With the holidays coming up fast, you’re probably starting to consider gift options. If toys are on your list you’ll want the piece of mind that the toys your children are playing with are safe and environmentally friendly.

This year consumers need to be aware of toys made by loose manufacturing standards. The US Consumer Product Safety Commission has announced recalls of literally thousands of Chinese-made toys due to lead paint dangers, just in the month of November! So considering that your children, will more likely than not, chew everything edible and non-edible in his or her sight, this is motivation to make sure your child’s playthings are green and healthy!

Recently, I read in Green Home & Family magazine about a California Company that makes a toy line from 100% recycled plastic materials. Everything in the toy line has been thoroughly tested by nationally recognized independent labs located in the USA. They contain no traceable amounts of Phthalates or BPA. They’re also designed without any external coatings, eliminating the fear of lead paint. The toys are made in the USA and every step of the toy making process takes place in California, which saves energy and means fewer greenhouse gasses from transportation.

Even the packaging of Green Toys is environmentally friendly. They use as little packaging as possible and the material used (recycled corrugated boxes) is 100% recyclable. They don’t use any plastic or twist ties which means the boxes are easy to open and there are no dangerous parts. Kids can open the package themselves with no help from Mom or Dad. I think the search for green toys for the holiday season is over!

One more thought… for all of you who will over indulge with the food this holiday season, this cool Eco Saucer might come in handy when the meal is over and it’s time to burn off some calories☺