You know that you want to raise your child in a sustainable way, but you can’t always afford the latest and greatest. That’s why I’ve created this guide to finding toys that are not only good for your child but also good for the planet.
What are Sustainable Kids Toys?
Sustainable toys are toys that come from materials that are reusable or recyclable, safe for children and the environment, don’t use toxic chemicals or materials, are using renewable resources in a way that minimizes waste. Sustainable toys are not just good for your kids but also good for the earth!
Some of the best sustainable kids toys use natural materials like wood, cotton, and wool. These materials are renewable and can be reusable or recyclable over and over again. Other toys consists with recycled plastic, which means they don’t use any new resources to make them.
Your Ultimate Guide to Sustainable Kids Toys
Know what materials are in the toy.
The next question to ask is what materials are in the toy. You can find this information by looking at the product’s packaging or doing a quick online search. If the toy has a tag on it, check it as well. You’ll want to look for the materials and how they were made. If the toy comes from plastic or metal, check if it’s recyclable. If it’s not, then you might want to consider buying something else instead.
Check out the company’s mission and values.
Before you make a purchase, take a look at the company’s mission statement and values. If they don’t align with your own, it may be best to skip that toy altogether.
Next, check out its social media accounts to see how it interacts with customers and the community at large. Do you like what they are saying? Does the brand seem genuine? Is it responsive when issues arise or questions are asked?
Finally, look for press coverage from reputable news sources or blogs. If there isn’t any press coverage about your potential purchase then there might not be much buzz about the product yet—but this doesn’t necessarily mean you should pass on buying it!
Be prepared to pay more for a sustainable toy.
You might be surprised to learn that you’ll likely have to pay more for a sustainable toy. The difference in cost between a non-sustainable and a sustainable toy is often hundreds of dollars, sometimes thousands!
Why do they cost so much? Well, while it may seem like an obvious answer, the truth is that producing less waste during production is actually more expensive than not doing so. As you will soon discover though, the benefits far outweigh this initial extra cost.
Unfortunately for our wallets, there are no tricks or shortcuts here—the best way to find a good price on your sustainable kid’s toys is by researching online and visiting local stores until you find something within your budget range.
Look at how the product will affect your child’s senses and mind.
When you are considering a toy for your child, look at how it will affect his or her senses and mind.
- Look at the design of the toy. This can include how many pieces it has, how they fit together (if they do), whether they are removable, and what use they serve. Also, consider how much control over those individual pieces your child has as well as whether any parts are small enough to be swallowed by an infant or toddler.
- Look at how the toy is constructed. How durable is it? Does it have moving parts or buttons that could break off? Is there an age range indicated on the packaging?
- Look at the weight and size of both yourself and your child when deciding whether this particular model would be too heavy for him if he were able to lift it (and if so, look for something lighter). If there’s nothing on hand that’s lighter than what we already own then he can pick up one end while Daddy holds onto another end with one hand while carrying baby sister with his other arm across his chest; she gets tired quickly so playing games like this helps keep her entertained longer before needing food/water refills!
Meet your child’s needs with objects you might already have on hand.
There’s no need to spend much money on toys that will quickly be forgotten. Instead, try looking for toys that are reusable in many different ways. If you have an old cookie tin, consider cutting holes in it and turning it into a drum; if you have some felt squares lying around, make them into puppets.
To qualify as sustainable, a toy must meet four criteria:
- It must not produce harmful substances when used or disposed of.
- The materials used in the production of the product should be renewable and/or recyclable where possible.
- The toy should have minimal impact on the environment during its entire lifespan (production, transport, etc.).
- The end-of-life disposal method/process should not cause harm to human health or damage to ecosystems
Benefits of Sustainable Kids Toys
Better for the environment
When you’re shopping for toys that are better for the environment, there are several benefits. First and foremost, it means less waste—and more of your money is being put toward something that’s reusable over and over again. While toys made from plastic are often cheap to buy in stores, they’re often expensive when you consider how many babies need a new toy every time they chew on one.
High quality
Now that you know why sustainable toys are better, let’s talk about the biggest benefit to your kids: quality. This is especially important for toys that use wood and metal.
Wooden toys are by far the most durable choice for kids’ playthings since they’re naturally soft and bendable without breaking. They also have a longer lifespan than plastic or metal ones and don’t contain any harmful chemicals that could pose health risks to your child.
Sparks creativity
The best part is that sustainable toys can be just as fun, safe, and imaginative as traditional plastic toys. The only difference is that they’re using sustainable materials like wood and fabric instead of plastics, which come from petroleum products.
They’re also a great way to encourage your child’s creativity. Since there are so many different types of sustainable toys available, you can find one that fits their interests perfectly. For example, if they love animals and nature, you could get them a toy which uses recycled plastic bottles or bamboo!
Better for learning
Play is the most natural way for children to learn. Play helps children learn social skills and develop their language skills, imagination, creativity, and problem-solving skills.
Children can play with a toy for hours without realizing that they are learning how to solve problems or improve their vocabulary. This type of learning often occurs in the background while parents are focused on other things such as chores or cooking dinner.
Sustainable kids toys help your child grow socially because they allow them to interact with others in ways you would not normally see them do so if there were no toys involved at all! These toys also encourage creative thinking which helps your child develop logic skills that will come in handy later on down the road when they need it most!
Promote family time
Encouraging family time is one of the most important benefits of sustainable toys. Because these toys are created in a way that encourages parents and children to work together and get involved in the process, you can help your child learn a valuable lesson on sustainability while spending more time with them.
This means that while they’re making a toy, they’ll also be learning about how to care for their environment as well as how important it is to keep our planet healthy so that future generations can enjoy it too!
7 Sustainable Kids Toys that aren’t made out of Plastic
Toylogs Solar Wooden Race Model Car
This wooden race car set comes from sustainable wood and is perfect for STEM learning. It comes with a solar panel that charges the battery, so you can play with it indoors or outdoors. It’s great for kids ages 3+. The set comes with a car, a solar panel, and a battery. The solar panel charges the battery so you can play with this race car anywhere! It’s great for kids of all ages who love to learn about electricity and renewable energy.
Wee Gallery Night Life Floor Puzzle
The Wee Gallery Night Life Floor Puzzle is using recyclable paper and is printed with vegetable-based inks. The pieces are sturdy, but they’re also soft enough that your child can hold them without hurting their hands. This puzzle is 12″ x 18″—the perfect size to fit on a coffee table or floor! It measures 3 mm thick, so it won’t cause any damage if you leave it out in the open for a while.
Cocomelon 100% Recycled Materials JJ Plush Stuffed Doll
JJ is a green bear that loves to play, and he comes from 100% recycled materials. He might be your kid’s first plush toy, also born in a recycling bin. Recyclable plastic bottles are what they’re using to make JJ, so he is earth-friendly as well as adorable.
Hape Dynamo Wooden Domino Set
This wooden domino set comes from sustainable materials and is a great way to develop fine motor skills. It’s also great for developing problem-solving skills, as kids will be able to figure out the best ways to use this domino set.
Barbie Eco-Leadership Team Recycled Dolls
Classic Barbie dolls may seem like an unlikely choice for a sustainable toy, but the Barbie Eco-Leadership Team Recycled Dolls come from recycled plastic bottles. They come in a variety of skin tones and hairstyles, making them ideal for any kid. The dolls use sustainable materials, which means they won’t end up in the landfill after your child grows out of them. With these dolls, you can teach your child about recycling while still giving them something they love!
Eichhorn Constructor
The Eichhorn Constructor is a great option if you want to give your kid a construction toy that doesn’t use plastic. The toy comes with 150 pieces and allows them to build their own structures. The set ranges in difficulty from beginner, which can be completed by young children, to advanced, which will challenge older kids and adults alike. The pieces are all wooden so they won’t break as easily as plastic ones might. The box includes an instruction booklet for each difficulty level so kids can learn how to put together the different models as well!
Coogam Wooden Blocks Puzzle
According to the manufacturer, these blocks come from sustainable rubber wood. That’s right—no dangerous plastic here! The blocks are safe for children under three and come with a bag for easy storage. In addition to the alphabet shapes on one side of each block, there are also numbers and animals on them as well. This makes them great not only for building words and shapes but also for numbers.
Conclusion
Hopefully, we’ve inspired you to get more creative with these sustainable kids toys. And if they’re asking for something new, consider what it will do to their senses and mind—and whether it’s really worth the cost. Suppose you still need a little help finding products that are both fun for kids and good for the environment.
Explore more eco-friendly kids toys like an eco-friendly doll house.
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