Plan Toys , a Thailand based toy maker, had one of the most exciting collection of new toys this season. We were happy when we walked away from their booth–both Joanne and I were thrilled with the design, eco-friendly design and the incorporation of a green message in their play settings. 
We’ll want to see their new Eco Town (the house at right) is just part of a bigger system that you can to (eco vehicles, charging station for the cars, train station, etc.). You’ll note the house has solar panels and Wind Turbine.
If you’re looking for a bigger more traditional dollhouse with the same commitment to green architecture, the Green Dollhouse also looks promising (below). 
What’s also really pleasing is not only is the green message incorporated in the play pattern, but the company also walks the walk by using recycled wood and what they call E-Zero MDF for assembly. We have also always loved this line because it is gender-free.
Today we’ve been opening a whole host of boxes that have arrived since we were at toy fair. Lots of books (how many books can there be about Miley Cyrus?), games, toy trucks and audio tapes. At the bottom of the stack we just opened a box that had the most WONDERFUL new dolls inside from 
We’re eager to test 
Last year we spent way too much time flying Spin Master’s little Havoc Helis around our office. We got pretty good at it too–so we’re pretty psyched that they have new flying machines! The Switchblade promises to take off like a UFO and transform in the air–into a hig powered aircraft. We’ll have to go outside for this one…field trip!
We just received a new collection from Mary Meyer called Earthmates. The little Organic Little Sprouts Club here is just 5″ tall, he’s made with organic cotton . There is also a small orange cat and sweet green dog. The tag reads “They are all made without the use of any harmful pesticides, or toxic chemicals or dyes.” What your child will love about them is that they are very sweet and soft. Done in a soft Velour with stitched features, these are safe for infants and toddlers. If you’re looking for something bigger, there’s this 12″ friend Big Bear- he’s not as huggable as the smaller animals–but he is very cheery.
Crayola’s Crayon Maker (a former Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Platinum Award winner) is making a come back. It’s smaller than the original unit which seems fine and best yet, the dome is now clear so that you can watch the crayons melt. Not sure why this process was hidden before behind blue plastic. With all the talk of repurposing products, I love the idea that old crayons that would normally be thrown out become brand new crayons your kids will enjoy using. We’re looking forward to testing the new version.
We LOVE this new collection of huggables from Hosung NY. They are just right (and safe) for toddlers – velour bodies with stitched features- and are really very sweet looking. There are three different collections – all produced a round of oohs and ahhs as we went through the box. There is the Long Leg Collection (sans clothes) – they retail for $14.99. The ones in the photo are the Tiny Love Collection and are a very reasonable $9.99. The Tiny Tots Collections are smaller animals (fistfuls really) that have a sense of humor and joy about them. Best yet, the entire line is made from 100% non-toxic cotton. The coloring is from minerals and soy done with the company calls a “low eco-impact” dye process. Unlike many “natural” collections we’ve seen, they are very vivid and don’t have that “ok, it doesn’t look great, but it’s very green and pc”. Each are something you’d be happy sharing with the toddlers in your life….hooray! We’re giving the entire collection an