Choosing Natural Baby Toys

Now that natural baby toys are in high demand, there is a surprisingly good -- and fun -- variety from which to select gifts for friends or your own children. Whether the intention is to support local artisans, encourage the use of beautiful and natural products, or simply to avoid potentially toxic materials, you're in good company -- many conscientious parents are now choosing natural baby playthings for their infants. Wooden teething toys made in Germany, wool and organic cotton dolls handmade in America, and solid wood blocks from Asia are just a few of the many natural baby toys made from child-friendly materials available today.

When shopping for eco- and kid-friendly baby toys, there a few criteria to keep in mind. While few toys will disappoint, some are better made than others or will be more suitable depending on the child's age and other factors. For example, wooden clutching and teething toys should be introduced around three months and babies will typically outgrow these before they turn a year old. Buying several natural baby toys, such as a wooden rattle, organic cotton animal, and hemp cloth book, ensures the child will have variety and not tire quickly of his toys. Wooden blocks can be played with from infancy through preschool -- and even beyond, when older children use them to make forts for toys soldiers or houses for small dolls.

When shopping, consider the materials used to make the natural baby toys you find. Organic wool and natural hardwoods, as well as organic cotton and rubber wood, are some of the top-quality elements in natural toys. Painted pine is less appealing and usually made more cheaply than hardwood stained with natural ingredients, but is still a step above plastic items.

Compare the design and appeal of several natural baby toys in the same category before purchasing. For example, there is a range of attractiveness and unique design when it comes to simple grasping toys for infants. Some are simply prettier and more pleasing to the eye than others, and feel better made than their cheaper counterparts.

Check the country of manufacture. While some mass produced wooden toys are made in factories in China, Selecta and Haba items are made in Germany and Animals and Arks still makes its natural baby toys in the United States. Supporting toy makers local to you or at least within your country is eco-friendly, as the toys have less distance to travel and are supporting local endeavors.

There are many beautiful and innovative naturally-made toys on the market today. With a little exploring, you can find some lovely gifts and heirloom-quality items you would be happy to keep in your own home. And in the end, that's the test all natural baby toys should have to pass.

Maria O'Brien enjoys reviewing wooden toys on her site, http://neatwoodentoys.com. To enter wooden toy giveaways, be the first to hear about fun new toys and more, sign up for her monthly newsletter at http://neatwoodentoys.com/newsletter.html

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