The early years of your child's development are crucial, so it's important to pay attention to any aspects that may hinder the process, and as babies and toddlers tend to explore their environment by putting things in their mouths, it makes sense to take a closer look at their toys.
There are many toys on the market today manufactured with safety in mind, but some have been recalled due to choking hazards.
This article will help you choose the right toy for your little one and protect him from potential dangers.
Toys that should not be given to children under 3 years of age
- Small parts (metal, glass)
- Toys with small parts such as buttons, screws, magnets, etc. can cause choking if swallowed.
- Hard plastic parts - These toys can break, posing a risk of injury to young children.
- Soft rubber toys - These can contain small pieces of hard plastic that can get stuck in the throat.
Toys that should be kept out of the reach of toddlers :
- Sharp edges
- Choking hazard - Sharp-edged toys such as scissors, knives, forks, spoons, etc.
- Ropes and wires
- Toys containing batteries
Toys that need to be cleaned regularly
- Plastic toys
- Wooden toys
- Dolls
- Animals in plush toy
Choosing the right toy for your baby
When choosing a toy for your baby, consider the following factors:
Safety - Choose toys that are non-toxic and safe for your baby. Avoid toys with small parts, sharp edges and loose pieces. If you're not sure whether a toy is safe, contact a paediatrician before giving it to your baby.
Fun - Choose toys that are fun and attractive for your baby. Play activities should also include learning. Try modeling clay, finger painting or music boxes.
Age-appropriate - Make sure your baby's favorite toy is age-appropriate. Choose age-appropriate toys.
Chemicals to avoid in baby toys
Many dangerous chemicals can lurk in baby toys. The most common are:
- Cadmium is a heavy metal often added to plastics to give them color and luster.
- Lead is another heavy metal that leaches into any liquid placed in a toy. This is particularly serious if the toy is small enough for a child to choke on.
- Polyvinyl chloride, or PVC, contains phthalates, endocrine-disrupting chemicals linked to developmental disorders, which can leak from the plastic.
Warning against plastic
Plastic takes an average of 400 years to disintegrate, and accounts for 70% of the waste in the oceans. Plastic toys and PVC teething rings contain phthalates, used to manufacture flexible plastic, which are extremely toxic and can cause kidney, liver and reproductive system damage.
Some hard plastic toys and childcare articles contain bisphenol A(BPA), a substance that accumulates in the brain and can cause behavioral and memory disorders. In fetuses and children under three, the effect is more serious as the brain is still developing.
How to choose safely?
- Choose toys made from natural rubber, organic cotton, silicone, wool, durable raw wood, or finished with natural oils, beeswax or non-toxic paint.
- Avoid toys containing toxic materials such as lead, phthalates, BPA, PVC, polyurethane foam, formaldehyde-based glue or other chemicals known to be harmful to children's health.
- Avoid toys with small pieces of string, buttons or magnets that could penetrate clothing or skin.
Why choose sustainable toys for your child?
Sustainable toys are made from natural, renewable materials. They do not pollute the environment at any stage of their development, and are designed to last, without sitting in landfills for centuries.
The best sustainable toy companies are firmly committed to social responsibility and environmental stewardship. They use recycled or recyclable materials wherever possible, and strive to reduce their impact on the planet through energy-efficient manufacturing processes.
What kind of toys should I choose for my toddler?
Choosing the right toy for your child can be difficult, especially when they're just beginning to discover the world around them. Fortunately, we've put together a list of the best toys for toddlers.
- Rag dolls - If you want to give your child a doll that won't harm his or her health, opt for a rag doll. These dolls are usually handmade from recycled fabrics and other materials, making them environmentally friendly. Lilliputiens dolls and Cuddle+Kind hand-knitted dolls are excellent examples.
- BPA-free dolls - The dolls are made of soft vinyl, which is both durable and flexible.
- Wooden toys - Wooden toys are robust and durable. They can be used in the garden, on the beach or in the park. They come in a wide variety of shapes and sizes, which means they're perfect for all ages. Wooden toys are eco-friendly and last longer than plastic toys. They are also free from toxic chemicals. Toy Van's Petilou range of early-learning toys is a must-have wooden toy for children under 2.
- Natural rubber toys - made from natural rubber sap, harvested directly from trees by digging into the bark, making them 100% natural, ecological and compostable.
- Silicone blocks - Silicone is durable, flexible, stain-resistant, easy to clean and able to withstand extreme temperatures without deteriorating. Reusable, it's truly environmentally friendly from start to finish. Silicone enhances the performance of the products we use every day, while making the most of our natural resources.
- Animals in plush toy - Animals at plush toy are not only cute to cuddle, they're also wonderful companions for young children.
- Ecological toys - Green biodegradable toys are made from wheat straw. It's an eco-friendly material and a smart, environmentally-friendly alternative to plastic. It is a superior food-grade material, totally BPA-free and FDA-approved. The impact of ordinary plastic on the environment is devastating, and wheat straw-based plastic is an excellent alternative.
PlanToys is a manufacturer of sustainable toys whose main manufacturing material is rubber wood, a sustainable by-product of the latex industry's exploitation of trees used for natural rubber production once their productivity diminishes.
How to clean toys safely
Clean your children's toys safely with plant-based products free from harsh chemicals, synthetic dyes and fragrances. Avoid soaking or immersing wooden toys in water; instead, clean them with a towel sprayed with lukewarm water or white vinegar.
See our complete guide to toy cleaning for more details on recommended methods and practices.
