In a previous post, my three year old toy tester and I gave you our holiday gift giving guide: toys & games. We've been focusing a lot on green toys lately and although we still enjoy our Dora toy or ten, we really love eco-friendly toys especially with all the toy recalls recently. So we've decided to put together our holiday gift giving guide: green toys for babies and preschoolers. All of these toys are BPA, PVC, and Phthalate free. They are also free of lead paint and require no batteries.
Although I don't do everything I can to protect the environment, I do try and do some things like conserve water and electricity. I do recycle and try reusing and restoring stuff as often as possible. We bring our own bags to the supermarket and try to buy organic food whenever we can. So I guess I'm sort of semi-green.
We certainly don't have all of these toys that we have listed, but we have used them whether it be at a friend's house or playgroup.
Toys for infants and toddlers:
Green Sprouts Stacking Cup Set: This stacking set consisting of 8 cups is by I-Play. The cups are BPA, PVC, and Phthalate free. These cups have draining holes so they can be used in the bathtub when you're child is old enough for bathtub toys.
Green Sprouts Ring Cool Soothing Teether: This teether ring is also by I-Play and is BPA, PVC, and phtlalate free. It is filled with sterilized water and can be refrigerated to comfort your baby when she/he is teething.
Organic Fruit Tote: This fruit tote is by Under the Nile and is made with 100% Organic Egyptian Cotton. This tote includes a banana, pear, watermelon, and grape. These pieces of fruit are so soft and are the perfect size for small hands.
Toys for preschoolers (ages 3 and older):
Green Toys Tea Set: This tea set, as with other Green Toys, are made using #5 plastic that comes from recycled milk jugs. They also contain no BPA, PVC, phtlalate, or lead paint. This toy is designed for children 3 years of age and older.
Green Toys Recycle Truck: I think I mentioned previously that my daughter has the tea set, and we were planning on getting the recycle truck. We did get the recycle truck. Of course it is a Christmas gift, so my daughter hasn't seen it yet, but I can't wait.
This truck is also made using recycled milk jugs, and similar to the above items, it does not contain BPA, PVC, phtlalate or lead paint. This item is designed for children 3 years of age and older.
Sprig Toys Adventures Dolphin Adventure Playset: Sprig Toys was founded in 2007 and have been designing a line of eco-friendly, battery-free, and paint-free toys ever since.
They have trucks and other playsets, but we like the Dolphin Adventure Playset the best because we (or I guess I) love dolphins and anything related to the Ocean. And my daughter loves any and all water toys.
Another eco-friendly toy maker is Plan Toys, whose toys are made from non-toxic, natural materials such as organic rubberwood. As of right now, we don't have any experience with their toys, which is surprising because they've been making toys for years and have won numerous top toy awards.
These are just a few of our favorite "green toys". I'm sure there will be many more because I love green toys, and I'm dreaming of a green Christmas!
- Michelle