Eco Parade is a Canadian company involved in the wholesale distribution of high-quality, natural, and non-toxic products.

handmade in Germany for 60 years

 

In the toymaker’s own words, “At Heimess, safety for our SMALLEST customers is a BIG issue”. Heimess baby toys are handmade in Germany from natural materials such as indigenous woods (sycamore, beech and walnut). Metal components are made of stainless steel in order to prevent allergic reactions. Fabrics conform to Öko-Tex Standard 100 Class 1 (textiles for use in baby and toddler products) to ensure they do not contain toxic or irritating chemicals. Dyes, lacquers and adhesives are also non-toxic.

 

Heimess toys undergo continuous checks in Heimess’ own laboratory as well as by independent certified testing institutes. They comply with EN 71 regulations, and many also carry the highly respected GS (Geprüfte Sicherheit) mark for safety.

beautifully handcrafted wooden figures with timeless appeal

Holztiger’s Waldorf-inspired figures are handcrafted in Europe from sustainably-harvested maple and beech wood. The forms and decoration are deliberately simplified to better stimulate children's imaginations. After each figure is carefully cut and sanded, it is coloured with water-based stains and finishes that allow the beauty of the wood grain to show through.

Holztiger’s selection of wooden animals, people and plants is surprisingly vast. With so many appealing figures to choose from, is it any wonder that customers often become collectors? A seasonal or other theme-based display (e.g. forest, farm, dinosaurs etc.) made up of Holztiger wooden figures is sure to be a focal point in your store. With their beautiful colours, gentle features and smooth wooden surfaces, Holztiger figures draw the eyes and invites touch.

Holztiger wooden toys have long been a favorite with European parents and Waldorf educators. But now, as more parents search for safe and natural alternatives to plastic toys, Holztiger figures are gaining even greater international recognition and broader appeal. Compare the feel and look of a plastic animal to a Holztiger figure, and you'll be converted. Holztiger highlights the natural beauty, feel and warmth of wood.

In 2012, more than a whopping 100 Holztiger figures were awarded with the coveted “Spiel Gut” seal. A “Spiel Gut” (Good Toy) is awarded by a team consisting of parents, educationalists, psychologists, doctors, technicians, and experts in design, chemistry and electronics. When reviewing toys, the team looks at a toy’s: play value, materials, workmanship, construction, durability, safety and so on. The reviewers for “Spiel Gut” work on a honorary basis and, are independent of the toy industry and retailers.

smooth and vibrantly colored blocks invite little hands to explore, manipulate, and create

Toys have become more high-tech, but they’ve also limited children to becoming passive observers. Aroundsquare, a socially- and environmentally- responsible company (Certified B Corporation) make toys that buck this trend. Their Goodwood Deconstruction Blocks are designed to invite true creative play. There’s no wrong way to play with these blocks, and children will happily while away the hours guided by their inspirations.

Multiple-award-winning Goodwood Blocks are the brainchild of Dr. Matthew Hiebert, a Canadian toy designer and educational consultant. Goodwood Blocks are made of sustainably harvested rubber wood and painted with non-toxic water-based paints. There are eight inter-compatible sets to choose from.

natural, non-toxic & eco-friendly alternatives to plastic teethers and bath toys

So many of today's bath toys are made of vinyl. If you're looking for an honest-to-goodness rubber ducky, look no further than Lanco. Lanco Toys is a specialist when it comes to making toys from the latex of the Hevea Brasiliensis tree. Since 1952, Lanco has handcrafted their 100% natural rubber toys in Spain. Lanco's teethers and bath toys are sustainably made and biodegradable. Besides being Earth-friendly, they're kid-friendly too. Lanco toys are hand-painted with food-grade dyes and are free of phthalates, BPA, PVC, nitrosamines, lead, mercury and cadmium.

combining style & functionality with absolute peace of mind

Mimi the Sardine offers practical (spill-resistant, wipe-clean, machine-washable), stylish and completely non-toxic (certified organic and Oeko-Tex compliant) products for kids and home including: lunch bags, backpacks, infant spill mats, children’s aprons, baby bibs, treasure bags and placemats. All items are made of organic cotton which has been coated with a water-based acrylic coating (PVC-free) to add stain- and water-resistance to the fabric. In addition to being PVC-free, they are BPA-free, formaldehyde-free, phthalate-free and lead-free. The components (zippers, straps) are also non-toxic as required by Oeko-Tex. The zippers are made of nylon and polyamide and the straps are polypropylene, all of which are phthalate-free. Mimi the Sardine’s kid- and earth-friendly products are designed in Sweden, woven and printed in Europe (Sweden/Estonia), and sewn in the USA.

top-notch, all-natural building blocks with an illustrious past

For 130 years, ANKER (aka Anchor) Stone Blocks have been made by hand in Rudolstadt, Germany, following a traditional recipe. These building blocks are made of 100% natural materials: chalk, color pigments, linseed oil and quartz sand. The ingredients are compressed under very high pressure to form stone-like bricks. Each brick is carefully inspected for imperfections and measured (the permitted tolerance is only a few tenths of a millimetre). Due to great precision in manufacturing, the weight of the stones and their composition, large buildings can be constructed without using any adhesive agents.

ANKER architectural building blocks are traditionally available in three colors in imitation of the red brick, tan limestone, and blue slate of European buildings. Currently, there are 16 different building sets in the classic colors. With each extension set, the number and diversity of the stones increase - and thus, also the possibilities to create larger and more multifaceted buildings. ANKER has also recently come out with sets aimed towards younger children. The “New Stone Age” sets (Die Neue Steinzeit) are available in bright colors and include building blocks, puzzles, stacking games and more. Anchor Stone Building Block sets are ideal for stimulating the minds and fine motor skills of young master builders or providing a pleasurable pastime for adult hobbyists.

Famous fans (past and present) of Anchor Stones include:

Bill Clinton, Albert Einstein, Frank Lloyd Wright, Buckminster Fuller, Walter Gropius and E.B. White.

ethical and eco-friendly toys

Anatina Toys began as a social project with funding by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB). The IDB supports efforts by Latin America and the Caribbean countries to reduce poverty and inequality in a sustainable way. Anatina employs hundreds of Bolivian artisans, and by carrying their toys, you can help Anatina improve the lives of more of the impoverished.

Anatina Toys are safe and eco-friendly. Their wooden toys are made of FSC-certified wood and use water-based lead-free paints and non-toxic glue. Their soft toys are made of recycled fabrics. Anatina has rigorous quality controls and meets international safety standards. Anatina's responsibly-made and earth-friendly toys will appeal to the growing number of green and ethical consumers.

wooden building blocks sustainably crafted in Latvia

From its inception, Varis has crafted toys with ecological considerations in mind. Varis Toys rehabilitated a former landfill and built their factory on it. Biomass is used to heat their facilities and all toys are made of 100% FSC-certified birch wood.

Varis has been recognized for its innovative construction sets by the prestigious Spiel Gut (Good Toy) Association of Germany as well as by the Spielwarenmesse, the world’s largest toy exhibition. Their different lines: marble runs, toddler blocks, architectural blocks and log building systems offer construction sets for all ages and abilities. Varis toys are proudly made in Latvia.

toys for a cause

400 million children have to work every day. The aptly named 'cause Toys actively campaigns against child labour. The cycle of child labour and the subsequent life of poverty can be broken through education. 'cause Toys donates at least 50% of their profits towards school projects in developing countries. 'cause Toys, in partnership with children's relief organizations, Terre des Hommes and Kinder in Afrika, opens a new school every year. So far, ‘cause has built schools in Peru, Uganda, Vietnam, the Philippines, Colombia and Mali.

combining great selection and quality with the best margins

goki is the flagship line of Gollnest & Kiesel, a leading manufacturer of wooden toys in Europe. Gollnest & Kiesel was awarded a gold medal by independent market research agency “Markt Intern” for their products’ trade margins. The goki line is popular with retailers and customers alike because it offers a large selection (approx. 1500 items) of high-quality toys (e.g. wooden toys, musical instruments, Fairtrade cotton items, dollhouses, decorations, soft toys, die-cast vehicles, novelties, ride-ons, games etc.) at affordable prices.

Gollnest & Kiesel is able to offer attractively-priced toys without taking safety shortcuts. Gollnest & Kiesel’s safety measures begin at the toy development stage and continue through the process of carefully selecting the materials to be used and in determining tried and tested suppliers. Before any toy leaves the warehouse, it is subjected to intensive testing which goes beyond the requirements of the statutory regulations. For this purpose Gollnest & Kiesel maintains its own in-house test lab equipped with state-of-the-art technology. All paints are also tested there for the presence of any residues of elements which might present a threat to health. Using an X-ray fluorescence analyser they are able to establish the presence of any heavy metals in the paints in a matter of seconds. Chemical studies are carried out by independent, accredited institutes. goki toys are made in Germany, other parts of Europe and Asia.