Children are natural ecologists. They love to play outside and appreciate the joys of discovering rocks, plants, and animals along the way.
What they need a little help with is conservation–learning to reduce, reuse, and recycle. Shutting off the lights, taking shorter showers, and opening a window instead of turning on the air conditioning are all ways that even the littlest person can make a difference.
The Plan Toys Green Dollhouse aims to introduce children to sustainable living through a concept dollhouse. Every aspect of the Green Dollhouse helps children learn how people can co-exist with their environment in a more eco-friendly way.
In the world crafted by Plan Toys designers, power is generated by a wind turbine and a solar cell panel. There’s a rain barrel for collecting water and a recycling bin for sorting trash. Green space is integrated throughout the terraces. My daughter especially loves the shade canopy that can be lifted to increase air circulation or lowered to protect from the elements.
My daughter enjoys the open design of the house as it allows for lots of redecorating and play from all angles. You can see my video of the Green Dollhouse in action here.
There are a number of parts to assemble, but I found it easy to put the Green Dollhouse together. And the dollhouse is attractive, sturdy, and has plenty of room for imaginative play. My only suggested design change would be to attach the staircase–but my daughter is not at all concerned about this floating staircase can be repositioned anywhere outside the house. Since many of the features are removable, including the solar panel and wind turbine, you’ll probably want to save this dollhouse for a preschooler–although the house is safe for older toddlers.
Of course, your own home may not have all of these green features, but we’re finding the Green Dollhouse to be a fun launching pad for a discussion about conservation. And although we do not have solar panels, we talk about how we use a whole house fan to cool down in the summer. We may not have a rain barrel, but my toddler who loves playing with the water is learning why she needs to turn off the faucet when she’s not using the water.
As always, Plan Toys are manufactured in fair trade facilities with renewable materials and non-toxic finishes–so your toys are earth, community, and child friendly.
Dolls and dollhouses are always great for role playing, working out difficult situations, reliving the events of the day, and developing empathy. The Green Dollhouse allows your child to play out scenarios in an earth-friendly setting.
The new Plan Toys Green Dollhouse is a hit at our house and has begun an important conversation about conservation.
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WANT IT: The Plan Toys Green Dollhouse is $199, $260 furnished. Purchase from Plan Toys, one of the many retailers that carry Plan Toys, or Amazon.
WIN IT: Plan Toys is offering one lucky winner a Plan Toys Green Dollhouse (ARV $199).
To enter:
- Please leave us a comment letting us know your favorite eco-friendly toy from Plan Toys (besides the Green Dollhouse).
For additional entries, please do any of the following and leave a separate comment for each:
- Follow @Mamanista on Twitter and tweet the link to this contest and your favorite feature of the Green Dollhouse (put your status URL in the comments)
- Tell us your favorite item from Mamanista’s Earth Day Guide
- Write a post on your blog where you discuss Earth Day and link back to Mamanista’s Earth Day Guide (leave the link in a separate comment)
Contest ends 11:59 PM EST, April 27. Shipping to Continental U.S. Only. Winner chosen with Random.org. We never share your e-mail address.
