Environmentally Friendly Fun from Green Toys #Review + #Giveaway

While we're enjoying the dog days of summer, we're definitely looking for ways to beat the heat. We enjoy spending time outside, playing, but it's been so hot out there lately, that we've been playing outdoors in short spurts. Thankfully, B has a little pool, which he can splash and play in, and there's a nice shade tree in our back yard. We've been taking some favorite toys outside, but last week, B was surprised with a new toy that was perfect for water play!

Green Toys - Made From 100% Recycled Plastic

We are big fans of Green Toys, an award-winning toy company, which makes wonderful, classic children's toys out of recycled and other environmentally friendly materials. This helps reduce fossil fuel use and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, improving the overall health and happiness of the planet. Green Toys longs for a world where toys are safe for kids, in every sense of the word. Founded by Robert von Goben, and Laurie Hyman, Green Toys is truly unique, as their toys are made from 100% recycled materials (milk jugs being the main ingredient!), and their packaging is also made from 100% recycled materials, plus- they're made right here in the USA (California, in fact!).

Check out this video & get to know more about Green Toys...

We were thrilled to receive the opportunity to work with Green Toys, and review one of their newer environmentally friendly toys. Green Toys has such a fun selection of toys for children of all ages, and there were lots of new products to choose from. I made my selection and the Green Toys team had a new toy on our doorstep a few days later!

Our Green Toys package arrived, and B couldn't wait to see what was inside!

'A new boat!? Cool, mommy!'

Obviously, B was completely thrilled for the opportunity to try out Green Toys' new Ferry Boat toy! B has taken many rides on a real ferry, so this toy brought back a lot of fun memories for him, of riding on the big boat that we can drive our cars onto!

Taking a quick peek- 'Can we open this yet, mommy? I'm ready to play!'

100% Recycled Materials Packaging

Before we examine the toy itself, I just wanted to note the packaging. I love that Green Toys uses 100% recycled materials for their packaging. There are no plastic ties, holding the toy to the box, either... which is great for two reasons- #1, cuts down on waste, and #2, I really dislike those stupid ties- they are a huge pain to remove and deal with, and if your kiddos get ahold of one of those things, they could be potentially dangerous. The packaging uses as little material as possible, and Green Toys products are the only ones on the market packaged exclusively in 100% recyclable cardboard, with no twist ties or plastics that must be discarded into landfills. The kiddos can see and get to the toy right away- no plastic windows or anything.

We finally removed the Ferry Boat from the packaging, and got to playing, right away!

While B checked the boat out, I went ahead and placed the toy's packaging in our recycling bin. We recycle everything that we're able to, in our area, and have a huge trash can sized recycling bin that gets picked up every other week. However, we recycle so much, that we really need another bin, or need them to come and pick up every week!

The Green Toys Ferry boat is perfect for water play! It comes with two cars, and features a retractable ramp, for the cars to drive on and off of the boat! The boat is blue and white, and features two levels for lots of fun!

The cars can go just about anywhere! B thought it would be fun for one of the cars to take a ride on the roof!

We did have fun playing with the Ferry Boat in the house, but I knew B would have even more fun with it once we got it into the water!

We headed outside and filled the pool with water. B jumped right in, with the Ferry Boat and began an adventure on the seas! The Ferry Boat is extremely roomy, and can hold up to four mini FastBacks or mini vehicles. The top tier features two seating benches, and eleven windows for looking out onto the water!

Ideal for water play- the ferry boat is durable, and even floats!

'Come on, cars- time to get onto the Ferry!'

Oh, no- a wave knocked the ferry over! Time for a rescue mission!

B has been having so much fun with the Green Toys Ferry Boat, and has been asking to play with it in the pool, in the tub, and he's even taken it to Grandma's house to play with it in her tub! We have used the Ferry Boat alongside the Green Toys Sea Plane, and the Green Toys Submarine, from their Safe Seas Set!

As a mom, I appreciate that Green Toys are safe for kiddos, this one in particular, intended for ages 3+. The bottom portion of the Ferry Boat detaches for easy cleaning, and fast drying. This toy is dishwasher safe, which is super convenient!

Green Toys has a ton of awesome products, and B is making a big 'ol wish list!

Here are some of his favorites...

Flat Bed Truck & Race Car

Dump Truck

Tractor

Plus, I think these are pretty great, as Green Toys has toys for all ages!

Shape Sorter

Tea Set

Build-a-Bouquet

Stacking Cups

Just how much energy do Green Toys save? Check this out!

Green Toys has received numerous awards for their wonderful toys, and you can check out the full list, here.

We love our collection of Green Toys, and can't wait to add to it. We're trying to raise our son to be as environmentally responsible as possible. We have talked with him about what makes these special Green Toys so unique, and how they're different from his other toys. He's really starting to pick up on recycling, and being kind to the environment, as well as helping me garden and harvest our own fruits and veggies! Thanks to Green Toys for having the heart to product and distribute these fun, environmentally friendly toys, which are safe for our kids, and kind to the earth.

Any of these awesome Green Toys would make a wonderful child's birthday gift, holiday gift, or an awesome toy for summer fun!

Want It? Buy It!

Head on over to Green Toys to take a look at their entire product line, and to learn more about Green Toys. Green Toys is social, and would love to connect with you through Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest. You can also connect with Green Toys by signing up to receive their e-newsletter!

Want It? Win It!

One lucky MBP reader will win their very own Green Toys Ferry Boat toy! Just use the Rafflecopter entry form below to enter for your chance to win! Giveaway is open to US residents, 18 and older!

Special thanks to our friends at Green Toys for allowing us to experience and share about their wonderful toys, for being awesomely green and kind to the earth, and for offering this fun summer giveaway to our readers!

Good luck!