When R’s 2nd birthday was growing near, one of the things I knew I had to find for her was a tea set. At first, I had in my mind I’d find a charming, mini-sized porcelain set with enamel-painted images on the side….charming and delicate. When I began to research my options, though, I was not happy with my findings. For the most part, every tea set I looked at was made overseas. Several of the ones resembling what I’d hoped to buy for her were pictured within the toy recall lists. I began to wonder whether or not I could even find a tea set at all — much less one that was safe enough for eating and drinking from!
All of my searching led me to a worthwhile end, though. I happened upon Green Toys, and saw the most adorable tea set available from their line. This was no cheap, run-of-the-mill plastic tea set. This tea set was 100% safe, American-made, and made from recycled milk jugs!
In fact, all of their green toys for kids are safe — even for those kids who like to put everything in their mouths! They contain no traceable amounts of the scary Phthalates or BPA we’ve recently heard so much about. (Their toys are made out of High Density Polyethylene — or HDPE, one of the safest plastics on the market.)
I was very impressed with the packaging — the first thing I noticed. It was sturdy, recycled corrugated cardboard. The box was about the most high-quality childrens’ toy box I’ve ever opened. No pesky little, plastic twisty-ties and clips holding the tea set in, either. Less stress for me when little hands are anxious to play, and no extra landfill space taken up, either.
The tea set? Dense and heavy, with a neat texture and thick feel. Extremely durable (which is necessary, considering the little tea hostess has an older brother who likes to play along, too). The lids fit securely and snugly on the tea pot and sugar bowl (imagine!). Oh, and it handles a tea party very well, too. We tested it out, of course.
Five stars all the way on this great tea set….and on Green Toys as a whole.
Win! Green Toys has very generously handed over one Sand Play Set for me to give away to one of my readers!
Simply head over to Green Toys and browse their products. Come back here and tell me in one comment which Green Toy you think your kids would love best and why. (U.S. entries only.)
I will close the contest at 11pm EST on Tuesday, September 23rd, 2008 and announce the winner Wednesday morning. Good luck!
Linda (3 years ago)
My son is all into gardening. He had his first little garden this year. I think he’d love growing things in the indoor garden kit.
LaDonna (3 years ago)
I absolutely love the gardening kit. I don’t think I’ve ever seen anything like it. My son is always so intrigued with how plants grow that he would think it was so cool to see it up close and personal.
Michelle (3 years ago)
I saw these at Toys R Us and fell in love! I had no idea they were BPA and pthalate free! At TRU we looked at the tea set as well-it almost has the look and feel of clay I think…so sturdy. Visiting the website this morning, i think i have to say my kids would love the indoor garden set. Great Review Meg!
Rebekah (3 years ago)
My son would love the Cookware and Dining set because he loves to help us cook. He is always in the kitchen!
Clara Soundara (3 years ago)
Thanks so much for posting this review. My daughter’s birthday is coming up soon and I was looking for a nice tea set so, we would probably like that best even though the kitchen set would come in at a very close second. Maybe one for birthday and one for Christmas.
Sara (3 years ago)
My little guy would love the sand set the best. If there is sand close by, he finds it and plays in it for hours.
rockle (3 years ago)
My daughter would love the Indoor Gardening Kit — she loves playing in the dirt with me and pulling weeds with her grandmother.
Alisha (3 years ago)
They would love the Cookware and Dining Set! (Then maybe MY stuff could stay in the kitchen, where it belongs.)
Go Amie (3 years ago)
I love the indoor gardening kit, because it will give kids hands-on experience with real garderning, and be useful too (we could eat the basil!).
Patti (3 years ago)
My kids would love the Tea Set! They love dumping water, and this would be great!
Stephanie V (3 years ago)
the sand play set best, indoor gardening kit second.
sahd (3 years ago)
Even though I have a son, he is passionate about cooking and has his own plastic, cheap set of pretend pans. He would love the cookware and dining set, it would be perfect.
rebecca (3 years ago)
My son is crazy about gardening, so I know he would love the indoor gardening kit. We only just planted some carrots a week ago even though you’re meant to do it in the spring because he couldn’t wait.
Great sweeps, thanks.
Roberta (3 years ago)
Thanks for the great contest – what a fantastic site, we’re a very green family as well. My daughter would love the tea set for a party for her pals or dolls. Great!
jennifer bowen (3 years ago)
wow now what toy would my little one like the best well that’s realy easy all of them after all there realy nice and well i would get my kid a set of each of them thanks i hope i win i would realy love to win this it will help out a lot thanks
Scott (3 years ago)
I actually just heard about this company for the first time today. The sand playset would get some good use at the beach next summer!
lindsey (3 years ago)
I can’t decide between the gardening and the cookware sets. My son really loves to help me in the garden and in the kitchen!
Lo (3 years ago)
We would love the cookware. Thanks!
Kay (3 years ago)
my daughter would love the pots and pan set!
Karen (3 years ago)
I would love the cookware set. It’s great to find one that’s safe. It’s so hard to find real baby plates and bowls that are safe, she might just eat off of them for real.
Mary A (3 years ago)
My son would really like the cookware and dining set. He is currently really into playing with my actual cooking dishes, so would give them a break. Although winning the sand play set might also redirect his attention. Thanks for the giveaway.
Genevieve (3 years ago)
I love the cookware! So much better than the junk we have now…
jessica (3 years ago)
THE COOKWARE SET WOULD BE A HIT AS MY DAUGHTER LOVES COOKING IN HER KITCHEN.
Sandy (3 years ago)
Cookware and Dining is what my kids would love, heck they would love the gardening set too
Lisa C. (3 years ago)
love the gardening set
Jamie (3 years ago)
My son would love the indoor gardening kit. He’s always helping me garden and stealing my tools, so I know he would like some of his own.
Stacy (3 years ago)
The Sand Play Set looks fun.
Naomi (3 years ago)
Jasper would pick the sand play set and Roo would love the tea set!
lace (3 years ago)
My niece would love the tea set the best. She is always making pretend tea.
Renee Johnsen (3 years ago)
I know my girls would love the dining and cookware set. They are always cooking up something tasty and feeding mom, dad, the dog, the baby dolls, anyone who will take a plate!
blima (3 years ago)
The dining and food stuff. THose sets are soo adorable.
Aura (3 years ago)
My son would love the gardening set. We live in a building so there is no garden. I love that it’s BPA free and safe and I’m sure he would love to see things he grew being ingredients in food he eats.
shirley cree (3 years ago)
the cooking/dining set would be just the thing for the kitchen set up at grandkiddies’ house….
thanx for the opportunity…
Apple (3 years ago)
the cookware and dining set is my favorite!
chris (3 years ago)
sand toys would be our favorite — we love going to the beach
Michelle (3 years ago)
My kids would love all of the toys, but I think the tea set would be the biggest hit. We love to host tea parties using juice and cookies at our house and this set would be perfect for that.
Gina Stratos (3 years ago)
The Tea Set because my daughter LOVES to have tea parties
gkstratos@yahoo.com
Julia (3 years ago)
I would think my kids would like the gardening set. My husband is an avid gardener who is outside all summer (and the kids dig with him), but inside is all pots. I’m sure they would love to plant a winter garden and see how their plants grow alongside Daddy’s. Thanks!
Lacey (3 years ago)
My girls would love any of the toys, they love to pretend to cook, and they love to play in the dirt and to garden.
Sheila (3 years ago)
I like the Cookware & Dining Set for my grandson. He is really into “cooking” right now; and this would really tickle him.
Michelle T (3 years ago)
It’d have to be the gardening kit. My boys just love to “garden”!
Heather (3 years ago)
My kids would love the cookware and dining set. The lidded pot (lids are big with my 2 yr old), frying pan and silverware would be a big hit with them with the pretend food we already have.
Janet F (3 years ago)
I like the Indoor Gardening Kib because it teaches children abot growing plants from seeds.
Thank you!
janetfaye (at) gmail (dot) com
jodi (3 years ago)
Walker would definitely love the sand play set, but we would also enjoy the indoor gardening one too…anything that involves sand or dirt! Thanks!
Kristie (3 years ago)
I think my kids would love the Indoor Gardening set-I’m sure they would have fun watching the plants grow.
Ashlee (3 years ago)
My kids would love the indoor gardening kit. We have been talking about growing a garden next year, so this would be perfect to start that out.
melanie (3 years ago)
My daughter would love the Cookware and Dinning set. She loves play food and dishes.
http://melaniescrafts.blogspot.com
melanieadey at hotmail dot com
Sara K (3 years ago)
I’ve been looking at getting some green toys for my boys. I love their indoor gardening kit. My 3 year old is really getting into growing things and this would be perfect!
Donna C. (3 years ago)
I really love the indoor gardening kit. I love how sturdy the toys look which is so important with kids.
Melissa (3 years ago)
Oh, I’ve been eyeing the tea set for so long… I want to get it for my niece. So cute!