We all know by now that Earth Day should be everyday, but that unfortunately, we don’t always act accordingly. While you work on mastering the compost bin and committing to that plant-based diet, making sure your kid’s play centers around sustainable products and globally minded concepts is another excellent way to incorporate green principles into your everyday life.
Luckily letting kids in on the joys of Green Play is easier, and more affordable, than ever.
From biodegradable playsets that educate kids on the protection of earth’s great beasts to kids’ makeup products made from plants, to games crafted in accordance with fair trade principles, the offerings are finally as bountiful as they are enjoyable. Buying less, and buying consciously when you do, is still a consequential step in changing our world for the better. But if you want to introduce a green toy or game into your household to kickstart an earth-day-every-day mindset, we’ve curated a list of verdant jumping off points.
FISHER-PRICE ALL EARS LOVEY
This soft plush elephant is made from 90% post-consumer recycled plastics. It features oversized ears and is machine washable.
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ELECTRIC CAR & CHARGER
Kids can learn about electric vehicles with the 170-piece set! Join Zach as he calls his friend Nova and they meet at the solar-powered charging station. They enjoy a snack at the picnic table while they wait for the car to charge.
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FLOWER POWER CARE BEAR
This 14-inch Flower Power Care Bear plushie is here to show us how to "go green!" Made from recycled materials, the Flower Power Bear plush has been designed with the earth in mind while still maintaining the soft snuggable plush feel that this brand is known for.
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CURIOUS KINGDOM: CASTLE PLAYSET
Kids can build a multi-level castle with this playset. The seven colorful characters help kids combine hands-on building skills with imaginative, story-based play. The optional, free app adds digital surprises through kid-friendly augmented reality.
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GROWING GREENHOUSE COLOR AND NUMBER PLAYSET
Kids can practice color and counting skills as they sort, match, and count the flower petals and identify the numbered pistils. Everything stores inside the greenhouse for on-the-go play. Also includes a working watering can and an activity guide.
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PARKS BOARD GAME
Encounter the U.S. National Parks in this award-winning, immersive board game. Score points by visiting as many uniquely illustrated parks as possible. Use tokens to fill canteens, purchase gear, take photos, and visit parks. Play solo or with up to five players. Includes 48 unique illustrations featuring 45 U.S. National Parks, built-in box organization, wooden…
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EARTH GROWN CRAYONS
These eco-friendly coloring crayons are made from only soy and non toxic earth minerals, no commercially purchased or processed crayons are used. The crayons are crafted from scratch using natural ingredients and hand-poured into shapes that inspire young artists, like blue whales, dinosaurs, forest critters, and more.
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WE SHARE THIS EARTH
The rhyming book celebrates different communities and highlights how we must all play our part as global citizens. Kids will understand how important it is to care about each other and the Earth, and how practicing empathy, compassion, and collective responsibility will result in a more harmonious life. Each page features a different culture and part of the…
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FINGER PAINT
Just add water! These non-toxic finger paints come in four naturally-derived powders that when mixed with water, create vibrant colors. The powder is made from food-safe, non-GMO ingredients (including potatoes, rice, and beans) and pigmented with organic fruit and vegetable extracts. Made in the U.S.
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INSPIRING CAREERS MOMMY’S SHADOW STACKING AND NESTING BUILDING CUBES
This set comes with 10 stacking blocks in descending sizes featuring a diverse group of women in various family and career roles. Each cube also features a conversational prompt to inspire the next generation.
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PETITE MANICURIST KIDS NAIL POLISH
These "Petite Manicurist" nail polishes from Manicurist Paris utilize a water-based formula that's over 80% plant-based, and can be removed by washing hands. It also comes with detailed instructions on how to recycle the package, and the company participates in a number of other green initiatives.
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PLANTOYS COLLECTION
These wooden toys range from elaborate Victoria dollhouses to simple bath time toys. They’re all made of wood, and PlanToys is aiming for carbon neutrality by 2025 via a number of eco-friendly initiatives.
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GUND SUSTAINABLY SOFT FRIENDS
The adorable animals in the Baby GUND 100% recycled plush collection include new pals like a duckling, lamb, kitty, and puppy.
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BABY ELEPHANT’S BIG DAY
Explore the African savanna with Baby Elephant and his family! Readers will follow the animal as it learns how to complete several basic tasks while having fun. The book also comes with a wooden elephant toy.
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COSTUME WINGS & CAPES COLLECTION
This heirloom-quality collection of kids butterfly, fairy, insect, and dragon wings facilitates sustainable pretend play.
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LE TOY VAN BLENDER SET
Le Toy Van's Blender Set, complete with 5-a-day sliceable fruit, knife, and tumblers is a role-play set made from durable and sustainable rubberwood, which has been beautifully decorated with non-toxic paint and safety tested to the highest standards.
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CANASTABALL (YIPPIYAPPA)
Great from campsites to kitchen tables, from dorm rooms to conference rooms, Canastaball (YippiYappa) now has 15 games and growing for 2-4 players. Dump out the balls, pick the game and the teams, and have at it. Kit contains one basket and two teams of four color-coded Peloties (mini sacks). Each product is handmade by…
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GREEN GUARDIANS COLLECTION
Each themed set comes with a vehicle, a human guardian of the planet, and an animal. After you dispose of the sets, pieces will begin to biodegrade within a year.
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KANGAROO CRAVINGS
This learn-to-read board game focuses on phonetics and the building blocks of literacy, high-frequency sight words. Players race, either competitively or cooperatively, to be the first to reach the pizza. The game is also totally plastic-free, and made with responsibly sourced materials.
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APPLE PARK PLUSH
The plush from Apple Park come with a variety of green qualities: some feature 100% GOTS certified organic cotton, 100% naturally hypoallergenic corn fiber filling, natural dyes, and more. Animals like flamingos, koalas, and monkeys, plus baby dolls, round out the collection.
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BUNCH O BALLOONS REUSABLE WATER BALLOONS SIX PACK
Kids can use these water balloons over and over again without any waste! Made with soft rubber material, these lightweight balloons with safe-seal, magnetic technology let kids enjoy up to 1,500 splashes per balloon.
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CARBON CITY ZERO: A COLLABORATIVE BOARD GAME
In this board game, players will take on the role of building a sustainable city. Using a deck and cards bought from the shared marketplace, 2-4 players ages 8 and up need to balance their budget while reducing carbon.
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GREEN TOYS WAGON
The Green Toys Wagon is made of 100% recycled plastic and features a 100% cotton rope handle that easily tucks inside for convenient, safe storage. With chunky tires and a low-set bed, it is the perfect size for little ones to haul around their most prized possessions, both indoors and outside.
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OCEAN LINK ‘O LOTS
Made green with plant-based plastics, these eight ocean-themed characters link together or to the ring. It includes two seahorses, two crabs, two dolphins, two octopi, and one black-and-white link.
