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Posts tagged safe toys

100% USA-Made Green Toys for Christmas

December 20, 2010 · Filed under Green Baby ~ Healthy Baby, Product Review's & Giveaway's - Green & Safe · Tagged bpa-free, Green toys, New Albany, safe toys

If you are looking for a last minute Christmas gift, consider trying a toy by Green Toys! An innovative company, their toys are constructed primarily of recycled milk jugs. If you would like specifics, the material used is called high-density polyethylene (or HDPE), considered one of the safest, cleanest plastics around.

Toy’s made in the USA are few and far between in today’s world. However, you’re in luck, all Green Toys are made in our own California. They are packaged in boxes from recycled material. Green Toys makes a variety of products appealing to both boys and girls. They make a dump truck, recycle truck, fire truck, tea set, dish set, tug boat, sand play set, blocks, and more!

Jack has a lot of fun playing with his dish set and sand play set. It is refreshing to know if he puts the dishes or sand shovel in his mouth (and he has!), he is not subjecting his body to harmful chemicals. Jack recently had an opportunity to try out a Green Toy Recycle Truck, donated by Green Toys. The truck has a movable bed and a back door that opens and closes. Jack enjoyed putting things in his truck bed and driving it around. This toy is great for indoor and outdoor play. Jack likes to play with the truck in his sand box in the summer. I love that this toy does not require batteries and instead encourages pretend play and creativity. Some times Jack pretends he is driving different places, picking up recyclables and other times he just drives it around with his other trucks. He enjoyed this toy at the age of 2 and I’m sure it has many years left of play and creativity. Also, a plus, Green Toys, including this truck come with an affordable price tag, around $7-$25.

Have you tried a Green Toy? If so, how did your child like it? What is your favorite product by this company?

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A Fun Treat for Columbus Toddlers

April 16, 2010 · Filed under Family Fun, Product Review's & Giveaway's - Green & Safe · Tagged columbus, Green toys, Larson's, New Albany, Nuchi, Ohio, safe toys, toddler, Train

We spent our beautiful, sunny, and warm Saturday afternoon going for a leisurely walk around downtown and the short north. We had a nice lunch at ZPizza which offers organic, all-natural, and gluten-free food. We stopped in a few local shops and learned about Everybodyrides, a program where local retailers in the Short North provide bikes for people to borrow to get around town then return when done, a greentastic concept! Read more about Everyonebikes here.

Before we made it downtown we stopped at one of our favorite local toy stores, Larson’s, in Upper Arlington. They sell many wooden and safe toys for kids and babies. They have a wide selections of all types of toys and games. We were looking for train tracks to put around the castle that Greg built with his friend Shane for Jack for christmas. While checking out I noticed a sign that said they offered a free gift for any customer turning 2! It was a oval train track by Nuchi with 2 colorful dinosaur train cars, valued at $19.95. I was pumped! I love Nuchi trains, it is a great company with high standards for safety.

Nuchi is a subdivision of the Little Little Little Toy company or the little³ toy company . The little company was started by Peter Reynolds, former president of BRIO’s American subsidiary. He split from brio due to a personal conflict. I spoke directly with Nuchi and despite being made in china, which I’m not crazy about, they comply with the American and European safety standards ASCM 963 and EN71. They could not guarantee zero ppm lead but said they do extensive testing and are always well under the standards listed above. They aren’t designed to be replica’s of existing trains but have a more playful, and colorful look, enticing children’s imaginations. According to TD monthly, this is a great up and coming company. Nuchi trains are compatible with brio and thomas train sets.

The free train set Larson’s is giving out is the perfect size for little hands. It is so hard to find anything for free, let alone a high quality train set! I recommend any parents of a 2 year birthday boy or girl to pay a visit to Larson’s!