Top Green Gifts for Earth Day 2009 (continued)

Tree Blocks Many wooden toys are so processed, they may as well be plastic. Tree blocks are the exception. Made from reclaimed cherry, apple, and elder trees-- the discards of forests planted by the paper industry--no trees are harmed in the building of these toys! The blocks take a bit of getting used to, since every set is hand cut from a different set of branches, each one is a mix of sometimes odd shapes, from three-inch long twigs to ten-inch burled discs. But working with something that's not mass-produced and uniform is half the fun. Building with these blocks feels sort of like creating something out of sticks-- but sticks that stack. Set your kid loose and watch her imagination soar. Whether she builds a bridge, a spaceship, a tower, or a tree house, she'll hold nature in her hands as she works on each new masterpiece. (Tree Blocks, $25) Where to buy

Anamalz CD and Wood Figures Part of raising an environmentally conscious child is giving him an appreciation of the animals that share our planet, from forests to farms. This line of uber-eco animal figures does the trick. Hand made from organic, sustainable maple wood and colored with a water-based paint, the animals boast bendable legs and tails, as well as "coats" made of recycled textile products that are formaldehyde free and colored with azo dye. Accompany playtime with the Animalz CD, performed with kid and parent-pleasing prowess by Australian musician Beau Young, and featuring such hits as "Crocodile Fishing" and "Going on a Horsey Ride," and you've got a recipe for fun the whole family can enjoy. Choose from cow, horse, pig, sheep, donkey, goat, reindeer, llama, camel, emu, giraffe, kangaroo, crocodile, elephant, black bear, gorilla, lion, and more! (Russ Berrie, $7.00 each, CD $12.99) Where to buy Pick-Up Words Can't get your kid to buckle down and learn her sight words? Make it a game! In this green version of the childhood classic, kids hold a bundle of 30 bamboo sticks in hand and release them onto a tabletop. Then players attempt to extract sticks without disturbing the others in the pile, by lifting carefully, pressing down on an end in lever-fashion, or flicking sticks aside with the help of a helper stick. But before they lift a stick, they need to read the sight word on its tip. The result? A fun way for kinders to practice and memorize the high-frequency words that are often a stumbling block for beginning readers, and work their fine motor skills and eye-hand coordination in the process. With all pieces made of super green bamboo, the directions printed with vegetable ink, and the packaging completely made of recycled papers and plastic-- this is a game you can feel doubly good about. (Beyond Learning, $15.95) Where to buy

Stone Soup Sharing Garden Kit If your child isn't already familiar with the famous Grimm fairytale, Stone Soup, kindergarten is a great time to read it together. The story, about a traveler who arrives in town with an empty pot and convinces each of the starving villagers to add just a little something to his "soup", is an instant hit with this age group, who love to be in on the trick. Just as the fairytale teaches children how friends working together can make something out of almost nothing, this kit teaches them how next to nothing-- just a few tiny seeds-- can reap big rewards. The small tin contains six types of certified organic seeds in a variety of colors and sizes, a few garden stakes, and a smooth stone in a jute sack. Cutesy perhaps, but the gimmick just might get them out in the yard, trowel in hand. And when the harvest arrives, there's a recipe so they can cook up their own soup, stone and all. (Potting Shed Creations, $26.75) Where to buy

What Can You Do with an Old Red Shoe? by Anna Alter Turn an old flip-flop into a rubber stamp. Make a pillow out of a worn out t-shirt. Craft an apron from a ripped shower curtain. It's fun to reuse and recycle when kids have a colorful picture book full of cute critters to help them come up with ideas! Whether it's making art supply bins from empty berry baskets or a glowing lantern from an old tin can, this book makes it a joy for small children to keep things out of the landfill. And with a little encouragment, kinders may even agree to take the toys they're not using to a local charity or pass this book on to a friend. (Henry Holt and Company, $16.95) Where to buy