ChildTrek Blog

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.

New Wood Dollhouse 
ChildTrek continues to expand its line of natural, eco-friendly toys for children. First up is the Educo My Rooftop Garden Home - brand new for 2009. This two-story wood dollhouse includes a poseable family of four. It has three good-sized rooms and rooftop terrace furnished with furniture and bath fixtures. There are also a colorful skylight and accented stairway and rail posts. Reasonably priced, this heirloom piece will be enjoyed for years.

New Imagination Toy Made of Bamboo
Next, ChildTrek adds to its Bamboo Collection with Contina. This highly imaginative, open-ended block set is made of 120 beautiful tiles made of eco-friendly bamboo and water-based paints. Kids from age 4 - 99 can create unique patterns and build bridges, buildings, towers, animals - just about anything their creativity desires. The colors are vibrant and inviting. The possibilities are endless.

New Made in Germany Toys
Check out the HABA Indian Summer Magnetic Art. It is made up of 88 brightly-colored wooden pieces with self-adhesive magnet foils. This playset is ideal for both little and older children who like to create patterns. It is perfect for arranging the colorful shapes over and over agan into new designs. Children can start by putting together the 10 enclosed suggested patterns, then run free with their imagination. Includes a wooden play board. Made in Germany.

Also new this year is the 200 Wood Lacing Beads by Grimm’s Spiel & Holz (20mm). These richly-colored beads are sure to excite much lacing fun! They are just the ones to inspire lacing creativity. Your child will have endless fun making necklaces and bracelets using 12 different vibrant colors to choose from. Each bead is approx. 3/4 inch in diameter. Great for refining motor skills and strenghtening hand-eye coordination. Includes plenty of durable, elastic string to lace. Made in Germany.

Click here to view these and the rest of the new natural toy arrivals at ChildTrek.com

By Miebeth Bustillo-Booth, ChildTrek Founder

New Made in USA Toys
ChildTrek is expanding its selection of natural and green toys and books. This week you’ll find more wood toys by Maple Landmark. These traditional, time-tested children’s toys are made in Middlebury, Vermont by local woodworkers with pride in American craftsmanship. Local hardwoods and non-toxic paints that exceed safety standards are used.

New Waldorf Dolls from Germany
Next up are Kathe (Kaethe) Kruse Waldorf dolls. These all-natural dolls are handcrafted in Germany. They are made of cotton, wool, mohair wool, sand quartz, and other natural materials. These unique dolls are truly exquisite and are made to last a lifetime. They are more than most dolls - and they offer a lot more as well. They are weighted. They are soft and firm - warm and huggable like a baby. The FEEL natural and inviting. You just can’t get that from plastic or vinyl.

New Educational Books
We are also expanding our line of educational books from Usborne Books - known for its playful, humorous and highly engaging children’s books. Check out the new “Flip Up Phonics” series like “Fat Cat on a Mat,” “Frog on a Log,” and “Goose on the Loose.” They are designed to help children begin to recognize phonetic patterns - thereby facilitating the abiliity to read like words.

New Sticker Books
What child doesn’t like to peel and stick?! To that we say, “Stick away!” ChildTrek now offers incredibly fun sticker books from Usborne. They have backdrops to stick on and learn about letters, numbers, and words.  Check out the “Usborne 123 Sticker Book,” “Usborne ABC Sticker Book,” or the very fun “Usborne Farm Sticker Book.”

More New Arrivals!
There are other new arrivals. Click here to check out the rest.

Enjoy!

By Miebeth Bustillo-Booth, ChildTrek Founder

Really Cool Cars
ChildTrek is proud to carry heirloom-quality construction vehicles by Automoblox. Designed by world-class industrial designer Patrick Callelo, Automoblox cars fuse the durability and character of classic wooden cars with the sophistication of modern design. Check out the 2008 X9X Sports Utility. It is the perfext mix of style and utility. Take a look at value packed Automoblox Minis. They are scaled-down versions of the C9 Sports Car, S9 Sedan and T9. Both the full-sized and mini vehicles are designed with interchangeable parts for customized, three-dimensional play.

Create Custom Vehicles
The Automoblox line of interchangeable car parts truly inspires building and playing out of the box. The removable connectors, interchangeable roofs, and changeable wheels, tires and body blocks among the different Automoblox cars allow for plenty of exciting custom designs. The patented removable connectors offer a level of complexity to the play experience. Each car comes with a 17 digit Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) just like real cars. It identifies the year and model of your car.

Green and Safe Vehicles
Each body block is made of sustainable beech wood and finished with clear, non-toxic lacquer for durability. The colorful and aggressive tires are made of rubber. The dynamically styled roof and stylish wheels are made of polycarbonate to make them virtually indestructible. Automoblox cars are designed and engineered in the United States. They are assembled in China under stringent quality and safety controls. They meet or exceed both North American (ASTM) and European (EN-71) safety standards.

Check out our growing selection today at ChildTrek.com.