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Have you ever given your baby a new toy only to discover that she is more interested in playing with the wrapping paper or box? As in all aspects of living more sustainably, the first step may be to reduce the amount you buy.
Remember, everything is new to your baby! Simple household items make excellent baby toys. For example:
- A clean, old set of keys.
- Mixing bowls and clean food containers make great stacking and nesting toys
- Wooden spoons make great teethers and fun noise makers when combined with pots and pans
- Empty paper bags and cardboard boxes provide endless hours of play
When you do buy toys, particularly as baby approaches one year, consider hitting second-hand stores or neighborhood garage sales. Many baby toys will only engage your child for a few months, so sharing between families saves everyone money. Try to buy toys that have a long life—things like blocks, books and figures—that engage children through many stages of development and can be passed on to other kids.
One thing to avoid: Many old soft plastic/vinyl toys and teethers were made from polyvinyl chloride (PVC), which can be broken down by chewing action. Unless you know what a teether or soft plastic toy is made from, dispose of it.
Learn More
Read the article Play it Safe to learn more about safe baby toys.
SustainLane.com is the nation’s largest community-powered directory of green products and businesses. SustainLane allows people to easily find and share reviews on anything from organic baby food and fair trade chocolate to eco-friendly clothing and environmentally friendly diapers. The more people share and participate in SustainLane’s community, the easier it becomes for you and your family to live green.
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