Natural Toys for Kids

This holiday season, parents will flock to stores to buy all types of gifts for their children. We've all seen the videos of parents fighting over the hottest new figurine or doll. This year, skip the hype, shirk the plastic toys and instead invest in some natural toys.

Wooden toys were the first type of toys kids knew. Adults would whittle a piece of wood to create toys in the shapes of animals, wooden dolls, puppets on strings, and toy cars. Kids would play for hours with these toys. Once the kids outgrew them, they could be passed on to younger kids.

Toys from natural materials have been passed over for the more colorful plastic types that talk and move. Kids have fabulous imaginations, and simple, natural toys inspire the use of imagination during play. "Interactive" toys have a very limited purpose, so the child's imagination doesn't need to be engaged since the toy basically dictates to the child how it should be used.

Natural toys are environmentally friendly. Many are used in their natural state, and most are made from responsibly harvested materials. Paints used on eco friendly toys are non-toxic and safe for kids.

When other toys are broken or the kids get tired of them, they are thrown away. Each year something new will replace the old favorite and they will no longer like it as much. In a landfill, those toys just sit and take up space. Lots of toys that are thrown away still have their batteries inside. Toys that are filled with chemical substances can release them into the ground as the housings break down, posing a potential hazard.

When natural toys are broken, they can be fixed. You don't have to throw them away. Wooden toys can be passed down from generation to generation.

Wooden toys maintain their shape and if scratched, the imperfection can be sanded out. These toys hold together better than modern toys created on an assembly line.

If wooden toys are old and no longer usable, they can be disposed of safely. Because they are made of natural wood, they can be chopped up and used in compost. Colored wooden toys can't be used for that, but they can be refurbished and donated to local charitable organizations. Toys made from natural fibers will break down and biodegrade over time, as opposed to plastic toys which will never break down completely.

Introduce kids to natural toys when they are young. Puzzles come in wooden and paper shapes instead of plastic. Most wooden toys have rounded edges so they are safer to play with and handle. Even if they gnaw on wood it won't hurt them. Knitted toys and ones made from natural fibers are safe for the wee ones, and will stand up to lots of love.

Choose natural toys for the little folks on your list this year.They are environmentally friendly, safe for young children, durable, and repairable if they are damaged.

For a variety of Earth-friendly, natural toys, check out these online shops:
* Organic, Fair, Natural Gifts from Wild Dill
* Wooden Toys from Baby Earth
* Natural Toys from The Land of Nod
* Gaiam Toys - For a Natural Lifestyle

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Notes from Jodi

Awesome Recipe Book for Kids
My daughter Rhiannon goes to a very small parent co-operative school. As a fundraiser for her school, the kids and parents pulled together our favorite family recipes and put them together in this one collection.

You are certain to find several recipes that your family will love, and there are even fun kid-friendly ones, such as home-made play dough. All proceeds go directly to the Co-Op Elementary School and will help us meet our 2009 budget. Check out their website for more information.

We are blessed to have lots of family in town for the holidays this year. Our girls will have both sets of grandparents to spoil them, plus aunts, uncles and freinds to help us celebrate.

Have a very Happy Holiday with your family, and best wishes for a fabulous new year!

Blessings,
Jodi Selander
PlacentaBenefits.info