Going green is no longer just a trend. | Source: Mattel/Simplay3/MGA Entertainment/The Toy Insider

On April 22, families around the world will celebrate Earth Day, the annual call for action in the fight for environmental protection. It’s no secret that the toy industry has run into some environmental challenges over the years, particularly because it’s a business that’s been rooted in products and packaging made largely of paper and plastic — but things have changed

The “trend” toward green, eco-friendly, and sustainable toys is really no longer a trend, but a part of everyday business. Major toy and game makers have been joined by startups and rising stars in working together as an industry to make products that are better for the planet.

In just the past few months, Melissa & Doug revealed plans to plant 10 million trees as part of a “Thriving Forests” initiative; MGA Entertainment’s L.O.L. Surprise! debuted new packaging made from bamboo, wood, and sugar cane; Mattel put an eco-friendly spin on MEGA Bloks and Matchbox; Big Potato made strides in its “Green Tatos” initiative to make greener games; and companies including Funko, Hasbro, Headstart International, LEGO, Playmobil, PMI, Radio Flyer, ZURU, and others have launched new products, struck new partnerships, and made business changes for a better tomorrow.

From plastic-free packaging and sustainably-sourced wood to products made from bioplastics sourced from sugarcane in carbon-neutral factories, the supply chain is growing greener. And it’s not just how the toys are produced and packaged that’s changing. Many new toys and games are designed to teach kids to be mindful of their world and to start practicing green habits early.

To celebrate Earth Day 2022, we’ve rounded up some of our favorite new and upcoming products that play nicely with the environment. This is by no means an exhaustive list, but a starting point. Check them out below!


L.O.L. SURPRISE EARTH LOVE

The L.O.L. Surprise family expands with Earth Day-themed characters and accessories. The collection features special-edition characters and environmentally friendly packaging.

Product Facts

  • MSRP:
  • $11.99
  • Age:
  • 4+

Buy Now

The Toy Insider participates in affiliate programs that may generate revenue for the site when a purchase is made through the links below.

SIMPLAY3 SEED TO SPROUT RAISED GARDEN PLANTER

Kids and parents can work together to grow real vegetables and flowers in this raised garden. It includes built-in recesses, a watering can, an educational pamphlet, and gardening tools.

Product Facts

  • MSRP:
  • $69.99
  • Age:
  • 3+

Buy Now

The Toy Insider participates in affiliate programs that may generate revenue for the site when a purchase is made through the links below.

MATCHBOX RECYCLING TRUCK

The Matchbox Recycling Truck is a 15-inch, large-scale truck made from 80% ISCC-certified plastic and is packed with authentic features and details. Press the buttons on top of the cab to activate sounds for added realism. Pull the lever to empty the curbside bin into the truck, then head off to the recycling station to…

Product Facts

  • MSRP:
  • $37.99
  • Age:
  • 3+

Buy Now

The Toy Insider participates in affiliate programs that may generate revenue for the site when a purchase is made through the links below.

HERD MENTALITY

The object of this family-friendly game is to blend in with the herd. The game starts with a random question, players secretly write down an answer they think everyone else will choose. If players have an answer that differs from the group, they will get stuck with the Pink Cow. The object of this family-friendly…

Product Facts

  • MSRP:
  • $19.99
  • Age:
  • 10+

Buy Now

The Toy Insider participates in affiliate programs that may generate revenue for the site when a purchase is made through the links below.

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.

Product Facts

  • MSRP:
  • $104.99
  • Age:
  • 8+

NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC HERB GARDEN GROWING KIT

Kids will plant seeds, decorate the flowerpots, and grow their own basil, oregano, and chives. The kit includes soil pods, seeds, paints, brushes, stickers, and more.

Product Facts

  • MSRP:
  • $24.99
  • Age:
  • 6+

Buy Now

The Toy Insider participates in affiliate programs that may generate revenue for the site when a purchase is made through the links below.

CARE BEARS I CARE BEAR

I Care Bear reminds kids how important it is to take care of the Earth, encouraging kids to recycle, reduce waste, and care for the environment. This plush Care Bear is made from recycled polyester and its box is made from 100% recycled paper and printed with eco-friendly soybean ink.

Product Facts

  • MSRP:
  • $14.99
  • Age:
  • 4+

Buy Now

The Toy Insider participates in affiliate programs that may generate revenue for the site when a purchase is made through the links below.

TINY GARDENING!

Kids can nurture seedlings in this greenhouse that's small enough to fit on a desk. They will watch plants breathe, extract DNA from fruit, and discover the effects of acid rain, gravity, and light waves on plant growth. Kids can nurture seedlings in this greenhouse that's small enough to fit on a desk. They will…

Product Facts

  • MSRP:
  • $19.99
  • Age:
  • 8+

Buy Now

The Toy Insider participates in affiliate programs that may generate revenue for the site when a purchase is made through the links below.

MYECO HOUSE & SCHOOL

Inspired by the Montessori method, kids can have fun building a large house or school by assembling the maxi puzzles. In MyEco House, kids can see common activities that harm the environment and must find the matching shapes to insert in every room, covering up the harmful activity with an eco-friendly one. In MyEco School,…

Product Facts

  • MSRP:
  • $24.99
  • Age:
  • 3+

Buy Now

The Toy Insider participates in affiliate programs that may generate revenue for the site when a purchase is made through the links below.

TOUCH & LEARN NATURE ABC BOARD

This toy tablet features a touch-sensitive wooden board with an animated, light-up, LED screen. Kids can learn letters and numbers by playing nine interactive activities. This toy is made from 100% FSC-Certified wood and 90% reclaimed plastic. This toy tablet features a touch-sensitive wooden board with an animated, light-up, LED screen. Kids can learn letters…

Product Facts

  • MSRP:
  • $24.99
  • Age:
  • 18 MOS+

Buy Now

The Toy Insider participates in affiliate programs that may generate revenue for the site when a purchase is made through the links below.

MEGA BLOKS GREEN TOWN CHARGE & GO BUS

This building set teaches kids about eco-friendly behaviors such as commuting and electric transport. Set includes 35 building blocks and one rolling wheelbase. Toddlers can build a rolling electric bus, two characters, a bus stop with a charging station, and three trees. Kids can also drop their passengers off and stop to charge the bus…

Product Facts

  • MSRP:
  • $14.99
  • Age:
  • 1+

Buy Now

The Toy Insider participates in affiliate programs that may generate revenue for the site when a purchase is made through the links below.

AHA!EMPATHY

This set includes a storybook, an oil-spill experiment, and several ocean rescue projects that teach kids how pollution is affecting the sea and what they can do to help. The hands-on projects help kids show their empathy in action.

Product Facts

  • MSRP:
  • $29.95
  • Age:
  • 4+

Buy Now

The Toy Insider participates in affiliate programs that may generate revenue for the site when a purchase is made through the links below.

FISHING PLAY SET

Kids can go pretend fishing from home with this 21-piece, role-play set. The set includes two wooden rods; six double-sided, wooden fish; four play worms; and a net. Kids can learn which fish they caught with the included fish guide and activity cards.

Product Facts

  • MSRP:
  • $33.29
  • Age:
  • 3+

Buy Now

The Toy Insider participates in affiliate programs that may generate revenue for the site when a purchase is made through the links below.

POP2PLAY SUNNY SLIDE

Pop2Play introduces a new and innovative way to play without a big mess getting in the way. Pop2Play, and then fold it away. Slide folds flat so kids can easily put it away when playtime is over. Sunny Slide features a garden motif. Made with recycled materials.

Product Facts

  • MSRP:
  • $29.99; $42.99 CAD
  • Age:
  • 2+

Buy Now

The Toy Insider participates in affiliate programs that may generate revenue for the site when a purchase is made through the links below.

SENSORY LEAVES MATH ACTIVITY SET

Discover unbeleafable nature with the Sensory Leaves Math Activity Set! This certified 100% post-consumer recycled plastic set includes six different types of tactile leaf counters in six different colors and three different sizes. The bugs on the back of the leaves provide even more ways to count, sort, add, and subtract. Comes with 10 teacher-developed,…

Product Facts

  • MSRP:
  • $24.99
  • Age:
  • 3+

Buy Now

The Toy Insider participates in affiliate programs that may generate revenue for the site when a purchase is made through the links below.

JENGA MAKER GAME

In this twist on the game Jenga, players divide into teams and race to build an object using wooden Jenga blocks, guided only by a teammate's description of the build depicted on a card. If a team builds the item incorrectly or the blocks fall, they must start over.

Product Facts

  • MSRP:
  • $20.99
  • Age:
  • 8+

Buy Now

The Toy Insider participates in affiliate programs that may generate revenue for the site when a purchase is made through the links below.

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…

Product Facts

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

Buy Now

The Toy Insider participates in affiliate programs that may generate revenue for the site when a purchase is made through the links below.

PLAYFOAM NATURALS 4-PACK

Playfoam Naturals is made entirely from cork trees! Combines sensory play and imaginative fun with sustainability. Kids can practice their fine motor skills while also being creative. Earth-friendly Playfoam Naturals is squishable, shapeable, and non-toxic.

Product Facts

  • MSRP:
  • $16.99
  • Age:
  • 3+

Buy Now

The Toy Insider participates in affiliate programs that may generate revenue for the site when a purchase is made through the links below.

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.

archivearrow-chevron-downarrow-chevron-left-greyarrow-chevron-leftarrow-chevron-rightarrow-fatarrow-left-blackarrow-left-whitearrow-right-blackarrow-rightarrow-roundedbookscalendarcaret-downclose-whiteclosedocumenteditorial-archiveeyefacebook-squarefacebookfilesgifthamburgerheadinghearthomeinstagram-squareinstagramlatestlinkedin-squarelinkedinmailmedia-inquiresmessagenewsopen-boxpagination-leftpagination-rightpauseplayprintproduct-archiverecent-productssearchsharesort-filterspotifysunteamtiktoktime_purpletimetrendingtvtwitter-squaretwitteryoutube