Showing posts with label Green Toys. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Green Toys. Show all posts

Thursday, 22 July 2021

Geomag Super Color Panels Magnetic Construction Set Review (age 5-99+)

Geomag is excellent stuff. It's one of my favourite construction STEM toys, it's been around for ages and now it's even better - in 100% recycled plastic. Construction toys have always been popular in my house, as as science, and Geomag fits into both of those categories. Their magnetic construction system is strictly suitable for children aged 5 and over, and there's still plenty of fun to be had if you are a little older than that...

We've been sent the 52 piece Geomag Super Color Panels Magnetic Construction Set for review. 

Geomag Super Color Panels Magnetic Construction Set box front

I was incredibly impressed as soon as I saw the box. It does clip shut for future use, there's no tape, no single use plastic. Best of, and pure genius - 2 small storage boxes are included to keep your magnets safe. There is also a resealable plastic bag for the other pieces. 

The packaging is 61% recycled, and the plastic is 100% recycled. It's awesome. I'm so impressed. This is the future - the sustainable future for our children. 

Geomag Magnetic Construction Set review eco friendly packaging and storage

Wednesday, 11 April 2018

Shaperise, BrainBox & Re,Cycle,Me Reviews - The Green Board Game Company

The Green Board Game Company make inclusive games that you can play together, whatever your ability or age. They encourage brain power and build skills such as memory and vocabulary, but don't ask for hours of commitment and concentration. Most of all though, they're fun.

Green Board Games sent us 3 of their most popular games to review: Visual-memory game Shaperise, one of the original BrainBox games - BrainBox Roald Dahl and the very different and creative Re,Cycle,Me.


The first game we tried was Shaperise, rrp £15. This was the winning game in the Young Games Inventor Of The Year Competition 2016 and was designed by 11 year old Sebastian Fleming-Smith. Suitable for age 8+ and 2 players, younger children can join in non-competitively and it's great for hand-eye co-ordination, concentration and even learning colours.


Everything comes in a neat cardboard box which can be used for storage afterwards. There are 40 coloured blocks, a timer, instructions and 60 different Shaperise Cards. The cards are in 3 levels of difficulty and each show a design that you have to copy using the blocks.

Monday, 23 February 2015

Green Toys Recycled Plastic Children's Tool Set age 2+

I'm sad to say that this will most likely be our last review for Green Toys. My two young boys love them as much as I do, but at very nearly 5 and 6 1/2, we're getting to the top of the age range, so it's time to pass the job on to somebody else. Our Green Toys will continue to be used - mainly in the bath, garden and sandpit!

Green Toys Recycled Plastic Toy Tester Reviews

I don't need to tell you how impressed I am with Green Toys, I tell you every review, and I'm not disappointed with the Green Toys Tool Set. It's very nicely done and sturdy enough to withstand a lot of rough play from my 4 year old handyman.

Green Toys Recycled Plastic Children's Tool Set Review age 2+

Tuesday, 10 February 2015

Green Toys Recycled Plastic Flatbed Truck With Race Car (12m+)

I thought maybe my boys were growing out of playing with Green Toys vehicles, except for in the bath and sand pit where they're always popular, but the Flatbed Truck & Race Car is a bit different and has caught the attention of even my 6 year old, despite being a toy suitable for 12 months and over.

Green Toys Recycled Plastic Flatbed Truck with Race Car review age 12m+

The packaging on Green Toys is as ethical as the toys themselves, made from recycled and recyclable card, and using ingenuity and design rather than wires, tape and plastic wrap to hold the toys in place.

Green Toys Recycled Plastic Flatbed Truck with Race Car packaging design genius

Monday, 24 November 2014

The Green Submarine (Toy Review age 6 months+)

We love Green Toys. They are plastic, but they're very special because they're made entirely from recycled milk bottles. The finish is gorgeous, with a dappled, warm feel to the touch - very much like a milk bottle, and the toys themselves are designed to inspire children into creative play, stretching their imaginations and understanding of the world.

Green Toys Recycled Plastic Submarine review

Our 6th Green Toy review is one that my boys have played with a lot - mainly because it's taken up residence in the bathroom! The Submarine is such a simple toy, but this one is very carefully thought out, and offers masses of play value. 

Friday, 21 November 2014

Slow Toys for Christmas...

I've been aware of the Slow Toys movement for the last couple of years, and I'm a huge fan of companies such as Wonderworld, Pintoys, Haba, Hape, Le Toy Van and I've reviewed for Green Toys, Orchard Toys and The Toadstool for a long while now.

Le Toy Van Doll's House Furniture Pintoy Fireman Wonderworld Eco-House
The Wonderworld Eco-House with Pintoy Firemen
Slow toys should allow a child to explore their world and play in any way that seems right to them, they stretch a child and develop a huge range of life skills.

Le Toy Van Wooden Fire Engine
Le Toy Van Wooden Fire Engine
Slow Toys are toys that aren't 'faddy', more classic and not based on a TV show or other character. They're traditionally wooden, although card is fine and plastic is included now as long as it meets the other criteria. Slow toys should not in the main take batteries or be powered other than by the user. They should ideally be produced in a sustainable way, with minimal impact on the Earth and it's inhabitants. 

Friday, 8 August 2014

Green Toys Recycled Plastic Cookware And Dining Set Review

This month's Green Toys review is a brilliant Cookware & Dining Set. Suitable for ages 2+, it has 27 pieces which are all made entirely from recycled plastic milk bottles. With place settings for 4 people, plus a frying pan and casserole dish with lid, it has everything your chil(ren) need to cook up some interesting dishes - very interesting in the case of my 4 year old!

Green Toys Recycled Plastic Cookware And Dining Set Review

Tuesday, 8 July 2014

Green Toys Pizza Parlour Review

Our latest review for Green Toys is a fabulous one. We've had a very special delivery recently - and it is made from 100% recycled plastic milk bottles and 100% recycled cardboard printed with soy ink.

Green Toys 100% recycled toy Pizza Parlour Review

 The Green Toys Pizza Parlour is a lovely set which allows you to serve up a 100% recycled plastic pizza with loads of delicious toppings to your friends and family.

Green Toys 100% recycled toy Pizza Parlour Review box pack shot

Wednesday, 11 June 2014

Green Toys Recycled Plastic Recycling Truck Review

We love Green Toys. They're big, chunky, sturdy and most importantly they're made almost entirely from recycled materials. The Green Toys Recycling Truck is made from 100% recycled plastic milk bottles.


The packaging for Green Toys is fantastic, it tells you all kinds of useful information and is entirely recycled and recyclable cardboard. This means the toy can be removed quickly and safely, even by a small child. 


 In this case, the packaging even includes cut out 'recyclables' for you to play with. 


Before you even unbox, you can see the toy - you know what you are buying. You can also see some of the detail that makes these toys such beautiful objects. 


The textured surface of Green Toys is really nice to touch, and feels almost soft, and easy to grip - like the plastic milk containers it's made from. It makes them lovely to hold and very different to most plastic toys. 


At the sides of the Recycling Truck we have 3 different sections for your recyclable rubbish - bottles, cans and paper. They're clear and universally understood. My boys knew what it meant straightaway.


 The way the wheels are attached means there is no metal, so the toys can be completely submerged for washing and won't go rusty. You can hose them down or even wash them in the dishwasher. Handy if a very young child will be playing with them indoors. 


It wouldn't be a proper bin lorry if it didn't tip up to empty out the rubbish! 


And the back of the Recycling Truck opens right up, so your child can retrieve the 'rubbish' they've used to fill it very easily. Again it's brilliant for cleaning purposes. There's a notch at the bottom of the tailgate so that it's really easy for any child to open.


My 4 and 5 year old boys have played with this a lot. They love being able to take it outside and no-one cares if it gets dirty or muddy. I don't mind them filling it with beautiful flowers, sticks or insects.


The 2 boys play really quite complex games with the Recycling Truck. They fill it with sets of 3 items for 'recycling' - usually things like stones, sticks and grass. They'll then go and sort these items and put them into the 'correct place', so grass will go into our compost bin for example. I think it's an excellent way to make recycling a part of everyday life, nothing special or exciting as such, just something we all do.


The Green Toys Recycling Truck costs £19.99 and is suitable from 1 year. It will last your child(ren) for years, making it a really good investment.

Green Toys are available online from Bigjigs Toys website with free UK delivery on all orders over £50.


We've also reviewed the Green Toys Dumper Truck shown in these photos, and the Green Toys Rocket with 2 astronauts.


We were sent our Recycle Truck to review as part of our role as Eco Friendly Toy Testers

Friday, 2 May 2014

Green Toys Recycled Plastic Rocket Review

I introduced Green Toys a few weeks ago, and our second review for them is the one that my boys really were desperate to get out of the packaging as soon as they saw it!

The Rocket is made entirely from recycled plastic milk bottles, has 2 opening doors, a removable top capsule and 2 astronauts.