Energy Rethinking - use less save more

 
Start them early enough and children will jump right onto the energyrethinking trail. Besides, some of the eco-friendly toys around this year would appeal to parents and children with or without their right-on ethical credentials. Have a look.
 
1. Transforming T3 in 1 Solar Robot This build it yourself transformer can morph into Scorpion, Tank or Sumo robot modes – with a little help from his young friends of course. And solar power brings him to life. No batteries included – or needed.
 
2. Solar Powered Frightened Grasshopper Kit You and your kids can build this tiny, life-sized grasshopper – really an educational robot and mini solar kit – then watch him quiver and wave his antennae and move about grasshopper style. Suitable for children 10+ with little or no model making experience but curious to see how the sun’s radiant energy can generate energy and translate that into movement.
 
3. Kiddimoto Balance Bikes This all-wood range of snazzy cycles without pedals are designed to help very young children learn how to balance on a bike and get acclimated to cycling. Made in Britain, the bikes were winners on the Dragons’ Den, where they earned the admiration of all the dragons. And some enthusiastic little friends as well. Watch and see:
 

 
4. POWERplus Chipmunk Wind Powered Biker Kit The POWERplus Chipmunk is a little, wind-powered cyclist who sits on the handlebars of your child’s tricycle or bicycle. His front-mounted wind turbine powers an LED light and makes him pedal like made. A fun way to teach a child about the natural power of the wind.
 
5. Recycled Dump Truck made by Green Toys Inc. The sturdy, traditional and ever-popular dump truck toy is entirely made of safe, recycled plastic milk containers. Even the axles are of recycled plastic and it arrives in a 100% recyclable box. What more do we need to say except that it’s recommended for children 3 years and older.
 
6. Solar Powered Fairy Jar Magical, solar powered fairy lights twinkle and sparkle inside a frosted jar, looking for all the world like Tinkerbell and her pals flitting around inside. Leave the jar in a sunny position all day and let the fairies collect the sunshine to play with after dark. Magic. There’s a switch inside the lid to send the fairies off to sleep to conserve power. And no need to disappoint a child if the weather is dull. The Fairy Jar works with AA batteries if necessary.
 
7. Chocolates Nobody turns their nose up at chocolate, especially for the holidays. Buying holiday choccies from Divine Chocolate is an easy way to introduce Fair Trade concepts to a child. Divine were the first company to bring fair trade chocolates into the UK in 1990. The Kuapa Kokoo farmers in Gambia, fair price for their cocoa and, as a coop, own 45% of the Divine and 33% of the holding company that owns the rest. And the creamy milk chocolates are, well, Divine. We love the milk chocolate Advent Calendar.
 
8. Fair Trade Football Workers in Chak Gillian, near Sialkot in Pakistan are able to earn a decent Fair Trade income while making these classic footballs for Ethletics. The Team Football is a 32 panel, size 5 ball, fully compliant with official ball standards. The company also makes smaller footballs for the under 8s and the under 11s.
 
9. Bug Safari Some toys and some kids activities have always been essentially eco-friendly. Catching bugs in jars is an eternal childhood pastime. This classic bug safari kit has everything the budding entomolygist, 5 and over, needs to discover it’s a jungle out there – tongs, magnifying glass, bug jar, field lens, tweezers, instruction and identification booklet.
 
10 Paperpod cardboard playhouses Nigel’s Eco Store features a range of furniture and playhouses made of sturdy recycled cardboard. There’s a castle, tepee, rocket, plane and a futuristic, geometric “igloo”. They’re strong enough to handle a bit of damp. They’re not meant to be kept outdoors indefinitely but easily fold flat for storage when play is done.
 
Find more inspiration from our list of 50 Great Earth Friendly Gifts for Everyone.