Five coolest eco friendly toys for your little ones

Education is not about stuffing the child with matter from the external world. It is more about eliciting creativity and genuine skill from within the child. You will be surprised at the ease and joy with which children take to the much-talked concepts of going green. And this is because, deep within, a child is in harmony with nature. To awaken this latent drive in a child and to make it patent and potent for our world, we present some cool toys that combine eco-friendly materials, sustainable ideas and fun! There are thousands of such products in the market today and we make a sample effort with the following five.

Green toys truck

1. Organeco blocks

Organeco Blocks

If you are planning to get something that challenges children's creativity and gives them a sense of satisfaction and fulfillment, your search has ended here. The Organeco blocks combine the simplicity of traditional building blocks with the vibrancy of modern illustrations. The blocks are large and comfortable for handling but light and hollow for greater design possibilities. Designed by Hape, these blocks are free of chemicals and are manufactured from eco-friendly bamboo. These blocks were the award winning entry at the International Toy Fair, Nürnberg.

2. Cuddly Jane Goodall Gorilla

Cuddly Jane Goodall gorilla

Here is a way to warm your eco-conscience and also warm your baby as it goes to sleep every night! Made from organic and natural materials, this cuddly gorilla toy is intended to create awareness for a green planet at a tender age itself. With its puppy eyes, the gorilla seems to plead the cause of all the primates. This cute gorilla comes housed in a handmade box which is also designed from recycled materials. A part of the proceeds from the sale of the toy is donated to Jane Goodall Institute that has been started by the world famous primatologist. With its realistic looks, the gorilla is sure to be a good pal for any kid.

3. Eco Greenhouse

Eco Greenhouse

Presenting a green house that is green in many ways than one! Another product from the German Hape Toys, this mini greenhouse is designed from bamboo and birch plywood. This is a beautiful way to encourage your kids to develop their green thumbs. In the process, you can educate them about the greenhouse effect and the 'greening' effects! Watching something grow day by day in front of their eye can be very rewarding and fun exercise for the kids. A tip here - use it to grow locally available plants for best growth and also to teach the kids about the local ecology. It can also be used to grow herbs and supplement your kitchen. The soil and seeds have to be purchased separately.

4. 4M Soda Can Robug

Soda Can Robug

Here is the best way to let kids learn the concepts of 'reduce' and 'reuse'. Reusing an apparently useless soda can, can teach a child to reduce its carbon footprint! This toy combines ecology with robotics to transform a soda can into a whizzing robug with wings and legs. The tiny parts present a choking hazard and it should be used only by those above the age of four. But even a one-year-old will smile and laugh with the robug's flight. The soda can and batteries have to be procured extra.

5. Gourmet Chef Kitchen

Gourmet Chef kitchen

Here is another lovely educational toy from Hape! Children often fantasize working in kitchens after seeing their moms and dads make some 'hot' things or 'cool' things. For the budding chef, this kitchen toy will be a dream come true. Made from Baltic birch plywood, this set comes complete with an oven door with a see-through panel, utensil slots, plastic tub sink, magnetic doors and even the on-off buttons for the stove and oven. The utensils, cutlery and dinnerware also become valuable educational tools. The cupboard below can also be made into the refrigerator depending on the creativity of the child. Cool, right?