Best Natural Toys for Babies and Children

Many parents are becoming increasingly aware of the many dangers that plastic toys pose to our children. We live in a plastic word, and plastic seems to the product of choice for many consumers. Yet plastic is harmful to the environment because many plastic items can take 1000 years or longer to decompose. There is even a push to get rid of the plastic bags we get at the grocery store. In the future those little plastic bags may be a thing of the past as more people switch to reusable bags made from recycled materials. Plastics can hurt the environment, but they can also affect our children. Quite simply there is just too much plastic in our lives.

I subscribe to Mothering Magazine, and I came across an ad a while back that promoted life without plastic. After visiting the web site for myself and checking out the products I have slowly been converting to more natural options for my family. The site has some very interesting information, and products available which may help you see that using non plastic items is easier than you once thought.

http://www.lifewithoutplastic.com/

Health Risks Associated with Plastic Toys

Phthalates are chemical compounds found in plastics. This particular chemical has been said to pose health risks to children especially little boys. This chemical has been found in many different types of toys from trucks to teething toys. Phthalates are also used in other products like nail polish, and solvents. You wouldn't want your child playing with nail polish or solvents, but when they play with plastic toys they are possibly going to be exposed to these same chemicals. Too much exposure to phthalates can cause many health problems such as damage to the lungs, reproductive systems, liver, kidneys, and the hormone balance within the body.

Natural Teething Toys

All babies go through some form of teething trouble whether it's severe or mild. Regardless, these babies need something to chew on in order to get through the pain and discomfort of those budding teeth. Maple teething toys are great for little ones to chew on, and you don't need to worry about plastic because they are handmade with maple and organic terry cloth.

http://www.kaikids.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=117

Soft Organic Cotton Toys

I love these super soft organic cotton toys for my baby and toddler. I prefer these toys over plastic any day. You will feel good knowing that your child is playing with a safe toy. We love organic cotton toys because they are always soft and durable.

http://www.ecobaby.com/newstuffedtoys.htm

http://www.organictoybox.com/

Organic Wooden Toys

Organic wooden toys are great for babies and toddlers because they are made from safe non-toxic materials such as maple, and milk based paints. Milk paint is also great for crafts you can do with your children. My 2 year old son loves playing with wood toys, and he now favors wooden toys over plastic.

http://www.playstoretoys.com/baby-toys-c-1.html

http://www.blackwagon.com/black-wagon/mot001-maya-organic-toys-peppy-five-stacking-toy.html

Sources

http://ezinearticles.com/?Soft-Organic-Toys---Know-What-Goes-Into-Your-Childs-Mouth&id=863666

http://www.theage.com.au/news/national/push-to-ban-plastic-toy-chemicals-linked-to-health-issues-in-babyboys/2008/05/24/1211183189561.html

http://www.nypirg.org/consumer/2002/phthalates.html