Sometimes it seems like all the gifts have been done before. And even if they haven’t been done, everyone has seen the options. That can really steal the surprise out of a gift, right?
As a result, I’m always on the lookout for unique gift ideas. Whether it be for a birthday or Christmas, while we do give your standard party fare, I also like hunting out the “something different.” The something that the recipient might not have seen anywhere before. So you know I was ready to check out Idbids when I heard about them.
The GOOD: Just like the popular LeapFrog products, Idbids is all about “sneaky learning.” There are three characters to choose from (a cloud, a flower or a water drop) and they are designed to teach children “iddy biddy” ways to help keep the earth green. Cool, no? They are small and plush and the perfect size for a take-along toy for your little one. The character comes with its own storybook, field guide and even a little knapsack for your little one to wear.
The BAD: These characters are oh-so-cute but they are a bit on the small side. That being said, they do carry a very big message about the environment and our impact on it.
The ECO-FRIENDLY QUOTIENT: The characters are made with 100% organic Egyptian cotton and the packaging is environmentally friendly and features recycled materials.
SOMETHIN’ EXTRA: The folks at Idbids have an uber-cute blog that they update regularly with all things green, but with a fun spin on it, the kind that only they could do. You can pop in on their blog right here. Idbids was named “Top Toy of 2008″ by Time.com, a “Breakout Toy” by CNNMoney.com, a “Top 10 Plush” by TDmonthly and a “Best Green Toy” by About.com.
MONEY MATTERS: The Idbids Starter Kit retails for $39.99 and can be purchased in many mass retailers (for example, Toys ‘R Us) and online on Idbids own site and Amazon.
The MOM VERDICT
Cate says: They had me at hello. I totally gasped when I saw the package. I kid you not. You don’t think about little clouds being cute, but it was, and I loved the idea behind it … that sneaky learning rears its head yet again. Although she probably isn’t the intended demographic, this is the perfect size for my nine-month-old daughter, and I have caught her snuggling up to it more than once. My six-year-old son and I have read through the storybook many times, talking about different ways we can be kind to the earth. Since he is already a master recycler and thinks nothing of telling others that they shouldn’t use paper napkins and why, this was a great added lesson for him. Love Idbids, and these would make a great gift for someone special during the holidays.
Sarah says: This really is a something for everyone gift. My three-year-old son loved the water drop we received from Idbids. Although the concept of conservation is a little above his head, it did spark a conversation about why water is so important. And, as a positive result, that finally convinced him not to leave the water running while brushing his teeth. So, I think even at a baser level, Idbids can be a good way to get kids interested in the environment around them. My son has also been dragging the backpack around our house, filled with all his favorite toys. I did read the book to my son and daughter (who will be one in a week), but it was a bit above their level. Still, it’s something that we will return to periodically until it’s their level.
November 16th, 2008 at 1:39 pm
Hi there, and thanks for the review and the mention of the Idbids blog. We really are having a lot of fun over here, and are always thrilled to hear from folks who dig the Idbids! :)