The Green Parent

By The Green Parent

09th September 2022

We are so delighted to announce the results of the Green Parent Magazine Toy Awards 2022. These are toy makers who are going the extra mile to make beautiful playthings that don’t cost the earth.

The Green Parent

By The Green Parent

09th September 2022

The Green Parent

By The Green Parent

09th September 2022

We respect that for the majority of toy purchasing decisions second hand is best and for those times when you choose new (for a special birthday or when family members want to treat your little one) these are the brands to look out for (and the toy shops from which to buy them). These are the places to choose heirloom toys that will last through the generations for your children (and grandchildren!). Each of these companies has been chosen for their strong eco ethos across three areas – sustainability in production, open ended play potential and company ethics.

TICKIT
The TickiT mission is to provide a diverse and inspiring range of products to encourage learning through play. “We strive to provide the very best in fun, flexible, stimulating, high quality educational tools for children to use independently, or with friends, to enhance and grow their natural capacity for learning,” explains Honor Davidson, Marketing Manager. “I love the more openended products, where there is no fixed way to play and children can use their imagination to create their own learning experiences. Our Heuristic and Rainbow Wooden loose parts ranges are brilliant for this.” tickit.co.uk

Plan Toys
Founded by Vitool Viraponsavan in 1981, Plan Toys aim is to encourage children to be self-aware, environmentally-conscious and imaginative. “It’s our hope that they will become individuals who understand the value of life, cherish nature, connection and play,” says Nilobon Kijkrailas, Communications Manager. “My favourite product right now is Wonky Fruit & Vegetables - made from waste to teach kids about waste!” plantoys.com

Blue Brontide
40% of baby products have a lifespan no longer than 4 months. Blue Brontide was born with a desire to create ethical heirloom children’s toys. Founder, Sammy Sonier’s current favourite product is their flower presses. “We have 4 designs at the moment but there’ll be some new ones added shortly so keep an eye out for them. Because we care about our planet and the future we’ll leave for our children, we plant a tree for every order received – so far that’s 1429 trees and we’re are adding to that number daily!” bluebrontide.com

Grapat
Grapat was inspired by co-founder Casiana Monczar’s eldest daughter. “She had no interest in ‘toys’ and only played with objects from daily life, like house keys or tupperware. We started to explore open-ended play and ended up launching Grapat.” All their products are about free and autonomous play. Check out the 72 piece Lola playset made up of tubes and people, or perhaps buildings and trees in rainbow colours. grapat.eu

Orchard Toys
Back in 1971, Orchard Toys started when the founder’s wife created blocks and tracing sets around the kitchen table for a local nursery school. “The kitchen table was at their home - Orchard House in Nottingham – it’s where our company name and logo originated,” says Ali Brown, Marketing Manager. “Goose on the Loose, a game we launched this year is my current favourite product. It’s a board game for the whole family, it’s great fun and there’s always lots of laughs. Our team of designers like to feature members of our staff as illustrated characters in our games and jigsaws – we never know where or when we’re going to pop up!” orchardtoys.com

BRIO
In 1884 Ivar Bengtsson, an entrepreneurial young man from Osby, Sweden invested the few savings that he had to create a business selling wooden baskets. It was in 1907 that Ivar’s passion for toys was born with the launch of the Osby Wooden Horse. Soon after, BRIO - an acronym for ‘The Ivarsson brothers of Osby’ – was created when the business was transferred to Ivar’s sons. And it was under this new name that BRIO mastered their craftmanship for play. The wooden railway, pull-along dachshund and stacking clown are just as popular today as they were when they were released in the 1950s. “Today, the BRIO head office is based in the eaves of Malmo central train station in Sweden,” explains Katy Fletcher, Head of Marketing. “It’s where the magic happens!” Brio.co.uk

GREEN TOYS
Recycled milk jugs are the primary ingredient in the colourful range at Green Toys. Their products are certified as totally safe in their home state of California as containing no BPA, phthalates or PVC. Even the recycled packaging for each product is printed with soy inks. The toys are designed to encourage creativity and imagination. We love the new RV Camper set complete with animal characters and picnic bench. greentoys.co.uk

BEST TOY SHOPS 2022

myriad natural toys
Inspired by beautiful handcrafted Waldorf toys and natural art materials, Myriad came into being back in 1998. “Inspired by our own children, our ethos has remained the same for over 23 years: to offer playthings that encourage creativity, imagination and meaningful play,” explains founder Veronica. “Today, Myriad is still very much a family affair, our son helped to design our last two catalogues and our daughter has in the past both painted and illustrated covers for us, and is behind our current birthday card range.” myriadonline.co.uk

babipur
Back in 2007, Jolene Barton launched Babipur in North Wales with her husband. “Our stockroom was under the bed, overflowing with ethical goodies, our office was late nights at the computer, and our packing station doubled up as the kitchen table. We would run to the post office with babes in arms, excited to post our new orders. Fast forward to the present day and we are a strong and growing team. We really believe there is a small but steady revolution happening - consumers want to know where their goods come from, who makes them and what environmental impact they have. We’re proud to be part of that revolution and we’re proud to ‘be the change’.” babipur.co.uk

Conscious Craft
Eight years ago Funmi Wilkes was looking for eco friendly art materials for her children and couldn’t find what she was seeking. “I realised that there were companies out there producing great art and craft products. After a year of selling art supplies for kids we launched our toy collections. We wanted to create a beautiful website that was easy to use. My favourite toys at the moment are the Kaden marble runs. You really experience the beautiful craftsmanship when you put them together. My children vary in age yet both get a lot of enjoyment from creating their own unique marble runs. Our office and warehouse is on a farm with a wonderful pond full of wildlife which is a great distraction for us all, especially the ducks and the occasional siting of a Kingfisher, when we all stop what we are doing to have a look.” consciouscraft.uk

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