Happy Hippie Eco-Holiday Shopping Guide

Happy Hippie Eco-Holiday Gift Guide: Kid's Gift Ideas

In part two of our Eco-Friendly Holiday Shopping Guide, this week we highlight gifts for children. In the battle of Barbie, Batman and Bratzgirls, here are some sane solutions that will spark creativity and keep your child busy for hours.

November 16, 2007 Edition

Budget $1 - $10

Babynaturopathics.com (Canada) has a huge selection of eco-friendly toys, from cute wooden playsets to soft organic plush toys. We are highlighting this set of hand-painted wooden cookies, because they look good enough to eat. In if your child does put them in their mouth, you can be rest assured that at least the cookies are decorated with non-toxic, food grade dyes and lacquers. As a mom with a young daughter, I have seen the hours and hours of playtime with 'pretend food.' The plastic versions at the big box stores are not only a rip-off, but who knows how they were made, or what is on them. These cute cookies are only $9 and come in a pretty tin. Made in Germany. 3 years + (contains small parts)

What better stocking stuffer, than stockings! Here are some awesome Hand knit alpaca mini mukluks for babies and toddlers. Plus, your child can learn a new fun word. Mukluk. Mukluk. Ok, I'm in love with the word mukluk! Pretty colors and will keep little feeties snug all winter long. Currently on sale for $10 at Soul-Flower, so quantities may be limited.

Also a great deal, are handmade wool gloves for only $8 with a cool weave. Soul-Flower also has killer t-shirts for kids, like " I miss Jerry" with a Jerry Garcia pict. Check 'em out.

Want to see more kid's eco-friendly toy options for the holidays, click here to see the Kids/Mothers Directory on Happyhippie.com

Budget $10 - $20

Myriad Natural Toys is a family run business specializing in natural wooden toys, natural art and craft materials, books and musical instruments - manufactured with the child and environment in mind. They have great role playing, doll house, games, puzzles and more. However, they have a 'pocket change' section full of great, creative natural play toys that make great stocking stuffers. They are UK site, so prices are in pounds. Mini Cable Car Kit Pocket sized version of the cable car kit. Simple assembly, age 8+ Items all under 10 £ , but have in 10-20 category due to conversion rate (some items may be $10 US)

Koukla.com also offers great, affordable wood play sets and puzzles. This unique 3 layer puzzles illustrates the journey from egg to tadpole to frog. Made from birch plywood. 3 layer Puzzles are $16 Images printed directly on the wood. Made in Greece. $6 flat fee for shipping and free shipping for orders over $150 and they offer a money back guarantee. US website, most wooden items are from Germany.

To see puzzles and games for all ages at Koukla, click here.

Budget $20 - $30

Ok, this is not a toy, but it's almost as fun! Kid's LOVE tie-dye. Fossil Wear's owner, Kitty, has mastered the art of beautiful tie-dye, and lovingly creates each piece by hand. She specializes in beautiful kid's tie dye pieces from shirts, pants, dresses, hats and more. They also have great baby slings if you need a gift for a new mom. We are highlighting this beautiful princess dress, which is available in sleeveless and long sleeve and come in sizes 2T to 6T. Great for winter, and can pair with her tie dye leggings as well. Too cool.

Click here to visit Fossil Wear and view the beautiful, colorful creations she has made. (U.S. Website)

Imagiplay Most wooden toys distributed in this country are made from Pine and made in China. Imagiplay has found a way to use a byproduct of the rubber industry. Their solid wood toys are made from plantation-grown, chemical-free rubberwood. Rubber tree plantations have existed for hundreds of years in tropical countries. Rubber trees produce a sap that is used to make latex products. At the end of their latex-producing years (generally 25-30 years) the trees are harvested and new ones planted. The wood used to be burned, until people realized these wonderful trees had one more gift to give, that of their beautiful hardwood, which we use to make our hardwood toys. They have tons of creative, earth-friendly playset available. We like this space man set. This portable rocketship set is perfect for take-along space adventures. Ages 3+ $27.99

Budget $30-$40

Craftsbury offers awesome, fun, colorful toys. The site is so fun to look at. However, we are highlighting wooden toy train set for several reasons. First, it's just so gosh darn cute. Also, it's painted with child-safe paints and sealers, has fine hand detailing, was handmade of reforested birch hardwood, and it's made in the USA. From the Craftsbury website, "We love Watty Piper's classic story around here, so we were thrilled to find this Little Engine That Could train set. This trainset is compatible with Thomas and Brio sets. Includes the engine, three cars, and red caboose.This is crafted just like traditional toys were made in the past, so you can bet it will last!" It's $36 and well-worth it.

Looking for a game for older kids? Here's a great one for kids aged 8 - 108. Unkle Skunkle offers the Rapid 4® Wood game, which is a fast action strategic connection game that uses a bit of chance to keep play exciting and unpredictable.The Quick Connection Game.
Simple rules, addictive play. Players take turns dropping marbles through the maze of levers in order to get a winning combination of 4 in a vertical, horizontal, or diagonal line. The removal of the fifth marble in a column allows for continuous play & unexpected twists.

The beautiful, fold-up wood design makes Rapid 4® Wood attractive when left out in a den and a snap to pack up and take on vacation. $39.99 (U.S. website)

Bigger Budget, But Cool! $200

These cool, wooden bikes, are all over Europe. The Like a Bike is an extraordinary toy vehicle for children from two years of age, which is perfectly designed for the motor aptitudes of this age group. Through play, your child will make their first experiences of riding on two wheels. When first trying to ride, they will play with their Like a Bike in a similar way as a hobby horse. Your child will become familiar with the saddle, carefully sitting on it, walking and then running. Your child will soon become more confident and by pushing off, will pick up speed. This is a german based website, but they sell around the world. Mention Happyhippie.com at Toy Spectrum for a possible discount on all their products!

Click here to read last week's Eco-Gift ideas.

Stay tuned, as we continue the eco-gift guide for the holidays next week. Cheers,

Happy Hippie Staff

For more info on having your products featured in the holiday guide, please mail us at [email protected]