Natural Wood Blocks

Kids touch everything. Their minds are curious, and they constantly experiment with the world around them. It is a parent’s job to make sure that what they experiment with is safe. However the very things they are given most often, toys, may not be as safe as you think.

Toys are generally safe to the extent that your child will not have immediate harm from playing in most cases. But what about the lasting effects of chemicals and other toxins used to make or process just about everything… even toys? Children are more directly exposed and at risk to these chemicals because their minds and bodies are still developing. Kids expose themselves to toxins by touching them, or by placing their toys or hands into their mouths after play. Buying natural “green” toys for kids is often the best way to keep kids out of harms way. Not only are green toys safer, but they also are not full of the gizmos and gadgets many toys today have, allowing for more creativity for child's play, with the same toys that their parents were raised on. There is no down side to using green toys versus regular toys. The benefit of buying natural is the guarantee of safe non-toxic materials and natural playthings.

Green Kids Stove

Polyvinyl Chloride, PVC, is a chemical used in everything from building materials, to floors, to beach balls, to chairs, to bags and--of course--toys. PVC is an extremely useful type of plastic because it is strong yet flexible, fire retardant, and cheap. However PVC gives off harmful chemicals like phthalates that are known to cause cancer and hormonal imbalances. PVC should not be around children if possible, let alone in children’s toys. Materials like PVC are not used in green toys.

Many green toys are made from wood, which lasts longer and is more durable than plastic and does not contain any unnatural chemicals (unless it is stained). Wood toys like building blocks, rocking horses, and board games don’t wear down like plastic, so the toys given to kids may last to their kids.

Get back to the basics. It is debatable whether video games and other electronic consoles are time well spent for our kids. There are mixed studies showing that sitting and staring at a screen for hours on end can be contributing to the childhood obesity and diabetes increases. Same goes for the new electronic toys for younger and younger kids. With flashing lights and sounds, kids like them, but are they the best toys to help raise a child?

Constructive toys like building blocks and wooden kitchen sets cause kids to use their imaginations and be creative. Creativity is not a skill that can be pinpointed, but it is invaluable. Growing that creativity is what these basic toys can do, unlike many modern prototypes that do the thinking for you.

By buying green toys you are making a safe choice for a child, as they are free of chemicals and toxins. As well as being good for your kids, they are better for the environment. They are made to last longer, and when they do reach there last play date, they are often recyclable so they do not leave a negative impact on the earth, only a positive memory children will hold. Next time you toy shop, think green.