Yesterday we discussed the chemical concern around toys and the newly introduced Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act to show a glimpse of the current toy industry. Today we fill you in on how to get great toys without filling up on LEAD.

We’ve all heard about lead in toys–it’s hard to miss that information when massive recalls are taking place and buyers are being urged to throw away suspicious toys. That doesn’t mean, however, that we all know what to do about it. Sure you can toss out all the toys you’ve acquired and lay down a ban on play things that will prove rather unpopular come birthday time, but there are less extreme steps you can take that will let your little one have toys and still keep your lives lead-free.

The Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA), when fully active sometime around September 2009, will help keep lead and phthalates from getting into stores and you can periodically check their website to see what’s taking place, what toys have been recalled and sign up for their e-mail alerts for future recalls. Go through the toys you already own and check for painted surfaces and plastic components (especially small ones that may be swallowed) which may contain lead. If your child has been playing with a toy that is now recalled you may want to check with your doctor to see if lead testing would be a good idea; this is especially wise if your child tends to suck or teeth on toys.

As you approach buying new toys, look for ones with as many natural components as possible. You can use the Toy Rankings at HealthyToys.org (a great site for all things toy-safety related) to browse toys or check a specific toy for safety. One of the easiest ways to assure yourself of a non-toxic toy is to buy from a brand that has always focused on natural, chemical-free products.

Plan Toys makes toys using rubberwood from the rubber tree and completely child-friendly non-toxic paints and sealants so they’re healthy for not only your youngster but also the environment. Safety is such a high concern for Plan Toys that they recently recalled their toy Penguin because of a single incident where the Penguin head fell off–even though there were no injuries. The toys also undergo both EN71 testing and ASTM testing before being released. Click here to read more

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You can only hear “are we there yet?” and “can we go home now?” so many
times before kids start to take a little of the relaxation out of your
vacation. As exciting as a summer trip can be for them, there are bound to
be moments of boredom — whether on the way there or at your destination.

Bringing a new toy along on your summer plans can help quiet cries of
discontent. We like the award-winning Plan Toys Pirate Ship, whose happy
sailors and detailed design should satisfy a range of ages. Also, though
we love the creativity of musical toys (like the Musical Band), the
Pirate Ship works well for close quarters play. Click here to read more

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Daily Greenz #65

With all the buzz about toxic toys in the news, Santa’s helpers all around the
country are scrounging for safe gifts for kids this holiday. Fortunately, this
year there are a variety of toys on the market that are both safe for your
child and the environment. When shopping for toys, avoid toys that are made
from plastic, especially the dioxin–producing  PVC, which releases toxins
into the environment throughout it’s lifecycle.  Toys made from PVC’s may
also contain phthalates which studies link to hormone disruption and even
cancer. Also, try to buy toys that use water based and low–VOC or no–VOC
(volatile organic compounds) paints. Batteries are extremely toxic as they
break down in landfills, so try to find toys that don’t require batteries. To find
these wonderful green toys, shop local independent retailers who are more
likely to put more care into the products they carry. Look for toys made from
FSC–certified wood that will last for generations.

Here are some of my favorite toy picks for this holiday season:

1) Wooden Blocks Extra Large Starter Set from Haba. $89.00

What could be more timeless than a good set of wooden blocks? This set has 102
pieces of untreated, natural beech wood of varying shapes and sizes. They come
in a reusable fabric bag, practical for storing and transporting.Visit hazelnutkids.com to purchase.

2) Vegetable Garden from Plan Toys $14.95
This little gardening set comes with a watering can, wheelbarrow, spade, and 2
vegetable beds with removable lettuce, carrots, radishes, and turnips. It is
made from preservative-free rubberwood and non-toxic water-based paint. Check out stores.planethappytoys.com to find out more.

3) Crazy Crayons
Crazy Crayons are made from non-toxic recycled crayon stubs! Each crayon is
unique and come in 100’s of shapes and themes, and custom designs are even
available upon request. Visit crazycrayons.com for more info.

4) Madagascar - Starter Set from Xeko $19.95

Xeto is "an outrageously fun, new animal trading card game that’s driving
kids wild." It won the 2006 Toy of the Year Award from Creative Child
Magazine and the 2006 Seal of Approval from The National Parenting Center. The
game is made from recycled paper and soy–based inks. As an added bonus, 4% of net
game sales are donated to Conservation International. Go to stores.planethappytoys.com to order.

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Daily Greenz #57

We’ve mentioned toys that are good for the environment, made of toxin-free materials and all that good stuff. Uncommon Goods does you one better by creating toys that are made from all recycled materials, so that they actually reduce waste in the world. Their collection of toys is fun, educational, and engaging, like the zippy Kimochi Emotion Dolls. Each doll is equipped with a unique personality and a full-ranging set of emotions. Kids can express what they’re feeling by popping an "emotion’ mouthpiece into their doll’s mouth, helping parents to better understand their kids. Buy one of these lovable rascals for $55 at uncommongoods.com.

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Daily Greenz #55

So you want to buy that little person in your life a little special something for the holidays, but the thought of shopping among the aisles of PVC (polyvinyl chloride), battery-devouring toys is downright dismaying. Don’t fret– you can still practice green during the holiday of gift-giving. Besides searching for toys that are PVC- and VOC- free (volatile organic compounds that are found in paint), keep in mind that wood is good. Toys made from FSC-certified wood are eco- and kid-friendly. Having been forested conscientiously, these toys are free from chemicals and are likely to last for years to come. Also, be sure to steer clear of toys that don’t have fair trade certification. If the factory workers didn’t have safe environments, the products probably won’t be safe for the environment. You can avoid risks like these and rest easy that your unique purchases didn’t have to globe-trot to reach your front step. Fat Brain Toys offers a wide range of green options for every age group, including a great set of building blocks for $62.70. Nab a set for the future architect in your family at fatbraintoys.com.

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