Remember your first Radio Flyer wagon? Even if you didn’t own one (like me), there was probably some friend you knew that did. They were perfect for everything from lugging around stuffed animals, to lemonade stand supplies, to being pulled down the street. Ah, to be a kid.

Well, Radio Flyer has their own green version of the classic original with the Earth Wagon. It’s made from 100% recycled post-consumer HDPE (plastic milk jugs) — over 230 in all. The green and tan colors are infused throughout the boards, so color won’t scratch off and painting is never needed. It is identical in size to Radio Flyer’s famous Town & Country model.

Even though I probably can’t fit in it, I still want one. You can pick up an Earth Wagon for $150 at Green Home.

Doubling as both a beautiful work of art — as well as a fun toy for kids — these recycled Play Kitchens by Rafinesse & Tristesse are a classic example of reuse and recycle. From the website,

Our products are based on the concept of using as much recycled material as possible. We rework them into high quality miniature sinks complete with accessories. We offer our sinks with or without a back wall and in addition with bordure, clocks, hooks and cupboards. If required we will try to provide specific copies, but we cannot make any guarantees. As we recycle most of the material, we use what is available.

You can check out the Splish Splash Sink and Frizzle Sizzle Stove — each hand-made from repurposed olive tins. We also love their Tin Tuffet for those that just want to sit and watch the kids play house. Unfortunately, these beauties are currently only avaiable in Europe. You can check out all the details here.

via Re-Nest

The standard refrigerator box as a play toy has given way to more intricate and complex designs. To be sure, a giant box is still a blast for kids — but if you’re looking for something with a little design flair, this cardboard Calacastle is a great choice.

Not only is the Calacastle fully recyclable, but its blank 41″ x 41″ x 49″ walls can be decorated any way children see fit — and may also be configured in a variety of ways. Plus, it’s available right now for only $70 — which sure beats having to splurge on a fridge for a giant box! To see more details, jump here.

via ohdeedoh

This Red Ball Rocker from Knu is just as gorgeous to look at as it is easy on the planet. While it may appear like it was designed for today’s modernist culture — it’s actually a reproduction of a classic 1960s design. According to The Alternative Consumer, what has changed is the commitment to the environment — with Knu being a serious green furniture maker. From the article,

They sell on-line and they don’t mail tree-consuming, wasteful catalogs.  Raw materials come primarily from suppliers within a 50 mile radius.  Hardware contains a high percentage of recycled materials and wood components are primarily FSC certified, multi-ply birch.  Veneers are sustainably harvested and produced, Italian poplar – not rare rain forest timber.

Very cool. You can pick one up for the modern price of $225 here.

I’m sure we’ve all hit that wall of panic when we realize we’re supposed to attend a baby shower and have yet to find a gift. Instead of rushing out to the store, however, and scooping up some random toy — why not take a look at the beautiful and eco-friendly gift sets available from Green Baby Gift Box?

The company specializes in scouring the world for the best toys and clothes from truly sustainable and socially responsible companies — and then organizing them all by theme into gorgeous gift boxes. Think of them as your emergency “green baby” On Star! From the site,

Let’s face it—the typical first baby requires a lot of shopping, even if you’re the Queen of Hand Me Downs. Researching safety and materials on everything from pajamas to breast milk storage bottles can be exhausting for anyone, much less a new parent. And trying to find a “green” gift for a child or friend when you don’t shop that way yourself can be rather intimidating. Enter Green Baby Gift Box, your personal fairy godmother. We want your experience on our site to be magical. If you are interested in a custom order, can’t find something, or have a suggestion, just contact us by email or phone. We’re ready to help!

Their themes include “Daredevil”, “In the Swin”, “Tree Hugger”, “Snuggle Bunny” and many more. You can also feel great that your package is wrapped and shipped in nothing but 100% recycled cardboard and paper — and also put together in a “green” facility. Even better? Their entire range of products are now sale! Check ‘em out here.

via Treehugger

I love the idea behind the Peekaru — which essentially keeps your baby bundled up while exposing only their head. It fits over all sorts of standard baby carriers using a zip. Of course, in certain positions, it also looks like they’re sticking out your stomach — throwing me back to that scene in Aliens when the creature exited via a similar route. But truly, what a nice snug — and eco-friendly way — to carry around your tot. From the website,

Made from 85% recycled high quality Polartec fleece, each Peekaru Original™ saves approximately 25 plastic bottles from reaching the landfill. In addition, Polartec fleece is Oeko-tex Standard 100 “for textile products of all types which pose no risk whatsoever to health.” Feel good knowing that while you are holding your baby close, you are also helping the environment.

They have sizes and colors for both women and men. You can pick one up for just under $80 here.

When I was a kid, Big Wheels were all the rage. I still remember the day someone tore my Knight Rider big wheel stickers off and I nearly cried to death. Bastards. But today, green is in and with it some very cool bike designs for toddlers; specifically this one from Wishbone.

The company claims that any kid from ages 1 to 5 will enjoy riding around on their eco-friendly bike — the only prerequisite is that they can walk. According to the site, every bike “has 60% post-consumer recycled plastic wheels, is made from sustainably managed woods and is bonded and finished with eco-friendly products. The Bike box and all printed material inside is recycled and printed with non-toxic inks.” They even have a limited-edition tricked-out bike with cool graphics.

You can pick one up for $249 at Skip*Hop!

I’m really loving the effort on the part of green toymakers to incorporate green building into the latest dollhouse designs. Having kids play with these products and come to expect them in every home is an excellent educational tool for future generations.

The new “Green Dollhouse” from PlanToys comes loaded with all sorts of great eco-friendly additions. Not only is there a personal vertical-axis wind turbine up top, but there is also a solar cell panel with electrical inverter for generating electricity, a rain barrel for collecting water, a green facade to help control the appropriate temperature of the house, and a really cool shade canopy that can be pulled down preventing or allowing the wind and sunlight coming through. Of course, all of these things don’t really function for real — but just having them is incredible.

In addition to the dollhouse, you can also purchase the “Green Furniture Set“, which includes items made from recycled materials for the home. I’m in love! PlanToys hasn’t yet released the price for the set, but expect it to be north of $100.

To view more photos and info, jump here.

Remember when you were a kid and would build a toy boat using only a styrofoam cup and some imagination? Well the folks over at Überstix must have has the same childhood — because their line of toys all use recyclables from around your home as building blocks for some awesome toys. Suddenly, those empty plastic water bottles you’ve neglected to recycle can provide the buoyancy for a pirate ship. Or how about leftover straws or popsicle sticks? Those can be used as part of a giant spider or spaceship. In fact, Überstix isn’t shy about using old legos, Erector-set parts, or other old toys in the building process. From TD Monthly:

CEO Dane Scarborough believes that kids have tremendous potential, and he wanted to create a building system that would allow them to use their problem-solving skills and creativity. “When an engineer or architect designs something, unless it is strictly utilitarian, they have an aesthetic in mind,” he told TDmonthly. “The challenge is to achieve that aesthetic while maintaining the structural integrity of the project. Kids solve these same problems when they build.”

Very cool — and a great way to push kids’ imaginations in reusing materials around the home for their creations. To see the full gallery of products, jump here!

via Green Daily

Yesterday, it was revealed that Barack and Michelle Obama surprised daughters Sasha and Malia with a wooden playset on the grounds of the White House. What was unknown was how “green” that playset might be — especially considering President Obama’s pledge to take the nation in a more sustainable direction.

Thankfully, Inhabitots managed to get to the bottom of that mystery and the answer is “yes!”. From the article,

The Rainbow Play Systems website proudly announces that, “When purchasing a Rainbow Play System, you are making the environmentally responsible choice. Rainbow Play Systems, Inc. is proud to be using lumber, America’s greatest renewable resource!” They do this by mandating that their suppliers adhere to the Sustainable Forestry Initiative (“third-party inspections of forestlands for sustainability and habitat use”) and that the mills are producing ‘Certified Lumber’ (5 trees planted for every 1 tree harvested).

Granted, there are many others green elements that might have been integrated into this design, but it’s better than your standard old design. To read more, hit Inhabitot’s article here!