Toys like Nothin’ But Paper UNO from Mattel, Real Rigs Recycling Truck from Kid Trax; and Mr. Potato Head Goes Green from Hasbro help kids celebrate Earth Day. | Source: Mattel/Kid Trax/Hasbro/the Toy Insider
On April 22, people around the world will celebrate Earth Day, the annual call for action in the fight for environmental protection. Traditionally, the toy industry has had some struggles with the environment as the core business operates in a world of paper and plastic — but that’s changing rapidly! In recent years, companies including Hasbro, Mattel, MGA Entertainment, Spin Master, VTech/LeapFrog, and ZURU have forged alliances with TerraCycle to make the recycling of well-loved toys and games easier for families across the U.S. and around the world. In the past few years, toy companies have made great strides to eliminate waste in packaging and to shift production toward sustainability and offsetting the carbon footprint. That means that many new toys and games are now produced using bioplastics with roots in nature, such as sugar cane for plastics and soy-based ink for paper components and packaging. Even many wooden toys are now produced from trees grown in managed forests. To celebrate Earth Day 2021, we rounded up nearly two dozen new toys and games that honor the environment, whether through sustainable sourcing or teaching kids about green energy and recycling, and more. Check them all out below!

MR. POTATO HEAD GOES GREEN

Figure and accessories are made from sustainable plant-based plastic that is derived from sugarcane. The 15-piece set comes in “virtually plastic-free” Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified paper packaging. The 5-inch scale figure looks like the classic Mr. Potato Head kids love, but now has dings and dimples like a real potato would have. Accessories include…

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  • MSRP:
  • $14.99
  • Age:
  • 3+

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UNO NOTHIN’ BUT PAPER

UNO Nothin' But Paper is the same matching game everyone loves, but it's the first UNO deck that has removed cellophane from its packaging and is now 100% recyclable. UNO also plans to remove the cellophane from 100% of standard, paper-based decks entirely in 2021 – on its way to achieving Mattel's 2030 commitment to…

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  • MSRP:
  • $5.99
  • Age:
  • 7+

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SCIENCE4YOU GREEN SCIENCE

Kids can explore eco-science with these fun and Earth-friendly projects reusing materials! Studies show that when kids are having fun or making discoveries during an experiment, they are more likely to feel motivated and rewarded while learning. These positive experiences help stimulate the brain to develop various skills. The kit includes more than 15 experiments!…

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  • MSRP:
  • $24.99
  • Age:
  • 6+

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RESPECT THE EARTH

While building these mini puzzles, kids discover daily actions they can take to help respect Earth. Players match pairs with the help of self-correcting joints and the backgrounds and characters depicted on the pieces. On the red-edged pieces, a diverse group of cute kids demonstrates common habits. But on the green-edged pieces, they show better…

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  • MSRP:
  • $14.99
  • Age:
  • 2+

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SMARTIVITY KALEIDOSCOPE

With this kit, kids can build a kaleidoscope, fill its drum with colorful trinkets, and explore a sequence of patterns, designs, and colors. The project teaches kids the fundamental STEM concepts. With this kit, kids can build a kaleidoscope, fill its drum with colorful trinkets, and explore a sequence of patterns, designs, and colors. The…

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  • MSRP:
  • $29.99
  • Age:
  • 6+

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REAL RIGS RECYCLING TRUCK BY KID TRAX

This ride-on features more than 100 sound effects and songs, nine recyclable accessories, Power Trax rubber traction strip tires, and push-button acceleration to go up to 1.5 mph.

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  • MSRP:
  • $199.00
  • Age:
  • 3+

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DESIGN & DRILL BOLT BUDDIES FIRST RESPONDERS

This line includes three vehicles inspired by frontline workers: a fire truck, a helicopter, and a police motorcycle (each sold separately). Snap the pieces together and use the kid-friendly drill to attach colorful bolts. Features eco-friendly packaging. This line includes three vehicles inspired by frontline workers: a fire truck, a helicopter, and a police motorcycle…

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  • MSRP:
  • $26.99-44.99
  • Age:
  • 3+

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MONOPOLY GO GREEN EDITION

In the Monopoly: Go Green Edition board game, players buy, sell, and trade properties, and invest in greening them up. Build wooden greenhouses to collect more rent and invest in solar and wind utilities. In this edition of the Monopoly game, greenhouses and dice are made of FSC-certified wood; tokens are made with plant-based plastic…

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  • MSRP:
  • 19.99
  • Age:
  • 8+

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SNAP CIRCUITS GREEN ENERGY

Kids can make their own real-working circuits and learn the basics of electronics and alternative energy with this set. With more than 45 parts and 125 projects to explore, kids will gain knowledge about clean energy concepts, including the science behind electric cars, windmills, and hand-generated power.

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  • MSRP:
  • $104.99
  • Age:
  • 8+

GO GREEN! COZY TRUCK WITH TRAILER

From the new Go Green! line of eco-friendly toys from Little Tikes, this Cozy Truck is infused with the design DNA of the original Cozy Coupe. The truck features 360-degree spinning front tires for easy steering and can easily be used as a foot-to-floor ride-on or pushed by parents. Go Green! Products are made from…

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  • MSRP:
  • $119.99
  • Age:
  • 18 MOS.+

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GEOMAG 100% RECYCLED PANELS 114 PIECE

This set includes magnetic rods and panels made using 100% recycled plastic as well as metal spheres. It also features a practical, durable pocket-sized storage box also in 100% recycled plastic.

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  • MSRP:
  • $79.99
  • Age:
  • 5+

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POP2PLAY

Parents can assemble these pop-up playsets in less than five minutes and fold them flat for easy storage. Each set is made with a durable, eco-friendly, StrongFold cardboard material that can hold up to 50 pounds. These playsets will be available in the spring. Parents can assemble these pop-up playsets in less than five minutes…

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  • MSRP:
  • $24.99-39.99
  • Age:
  • 2+

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WORLD OF GEMSTONES DIG KIT

Teaching the concept of culture and how our differences make us unique, kids can dig up gemstones and learn relatable, cultural facts about each country where the gemstones are found. The reusable package turns into a World Culture display box for kids to teach others about how gemstones are used worldwide. This product will be…

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  • MSRP:
  • $19.99
  • Age:
  • 8+

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SORT & RECYCLE RIDE-ON TRUCK

Made from 90% reclaimed plastic, little ones can hop on this ride-on truck and learn about recycling and reusing everyday objects. They can sort pieces that represent plastic, metal, and paper into the correct bin and take quizzes that reinforce learning. Made from 90% reclaimed plastic, little ones can hop on this ride-on truck and…

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  • MSRP:
  • $37.99
  • Age:
  • 18 MOS.+

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SMARTIVITY DO-IT-YOURSELF STEAM ACTIVITY KITS

All of the Smartivity sets are made from re-engineered, laser-cut wood and feature mess-free assembly using rubber bands. They are recyclable and sustainable and teach kids fundamental principles of STEAM concepts as they build. There are three Smartivity sets to choose from: RoverBot, Stunt Demon, and Periscope. All of the Smartivity sets are made from…

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  • MSRP:
  • $24.99-29.99
  • Age:
  • 5+

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PAW PATROL ROCKY REUSE IT TRUCK

PAW Patrol's Rocky encourages kids to recycle the included materials and turn them into tools, including a brush, a claw, and a hammer. Then, kids can pretend to use their new tools on their rescue missions with Rocky. The truck is equipped with rolling wheels and moving arms to lift the dumpster and empty the…

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  • MSRP:
  • $24.99; $32.99 CAD
  • Age:
  • 3+

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MEGA BLOKS WOODLAND FRIENDS

Meet the Woodland Friends, a construction set that includes our first ever blocks made from plant-based plastics. This set includes 70 big building blocks, all made from sugarcane-based polyethylene, a renewable raw material. It also comes with 100% recyclable and FSC-certified packaging, made from both recycled and sustainably-grown materials.

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  • MSRP:
  • $19.99
  • Age:
  • 1+

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NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC ROCK & MINERAL GAME SET

STEM has never been so much fun! Kids can play rock bingo, mineral memory, gem-tac-toe, trivia, and have a full deck of playing cards that can also be used as flash cards. In addition to all the fun games, kids will also receive 25 rock specimens and over 150 rock, mineral, and gemstone specimens. The…

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  • MSRP:
  • $34.99
  • Age:
  • 8+

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BLIPPI RECYCLING TRUCK

This colorful truck features sounds, seven Blippi phrases, and a working lever to collect bins and dispose of the pretend trash. Comes with an exclusive Blippi figure. This colorful truck features sounds, seven Blippi phrases, and a working lever to collect bins and dispose of the pretend trash. Comes with an exclusive Blippi figure.

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  • MSRP:
  • $19.99
  • Age:
  • 3+

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About the author

James Zahn

James Zahn

James Zahn, AKA The Rock Father, is Editor-in-Chief of The Toy Book, a Senior Editor at The Toy Insider and The Pop Insider, and Editor of The Toy Report, The Toy Book‘s weekly industry newsletter. As a pop culture and toy industry expert, Zahn has appeared as a panelist and guest at events including Comic-Con International: San Diego (SDCC) Wizard World Chicago, and the ASTRA Marketplace & Academy. Zahn has more than 30 years of experience in the entertainment, retail, and publishing industries, and is frequently called upon to offer expert commentary for publications such as Forbes, Marketwatch, the Wall Street Journal, the New York Times, USA Today, Reuters, the Washington Post, and more. James has appeared on History Channel’s Modern Marvels, was interviewed by Larry King and Anderson Cooper, and has been seen on Yahoo! Finance, CNN, CNBC, FOX Business, NBC, ABC, CBS, WGN, The CW, and more. Zahn joined the Adventure Media & Events family in 2016, initially serving as a member of the Parent Advisory Board after penning articles for the Netflix Stream Team, Fandango Family, PBS KIDS, Sprout Parents (now Universal Kids), PopSugar, and Chicago Parent. He eventually joined the company full time as a Senior Editor and moved up the ranks to Deputy Editor and Editor-in-Chief.

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