Showing posts with label Recycled. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Recycled. 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

Friday, 23 August 2019

National Geographic Recycled Plastic Reversible Bedding Review (Sent by Dreamtex)

I worked with Dreamtex earlier this year because they sent my boys some awesome ISA NASA and Fallout Game bedding. I love their quality, bright colours and really modern, attractive prints.

They have impressed me even more now with their collaboration with National Geographic to produce bedding made from cotton and recycled plastic bottles - up to 12 in each set!

National Geographic Recycled Plastic Bedding in packaging. Two single bed sets dinosaur and oceans

I wasn't under any obligation to post anything here, but I love this bedding so much that it seems criminal not to give you a closer look. Our world is full of waste plastic and it's time we sorted out just what we are going to do with it. Recycling is so much better than almost any current alternative.

Close up view of 50% recycled plastic polycotton fabric

So what is it like? Is recycled plastic bedding different to regular pillowcases and duvet covers? No. It feels just the same. It's still 50% cotton and 50% polyster, or poly/cotton as you may know it. The only difference is that this is 50% manufactured from waste plastic bottles.

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.

Friday, 17 June 2016

Stickibox Cardboard Car Kit Review And Discount Code

We love a good cardboard box car here, but somehow they are always missing something. Stickibox hope to fill that gap by supplying Cardboard Car Kits for the young explorer in your house. Luckily we have just the chap living here, and we've been sent a Cardboard Car Kit for review.


The box arrived and along the edge is a sticker with a message from the creators, Pip and Kerry:
"Each Stickibox Kit enables a child to express their creativity and helps support key developmental skills. Once built, this simple box can transport your child on a journey of adventure.
Build, Design and Jump Inside."
I like that. It's a nice ethos. Open your box, and you find, unsurprisingly, a box! Flat-packed and really simple to construct.

Monday, 25 April 2016

Giant (7ft tall!) Recycled Cardboard Wiplii Pirate Ship Review And Discount Code

If you'd told me 2 months ago I would have a 7 foot tall cardboard model pirate ship in my house I'd have laughed, however I do and it's brilliant! A playhouse, a den, the best place to eat your sandwiches and the starting point for a million stories and games - and my boys can even colour it in or paint it however they like...


I asked my boys which Wiplii cardboard model they preferred and although secretly I really hoped they'd choose the Castle, they chose the Pirate Ship. I knew that our Manchester weather doesn't really allow for playing outside with cardboard very much, so the ship would be indoors for now at least, but I still didn't appreciate how big it was going to be - it's super impressive!

Monday, 7 March 2016

Playing With Yoxo - Cardboard construction toy review

We get to play with some awesome toys sometimes that sadly aren't yet available for our friends, and Yoxo is one of them. We were sent our Yoxo from America where it is available to buy already. The range is expanding as we speak, the company is growing and hopefully sometime soon it'll be in store for my more local readers too.


As soon as I saw the boxes I knew this was special. There was a GIRL!!! On a construction toy box - not only is she a girl, but she isn't making flowers or kittens, she's building a car. Brilliant.

Because girls do drive cars you know...


Yoxo is thick shaped card with slots and moulded corners. It is the right size to fit together not only with itself, but with loads of your other toys - including LEGO, cardboard boxes, kitchen towel rolls and all sorts.

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. 

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

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.

Friday, 11 April 2014

Who are Green Toys? Recycled Dumper Truck Review age 1+

Green Toys are a brand new launch in the UK. They've been introduced by the people behind Bigjigs Toys, and they are almost entirely made from recycled milk containers.


I'm very proud that we've been given the opportunity to be among the very first people to try them out and I've chosen to introduce you to Green Toys by showing you the Dump Truck - or Dumper Truck as they're more traditionally known in the UK.

Green Toys Dumper Truck Dump ReviewClose up front dumper truck Green Toys logo