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Category Archives: eco baby + child
Timber blocks by Mokuroku
I have always been impressed by the myriad of lego designs that keep coming out. Whilst being made from plastic doesn’t quite put them in the “eco design” category, it certainly is one toy that children keep on playing with year after year, and gets handed on to others ~ and in my household I can attest that a number of 30 and 40 year old male don’t need any prompting to sit down and “help” put a number of structures together either! Today I spotted a new lego design, and it doesn’t involve the latest movie or emergency services theme! This time, Japanese design brand Mokuroku have come up with a timber version!
Coming in 50 piece sets, you can dream up your own little design piece (44 blocks make up the tree below). Alternatively, mix them throughout regular lego as they are compatible!
I am seriously tempted to purchase this timber block set. I just have to work out first how to keep my kids and husband’s hands off them!
Posted in eco baby + child, eco design
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Balance Blocks – A sculptural toolkit for creative minds
Do you love a good brain teaser, enjoy building blocks with a twist or simply love a fun and stylish coffee table toy? Melbourne business Treehorn Designs have jazzed up their latest edition of their Balance Blocks with bright splashes of colour that beg to be played with, and they have just arrived in store at State of Green.
Conceptual Balance Blocks
The timber used in each set is made from reclaimed Australian timbers, and the woody scent smell that wafts from the box upon opening is divine! I must say I did quite enjoy setting up various designs ~ every time I got a little more adventurous in balancing each of the pieces – and I learnt a bit about ergonomics too when my “design” came crashing down sending blocks skittling every which way. Both young and old are bound to enjoy playing with these balance blocks. They’re just too hard to resist!
Posted in Australian Design, eco baby + child
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Xmas Gifts: Kids Craft ideas
Today, I have compiled a selection of children Xmas gift ideas that don’t spin and twirl, make loud noises or require batteries to operate. Instead, here are a selection of gifts that kids of various ages can get stuck into as a fun project over the school holidays.
First up are the cardboard Calafant models. There are many different sized models for both boys and girls ~ Large Dollhouses, Castles, Treehouses and Windmills for girls and boys to construct and paint, and smaller Dinosaurs, Fire Engines, and Horse & Carts (includes textas!) to colour in too. Hours of fun!
1. Calafant DollsHouse (large) $29.95
2. Calafant Treehouse (large) $39.95
3. Calafant Dinosaur (Incl 6 x Textas) Small $12.50
4. Calafant Horse & Carriage (Incl 6 x textas) Small $12.95
For those a little more dextrous, we have some great organic craft kits children can put together themselves (or with parents/grandparents help!). The Sleepytime Wheatbag kit comes beautifully boxed with pre-cut pieces of fabric that can either be hand or machine sewed. Likewise the Bird Purse kit comes pre-cut complete with zipper ~ a great present for little girls to make with grandma.
1. Sleepytime Organic Cotton Wheatbag $55.00
2. Organic Cotton Bird Purse Kit $35.00
3. T-Rex Wallet (DIY Handstitch) $29.95
How many of you loved putting together a model when you were a child? The Totem series is based on lots of colourful and sturdy cut outs that need to be assembled together to form a butterfly, sail boat, tree, animal kingdom or kids can let their imagination run wild! Best of all, no glue is required as the pieces simply slot together.
2. Totem butterfly model $26.95
3. Totem Sailboat model $26.95
4. Totem Airplane model $26.95
I hope this provides you with some great Xmas gift ideas for activities to occupy your children over the Xmas holidays.
Posted in eco baby + child, Eco Xmas
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GIVEAWAY: A dreamy Love Mae scales doona cover!
Have you seen Love Mae’s kids organic cotton doona covers? They beat cartoon themed doona covers hands down, and add a touch of class, whimsy and fantasy all at once to a child’s room. AND the great news is that Love Mae are giving away a doona cover of your choice to one State of Green follower (Value: $229.95) – WOW!
Made from 100% organic cotton brushed cotton, the Love Mae scales doona covers come either pretty in pink with cascading scales over the end of the bed like a mermaid’s tail, or in strong red, blue and grey scales like the back of a dinosaur.
++ GIVEAWAY DETAILS ++
ORGANIC COTTON SINGLE DOONA COVER: Value $229.95
If you would love to transform your child’s room with a Love Mae scales organic cotton doona cover, please head over to the and leave a comment below telling us which is your favourite Love Mae design (can include anything from their beautiful store!). The winner will be drawn at random on Sunday 14 October 2012 after 7pm. Goodluck!
(anyone can enter from around the globe!)
Technology free fun with Totem cardboard figurines
If you been looking for a bit of technology free fun for your young children, you will love the new TOTEM range by Kids On Roof? You may know of their incredibly popular Totem Tree, but the range has now expanded to a collection of vintage styled cardboard figurines that are perfect for interactive play, and sit equally well as a cute decoration too!
Book of Animals – Eagle Collection
In their new Book of Animals, the Totem Eagle Collection includes bright cardboard cut outs that easily slot together to create a menagerie of animals with little background sceneries.
Book of Animals – Eagle Collection
The Book of Animals – Lion collection expands further on the animal theme. Crocodiles, predatory birds, walrus, fish, glaciers and mountains all help set a magnificent scene. Half the fun is putting together each of the 106 pieces.
Also new to the Totem range is the Totem Aeroport and Totem Traffic scenes – perfect for boys who get excited about all manner of transport.
The Totem range is honestly impressive. The cardboard is sturdy, the styling is really cute, and the imaginative play it encourages is what makes the range truly special – no batteries, chargers, glue, complex instructions required!
Posted in eco baby + child, gifts
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Flat Out Frankie encourage imaginative play
There is something incredibly heartwarming seeing kids squealing, laughing and having fun as they act out imaginary adventures ~ Beats watching them play electronic games any day (a regular issue in my household)! So when I laid eyes upon Flat Out Frankie’s airplane and oven, there was really no question about whether or not we would sell it in store at State of Green, just a matter of when … and that just happens to be NOW!
Cardboard Model Airplane: $45
Designed in New Zealand, the pieces come flat packed, and easily pop up and slot together. Made from Kraft board, both the oven and plane can be customised by the user – a splash of paint here, and a crayon colour there, will make each piece unique to the owner!
Cardboard Oven Model: $40
Another attractive feature of the Flat Out Frankie range is that they can easily fold down flat again for storage, or taken away on holidays. And of course at the end of its use, you won’t be placing them on the front lawn for hard rubbish collection – simply put in your recycle bin or your compost. Smart design all-round in my book!
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Naty launch brand new organic cotton children’s clothing range
Swedish company Naty are well known for their line of Nature Babycare eco disposable nappies and wipes and are now venturing into the world of organic children’s fashion! Continuing the company ethos of treading lightly on the environment, they have just launched an organic baby clothing line for children aged 0 – 4 years which I must say is very cute to boot!
Don’t expect to see bright punchy colours in this range. Naty’s first launch is all about classic soft muted colours – Black, grey, pink, white, beige and blue which aim to be timeless with a contemporary edge. I have personally viewed the new range, and must say the organic fabric is exceptional quality – no light flimsy cotton here. The simple smart styling (very Scandanavian) also features lovely detailing such as embroidery and little pleats.
Naty have just launched their range in their online store. All prices are in $USD, and worldwide delivery is $20 for one item and FREE for two items. Such a decent carrot!
Let us know which new Naty organic baby fashion item is your favourite!
Posted in eco baby + child
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Move aside plastic transformers, the timber Jo Transforfun is in town.
Move aside big ugly plastic transformers, as there is a cute little man in town called Jo Transforfun. He not only looks cute, but he is also is made from sustainable beech timber and is a whole lot of fun!
Timber Jo Transformer
In its original form, Transforfun looks like a cute timber robot, but a few twists of the hand transforms him into a tip truck ready for construction yard adventures. My personal road testers (aged 5 & 6 yrs old) gave the Jo Transformer a big double thumbs up, and they are critical reviewers! When he is not sitting on my bookshelf looking cute, he is zooming along the floor. Beats a placky toy hands down.
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