Many parents are going into this year’s holiday shopping season with confusion and apprehension following the rash of toy recalls and concerns over lead and otherwise contaminated plastics.
So what are the concerns about?
PVC (polyvinyl chloride) or vinyl
PVC is used in some soft and flexible plastics. PVC also contains lead as an additive—and there are no standards regulating the amount. Children who play with PVC toys are exposed to lead, as well as phalates, which have been linked to cancer and reproductive problems. The European Union, fourteen other countries, and California have already banned the use of phalates in children’s products.
BPA (bisphenol A)
BPA is used in some hard, clear plastics. Used to make plastic baby bottles and other food containers. BPA mimics estrogen and has been linked to multiple diseases and developmental problems.
How can we avoid these dangerous plastics?
All recently recalled toys were made in China. Buy domestic or european made toys whenever possible.
Trust your instincts.
If a price looks too good to be true, it probably is. Avoid cheap plastic toys. If you suspect that something you already own contains lead, you can buy an affordable color-change lead test at most hardware stores. However, be aware that this type of test only indicates lead on the surface (e.g. lead paint) and not the inside of the toy.
Check for recalls at www.recalls.gov or www.cpsc.gov (the website of the Consumer Products Safety Commission).
Check recycling codes on plastics and avoid #3, 6, and 7 and V.
Value beyond Safety
So, how do we judge a toy’s value beyond whether or not it is a physical danger? In this age of rampant consumerism, how do we find toys that nurture our children’s developing minds and bodies? The smart people at TRUCE (Teachers Resisting Unhealthy Childeren’s Entertainment) have these helpful suggestions for finding truly valuable toys.
“Toys have enhanced play value when they…
• can be used in many ways.
• allow children to be in charge of play.
• appeal to children at more than one age or level of development.
• are not linked to video games, TV or movies.
• can be used with other toys for new and more complex play.
• will stand the test of time and continue to be part of play as children develop new interests and skills.
• promote respectful, non-stereotyped, non-violent interactions among children.
• help children develop skills important for further learning and a sense of mastery.”
Toys that meet these qualifications for us:
Brio Shape Sorter
Shape Sorters are great for learning colors, shapes, and developing hand eye coordination–plus they just appeal to young children’s obsession with sorting! We love this version in new modern colors.
Brio Doll Pram
These little pushcarts are a quite versatile toy and well worth the space they take up. You can ditch your doll stroller, toy shopping cart, and walker toys–this will serve all masters. Our daughter enjoyed this version from Ikea.
Organic Cotton Soft Doll
This is the perfect first doll–good size for little hands, no hard parts to poke you in your sleep, and 100% safe even if it ends up in your child’s mouth. To top it off, they’re quite a good price, especially for this quality.
Tea Set
Kids love to have tea parties and this tin version of the classic tea set is a great alternative to porcelin for younger children or children with younger siblings. Check out all the great pattern variations–including Curious George!
Little Helper Broom Set
Imitation is a huge part of childhood play–and, of course, encouraging it is also a great way to keep your little ones happy while you do your work. If you get your kids one of these, you might find that they take over the sweeping for you!
Museum ABC Nesting Blocks
These beautiful nesting blocks from the Metropolitan Museum of Art are a surprisingly versatile toy. The pictures make them a 3D art book, and they serve as stacking, nesting, and building toys. Your child will find many other uses for them, such as garages for their toy cars, houses for their dolls, or bowls for their play food…
Melissa and Doug Pizza Party
For a toy with a rather finite purpose, this gets an amazing amount of use. Kids love to put on the velcro “toppings”, slice the pizza, serve guests, take orders, etc., and do it all over again.
Melissa and Doug Wooden Vehicle and Traffic Sign Set
These wooden vehicles and traffic signs will provide hours of entertainment, especially when combined with a whole city made of blocks!
Wooden Cook Top Playstove
This is a lovely alternative to the ever-popular monstrous plastic play kitchens that seem like such a good idea, but then take up half our kid’s room. This is small enough for use even in a small apartment, and it even folds up for transportation or storage.
Radio Flyer Rolling Pony
A classic kid-powered ride-on toy. Plus it’s a pony. Say no more.
Tinkertoy Classic Set
Classic Tinkertoys—at a great price.
Dollhouse Doll Family
Dollhouse dolls make for lots of imaginative play–with or without a dollhouse. We like these sets that include grandparents, parents, and kids.
Animal Magnets
Magnets are a great way to keep little ones occupied while you’re working in the kitchen. Look for the set that will hold your child’s interest–options include: dinosaurs, farm, vehicles, etc.
Natural Toy Specialty Sites:
Here are some sites that specialize in natural toys and offer a wide variety of european and american made products:
www.oompa.com
www.northstartoys.com
www.maukilo.com
www.islandtreasuretoys.com
www.kidsqualitytoys.com
www.naturalpod.com
www.rosiehippo.com
www.walkingsticktoys.com
Keep in mind that no matter how much love and thought you put into selecting your child’s toys, they will still probably spend more time playing with the box and wrapping. You may just want to stop fighting it and make some room in your child’s play space for these wonderful “non-toys” that seem to be so much fun.
don’t forget the original European wooden toy company: Ravensburger!
more wooden German fun: ABC Kinderladen
for those who’d rather buy american: WoodenToys.com
I couldn’t agree more with the call to rethink one’s blind acceptance of any market offering on the sole criterion of price. who said we had to make toys from plastic in the first place? I think it’s telling how our mainstream society mocks the Amish for their "backwards" ways, when in fact they have made sophisticated, conscious collective choices about what technologies they feel will improve quality of life (not just individual convenience) and what ones aren’t really necessary. not that we’d all be happy riding in horse-drawn carriages, but suffice it to say that we could all exercise a little more conscious choice when choosing between plastic, branded, non-biodegradable action figures and the good old wooden toys and games that sustained generations. jump-rope! whittling! origami! the little wooden puppets that dance around on the pallet you hold under your leg! the wooden frog percussion things (Khymi’s been playing with this at her great-uncle and -aunt’s ever since she was a toddler)! but I’m preaching to the choir.
The pizza factory from Melissa and Doug looks awesome. We have several of their puzzles, but haven’t seen the other toys!
the good human touched on this topic in a recent post. ’tis the season, i suppose…
i grew up with back to basics. while some of their stuff is limited-function and (IMHO) outdated and sexist (an occasional side-effect of making “old-fashioned” toys), some of it is good quality and will stand the test of time. their site also gives you the option of just browsing north american and european-made toys.
K has the pizza set and the stove here, too!
I’m especially turned off by all of the whizbangery that so many parents seem so enamored with these days. Kids don’t need electronic gadgetry and interactive doodads - they need interactive parents who actively stimulate their incredible little imaginations.
Another place to look for similar toys is Ikea. Their selection is perhaps a little limited as compared to some of the others listed in this article, but they do offer some great toys at a very reasonable price.