The holiday season is upon us and we’re already seeing all those holiday commercials. Our 
televisions don’t advertise green-living toys and events for the holiday season. Beyond natural wood toys, and other eco-friendly toys, people often forget about recycled toys and how green toys can benefit our children and their look on the world and planet they live on. Actually, more and more holiday shopping websites and magazines are offering green toys more than ever. All that is required is asking questions and doing a little research!
What are some green toys that Santa could pass around this Christmas season? To begin with, why not buy some organic yarn and knit or crochet a new stocking for your child? Organic yarn and weaving materials that aren’t treated with chemicals are popping up all over the place and are easy to find even at a large craft or sewing outlets. If you’re not sure what qualifies as organic yarn or cloth, you can ask, but a good tip is that a good organic yarn will be either 100% organic wool or a combination of organic wool and cotton.
All sorts of stuffed animals are now being produced with 100% organic cotton. Seek out ones that teach your children about animal extinction, such as a Panda, or Polar Bear and not only will they enjoy their new green eco-friendly toy, they’ll be learning about endangered species at the same time. Eco friendly dolls can be found that are made from cloth or phthalate free vinyl and stuffed with organic cottons and wools. Not only will your child enjoy these toys, they are safe from the inevitable sticking in the mouth that can occur with babies and toddlers. Natural wooden toys such as trains, airplanes and, puzzles can be found at almost any craft fair. Not only will you be buying an eco-friendly green toy, you’ll be helping the artist whose passion for creating green products is so important to them.
Recycled toys are overlooked because parents think they will be full of wear and tear. Actually, when you buy toddler size toys, which every toddler usually has in abundance, they aren’t used all that much and most likely will look as good as new. Check with your local thrift shop or eco-friends and ask them about beginning toy swaps in your area. Make it a bi-annual or annual event and have contests on who can donate the most recycled toys and give out seeds and books on living green to the winners.
For your tweens or teens, eco-friendly book bags and backpacks are a good idea as well as organic lip-gloss, speakers for their CD players, solar iPod chargers, science kits and, telescopes. Books about green living for teenagers and young adults are also a good idea for the green family. For board games, Monopoly is also offering a totally green game and I have reviewed many other green board games. I love to gift games to family members because then we get time together as well. Haba has some adorable little games for only $6 that would be great stocking stuffers.
Finally, involve your children in the holiday cooking and talk about what you are eating and what are safe and healthy ways to grow veggies and fruits. Let them know you can make eco-friendly cookies free of chemicals their bodies don’t need! Maybe you could make some raw holiday treats from the Raw Kids Recipes un-cookbook…like the raw eggnog and the Coconut Macaroon Cookies.
You can see there are many ideas for green toys for Christmas this year so start by making your child’s eco-friendly stocking and stuff it with interesting, educational, and earth-saving ideas!
Check out our green toys gift guide for more ideas.
This year I purchased my children’s main presents used from craiglist for a couple of reasons – (1) trying to be more green and reuse what someone else may end up throwing away and (2) we were trying to cut down on our xmas spending this year. You are totally right that you can find used toys for toddlers that are not completely worn out. I did a clean up of the toys when I got them home and they look as good as new!
This year I purchased a couple of eco-friendly toys, that were actually breand new, from Craigslist. But I also found a really awesome company on this website that sells primarily USA, but also natural, Fair Trade and other eco-friendly toys. Down to Earth Toys, http://www.downtoearthtoys.com/ is an online store run by a mom and to my delight she is also local (Michigan). I found some really great gifts for my girls and also purchased some natural baby teething rings and rattles for my girlfriend who is expecting this month. the customer service is outstanding. Happy Holidays, Amy Noel