Review and Giveaway: Sprig Toys CLOSED

Thank you to Sprig Toys for participating in the Goodie Goodie Gumdrops Earth Week Event!

As you well know, I am a huge fan of green toys. Most of the plastic toys we own were given to us or purchased secondhand from a consignment store. When buying new, I lean toward wooden toys or those that have proven to be BPA and phthalate-free. One brand I've come to trust and love is Sprig Toys.

Sprig Toys were created by three talented toy designers, After visiting the factories that made their award-winning toys, they were horrified to learn of the harmful impact production had on the nearby air, soil, water, plants and people. They were also disturbed with the more passive toys on the market that encouraged children to become inactive. So, they worked together to design a line of battery-free, eco-friendly, paint-free toys that would keep preschoolers active and the planet healthy.

Team Sprig is dedicated to infusing creativity, smart design, quality manufacturing, earth-friendly materials, product satisfaction and responsible business practices into a superior line of fun, kid-powered toys.

Sprig Toys are made of Sprigwood, a durable, child-safe, bio-composite material made of bits of reclaimed wood and recycled plastic. Sprigwood is dyed during production with safe pigments, free of soluble heavy metals, phthalates or endocrine disruptors.

I just fell in love with their philosophy. So, for Christmas, I purchased the Sprig Toys Eco Recycling Truck for Nate. This Amazon-exclusive model is fully-equipped with a flip-open cab and a fully-functioning dump-in/dump-out mechanism. Perfect for my busy little boy.



A recycled recycling truck? Does it get any better than that? I think not. I love that our lessons about environmental responsibility won't just be lip service. We will be demonstrating it firsthand with this - literally - green toy. When I first opened the package, I immediately caught a whiff of its Sprigwood scent. It smelled just like fresh wood shavings. So cool! I'd take that any day over the chemical stench of some traditional plastics.

Nate really didn't have much of an interest in cars and trucks until the last month or so. Since then, he and his Eco Recycling Truck have been inseparable. Unlike some of his other play trucks, this one rides well on both carpet and hardwoods.




I love its easy-grab handle. Nate carries it all over the house and up and down the stairs. Here he is, taking his truck for a ride on the laundry basket express:



Our Sprig Recycling Truck is also quite durable. Case in point - it can withstand my 28+ lb. toddler using it as a ride-on toy:



The only minor issue we've had with our truck is that the blue recycling bin sometimes slides out while Nate is pushing it around. It would be nice if it could somehow click in place. Also, when Nate turns the dial to dump the bin, the cab almost always lifts up simultaneously. He doesn't seem to mind and it doesn't affect playtime so again, this is not a big deal. Just something we noticed that could maybe be improved.

Bottom line: If you're looking for a durable, fun, eco-friendly toy for your preschooler, Sprig Toys is a brand you can trust.

BUY IT: You can purchase Sprig Toys online or use their handy dandy store locator to find a retailer near you!

WIN IT: The Sprig Team is generously giving away an Eco-Truck of your choice - Dump Truck or Excavator - a $15 value!



MAIN COURSE (MANDATORY ENTRY): Visit Sprig and tell me another toy you'd like to get for your little one. Remember to please leave your email address in your comment if it isn't visible on your profile to prevent disqualification!

SUGAR ON TOP (BONUS ENTRIES): To maximize your chances of winning, you may do any or all of the following. Be sure to complete the above mandatory entry or your bonus entries will not count! Remember to leave one comment per entry.

1.) Follow my blog and/or subscribe via reader or email. If you already follow and/or subscribe, that counts! (1 entry each)

2.) Follow me and Sprig Toys on Twitter and tweet about this contest. You can do this daily! You may use the following tweet of come up with one of your own:

#Win an eco-friendly Dump Truck or Excavator from @SprigToys and @kris10chumley Ends 5/13 http://bit.ly/aXhw9G

Just leave a comment with your tweet link. (1 entry per day max)

3.) Become a fan of Sprig Toys on Facebook. (1 entry)

4.) Add my blog button and/or event button to your site and leave a comment with the link to where I can find it. (1 entry/each)

Giveaway will end on May 13, 2010 at 11:59pm EST. Open to U.S. only. Winners will be chosen via Random.org and will have 48 hours to respond to congratulatory email or prize will be forfeited and another winner will be chosen.

Disclaimer: I was offered this giveaway opportunity from Sprig Toys. I was not sent a product to review, nor was I compensated in any way for this post. I purchased the Eco Recycling Truck on my own for my son for Christmas. The thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are solely mine. Your experience may differ.