ChildTrek Blog

ChildTrek is expanding its line of natural toys to include Bead Bazaar. This beautiful collection of assorted beads are made of select wood, pearl, glass, crystal, shell beads and other natural materials.

Choose from a range of age-appropriate beading fun kits: Alphabet Lacing Kit (3y+) with brightly colored letters and beads, the fun Garden Collection (5y+) with assorted beads in a cute flower pot, or the very beautiful Sofista Bead Kit (8y+) for hours of beading fun.

ChildTrek will continue to add to this collection. So check often.

Thanks to our customers, the ChildTrek Tacoma storefront is expanding and relocating in Westgate Center located in North Tacoma - corner of N 26th and Pearl (on the way to the Point Defiance Zoo). It will feature more play areas and more natural, green toy brands. For directions, click here.

Become a ChildTrek Facebook Fan to see before and after images, as well as get special Fan only promotions!

The new store is scheduled to open on Oct. 6. If you are in the area, please come in and play!

ChildTrek now offers high quality infant / toddler playground equipment with unprecedented safety, craftsmanship, and durability at competitive prices. Our high-quality playground equipment selection features extra deep steps with closed off risers and hand rails to support the child’s mobility and safe pattern of play as they balance and navigate the stairs. They are specifically designed for crawlers as they transition to walking — pulling themselves up to a standing position and maintaining balance. The landing at the bottom of the steps creates an extra
gathering space for children to interact. There are safety barriers above the slide to prevent “headers” by requiring the child to sit before exiting.

ChildTrek is the exclusive dealer for For Kidz Only infant / toddler playground equipment with recycled content. The plastic lumber on the deck, steps and ramps is created through a unique process of transforming tens of thousands of recycled milk containers into 100% HDPE (high-density polyethylene) recycled plastic lumber (RPL). By replacing conventional playground materials with this state of the art plastic, it effectively utilizes thousands of recycled milk containers each year that would otherwise be in landfills.

ChildTrek is proud to feature Sprig Toys - a line of eco-friendly toys by award-winning toy designers, dedicated to promoting active play.

Check out the Sprig Toys Eco-Trucks: Dump Truck, Loader, and Excavator. The chunky, cartoon-like style make them irrestible to young children. Let the construction fun begin!

Sprig Toys are made of Sprigwood™ - a composite of reclaimed wood and recyled plastic. They are non-toxic and child-safe. They meet or exceed established US and European safety standards.

Kidsonroof TOTEMs are highly imaginative 3-D puzzles and construction sets. Brightly-colored, amazingly-cool graphics are featured on durable, recycled cardboard pieces. Children take slotted pieces to create vehicles, buildings, trees, and a number of other increasingly complex structures. Highly engaging, the sets will stimulate your child’s developing intelligence as he or she applies creativity and problem-solving skills.

There are currently 5 different Kidsonroof TOTEMs - three with over 120 pieces each and two with about 30 to 45. The pieces are interchangeable to extend their play value and to increase the customization possibilities. 

Each set comes with instructions to assemble different structures. The Kidsonroof TOTEM City, for example, comes with a pictoral-based manual on how to build a spaceship, boat, house, and plane. Once your child puts one together, he or she will get a sense of how to use and manipulate the pieces to make his or her own masterpiece.

Kidsonroof recommends the TOTEMs for children age 6 and up. Younger children will need some adult assistance.

Vulli Sophie the Giraffe is made of 100% natural rubber. It is BPA, PVC & Phthalates free. Sophie is a true multi-sensory toy that delights and soothes teething babies. The high-contrast spots attract developing eyes. The soft, velvety and flexible body parts invite babies to grab, teethe, squeeze, and play. The gentle squeak, squeak amuses. The natural rubber gives off a gentle, powdery scent that differentiates it among other toys.

Also a great, natural and eco-friendly alternative to plastic bath toys. When done, clean with soapy water and dry.

Originally made in 1961, Sophie the Giraffe retains the same original design that has comforted teething babies for generations. It is made in Rumilly in the Haute-Savoie region of France using time-honored, quality-driven processes.

ChildTrek is proud to offer Crocodile Creek stainless steel kids’ drinking bottles as an eco-frienldy alternative to plastic and lined aluminum bottles. 

Plastic Bottles, Oil & Pollution
Plastic bottles are petroleum-based and use a lot of fossil fuels to make. They are a major and growing contributor to environmental pollution. According to the National Geographic,

Americans buy more bottled water than any other nation in the world, adding 29 billion water bottles a year to the problem. In order to make all these bottles, manufactures use 17 million barrels of crude oil. That’s enough oil to keep a million cars going for twelve months. Imagine a water bottle filled a quarter of the way up with oil. That’s about how much oil was needed to produce the bottle (http://kids.nationalgeographic.com/Stories/SpaceScience/Water-bottle-pollution).

Crocodile Creek Stainless Steel Bottles
The Crocodile Creek stainless steel bottles are kid-safe, BPA free, phthalate free, and great for school, sports, camp, and other uses. The 12 oz bottles are great for juice, milk, and water. Each is beautifully illustrated with bright, engaging colors and illustrations.

Each Crocodile Creek stainless steel bottle is made of high-quality #304 food grade stainless steel and are lead safe. The cap is made of recyclable PP#5. The spout and lid are recyclable HDPE#2. Conforms to or exceeds US and European safety standards.

Help save our planet to be enjoyed by our children for generations to come, and start using reusable bottle alternatives today.

Children’s Music
ChildTrek is proud to add children’s music CDs to its growing selection of children’s toys, books and gifts! To launch our offering, we feature multi-award-winning Putumayo Kids music.

Accomplished musicians from all continents sing their way into the magic of childhood. Let your child experience a fascinating musical journey around the world in the comfort of your home or classroom!

Listen to Sample Tracks - Putumayo Kids Music
Listen to sample tracks from Putumayo European Playground and imagine everything from ancient castles to high-speed trains. Savor the sunny disposition of Putumayo Reggae Playground and watch your child sway to its rhythmic invitation. Or lull your baby or toddler to sleep with Putumayo Dreamland. For more sample tracks, click here.

The Uncle Goose Upper & Lowercase Alphabet Blocks is the newest set on the block. Big, bright lettering make for the perfect American made starter set. There are 14 blocks representing 1 complete uppercase alphabet and 2 complete lowercase alphabets. Made in the USA. Child-safe and non-toxic.

The Uncle Goose Count & Stack Blocks is also new in 2009. It features numbers and sides that connect to make circus cars or build a skyscraper…or even launch a rocket! Beautiful and engaging, this is a fun way to learn numbers and to introduce basic puzzles. This set features 10 beautiful American made blocks. Child-safe and non-toxic.

ChildTrek is expanding its already generous Loyalty Rewards Program by offering Loyalty Members another way to earn points.

Review & Earn! It’s Easy as 1-2-3!

1) Log into your account.

2) Review items you purchased within the last year.

3) Earn 15 points per approved review!

To launch this new way to earn Loyalty Rewards, the first 50 reviews receive 25 points per approved review. Hurry! Learn more about ChildTrek’s Loyalty Rewards.