When the cold and rainy weather keeps us indoors, finding new activities and games to occupy the kids can sometimes be a chore. Crafts are always a surefire way to keep everyone entertained, yet the mess leaves much to be desired…if only there was a “cleaner” craft. Oh, but there is!
Out for a year or two, EnviroBLOX from Cadaco is a construction toy that has the consistency of styrofoam peanuts, but is much more versatile and sustainable. EnviroBLOX instantly stick together after being moistened with water, so it doesn’t need any glue, staples or tape. Though the sets come with suggested building designs, there’s a wide assortment of colors, so kids can construct almost anything they can imagine.
EnviroBLOX are made of cornstarch and use no paint materials, making them a sustainable and enviromentally friendly toy. In fact, EnviroBLOX recently garnered a Dr. Toy award for one of the best green toys. After kids are done with their projects, clean up is seamless; there’s no glue to wipe up, to scraps to sweep up and no excess to peel off the table. Actually, EnviroBLOX doesn’t need to be thrown away at all because they dissolve under running water.
Our first experience with EnviroBLOX was at an Art in the Park day here in our neighborhood last spring. The art teacher who conducted the projects had the kids create fans with EnviroBLOX and paper plates. It was an easy craft for toddlers to participate in, even though EnviroBLOX are geared to preschoolers. I saw these once again at the Holiday Showcase in the fall and fell in love with them even more, after learning that EnviroBLOX are not only a great activity/craft idea, but they’re great green toys.
EnviroBLOX are available in 400, 130 and 70 piece sets and are relatively affordable. The smaller sets are in the $8 range and can be found at retailers such as Amazon. To see the variety of artwork kids have made with EnviroBLOX, check out their photo gallery!
