Giving Mindfully to the Wee Ones on Your Gifting List: Choose Safe and Natural Organic Toys for the Most Thoughtful of Gifts

Toys are such a lovely, thoughtful gift to give at any time of year, especially for babies, when new parents are creating an inspiring, fun playroom for their new child. Giving safe and natural organic toys during the holiday season (when the bustle and excess of the season so often ride roughshod over good sense) is especially considerate and meaningful. As you shop for toys for the wee ones on your list, here are some tips for choosing enjoyable, safe, age-appropriate toys.

Toys made from Natural and Organic Materials will make Playtime not only Entertaining, but Safe, Too
It takes only a very few seconds to read a toy’s label – but those few seconds can make a world of difference for the child who will be receiving your gift. To keep Baby’s play free from harmful chemicals, read labels to be sure that soft toys are made from organic fabrics and fillings, and any dyes are natural and child-friendly. Stay away from toxic plastics, and select natural-rubber teething toys and playthings, instead. Choose wooden toys made from natural wood (rather than toxic MDF) and finished with natural paints or stains. Make a good choice for your planet, too, by opting for a toy created from strong, sustainable hardwood.

Will the Toy Stand Up to the Enthusiasm and Exploration of a Child’s Play?
Common sense is another important part of choosing the best toy for your wee friend. Will the toy you’ve chosen stand up to the rigours of playtime – chewing, pulling, sucking, twisting, and throwing? Are seams sturdy? Are eyes, noses, and belly buttons on a soft toy carefully made from stitches, rather than removable parts that could be a hazard? Are wooden toys free from splinters? Are toys and all of their parts large enough that they won’t become lodged in Baby’s mouth or throat? Carefully inspect the toy you’ve chosen to be sure that it will be completely safe for its new owner.

The Best Kind of Toy is not only Fun, but Will Help Baby Grow and Develop, Too
Even though the little one receiving your gift won’t be thanking you for contributing to his emotional, social, and cognitive development, be sure that you choose a toy that will do just that. In our over-stimulating world, we often forget the gentle simplicity, wonder, and potential for learning and development in soft, natural colours, designs, and shapes. Choose a simple, child-friendly plaything that will nurture age-appropriate, imaginative, fun, educational play both independently and with Mom, Dad, or siblings.

As you lovingly and carefully choose toys for the little ones on your gifting list, don’t be distracted by the rush of the holiday season or the allure of loud, plastic toys. Take a few extra moments to be sure that you choose mindfully, and give environmentally friendly baby toys that are safe, healthy, age-appropriate, and naturally stimulating. Don’t forget to remind parents that babies shouldn’t sleep with soft toys and, as a thoughtul, extra touch, give a bottle of green cleaner, too, so the toy can stay as clean and safe as the day it was received. You’ll feel that holiday gift-giving warmth, knowing that you’re helping to keep a special child’s playtime safe and healthy, and helped to make your planet a better place at the same time.