No toy serves up an instamagic escape faster than a kaleidoscope can. And Lithuanian sculptor Zilvinas Stankevicius’ eco-friendly version, made from responsibly sourced, fast-growing hazel branches and natural Baltic amber (not the unfriendly plastic or cheap metals that are use to make standard versions) is simply dreamy. A simple peek into the tubular scope transports kids to a Technicolor, multifaceted alter dimension, where friends multiply, colors shift and new galaxies appear just beyond reach — all without every leaving (or harming) the planet.

+ Amber Kaleidoscope $18

+ ONA

When it comes to toys that kids will love, who better to design them than other kids? That’s who Bholu enlisted for the launch of their line of whimsical stuffed animals, which are based on the drawings of underprivileged children in India. Brought into the third dimension by Indian artisans, the wool-felt huggables help keep traditional crafting techniques alive, while providing a sustainable income for the people who make them.

+ Animal Creatures $48-$56 at Design Public

+ Bholu

If you need a reason why we never tire of the classics, look no further than these charming hand puppets by Noted. Handmade by a collective of Nepalese artisans, the colorful menagerie consists of 100% all-natural wool felt, which means you don’t have to worry about fiddly metal or plastic embellishments that might pose choking hazards. Each 10-inch-tall puppet fits snugly onto a grownup’s hand and comes with a zippered opening, so you can use a monkey, pig, or a panda as ad-hoc storage (a popped button, perhaps?) in a pinch.

+ Felt Animal Puppet $19.95

+ Noted

We’re eagerly awaiting the arrival of the first day of spring this month — which means kids will be back to having fun in the sun outdoors! Usher them into the great wide open by giving them a brand new set of wheels! We’re giving away this Prince Lionheart Balance Bike (worth $79.99) from online retailer Franklin Goose, an eco-friendly, one-stop shop for babies and children! “Prince Lionheart’s Balance Bike teaches your child how to balance — a crucial skill necessary before transitioning to a two-wheeled pedal bicycle. Your child’s sense of independence and self-confidence will become evident as they learn to balance and steer at their own pace.” This sweet ride features a 100% birch wood frame, 12″ rubber tires, a height adjustable padded seat and solid rubber handgrips. Franklin Goose offers a wide array of toys made with natural, organic or recycled materials, as well as everything green families need from organic clothing to eco-friendly diapers. The Prince Lionheart Balance Bike fits the Franklin Goose mission to provide mindful, eco-conscious products for green kids. Enter to win after the jump!

Brinca Dada believes that toys don’t need to be flashy or noisy to be utterly exciting, and their newly listed Emerson House proves their point perfectly. Emerson House is an amazing modern home for your child’s eco-friendly doll family. Featuring six spacious rooms, the scale 1:18 home boasts a living room, kitchen, library/office, master bedroom, bathroom and child’s bedroom. With a large, open floor plan and floor-to-ceiling windows, the Emerson House uses the power of sunshine to provide year-round lighting; but that’s just the beginning of this sweet abode’s eco-friendly features.

Cate & Levi Zoo Cubes are both cuddly like a stuffed animal and stackable like a block. Each colorful character is handmade in Toronto, Canada by Josh Title, eco-conscious dad, and team, using reclaimed wool on the outside and non-dyed wool stuffing inside. Since the fabric is reclaimed, no two Zoo Cubes are alike, and that’s part of their charm — Title says the surprise factor makes receiving a Zoo Cube fun, and he’ll always be sure to deliver a gender appropriate toy. Collect a few so your tot can stack them high. Beyond Zoo Cubes, Cate & Levi boasts an entire line of handmade, one-of-a-kind, reclaimed wool goodies including puppets, wall art and stuffed animals.

+ Cate & Levi Zoo Cubes $30 each

+ Cate & Levi

We all know that the excitement of turning another year older fades away all too quickly — so let kids indulge their birthday party mania while they’re still young enough to believe in their wish for a unicorn while blowing out their cake candles. Soopsori’s Birthday Party set lets kids celebrate the passage of time till their heart’s content with 15 pieces which may be altered and re-arranged depending on what type of bash they’re throwing. Each piece is handmade from 20 different types of natural wood, finished with linseed oil, and 100% recyclable — and a percentage of Soopsori’s profits is donated to planting trees in third world countries… even more cause for celebration.

+ Soopsori Ecowooden Birthday Party Set $59.95

+ Soopsori

via Droolicious

Australian company Makedo recently made their US debut at the American International Toy Fair in New York City. Their kits up the ante on “making do” with what you have around the house to whip up original crafts and toys. The concept is simple — inside the recycled cardboard tube you’ll find a bunch of recyclable plastic pins, hinges, clips, a kid-safe cutting tool and an inspiration poster. Kids are instructed to scavenge around the house to find boxes, egg cartons, fabric scraps, construction paper, jar lids, bubble wrap and more. Then, using what’s inside the Makedo tube, they turn what would otherwise be trash into cool art projects — from the simple to the elaborate to the grandiose. Watch the video after the jump to see the Makedo kit in action.

If you’ve been following Inhabitots recently, you’ve probably heard us rave about the Great Green Playdate which takes place every month in New York City at Kidville. We get together every month with mothers interested in green play for their kids and play around in a fantastically fun musical fete, lead by the two eco super-mama teacher/musicians who make up the organization Unplugged on a Rug. Check out the video that we recently made (above) about our experiences at the last Great Green Playdate!

The next Great Green Playdate is TOMORROW – so if you live in the NYC and you are interested in checking it out – get in touch with Unplugged On a Rug immediately!

Ofrit Peres and Natalie Reyes are great examples of eco-mamas who have managed to start a small business around their kids, and thus find the perfect balance between work and motherhood. I recently wrote a small business profile on Unplugged on Rug here:

What your kids can teach you about growing your business >