Last week I showed an earth-friendly kitchen play set from Plan Toys. I wanted to bring in a few more options though because there are so many cool green play kitchen sets out there. Above is the very bright and fun Daisy’s Kitchen Set from Djeco – made with wood and nontoxic paints and finishes. Available at Oompa Toys.

Then there’s the Eco-Friendly Wonderworld Cooking Center Play Kitchen Set below from Toys”R”Us. This kitchen is from Smart Gear, a newer eco line at Toys”R”Us. Smart Gear is a very cool brand, making eco-products a little more accessible to kids (i.e. at a large chain toy store). Off kitchen topic, they have a killer Eco-Friendly Wooden Doll House you might be interested in as well.

Next is a Play Cooker with Accessories from Kangaroo Boo – smaller for kids with less space, but still eco-friendly and fun.

Coming up – fun eco food for kitchen play!

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

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.

All Natural Play Dough – a beautiful play dough set made from 80% organic ingredients. Each color has a corresponding fruit scent (lemon, orange, key lime, cherry, strawberry, and grape). Plus, it comes with wooden tools for extra fun and inspiration. Comes with, 6 tubs of dough (4 ounces each), 2 patterned rollers, a hammer, and a rolling cutter.

Beeswax Candle Rolling Kit this is a super fun project for kiddos. They get to roll their own beeswax candles with sheets of beeswax in rainbow or autumn colors. Each kit contains twelve square sheets of sweet-smelling beeswax, 6 yards of wicking, and detailed instructions with decorating ideas. There’s enough in the kit for 12 straight-sided or 24 tapered candles. Kids 5+ can do this with adult help.

Kidzsack – Made with eco-friendly recycled cotton, this backsack has a handy inside pocket and drawcord and can be colored over and over again. Just wash and colors rinse away.

EcoTots Art Time Easel- 100% formaldehyde-free, Forest Stewardship Council Certified/environmentally friendly SmartWood, and a durable, 100% non-toxic water-based finish. Many colors are available, but leaf (above) is my fave.

Root Children Flower Press -  This perfectly adorable and sturdy wooden flower press makes a great gift for a nature loving kid. Operated with four big bright red “mushroom” knobs that are easy to find if dropped in the tall grass. It arrives with complete instructions, blotter paper and cardboard for pressing.

Pandabo is an awesome little kid’s game. Totally cute and made out of lightweight earth friendly bamboo, this game is not only fun but helps tots to practice fine motor skills. Comes with 1 panda, 24 sticks in 3 shapes and 1 dice. This game was also winner of the Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Gold and Silver Seal Awards for 2006.

Number Snail – Not truly a game, but since this is as close to a game as you’ll get for very small kids, I’m including this idea anyhow. Made in Sri Lanka from plantation-grown Rubberwood and hand-painted with non-toxic paints. Nice for tots who are too young for real games.

Bug Balancing – Made by eco-friendly Plan Toys, this challenging game exercises planning and thinking skills. Kids must learn to balance the bugs on the tree. Comes with bugs in difference sizes, a disc and the lovely tree all made of natural, chemical free recycled rubberwood and finished with non-toxic water based dye.

This simple art easel piece is perfect for any child’s room. The simple design is clean and modern – constructed from 100% formaldehyde-free, Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified/environmentally friendly SmartWood. The 100% non-toxic water-based finish comes in four lovely colors; leaf (my favorite shown below), clear, fire, and cocoa. You won’t need tools to get this easel up and going, and it even comes with a life-time guarantee.

Visit Ecotots to see all the great color options and to learn more about this easel.