So the folks over at Microempowering.org sent me this toy to review. (Microempowering is an organization that empowers community groups, non-profits and social entrepreneurs by helping them implement fiscally and environmentally sustainable projects. Check out their online store, which includes eco-friendly, brainy and sustainable toys.)
I thought this Melissa and Doug Press and Spin Game (ages 3+) might be a little young for my newly six-year-old daughter. But when it arrived in the mail, she begged for it. Must have been the poppin’ fun spinner that drew her attention.
We like Melissa and Doug. They put out quality toys, mostly made from eco-friendly wood rather than cheap plastic. The Harvest Hop is four card games in one, including versions of Memory and War. Sofie and I are playing the Harvest Hop game in this video below.
As you can see, she got pretty excited while playing. I was surprised that we spent almost an hour trying different versions of Harvest Hop. Obviously Sofie’s not too young for it—she did get rather obsessed with that bunny! For younger kids, the game helps teach counting and putting numbers in order.
As a mom, I like the garden aspect of this game. The object: “Be the first player to lay out all 10 crops in your harvest for the farmer’s market.” It’s heartening to see farmer’s markets becoming integrated into everyday vernacular and popular children’s toys. I’d much rather raise my kids on card games featuring healthy vegetables rather than fancy princesses!
The other thing I liked: No shrinkwrap! No wasteful packaging—just a recyclable cardboard box containing the cards and spinner. At under $10, this educational and eco-friendly game is priced well for a birthday or holiday gift.
Disclosure: Thanks to Microempowering.org for sending us a sample to preview. As always, all thoughts and opinions are my own.
