“The industry is pushing more green toys because consumers are asking for them,” says Reyne Rice, toy trend specialist with the Toy Industry Association. “It’s a feel-good purchase.”
Demand is also up for toys that teach children about the environment, says Sarah Wood, director of the Amazon.com’s toys & games store. Among the more popular: the Elenco snap circuits green alternative energy kits and Thames & Kosmos’ global warming science kits.
The trend is defiantly UP!
Robert von Goeben, of Green Toys Inc. is also seeing increased sales. His company makes toy trucks, tea sets, and bath toys from recycled plastic, mostly old milk jugs. Since they started in San Francisco three years ago, sales at Green Toys have grown 70 percent annually topping $5 million this year. Green Toys products are now available online and at over 3,000 retail locations, including Amazon.com, Pottery Barn and Barnes & Noble. Next year, the company will use recycled plastic to make other consumer products, including tableware for kids.
“Business is far beyond what we expected,” says von Goeben. “We haven’t slept in months.”