Environmentally Friendly and Child Safe Toy Options

Going Green: Environmentally Friendly Toys

When it comes to toy shopping this Christmas, why not consider going the eco-friendly route? According to Marketwatch, Toys "R" Us is expecting to do significant business with eco-friendly or "green toys," this holiday season. But how do you know if the toys you are purchasing are genuinely "green?" Well, first things first - it's essential that you do your research before buying. Find out what manufacturers specialize in eco-friendly products and shop those brands. At the very least, make sure and read the labels before buying. Here are some specifics that you should look for when shopping for eco-friendly toys this holiday season.

1.) Wooden Toys:
Buying toys made from a natural, sustainable hardwood is a great way to ensure that your toys are "eco-friendly." The wood used to make these toys is sustainably harvested from special forests. There is an estimated 200 million acres of forestland in the United States that is certified as sustainable and responsibly managed, so make sure that you do your research before hand.

2.) Plastic Toys:
Plastics have gotten a bad rap over the past couple of years. If you are going to shop for a plastic toy this year, make sure that they are PVC-free. PVC, Polyvinyl Chloride is a plastic most commonly known as "vinyl." While products made out of a PVC plastic tend to be inexpensive, this type of plastic contains potentially harmful toxins. According to Greenpeace, PVC plastics are the most environmentally damaging of all the plastics. Many new toys are already being made with PVC-free plastics but do your research before and read the packaging before buying.

3.) Stuffed Animals:
When shopping for dolls and stuffed animals, make sure that the toys you are buying are made from an organic cotton. Chances are the kids are going to be snuggling up close with these dolls so it's a good thing if they are made of natural products. Challenge & Fun makes a great line of organic stuffed animals made from 100 percent organic cotton and filled with pure wool.

4.) Lead-Free Toys:
One of the biggest problem-areas concerning toys recently has been surrounding lead. Lead is a heavy metal that often times used as a stabilizer in PVC products as well as in certain paints, rubber, plastics and ceramics. According to healthytoys.org, scientists have determined that there is no safe level of lead for kids to be exposed to, so it's best to avoid products with any lead. While many American-made toy companies have eliminated lead from all of their products, it's best to double check by either checking a manufacturer's website or calling a customer support hotline.

As long as you do a little bit of preliminary research before embarking on your holiday shopping excursions, you're likely to find a good selection of eco-friendly and fun toys. Find everything from an eco-friendly dollhouse, and dolls to a green play kitchen, activity table and matching chairs. Just because you're going green doesn't mean that you have to be a scrooge! There are plenty of fun green toys to choose from.