On April 22, families around the world will celebrate Earth Day, the annual call for action in the fight for environmental protection. It’s no secret that the toy industry has run into some environmental challenges over the years, particularly because it’s a business that’s been rooted in products and packaging made largely of paper and plastic — but things have changed
The “trend” toward green, eco-friendly, and sustainable toys is really no longer a trend, but a part of everyday business. Major toy and game makers have been joined by startups and rising stars in working together as an industry to make products that are better for the planet.
In just the past few months, Melissa & Doug revealed plans to plant 10 million trees as part of a “Thriving Forests” initiative; MGA Entertainment’s L.O.L. Surprise! debuted new packaging made from bamboo, wood, and sugar cane; Mattel put an eco-friendly spin on MEGA Bloks and Matchbox; Big Potato made strides in its “Green Tatos” initiative to make greener games; and companies including Funko, Hasbro, Headstart International, LEGO, Playmobil, PMI, Radio Flyer, ZURU, and others have launched new products, struck new partnerships, and made business changes for a better tomorrow.
From plastic-free packaging and sustainably-sourced wood to products made from bioplastics sourced from sugarcane in carbon-neutral factories, the supply chain is growing greener. And it’s not just how the toys are produced and packaged that’s changing. Many new toys and games are designed to teach kids to be mindful of their world and to start practicing green habits early.
To celebrate Earth Day 2022, we’ve rounded up some of our favorite new and upcoming products that play nicely with the environment. This is by no means an exhaustive list, but a starting point. Check them out below!
L.O.L. SURPRISE EARTH LOVE
The L.O.L. Surprise family expands with Earth Day-themed characters and accessories. The collection features special-edition characters and environmentally friendly packaging.
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SIMPLAY3 SEED TO SPROUT RAISED GARDEN PLANTER
Kids and parents can work together to grow real vegetables and flowers in this raised garden. It includes built-in recesses, a watering can, an educational pamphlet, and gardening tools.
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MATCHBOX RECYCLING TRUCK
The Matchbox Recycling Truck is a 15-inch, large-scale truck made from 80% ISCC-certified plastic and is packed with authentic features and details. Press the buttons on top of the cab to activate sounds for added realism. Pull the lever to empty the curbside bin into the truck, then head off to the recycling station to…
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HERD MENTALITY
The object of this family-friendly game is to blend in with the herd. The game starts with a random question, players secretly write down an answer they think everyone else will choose. If players have an answer that differs from the group, they will get stuck with the Pink Cow. The object of this family-friendly…
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SNAP CIRCUITS GREEN ENERGY
Kids can make their own real-working circuits and learn the basics of electronics and alternative energy with this set. With more than 45 parts and 125 projects to explore, kids will gain knowledge about clean energy concepts, including the science behind electric cars, windmills, and hand-generated power.
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NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC HERB GARDEN GROWING KIT
Kids will plant seeds, decorate the flowerpots, and grow their own basil, oregano, and chives. The kit includes soil pods, seeds, paints, brushes, stickers, and more.
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CARE BEARS I CARE BEAR
I Care Bear reminds kids how important it is to take care of the Earth, encouraging kids to recycle, reduce waste, and care for the environment. This plush Care Bear is made from recycled polyester and its box is made from 100% recycled paper and printed with eco-friendly soybean ink.
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TINY GARDENING!
Kids can nurture seedlings in this greenhouse that's small enough to fit on a desk. They will watch plants breathe, extract DNA from fruit, and discover the effects of acid rain, gravity, and light waves on plant growth. Kids can nurture seedlings in this greenhouse that's small enough to fit on a desk. They will…
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MYECO HOUSE & SCHOOL
Inspired by the Montessori method, kids can have fun building a large house or school by assembling the maxi puzzles. In MyEco House, kids can see common activities that harm the environment and must find the matching shapes to insert in every room, covering up the harmful activity with an eco-friendly one. In MyEco School,…
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TOUCH & LEARN NATURE ABC BOARD
This toy tablet features a touch-sensitive wooden board with an animated, light-up, LED screen. Kids can learn letters and numbers by playing nine interactive activities. This toy is made from 100% FSC-Certified wood and 90% reclaimed plastic. This toy tablet features a touch-sensitive wooden board with an animated, light-up, LED screen. Kids can learn letters…
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MEGA BLOKS GREEN TOWN CHARGE & GO BUS
This building set teaches kids about eco-friendly behaviors such as commuting and electric transport. Set includes 35 building blocks and one rolling wheelbase. Toddlers can build a rolling electric bus, two characters, a bus stop with a charging station, and three trees. Kids can also drop their passengers off and stop to charge the bus…
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AHA!EMPATHY
This set includes a storybook, an oil-spill experiment, and several ocean rescue projects that teach kids how pollution is affecting the sea and what they can do to help. The hands-on projects help kids show their empathy in action.
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FISHING PLAY SET
Kids can go pretend fishing from home with this 21-piece, role-play set. The set includes two wooden rods; six double-sided, wooden fish; four play worms; and a net. Kids can learn which fish they caught with the included fish guide and activity cards.
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POP2PLAY SUNNY SLIDE
Pop2Play introduces a new and innovative way to play without a big mess getting in the way. Pop2Play, and then fold it away. Slide folds flat so kids can easily put it away when playtime is over. Sunny Slide features a garden motif. Made with recycled materials.
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SENSORY LEAVES MATH ACTIVITY SET
Discover unbeleafable nature with the Sensory Leaves Math Activity Set! This certified 100% post-consumer recycled plastic set includes six different types of tactile leaf counters in six different colors and three different sizes. The bugs on the back of the leaves provide even more ways to count, sort, add, and subtract. Comes with 10 teacher-developed,…
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JENGA MAKER GAME
In this twist on the game Jenga, players divide into teams and race to build an object using wooden Jenga blocks, guided only by a teammate's description of the build depicted on a card. If a team builds the item incorrectly or the blocks fall, they must start over.
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SORT & RECYCLE RIDE-ON TRUCK
Made from 90% reclaimed plastic, little ones can hop on this ride-on truck and learn about recycling and reusing everyday objects. They can sort pieces that represent plastic, metal, and paper into the correct bin and take quizzes that reinforce learning. Made from 90% reclaimed plastic, little ones can hop on this ride-on truck and…
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PLAYFOAM NATURALS 4-PACK
Playfoam Naturals is made entirely from cork trees! Combines sensory play and imaginative fun with sustainability. Kids can practice their fine motor skills while also being creative. Earth-friendly Playfoam Naturals is squishable, shapeable, and non-toxic.
