Ecotronic toys offer kids all of the lights and flash without the worry of having to change batteries.

To bring these toys to life, all you need to is wind them up or give them a shake, the dynamo inside will do rest.

The best part: unlike their battery operated counterparts, ecotronic toys never run out of juice.

This is where Sprig comes to the rescue. The eco-friendly toy company has created a line of toys that are complete with all the bells and whistles, with one catch – they are powered by your child!

Sprig’s Adventure Series trucks (priced between $20 – $50) harnesses the natural kinetic energy of push- and pump-action play to generate lights and sounds – all without batteries.

Although every Sprig toy is built for a happy planet, tough terrain is no match for their sturdy, earth-moving Eco-Trucks. Playing in sand and dirt is good, clean fun with the Eco-Trucks Excavator($14), Loader($14) and Dump Truck($14).

*Eco-Bonus* Designed for the active preschool child, all vehicles and character bodies are molded using SprigwoodTM – a durable, child-safe, bio-composite material made from recycled wood and reclaimed plastic.

More great Sprig features:

• Realistic Mechanical Action
• Indoor / Outdoor Vehicles
• Sand Box Friendly
• Paint Free!
• Real Pine infused into plastic
• Made in Prague

Reasonably priced at enviroproductsworld.com

When I look around my house it is hard to find something that does not require batteries. We buy our batteries by the 50 pk and put them in a bin in the garage when we are done for safe hazardous disposal.

Here is a compilation of some great toys that don’t require batteries.

Djeco “BASIL PULL ALONG DOG”

Basil the dog is a charming toy on wheels to accompany your child around the house. Basil is made of solid wood with white and brown spots on his lacquered body. His mouth has magnets that helps him hold his bone. Its tale and ears are moving when you take the dog for a walk. Super sweet pull along toy! For Children 1+ $49.95

Automoblox

This toy car is made at Solid maple wood with lacquer finish. The whole car comes apart and is interchangeable with other Automoblox vehicles. These cars come in bright colours which give each one their own style. There are 7 different models. $35 www.automoblox.com

Deluxe Mini Cube

These wooden play cubes are awesome. Each side has a new activity, which should keep any child busy for a while.

Children learn counting, cooperative play, alphabet, and eye-hand coordination. Plays on the floor or table top. Mini Rollercoaster Express, Pathfinder, Counting Abacus, Learn the Alphabet, and Fun Gears!
$129 @Brain Station

Land of Dragons by Haba

This is a great developmental toy for kids 2+. The blocks stack onto 6 poles that are glued onto a base. For younger children, the poles help with the concept of stacking. Older children can use the blocks too in combination with their own blocks.

I love the bright colours and great patterns. $40 @Moolka

Plasma Car

Our friend have this plasma car and they LOVE it! PlasmaCar is made from state-of-the-art, high-quality ABS plastics, rugged and durable. Kids will like its looks because it´s vivid, sleek and aerodynamic, just like a racecar. It´s so easy to operate; all it needs is a driver and a smooth, flat surface. Simply turn the steering wheel continuously from left to right and the car moves forward. Designed for kids aged 3+. $69.99 @Brain Station

Circle of Fun

This table is a bit pricey, but would be great to occupy your kids for hours. It may be ideal for at home daycare centers because more than one child can play at a time.

Four Puzzle Benches of Fun Activity! Puzzle benches connect together to form a Circle of Fun. Puzzle benches can also be separated for individual play. Includes Abacus, Pathfinder, Fun Fruits to Match, Magnetic Circle Express, Gear Panel, and Sculpture Mazes #1 and #2.

$349.99 @Brain Station

BRIO Track and Stack City Set

This wooden train set has many pieces of track that will add on and make it more interesting for your child. BRIO makes many cars and trains that will interchange on all of their wooden tracks. A starter set can be expanded into a full city later on.

Set includes blue engine, two passenger wagons, engineer, boy & girl, passenger station, built-in elevator and platform, newspaper stand, 2 warning signs, 2 trees, and interlocking track pieces. Total track length is 379.8cm. Layout size 121 x 86cm Reccomended for Kids 3+. $69.99@BRIO.net

Dado Cubes

Classic stacking blocks with a twist! These cubes have slits in the sides to allow your child to be more creative. Dado combines art and science as you explore architectural principles… proportion, balance, structure and color. Constructed horizontally, vertically or nested together, Dado invites visual spatial development and problem solving through design-centered, attention-grabbing fun! $24.95 @Sparkability