No plastic toys!!!

[SeekerMage]

Ok, I wasnt sure where to post this and technically it should be in the bitching post, but its a question at the same time.
My sister-n-law has decided that she doesnt want my nephew playing with ANY plastic toys, he is eight months old. She only wants him to have wooden toys and Im assuming fabric ones are ok. WTF???!!!!

Anyhow, since Im due at the end of November we are trying to get some of the Christmas shopping done now. Any ideas what to buy him?!
I cant really get anything wooden other then some puzzles because she seems to have everything else covered, a wagon, blocks, train set etc. She has a lot of the lamaze fabric toys so that is pretty much out of the way too. What can I get? Everything Fisher Price etc is plastic plastic plastic! I hope you have some suggestions to ease my mind! Thanks!

[susabusa]

I hate it when people make rules. Why cant they just say thank you and then give them away if they don't want them.

How about some books? I love the Chinaberry.com catalog. You could also do a search for Waldorf toys and find something fun.

Or be a really fun aunt and find some nice wood drums and metal cymbals! lol -- how about a big wooden whistle. Seriously, I would give him something noisy!

Stephanie

[Karenn]

Could you ask your SIL for a list? A girlfriend of mine is going the "only wood toys" route and has very specific vendors from which she wants her family to purchase the toys. I think this is why she's giving them a list. She mentioned one on-line vendor which was supposed to be the best, but I don't remember the name, sorry! I know we have some wood toy fans here, and I'm sure they'll be able to help!

[egoldber]

Here's a website that may give you some ideas: http://www.hannahroseytoys.com/index.htm

Also, if you search Yahoo for natural toys, wooden toys or Waldorf toys, you'll get a TON of hits.

But you may want to check your local TJ Maxx, Marshalls, Tuesday Morning and consignment shops. They often have a lot of wooden toys. And many people here (including me) are very fond of toys by a company called "Melissa and Doug" (used to be called "Light, Camera, Interaction!" ).

But books are also always a good idea.

And actually, I know how your SIL feels. I have nothing against plastic toys per se, but so many of them are big, loud, obnoxious and ugly. But it IS a little rude to make "rules" about gifts!

[daisymommy]

In addition to the places that Beth mentioned, if you have a Carter's Outlet or Baby Depot check there as well. I just got a very nice wooden ring stacker toy for $3.50 at Baby Depot as well as some wonderful puzzles for around $5.00. Also, at Carters I got a wooden shape sorter ($9), and some wooden books with fuzzy animal shapes in them ($7). Great prices for toys that are built to last!

[Melanie]

We also have a preference for wooden toys. Some great websites are http://www.novanatural.com/
http://www.ecobaby.com/newwoodtoys.htm
http://www.toymobile.com/

Also, Tuesday Morning seems to often carry them, occassionally I see some things at Ross, and as mentioned Carter's Outlet ( I just got a food set there for only $16!) Even Target is jumping onto the natural toy bandwagon with puzzles, bead wagons and train sets.

You would be surprised, there are really a lot of options out there for natural toys, they just can be hard to find in a brick & mortar store, but those do exist as well.

Between the vaccinations and the wooden toys, it sounds like your SIL and I would get along well. ;-)

[ddmarsh]

I love the name puzzles here: www.cutepuzzles.com

You can do either first name only, first and last or first, middle and last. They will place the birthdate and even the weight, etc. under some of the letters of the name(s). They were really great to deal with - I needed a couple of puzzles for gifts rather quickly and they not only are getting them here but are just invoicing me for them (I didn't put my credit card info in because the connection was not secure).

[houseof3boys]

I'm confused...what is wrong with plastic toys? I agree with Beth about them being loud and obnoxious looking but is there a reason that I am missing? Enlighten me since Ryan is too little to play with toys, I can't figure this one out.

[August Mom]

I would probably go with books if you are afraid that you'll duplicate wooden toys your nephew already has. But, what about a ball? Would that be okay? DS loves his Gertie Ball. http://store.yahoo.com/farmgoods/orgerbal.html There are also a lot of cloth balls out there too and when Christmas rolls around, he'll be around 1 year old. My DS is 1 and his favorite toys are balls. Just a thought.

[Melanie]

Well, really there are a couple of answers...

The first is PVCs, which even *some* of the major toy manufacturers are not using anymore. Have you noticed that some soft plastic baby toys will say: "PVC-Free?"
http://www.mothering.com/10-0-0/html...xictoy90.shtml

The second, is just wanting to surround your child with a more natural environment. Using cotton clothing, natural fibers in your h ousehold, whole foods (meaning those which occur naturally and are not processed or refined). Plastic toys often have harsh colors, light-up/make noise, etc. and are anything but natural. You could probably find more information on this aspect, if you do a search for Natural Parenting.