Hape Eco-Friendly Toys—Sustainable Play for a Sustainable Future

Hape Eco-Friendly Toys

In every realm of our lives, there has been an increased push to move towards more sustainable choices. From the food we buy to the clothes we wear to the places we shop, more and more, we make our choices with sustainability in mind.

And it doesn’t need to be any different when it comes to toys. In fact, I believe this might be the easiest place to go green as eco-friendly toys are often some of the most interesting and engaging around. They come with a few added benefits for mom and dad as well. Sustainable materials tend to have a more aesthetic look, allowing the toys to fit in better with the overall décor. They also rarely come with annoying voice boxes, saving the sanity of all adults in the house.

Today, I am focusing on eco-friendly toys from Hape. Why Hape eco-friendly toys? Well, first of all, Hape is one of the largest manufacturers of toys made from sustainable materials in the entire world. Secondly, they work hard to focus their efforts beyond just caring for the environment. Social responsibility is a large part of their focus. This means looking at their impact on the education of children worldwide and partnering with organizations that focus on early childhood development. Finally, all of their products are really just incredible toys. 

For example, take a look at the Hape Tunnel Mountain. This is a truly classic toy, like those that you no doubt played with when you visited the doctor’s office as a child. For many, just seeing these rollercoaster bead toys makes them feel warm and nostalgic. And for the little boys and girls in your life, the Hape Tunnel Mountain is the perfect way to create fond memories of their own while working on their hand-eye coordination and dexterity.

One thing I love about Hape is that they take toys you will find in nearly every home with kids and put their own spin on them. The Hape Master Workbench is the perfect example of this. Most young kids adore their workbench set and use it to mimic their parents as they work around the house. With 32 pieces, this workbench has everything your little handyman—or woman—might need and is far more complete than most workbench toys. And it is height adjustable, allowing it to grow with your child.

If, however, you are looking for a toy completely unlike anything you might find in other playrooms along the block, the Hape Discovery Spaceship and Lift Off Rocket is for you. This is the perfect green toy for children who have an active imagination and love story-telling and role-playing. With four distinct levels and an incredibly detailed design, this is a toy kids can lose themselves in for hours at a time. And as is true with all Hape toys, it is designed to build important physical skills that are vital to all children’s development.

Finally, I would like to share the Hape Gourmet Grill with Food. This toy falls somewhere between the typical and the unique. Most homes have a play kitchen where the children pretend to prepare meals; however, few homes have toy grills, making this item the perfect twist on the typical. It is excellent for any home, but especially those where grilling is an essential part of dining. 

So, if you are looking for some green, eco-friendly toys, take some time to browse our Hape offerings for your little girls and boys at AKidPlace.com. These wooden toys all ship free and are sure to delight the kids in your life. 

Children’s Vanity Tables Bring Magic to Dress-Up Play

Children's Vanity Tables

Dress-up time is wonderful all on its own—getting the chance to become someone else for a little while, dancing and twirling in a costume or dress that feels like it is the fanciest thing you could ever own, and piling on the jewelry. It is so easy to get lost in your imagination.

And isn’t that something we want to encourage in children? Adults often mourn the loss of the wild and creative imagination they had as a child. So shouldn’t everything possible be done in order to foster it?

One way you can make dress-up play even more magical for your little girls is to purchase a child-sized wooden vanity table. Like a true princess or movie star, she will get the chance to primp and prep in front of her little mirror as she transforms into the character of her choosing. And there are many options available to fit her style. Elegant and classic? Sleek and chic? Perfectly princess? There is certainly a children’s vanity table to suit.

Take the Kidkraft Medium Diva Vanity Table and Stool. This wooden vanity table is very classic in its design. With its white finish, it blends well into any décor, and the simple curves of the design are very elegant. The mirror is plexi-glass, making it a completely safe piece of furniture to keep in a child’s bedroom or playroom and the drawer provides storage space for jewelry and make-up kits—whether real or just pretend. It feels like a little bit of classic Hollywood right in your own home.

Another classic piece is the Guidecraft Classic Espresso Vanity and Stool. The dark, rich color of the wood makes it feel incredibly elegant while the three-sided acrylic mirror makes it quite practical—you might even want one in your size! While it is certainly beautiful, perhaps the best feature of this wooden vanity table is the amount of storage it has. The table itself has a drawer for storing smaller items while the stool opens up to reveal a larger space. And really, doesn’t hidden storage always make something feel that much more special? Who knows what treasures she will keep there.

Sleek and chic? Well, that is what you get with the Teamson Kids Bouquet Vanity Table & Stool Set. The clean lines of this child’s vanity table set make for a nice, simple look and the fold down mirror helps to tuck everything away. However, it still comes packed with plenty of princess factor. The pink and white color scheme is ultra-feminine and the delicate floral patterns brighten any room. There is plenty of storage as well; two small drawers are perfect for brushes while the mirror folds down to conceal jewelry. And since it is hand-painted, the product you receive is beautifully unique—just like your little princess.

Speaking of princesses, some little girls simply won’t stand for understated—they want as much pink, purple, and glitter as they can get. And for those pint-sized divas, you simply must get the Levels of Discovery Princess Vanity Table & Chair Set. With a pink, purple, and cream color scheme, this children’s vanity table is as girly as it gets. And there are plenty of gold accents upping the glitter factor. Adorned with hearts and crowns, this is a table that any princess would be proud to call her own. 

To purchase one of these children’s vanity tables or to browse more, simply visit AKidPlace.com.

Wooden Activity Tables for Children's Playrooms

Activity Tables

When it comes to designing the perfect children’s playroom, I am a big fan of activity tables. They take many different toys and keep them in one, neat place. Kids are naturally attracted to them, which helps cut down on the chaos. Also, most activity table manufacturers are mindful of designing these tables to help facilitate the physical and intellectual development of children, making them a guilt-free play option.

There are many quality activity tables on the market. We currently sell 30 different ones in our store and are always expanding our inventory. My preference is for wooden tables as I feel that they are the best choice when you are looking for a toy that will last. Today, I would like to share four wooden activity tables with you that I happen to think are particularly awesome.

First up is the Kidkraft 2 in 1 Lego and Train Activity Table. I love this table because it helps keep Legos off the floor—if you have ever stepped on one, you know how important that is. However, its benefits go beyond saving your feet some pain. This wooden table is designed so that the Lego side is divided into four spaces, making it easy to prevent arguments when sharing the space. Flip the board over and you have a fun backdrop for the included thirty piece train set. Best of all, there is plenty of storage space underneath the board, allowing you to store the blocks and train set.

Next, I’d like to share the Nilo Wooden Multi-Activity Table. This table is easily the most versatile on the market. Designed to be compatible with multiple toy sets and able to grow with your children, you will certainly get your money’s worth out of this one. The edges of this solid wood table are rounded for safety and the raised border keeps toys where they need to be. Don’t let the simplicity of this table fool you—it is a real powerhouse. 

The Hape Spaghetti Legs Table is a bit different than the previous two tables. This table comes with toys built in, making it even easier to keep organized—just like those you have no doubt seen in the waiting rooms of doctors’ offices. The design of this table leads kids to work on their hand-eye coordination and problem solving skills as they work to move the beads throughout the maze. It is impossible to resist this table—even I can’t resist playing with it. 

Finally, I simply must share with you the Anatex Mini Circle of Fun. This wooden table comes loaded with four different ways to play. Each toy station can be hooked to the others or used separately. And all the items are connected to the table, so there is no worry that things might become lost. It is the perfect way to keep children engaged and focused. 

To learn more about these activity tables or to browse more options, visit AKidPlace.com today.