M&W Green Guide

Eco-friendly Toys

Christmas is looming large on the horizon (certainly in the minds of major retailers and supermarkets!) and many of us are starting to think about what to buy for our children. Whilst little ones may clamour for the latest plastic gadget or character branded toy you may have questions about the ethical quality and eco-friendliness of these products.

There is also the issue of the health risks associated with some toys - recent studies have suggested that plastic toys may leech a number of potentially dangerous chemicals including phthalates, which are endocrine disruptors and possible human carcinogens. Earlier on this year the dangers of lead paint on some toys was highlighted too when the toy manufacturer Mattel had to recall thousands of products that had been found to contain lead.

So...what toys can you confidently buy, reassured that they are produced ethically without exploitation, using environmentally responsible materials with zero chemical risk to your children? We've selected six of the best!

PlayMais

PlayMais modelling 'bricks' look a little bit like coloured Wotsits and are made from non-modified maize which is 100% biodegradable. The bricks are dyed with food colouring so when your children have finished playing with them you can put them on the compost heap.

No glue is needed, the blocks stick with water. PlayMais can be pasted, cut, rolled, torn and shaped to the desires of your child's imagination or used to decorate drawings, pictures, ceramics, windows, or to make hanging mobiles. It's not suitable for children under three, presumably because they might be tempted to eat it!

M&W reviewer Lorna says " I normally dread it when my children want to be 'creative'! Neither of them really concentrates for longer than 5 minutes so I'll spend ages setting up paints, water, newspaper etc for them to create a big mess and then leave me to clean it up. The PlayMais was a different story though - Max (5) and Lily (3) LOVED it, they spent about half an hour sat together at the kitchen table making a 'garden' with flowers and people - it was lovely! After they had finished playing clearing up was simple, I just scooped the used PlayMais up and put it in my compost bin - perfect!"

PlayMais is available in packs of 100, 250 or 1000 bricks, prices start at £3.99.
Available from Little Green Earthlets - www.earthlets.co.uk

Organic Towelling Bunny

From Natural Collection (winner of The Best Online Retailer 2007 at The Observer Ethical Awards), these traditional, snuggly baby soft toys are made from organic cotton and organic cotton towelling, which is part-filled with wool. They come in their own organic cotton bag. We think these are the perfect comfort toys for little tinies.

M&W reviewer Kate says "My daughter Romy loved this bunny as soon as I gave it to her to cuddle. She is 11 months old and already loves anything pink, she is putting everything in her mouth too so it's really reassuring to think that this bunny is made from organic materials rather than anything synthetic. I also liked the packaging of the bunny - it came in its own little drawstring organic bag which made it look very special. I am definitely going to buy a bunny for my new niece."

Organic Towelling Bunny or Lambs are available from Natural Collection, priced £17.95.
Visit - www.naturalcollection.com to buy

Paperpod Rocket

Paperpod create children's playhouses and furniture with a difference - the designs are all made from environmentally friendly, cost effective and sturdy recycled corrugated cardboard. The product range includes furniture, a toy fort, dolls house and a variety of fabulous play houses. The beauty lies in their simplicity - they are a blank canvas for children to play, create & decorate using paint, collage, pens & crayons, limited only by imagination. Everything can be folded flat providing an ideal storage solution.

M&W reviewer Daniel says " The Paperpod Rocket is a great idea. It arrived flat-packed and we spent 20 minutes putting it all together, the kids enjoyed trying to help and they couldn't wait to get inside it. We made the mistake of assembling it in the living room and then realising it wasn't going to go upstairs assembled, so took it apart again and put it back together in Robbie's room. It impressed me how easily it came apart and went back together. The boys have enjoyed 'flying to the moon' and 'fighting aliens' and have even stuck some cut out stars on the inside. They have made it into their den. It's a pleasure to have a toy in the house that isn't electronic or made of plastic."

The Paperpod Rocket costs £30.
Available from Paperpod - www.paperpod.co.uk

Elephant A-Z Jigsaw

All Lanka Kade products are handmade in Sri Lanka by seven family based enterprises with whom Lanka Kade has long term ethical working commitments. Many of the products are made from rubberwood sourced from rubber plantations that are replanted every 10-15 years. The company prefer to use recycled products when available and all products and packaging are PVC free.

The product range is excellent and many items are educational as well as fun.

M&W reviewer Nicola says "My son Harrison (6) enjoyed doing this elephant puzzle - it's harder than you might think. He's played with it lots of times and when its completed he stands it on a shelf in his bedroom where it looks really nice too""

Elephant A-Z Puzzle is available from Lanka Kade, priced £16.00
Visit - www.lankakade.co.uk to buy

Bibbo Stacking Clown

This classic stacking toy, the cute Bibbo clown, is a firm favourite. Lacware looks great on this design so Bibbo also looks lovely sitting on the nursery shelf. A very traditional toy which helps eye-hand coordination, recognition of colours and also helps with counting.

Bibbo is imported by Leela - a fair trade importer who works in partnership with great suppliers in Nepal and southern India. All Leela toys are natural and safe - no plastic, no toxins, no paint, no chemicals and no lead - the halewood and rubber wood are coated with shellac and coloured with vegetable dyes like tumeric.

Bibbo Stacking Clown is available from good retailers (please contact Leela for your nearest stockist) - 01363 877 640 , priced £12.75. You can also buy online - www.leela-uk.com

Wooden JCB Backhoe Loader

A lovely, traditional wooden toy this backhoe loader from JCB is guaranteed to provide hours of imaginative play!

Each JCB wooden toy is hand made from either solid beech or birch wood which comes from forests that are sensitively managed. Plus, all paints and varnishes are non-toxic.

M&W reviewer Ed says "This is exactly the kind of toy I loved as a boy - made from solid materials with bright colours. Both my son Billy and daughter Clare have had fun playing with this. I normally sigh when they get new toys as they are so ugly - but this toy I didn't mind!""

JCB Wooden Back-hoe Loader is available from the JCB online shop - www.jcbshop.com, priced £49.99