When I was a kid, my favorite toy was my play kitchen set. Kids today aren’t much different; at least all the kids I’ve known adore playing with kitchen sets and pretend food. The cool deal now though is that we have lots of greener choices. My plan was actually to post 10 fun eco-friendly kitchen play sets. But then I got to thinking about the totally blinged out collection of kitchen play accessories offered by Plan Toys, and decided to show their sets first. I will, however, be back with more eco-kitchen play sets.

The Plan Toys Kitchen Center shown above is really fun. Not too complicated, but comes with just enough cool stuff to make any little drool. Plus, it’s a space saver. Instead of spreading out, the kitchen is two sided. One side has a cooking center and the other side has a sink for washing up. Included is an oven and dishwasher, along with shelving where a child can hang spatulas and store play food. Like all wooden Plan Toys, the entire set is made of natural, chemical free, recycled rubberwood and finished with non-toxic water based dye. You can get this kitchen set in pink as well, although I think it looks nicer in the red.

Two fun additional Plan Toy add-on sets include the Dishwasher Set and my favorite below, the Wooden Refrigerator. I like the dishwasher, but I ALWAYS wanted a fridge to go along with my play kitchen (never got one). I would have killed for this fridge though, it’s so slick. You turn the white knob on the fridge door and cute little wooden ice cubes flow out. I’m sorry, but that is way too cool. There’s also plenty of room for all sorts of pretend food items.

SEE the ice!!! That’s so much fun. Sigh. You know, I think parents have almost as much fun with play kitchens as the kiddos.

+ Kangaroo Boo

Sorry to be gone; I was taking a small holiday break. However, I’ve got something totally great for the first post back - Grimm’s Fairy Tale Village Wooden Blocks. I love almost all wooden blocks; and have plenty of favorite earth-friendly sets, but the blocks made by Grimm’s Spiel & Holz Design pretty much take the cake.

These beautiful and unique blocks are toxic-free and safe for tots who like to munch, instead of stack their blocks. Once your little one is past the eating blocks stage, years of building delight with this fun set will follow. All of the blocks made by Grimm’s Spiel & Holz Design (except building blocks 10180 & 10190) are hand sanded separately, and have no sharp edges. Since this company’s blocks are unvarnished they stay together better when your child is building.

I love the dreamy look, unique lines, and lovely colors of these blocks - it’s complete block love! I especially adore the idea of adding a set of mini dolls or dwarves, as shown in the images above and below.

Grimm’s Fairy Tale Village

Seven Dwarves (Ostheimer)

Dollhouse Family (Evi Dolls)

+ The Wooden Wagon

I currently can’t stop browsing the Tiny McSmall online boutique. If you want lovely and unique toys, clothing, and accessories for your little one, this is where you need to be. They have lots of my favorite brands, and plenty of beautiful items I haven’t seen before. Not all their items offered are eco-friendly, but many are, enough to make me adore this shop anyhow. All their items are drool worthy, but I figured, being that it’s chilly outside, we’d look at some beautiful winter gear. I’ve got some girly finds, and later I’ll post a few little fella items.

Starting with the Forest Coat by Oeuf shown above. This 100% alpaca coat is gorgeous with total personality. It’s more of an autumn coat, but toss in some mittens and a hat and it’d be good for general winter outings or parties - not so great for snow play obviously, but still a great everyday coat. Comes in chocolate brown with adorable hood, four pockets, and a three-button empire closure. It also has a loose fit, so it will work over a Valentine’s day party dress. Currently only available in size 5, but check Ouef for other size availability and two other colors - red and gray.


Makie 100% Wool Fleece Bonnet with an adorable velvet ribbon and pretty tassel.

Handknit Organic Merino Wool Car Coat handmade in New Zealand with the pure organic wool. Beautiful color and shape; a perfect winter baby birthday or shower gift. This is one of the prettiest baby sweaters I’ve seen in a good long while. Sizes 1-3.

+ Tiny McSmall

When I was a kid all I had was a plain old pillow, not a fancy, pretty, Tooth Fairly pillow. I still got so money for my little teeth, but these cute pillows would have been a fun addition to the event. My favorites are maybe the Handmade Tooth Fairy Stars above from PrettyRaccoon Clothing.

These adorable stars are made from 100% recycled or reused materials and fabrics and comes with a red yarn loop that allows you to tie to a bedpost overnight.

I also like the recycled sweater wallet -tea bag -tooth fairy pouch. Really cute for a little girl. Made from a recycled cashmere felted sweater and available at The Fairies Nest.

Of course there’s the sweet as cotton candy Oeuf Tooth Fairy Pillow - which everyone I know adores. Made with 100% pima and available at Oeuf. I love it, but I really like the ones above too for their unique handmade qualities.

Which is your favorite?

Sometimes, you don’t have to find a fully “green” or organic baby clothing shop in order to find great pieces. For example, Bean New York is not a fully organic shop, but they always seem to have a wonderful collection of gorgeous organic and Fair Trade baby clothing with nice choices, but it’s not overwhelming. For example, the About a Bean Onesie you see above. 100% organic onesie, printed with botanical stages in “the development of a bean”- so adorable, I almost can’t stand it.

Other cool Bean finds include:

Entertaining Elephants Organic Cotton Dress: Lap-shouldered organic cotton dress with long sleeves - great for dressy or casual events.

One of my favorite Fair Trade tot sweaters around, the Kiwi Baby Sweater in olive. I love this sweater. It also comes in a blue and olive design that’s adorable, and a red and pink version. I’m not as big a fan of the red and pink sweater though.

Visit Bean New York to see more cute clothing - or you can head straight to their organic clothing collection.

Time is seriously running out for holiday shopping. Few online shops can guarantee a before Christmas delivery at this point. If you’re still looking, Amazon Green is one place to shop, that will still get gifts to you on time. I’ve been there; almost every year I end up grabbing some last minute Amazon.com deal.

Here are some nice green last minute gift picks:

Above is Pops!: Icy Treats for Everyone - I know it’s cold, and the last thing on your mind is ice pops, but honestly, this is a great book for keeping it green all year that will help you make ice pops for the kids with less packaging and better ingredients. Along with this book, you might like to pick up some Tovolo Popsicle Star Molds or Tovolo Yellow Groovy Pop Molds.

We’ve had three sets of Tovolo pop molds for a good long while, they work great, make beautiful ice pops, and cut down on trash. If you want to learn more online, read my post; 32 Unique Homemade Popsicle Recipes & Ideas.

My son and me both have a Klean Kanteen Stainless Steel Colored Water Bottles with Poly Loop Cap. My son LOVES his bottle, and never uses anything else. This is a great stocking stuffer gift that helps save the earth’s resources. Read my review of Klean Kanteen.

Green Toys Tea Set - Made of recycled milk jugs, there’s a lot to love about Green Toys. The Tea Set is my fave Green Toy brand product.

If you’re looking for baby toys, both the eco-friendly, child-safe, Plan Toys Shape Matching and FAO Schwarz Alphabet Blocks Wagon - Sustainable Wood fit the bill. Both are made with non-toxic paints and sustainable wood.

For adorable plush fun the Idbid’s are great. These Earth-friendly pals come in three sets:

• Idbid Lola Eco-Friendly Starter Kit in Pink
• Idbid Waverly Eco-Friendly Starter Kit in Blue
• Idbid Scout Eco-Friendly Starter Kit in White

My favorite is the little rain drop friend. Read more about the Idbid’s in the post; Amazingly Cute & New Eco Friends.

There you go, some nice green last minute gifts. Later I may post some cool last minute green books for kids - although, I’m pressed for time right now too, so we’ll see.

Gifts & wrapping it green:

• Holiday Tea Party Eco Treats and Sweets
• Eco Holiday Gift Wrapping Paper for Kids
• Beautiful Heirloom Blocks
• Crazy Cute Organic Stuff - $20 off $40!!!!! - it really is crazy cute stuff too.

Healthy stocking stuffers, treats, and meals:

• Dreaming of a Meat-free Christmas? Vegetarian Holiday Recipes
• 10 Amazing Organic Holiday Cookies
• Green Product Review: PURE Bars - put something healthy in the stockings this year.
• Make some easy, healthy and yummy Christmas sweets!

Crafty eco-fun:

• A homemade Christmas tree (and BSM) - one mama’s crazy quest to make all her own homemade eco ornaments - fun read with salt dough recipe included.
  
• There’s Still Time! Quick, Thrifty, and Eco-friendly Christmas Crafts to do with Kids
• Make A Holiday Ice Wreath
• DIY Eco Christmas Gifts from A -Z - one excellent jam packed crafty gift post.

Need more sustainable winter options?

Organic Ribbed Striped Scarf - so cute I want it! Sadly, I think it’s a little small for me.

Pink Lotus Sweater: Very cute in organic cotton for a little pink princess.

Rib Sweater: This is one of my favorite baby sweaters in town from the sustainable Oscar & Belle company. Comes in coco cream or silver cream for babes up to 24 mos.

Elf Set - Knit Hat & Booties - Blossom: Knit from 100% alpaca with an adorable orange tassel on the hat.

Lots of winter goodies - which is your favorite?

I just recently saw this Wind Power Experiment Kit and think it would make such a cool gift for an older green kiddo.

Kids 8+ can assemble their very own wind turbine and electric generator with this Wind Power Kit. There are 20 different experiments kids get to conduct, including lifting a heavy weight and generating enough power to light up an LED light and charging a rechargeable battery. Included is a 32-page color manual that walks kids through a number of experiments. This would be an especially fun green project for kids and parents to work on together.

Then I started wondering if there were any other cool green science kits around and so I went looking. And found…

Natural Battery Electricity Experiment Kit by Green Science
Green Science Enviro Battery Kit

Power House: Sustainable Living in the 21st Century Science Kit

All of these are super cool and will help to teach kids about alternative energy and other ways to keep it green. I’m not sure which of the battery kits is best, but I personally am leaning toward the Power House kit anyhow (I love sustainable house fun). In any case, I think these all look like great eco-science gifts for older kids. I’m sure my almost 8 year old would like one.

Have your kids used any of these?