Eco-friendly themed cardboard toy models for Chicago kids - ship, farm, treehouse, firehouse - Chicago Children's Toys

Calafant Treehouse creative cardboard toy (© Calafant)

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For a fun art project that kids can use later for imaginative, open-ended play, Chicago parents can check out themed eco-friendly cardboard toy models.

Benefits of playing with cardboard toy models

Children will get twice the play value out of a small cardboard model that requires assembly. First, children will develop their fine-motor skills and artistic abilities through putting the parts of the cardboard toy together and decorating it with paint, markers, crayons, and other art supplies. Then, children can use the completed model to act out various creative stories and scenarios.

Calafant small cardboard toys

Each Calafant small cardboard toy comes already punched out from sturdy white cardboard and can be decorated however kids like. As with all Calafant toys, these small cardboard models are made from recycled materials and recyclable themselves.

Each simple themed cardboard model is suitable for kids ages 3 and up, is accompanied by six colored nontoxic markers, and can be assembled without the use of glue or scissors.

The Calafant small toy line offers a range of themes: spaceship, steamer, airplane, dinosaur, race car, fire engine, camper van, house, and (princess) carriage. Chicago parents can buy them online at the Creative Toy Web site for $6.99 each.

Imagination Box Co. Firehouse paintable cardboard model kit

Cardboard model Firehouse/Rescue Station
(© Imagination Box Co.)

Calafant medium cardboard toys

For a slightly more complicated cardboard art project, kids ages 4 and up can assemble and decorate one of the line of Calafant medium cardboard toys. These themed cardboard models end up measuring around or just under a foot cubed. They also come with already punched-out white cardboard pieces that can be decorated with the included 12 colored nontoxic markers or whatever other paints, markers, or art supplies child artists want to use.

The Calafant medium toy line offers a more limited range of options, but each model is more detailed and intricate. Medium Calafant model themes are Pirate Ship, Rosegarden Palace, Dragonrock Castle, and Farm. Chicago families can purchase them online at the Creative Toy Web site for $19.99 each.

Calafant large cardboard toys

For an even more complicated cardboard art project to be completed with some adult help, children ages 3 and up can put together and decorate items from the line of Calafant large cardboard toys. These, also, come with already punched-out white cardboard pieces that can be decorated with an array of art supplies including acrylic paints, watercolor paints, or glued-on glitter, foil, or scrap paper (no markers are included with the large Calafant sets). When assembled, these sturdy eco-friendly cardboard models can measure as big as 18 inches by 18 inches by 13 inches.

The Calafant large toy line also offers a range of themes including princess Palace, Treehouse, Fort (with 2 teepees), Castle, Pirate Fortress, and Hacienda. Chicago moms and dads can find these themes online at the Creative Toy Web site for $24.99 each. Locally, the Calafant Larry's Locomotive cardboard model train is available at the gift store at the Museum of Science and Industry Chicago (it can also be found online at Moolka).

Paintable Cardboard Models from Imagination Box Co.

Another set of eco-friendly cardboard model kits is manufatured by the Imagination Box Co. Each kit is made in America from 45% recycled materials and is itself 100% recyclable. All dyes used are Earth-friendly, soy-based, and non-toxic.

These kits, suitable for kids ages 3 and up, range in size from as small as 16 inches by 13 inches by 12 inches to as large as 26 inches by 20 inches by 18 inches. They can be decorated with watercolors, markers, or crayons and each comes with eight nontoxic washable watercolor paints.

Themes in the line of Paintable Cardboard Models from Imagination Box Co. include a Firehouse, a Barn, and a Schoolhouse. Chicago parents can buy them online at the Imagination Box Co. Web site for prices ranging from $24 to $30.

Fire Station by Our Children's Gorilla

Constructed from natural wood fiber board and recycled unbleached materials, the eco-friendly cardboard Fire Station from Our Children's Gorilla is fully recyclable itself. This urban play public building comes flat-packed and measures 19.7 inches by 11.8 inches by 14.5 inches when fully assembled.

The front of this charming two-story cardboard firehouse set is printed with a picture of an actual New York City fire station building front, while the back is left open for play. Its features include removable windows and a flip-up flap toy firetruck-sized garage door. Creative children can use paint, markers, stickers, and other art supplies to decorate the plain interior.

Chicago parents can purchase the Fire Station by Our Children's Gorilla for $49.95 at the Babesta Web site.

Interested in other environmentally friendly products? Check out other Chicago Children's Toys Examiner articles about eco-friendly toys.

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