meta-dad » eco-friendly

Contemporary baby book

Meta-Dad — Tue, 07 Jun 2011 12:30:26 +0000

For those of you looking for a modern take on the classic baby book, check out the Binth Baby Book. Entirely screen printed. Entirely original. It simple clean no-frills layout with soft muted palette is screen-printed on recycled white stock and cloth cover.

Beautiful woodland illustrations will lead you from the day of birth through the 3rd birthday celebration. With ample room for photos, and to jot down thoughts and memories. In it’s handsome keepsake box this book will become a cherished family heirloom. In it’s handsome keepsake box this book will become a cherished family heirloom.

$110 bucks [+shipping] at Binth

Graphic Scandinavian poster for kids room

Meta-Dad — Sun, 05 Jun 2011 11:30:24 +0000

With so many cutesy things for kids out there, peculiar and unusual are not adjectives typically used to describe baby toys and decor. But not “Our Children’s Gorilla Children Unite!” poster at Huset. Just as it’s name might lead you to believe, this Swedish company’s designs border on the nonsensical, but in a good way.

Inspired by the 60′s revolution era, this graphic designer made the message big and bold, get together and make a difference. Poster of ecolabled recycled 120 gr paper.

Dimensions: 39″ x 27.3″ (100 x 70 cm)

$40 bucks [+shipping] at Huset.Com

Easy essential baby gift ideas from a dad that knows

Meta-Dad — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 11:30:57 +0000

Whether you are an uncle or nephew, grandpa or dad there is always one lingering person on your shopping list that may haunt you. If it is that baby nephew or granddaughter that your stuck on, here are a couple ideas.

Go for essentials- onsies, bibs, socks, etc. You get the idea, don’t get the run of the mill stuff- you want to get something memorable (also not too expensive, from my experience with three babies- expensive does not necessarily mean ‘quality’). Get natural fiber stuff and if possible get natural rubber toys and pacifiers.

Pictured above is some excellent stuff from the Modern Baby Company. There products are consistently made with quality fabrics (super-stretchy onesies and tops make it easy to change the kid) and sweet modern designs.

Water-powered clock for the kids room

Meta-Dad — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 22:31:21 +0000

The assumption is that this cool little clock design is made from a recyclable plastic since the merchant claims it is ‘eco-friendly’ but I have not verified. Regardless, it is a very clever design and will spare the landfill of a couple batteries.

With sustainable design and practical function in mind, this eco-friendly Bedol water clock keeps perfect time without batteries. Just add water and a dash of table salt to the clock’s water tank to make it work.

4.25″h x 3.75″w x 3.5″d
$22 bucks [+ shipping] via SFMOMA store

Soft modern PUJ infant tub

Meta-Dad — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 12:30:49 +0000

Bath time in no time! The new PUJ Baby Bath (pronounced “pudge”) is a Mom-invented bathtub for baby with a very sweet design. It’s made from EVA foam, making it phthalate-free and cozy for baby. A soft tub you can use in a standard bathroom sink. This user-friendly design stores flat, cradles baby, dries fast.

This diceptively simple tub design was born by husband and wife designers Ben & Katie of PUJbaby.Com. There light-hearted bio reads like a modern version of ‘When Harry Met Sally’ but their designs are born from a Designers need to make parenting one step easier, and for that we thank you Ben & Katie.

$99bucks [+shipping] at PUJbaby.Com

6-in-1 solar-powered transformer toy

Meta-Dad — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 12:30:31 +0000

It’s about time they came up with a transformer toy that actually ‘does’ something. The 6 in 1 Educational Solar Kit, an excellent beginner building kit designed to teach how solar power is used to drive a small motor. Kids use the 33 snap together parts (no tools required) to build six different working models including an airboat, windmill, puppy, and two different planes.

It’s very inexpensive [under $20 bucks], clear easy to follow instructions, a great self-contained take-home project, challenges young people to be technically precise with miniature parts and hours of fun experimenting with solar energy.

$16.95 [+shipping] via Carl’s Electronics

Non-toxic bath toys for the tots

Meta-Dad — Thu, 12 Mar 2009 11:30:22 +0000

Times are changing but I have found it is still hard to find non-toxic toys that are free of phthalates, BPA and PVC which are the standard for most soft plastic or rubber toys on the market. Of course there are standard wood toys and a few classics, but few true gems.

One of the rising stars is the Boon line which is surprisingly accessible, meaning, I have found their stuff at Target, as well as Amazon. Specifically, the Boon Scrubble toy is a playful lil’ set that will encourage the kids to scrub and squirt there way through their bath-time routine.

I will introduce you to additional non-toxic bath toys as I stumble upon them. Feel free to drop me a line or comment if you know of some great affordable products out there. In the meantime, you may want to consider dropping $8 bucks and replacing that classically toxic rubber duck in you bathroom.

Boon Scrubble $10 bucks [+shipping] at Amazon.Com
All Natural Rubber Ducks at Amazon.Com

Additional Articles:
The ebb and flow of toxic toys
5 cool & affordable eco-friendly kids gifts
All-natural teether for the tots

Solar powered toy car

Meta-Dad — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 11:30:31 +0000

The toy of the future has arrived!

Naef Mouvelette Solar Car is designed by Peter Wuthrich for Solar Toys & Naef Toys, Switzerland. This toy received great reviews at the Nuremberg Toy Fair in Germany. It’s solar operated and has a small solar panel on top. In direct sunlight, the solar panel gives power to a small engine that drives the wheels. By deduction, I assume there is no rechargeable battery which means this toy will only work in direct sunlight.

An amazing gift, nonetheless, for the Little Inventor in your life. This educational toy is for children under 10 years old due to fragile parts (solar panel).

$79 bucks [+shipping] @ Nova68.Com

Clever modern green toys

Meta-Dad — Fri, 20 Feb 2009 11:30:02 +0000

To me, the problem with most eco-friendly toys is that they lack the same level of visual fancy that their phthalate stuffed, lead choked plastic counterparts have. Is it the limited palette of materials? Perhaps. Is it a general lack of robust design, in this growing corner of the toy industry? Maybe.

Occasionally, I stumble upon some beautifully designed pieces and here is a small round-up of recent finds. I tend to look for stuff that has a strong visual design, that doesn’t cost a lot. Here are three of my favorites right now.

This all-natural wood Rolling Turtle push toy (*pictured above) from Nova Toys is fantastic for babies and toddlers alike. Watch the striped ball on the Large Rolling Turtle’s back spin as he is drawn forward by his head or pushed by the tail. Kids and adults alike will love to watch these roll!

Rolling Turtle $28.90 [+ shipping] @ Nova Toys

Rolling Turtle $20.78 [+shipping] by Haba @ Amazon

The Wind-up Dragster at Rosie Hippo Toys really does move out, and the rear wheels have a rubber tread for gripping action. At this great price you can get two and have your own drag races. Hardwood, almost 7″ long.

Wind-up Dragster $10 [+ shipping] @ Nova Toys

Also at Rosie’s is one of my favorite riders, the Skuut Balance Bike. It has a simple approachable design. It is the perfect size and shape for toddlers, and it has no peddles or brakes so it is a great way for them to learn control and balance.

Skuut Balance Bike $89 [+shipping] @ Rosie Hippo Toys

Skuut Balance Bike $81.99 [+ shipping] @ Amazon

Smart Gear Wooden Balance Bike $79.99 [+shipping] @ Amazon

Great free educational coloring pages

Meta-Dad — Tue, 17 Feb 2009 11:30:33 +0000

We have a activity table set up for the kids and it is forever piled with coloring pages, doodle pads, sticker books, boxes of crayons, rubber stamps, glitter and paint markers. Coloring is something they do when they get bored with everything else. It is what they do when they’re waiting for dinner to be served. It is what they do when they are inspired to make a card for their aunt or grandmother. You get the idea.

We have found that printing free coloring pages on the backs of previously used paper is a great way to recycle at home, save a dime and offer the kids a great variety of coloring pages. Here are the latest list of free downloadable Animal & Wildlife coloring pages and other great related links to follow.

Sited Links;
National Geographic | Animals Coloring Book
Los Angeles Zoo | Printable Animal Coloring Book Pages
Fun School | Animal Adventure Coloring Pages
The Coloring Spot | Animal Printable Coloring Pages
Karen’s Whimsy | Animal Coloring Pages [*beautiful stuff!]

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