials, but
also because of most wooden toys simple construction, are
made to last. Many wooden
toys are passed along in a family and bring
the same joy and learning to each new generation, now that's
a toy with staying power! And it doesn't end up in a landfill
like so many flimsy plastic toys. Sometimes in these days
of video games and electronic doo-dads you just have
to know when simpler is better, and young children
especially get a lot more out of a wooden toy than a fancy
computerized gimmick.
| If you are looking for toys that your kids can give to their kids one day try some of these: |
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HABA Rolling Turtles
Race, run and roll with these ingenious rolling turtles from HABA, a trusted name in wooden toys for young children....
More Info...
Our Price $16.95 |
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Plan Toys Pull-Along Snail
Kids will love the creepy crawly motion of this friendly snail as they pull it along with them on a journey of play....
More Info...
Our Price $15.95 |
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Finally,
remember that this is the season for giving, and no toy
is greener than a re-used toy. We encourage you to help
your children pick out old toys of theirs to donate to those
less fortunate. It is good for the environment and you will
feel good too. Make this holiday season a “green”
one and take another little step toward a better
tomorrow with gifts from the Northwest Nature Shop.
| Check out these other “green” gifts: |
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Eco Fluxx
Play the nature game with ever-changing rules. It starts simple and gets chaotically fun!...
More Info...
Sugg. $12.95
Our Price $12.00 |
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