These days, we hear a lot in the media about bisphenol-A, phthalates and PVC in children’s products, particularly teethers, bottles, sippy cups, utensils and other food-related items. One thing we don’t hear much about are those same chemicals in your children’s bath toys. When I think about all the bath toys my kids have had over the years, I have very distinct memories of certain items always being in their mouths and I cringe at how many of them were probably tainted with toxic chemicals. It’s enough to make a parent crazy. Luckily, some companies have taken the lead on making safer children’s products, including bath toys and our safety-conscious friends at Z-Recs have taken the time to do the legwork and compile some great resources about which bath toys are, in fact, safe. Take a look at The Z-Recs Guide to Safer Bath Toys and then check out the bath toys and other non-toxic goodness over at The Soft Landing. Everything they carry is BPA and phthalate-free!

Find It Here: The Z-Recs Guide to Safer Bath Toys

By Izzy, July 15, 2008  
Filed under: Baby, Kids, Resources, Toys

Totem Boys… is it a bird, a plane or…sanity in a box? The correct answer is “All of the above!” Just when the boys of summer (mine) began that low but audible whine of “Mom, I’m bored,” I was able to produce shock and awe (to the 7+ set) by producing a game that bends those imagination muscles more than a Wii ever could… Totem Boys is a new building game for kids that is half puzzle and half model kit in a mix of unique die-cut panels made from recycled laminated cardboard and imprinted with interesting reversible graphic images of metal, wood, fire and air to create a spaceship, a plane, a ship etc. There are over 120 building cards for with imagination to spare and a little time on their hands. You can thank Kidsonroof of the Netherlands for saving summer and perhaps your sanity, as well. Cheers!

Find It Here: Stubby Pencil Studio

Win It: Enter to win a Totem Boys or Totem Girls puzzle (winner’s choice), courtesy of Stubby Pencil Studio! Click over to the Green Mom Forum to enter. U.S. and Canadian residents eligible. Enter by 7/20/08.

By Deb, July 13, 2008  
Filed under: Gift, Kids, Recycle, Toys

If you’re like me and catch yourself cringing inwardly when you see the words “batteries not included” on the toy your kid just has to have, then you must check out this toy helicopter — it actually runs on solar power! Recommended for children 3 and older, this solar-powered toy helicopter is lead-free and non-toxic and will never run out of batteries since none (yay!) are required.

Find It Here: Estella

Congratulations to Suzanne B. and Shirley C., winners of a toy helicopter! 

By Cristina, July 10, 2008  
Filed under: Gift, Kids, Preschooler, Toys, Win

One of the scariest things to discover is that one of the toys your child has been chewing/sucking on/mouthing etc. might contain lead. After all the toy recalls last year, I began to wonder which toys we owned might have lead in them and, unfortunately, I am still not completely sure whether all of our toys are safe. If you’re looking for a way to find safer toys for your kids without having to do a ridiculous amount of research into the safety of each potential purchase, then you’ll love the online shop No Strings Attached Toys. Each and every toy they feature in their store has been tested for unsafe lead levels with an X-Ray Flourescence device to ensure that all painted surfaces (as well as all plastics and other surface materials) on every toy fall far below the federal allowable limit of lead. They even post their toy testing results online so that you can search products and see whether the toy tested low, medium, high or extremely high for lead content. Hello safer, easier toy shopping! Buh-bye big box stores!

Find It Here: No Strings Attached Toys

Deal: Receive 10% off any purchase with code GREENMOM.

Congrats to Wendy S. winner of a $25 gift card to No Strings Attached Toys!

By Cristina, July 9, 2008  
Filed under: Toys, Win

“An America that makes nothing? No way!” That’s the cry from Made in USA Forever.com founder, Todd Lipscomb, who founded his online shop to make it easier for people to find US-made products. One of our favorites from his store is this classic fire truck by Maple Landmark. Handmade from hardwood maple in Vermont, this fire truck is 100% non-toxic and will last for years. With two firefighters and two removable ladders, this fire truck is ready for play. Maple Landmark is also committed to recycling and conservation. For example, you’ll be happy to know that they reuse boxes and packing materials for outgoing shipments. That means less waste in our landfills and more time feeling extra good about your new locally made firetruck.

Find It Here: Classic Fire Truck

Congratulations to Melissa, winner of the classic fire truck featured here, courtesy of Made in USA Forever.com!

By Sarah, July 2, 2008  
Filed under: Made in USA, Toys, Win

Sandcastle-building is one of my my kids’ top 10 favorite summertime activities. But I am filled with a small twinge of guilt at the thought of buying those made-in-China plastic beach toys. Luckily, a better option is now available — the Sand Play Set by Green Toys. Made of recycled milk containers, Green Toys are made of plastic that you can actually feel good about! Green Toys, Inc. takes environmental consciousness to a whole new level. Not only are their toys made locally in California, but they also obtain the raw materials locally. By eliminating oversees or cross-country transportation costs, they are also reducing pollution. They also use recycled, non-plastic materials for their packaging and (hooray!) no twist-ties! And finally, because I know you want to know, these toys have no traceable amounts of phthalates or BPA and have no external coatings that could contain lead paint. Yep, we think we’ve found a winner here! So skip the dollar store next time you are looking for sand and beach toys and check out Green Toys instead. Your planet thanks you.

Find It Here: Green Toys

Congratulations to Rachael W., winner of a sand play set by Green Toys! 

By Cristina, May 26, 2008  
Filed under: BPA-free, Made in USA, Play, Preschooler, Recycle, Toddler, Toys, Win

Unlike with bottled water, there will be no environmental guilt when drinking from this Green Toys tea set. To make their enviro-friendly toys, Green Toys reprocesses plastic milk jugs made of high-density polyethylene, which is known to be one of the safest, cleanest plastics around. In addition to this adorable tea set, other products in this line include an indoor gardening kit, cookware and dining set and a sand play set. Not only are these manufactured in the USA, but they are also packaged in 100% recycled corrugated easy-to-open boxes with absolutely no plastics, cellophane or those horrendous twist-ties that can turn the sanest of parents into raving lunatics. And, as if those packaging virtues weren’t reason enough to love Green Toys, consider that their toys are Bisphenol-A and phthalate-free, as determined by third-party testing conducted in the United States. Kind of makes you wonder why they don’t make all plastic toys this way…

Find It Here: Green Toys Inc.

By Sarah, May 13, 2008  
Filed under: BPA-free, Kids, Play, Recycle, Toddler, Toys

Twice a month, Thursday mornings are an exciting time at my house. That’s the day that both the garbage truck and the recycling truck come by to make their curbside collections and my kids race to the front window to watch the action. Thanks to Maple Landmark, now all kids can make every day recycling day with this wooden Montgomery Scoots Recycling Truck. Painted with non-toxic paint and made in Vermont from mostly local (USA) materials, this truck is recommended for ages 2 and up. At 4 inches long, the Montgomery Scoots Recycling Truck makes a fun and green educational addition to any play town.

Find It Here: KangarooBoo

By Amy, May 3, 2008  
Filed under: Kids, Play, Preschooler, Recycle, Toddler, Toys

Not all toys have batteries in them. I had to explain this concept to my almost three-year-old recently when he kicked one of the wooden cars I bought him and said, “Mommy, it doesn’t go. It needs batteries!” Admittedly, battery-operated toys are fun for kids, but wooden toys can be just as entertaining and can stimulate the imagination in ways that battery-operated toys might not. And let’s not forget the HUGE pluses of not having to run out to buy replacement batteries all the time or the good feeling we’ll get by eliminating worries over the hazards that batteries present to our environment.

So, if you’re looking for a fun, eco-friendly wooden toy for your preschooler/budding architect, check out Kapla’s wooden construction planks. The accompanying instructions sheets will give you great building ideas - from the simple to the complex (Eiffel Tower anyone?) . Made in France of 100% pine from certified renewable French forests, Kapla’s construction planks are sure to bring out the creative genius in your child. And parents, don’t worry, you won’t have to mess with glue, nails, batteries, or toxic paints. Just bring your imagination and you’re all set. Hooray!

Find It Here: Comptoir d’Enfance

Congratulations Angela H., winner of a box of 40 Kapla construction planks!

By Cristina, April 29, 2008  
Filed under: Preschooler, Sustainable, Toys, Win

There’s nothing that melts my heart more than seeing my son fall asleep hugging his teddy. However, when I found out that stuffed animals can contain contaminants, such as PBDE’s and carcinogens, I found myself wishing he wasn’t so attached to that teddy after all. Who knows what it’s stuffed with?

But thanks to online shops like Wild Dill, which are dedicated to offering natural and organic products, it’s possible to find safer teddies out there - like this totally adorable, classic teddy made in Germany. Machine washable and stuffed with wool, this 100% organic cotton teddy is hand made under strict European safety standards. A teddy like this is sure to make my son sleep safe and sound. And something tells me that I’ll be sleeping better too.

Find It Here: Wild Dill

Congratulations to Juliet H., winner of a $35 gift certificate to Wild Dill!

By Cristina, April 7, 2008  
Filed under: Baby, Kids, Organic, Sleep, Toddler, Toys, Win