The Green Ability

In line with our objectives as a consumers' guide to green products, we have compiled a list of affordable and eco-friendly Christmas gift ideas in case you still have some last minute shopping to do. These products have been selected based on different eco-friendly criteria that include ability to operate on solar power or rechargeable batteries, made from recycled materials or 100% organic materials, promotes green living concepts and education.

Browse through our list and find inexpensive Christmas gift ideas that are friendly not only for the environment but for your budget as well:

6 in 1 Solar Robot Kit- $25.49

This educational toy set is made up of one solar panel and several other parts which can be used to create six different robotic figures, a boat, a plane, an airplane dock, a mini-car, a windmill and a puppy. The solar panel generates energy derived from the sun’s electromagnetic radiation which makes it possible for the miniature motors and rotors to run even without the aid of batteries. Recommended for kids aged 10 and above.

Elenco Solar Deluxe Educational Kit- $19.31

This is another educational toy, but this time encouraging the young ones to experiment more about alternative and renewable source of energy by creating the functional devices themselves. This educational toy set comes along with a pre-wired 5VDC solar cells in sets of 3 which will be used to teach kids how to power up a mini-fan, a radio or light up incandescent bulbs by following simple instructions and diagrams on how each piece can be utilized to create a simple functioning device. Recommended for kids aged 10 and above.

Build-it-yourself: Super Solar Racing Car- $10.95

This is a solar powered high speed racing car which a child can build in the same principles as the racing car models that kids love. The only difference is that the solar panel serves as the body which gathers energy from the sun’s rays to power up the car’s miniature motor. Recommended for kids aged 10 and above.

Here are some more of these solar powered toys as they come in different forms. Be warned however that these toys may contain small parts not suitable for children below ten years old:

Frightened Grasshopper Solar Powered Bug- $14.50

Robot Duck Kit- $22.99

Happy Hopping Solar Powered Frog-$15.93

Snap Circuits Green - Alternative Energy Kit - $45.50

This educational toy set builds more than 125 build-it yourself projects that will let a child discover about alternative and renewable sources of energy. It includes a manual in full-color with more than a hundred pages of illustrations and instruction plus a separate educational manual. There are about 40 parts to be used in building functional devices such as FM Radio Energy Compartment with a hand crank solar cells and Windmill Clock Analog Meter. The educational manual will explain different sources of alternative energy and at the same time provide projects that will allow the child to have practical insights on how the different principles work.

Poco Bean Beanbag Chair for Kids- (Original Price $59) SALE PRICE $35.95

Said to be the most comfortable bean bag ever since it will stay fluffy forever using a specially formulated recycled filler made from 100% shredded foam that was reclaimed from a furniture manufacturer who used to send it to landfills. It uses a unique way of packing it for shipment. All the air is sucked out of the bean bag before packing and shipment and will slowly regain its shape once taken out of its corrugated box and polybag. It measures about 29 inches in diameter which is the perfect size for a kid's bean bag chair. You can choose from the many colors available.