Bring back the classic toys!

I started looking at baby and children's toys before my son was born (who doesn't?!) and was just a little dismayed by some of the selection available. Everything that I saw looked like cheap plastic that would inevitably break 6 months after purchase. It all looked tacky and flimsy and just... unappealing to me. Perhaps I am the only one, but I prefer the toys I remember from when I was a kid. The wooden blocks, abacuses, lincoln logs, stacking rings, train sets, etc. Sure, I had lots of the plastic stuff too - but those aren't the toys I remember as vividly. They didn't last as long and for whatever reason, I don't remember them being as much fun. Also, they look so busy and complicated sometimes. There's often a lot going on on just the one toy and it makes my head hurt. I like simpler toys that allow for some creativity and don't burn your retinas. Plus, both the classic and newer wood toys are more unique - not every kid is going to have that exact toy.


I'm sure part of the argument behind all these cheap plastic toys is that they're easier to disinfect. Which is fine for daycares and preschools, but most of us aren't running one, so your little tyke isn't likely to have 30 different kids' germs all over his toys.






















There's just something sentimental to me about those wooden toys. Even the brand new ones on the market today have a vintage feel to them, and look a little like family heirlooms - like something you'd find in your grandmother's attic. There are vintage plastic toys - but they seem more durable than the mass-market plastic toys available today.

I was able to find some cool wooden toys on Zulily - which I have blogged about many times before. It's really one of my favorite online shops - I always find new products I have never seen before plus good deals on brands I already know and love. I found a neat wooden ball toy and cute wooden dinosaur puzzle. There was a sale on Eric Carle products in celebration of the Very Hungry Caterpillar's birthday - and I picked up a hungry caterpillar wooden stacking ring toy.

Thanks to Zulily, I also was introduced to the brand Green Toys, which makes toys out of 100% recycled plastic - milk jugs to be specific. I saw them at Pottery Barn Kids the other day too, and they appear thicker and more well-made than a lot of the cheap stuff you can find at Walmart and Toys R Us (not that there's anything wrong with either of those stores!) Plus, they're made in the US - California to be specific - and are sold in 100% recycled cardboard packaging with no plastic twist ties or cellophane.

I have a cart full of wooden toys on Zulily right now. Not that I'll be buying them... my boy won't be playing with trains any time soon!

Another place to look for durable, classic wooden toys is Etsy. There are a lot of shops that make handmade wooden toys - like these gems. 

Cute wooden tooth teether toy from Little Sapling Toys

"magic beans" from Apple n Amos

Wooden telephone from Goshen Pickers

Cheeky little wood cellphone teether from 3 Princesses

I don't know about you, but as for me, I will be essentially boycotting all of the cheap plastic junk available on the market today (as much as possible) and will instead be opting for more durable, long-lasting wood and handmade toys. I love Etsy, so I will also be supporting small businesses! I just took up sewing, so I may even try to sew my own toys down the road.

Citrus Lane (Baby Subscription Box) Review

One of the box subscriptions I get is Citrus Lane, which I was signed up for as a gift. It's always full of great toys and products I may not have heard of before! (Which is really saying something!)

My June box came in yesterday and I snapped a few pictures before I tore into it. :)

Ecocentric Mom and Baby Box

I was given Birchbox as a gift maybe a year ago, and loved it. A monthly box containing lots of goodies, samples, and coupons! I sometimes have a bit of a shopping problem and receiving my box in the mail kind of quells the urge to buy stuff.

Then, I started seeing ads on my Facebook for other box subscriptions - like Bark Box with goodies for dogs and Nature Box (both of which I've yet to try). I got a gift subscription to Citrus Lane, which has lots of fun baby goodies every month. Then there's also Bluum box (for kids) and I'm sure plenty of others.

Shortly before my baby boy was born, I signed up for the Ecocentric Mom and Baby Discovery Box. This box comes every-other month and contains stuff for both mom and baby. They also have a Mom box and a Mom-to-be box (goodies for the pregnant bunch). Every time I get a box, I always intend to take pictures so I can post about it... but I rip it open so fast that I only remember once I've eaten the snacks and unwrapped everything and thrown away the box and tags... whoops.

But this time, I remembered!!!

Free Baby Classes: Gymboree, My Gym and others

When our little boy was about 1 month old, I began looking for things to do with him. I had started getting stir-crazy just sitting at home all day. With no plans to return to the workforce anytime in the near future, I needed some reason to get out of the house. And though I would love to go shopping every day, I'm not one to just "window" shop - I always end up getting something. And that's no way to stick to a budget.

I found that some gyms and centers offer infant classes. Most of these classes advertise enhanced development and support of babies' growth - mainly through sensory stimulation. Lots of music and colors and sounds. The class we attend always does 5 minutes of tummy time and a new focus every 2 weeks. (The first 2 weeks were beach balls, and the next 2 weeks were blankets). Some programs involve American Sign Language, yoga, rides and swings, bubbles and some give an informative handout to parents every week.

Tummy time! They always use the rain stick to get babies' attention and practice tracking.

Recalls

So this morning I found an article about a popular toddler toy that has not been recalled despite serious safety concerns and fire hazard. After reading that, I decided to look up other worrisome toys and baby things.


First, here is the hazardous toy that has not been recalled:

Fisher Price Soothe & Glow Seahorse

The article on the fire safety concerns
The article says it is the 7th best-selling toddler toy on Amazon, but as of this writing (March 1, 2014), it is actually the 4th best-selling toddler toy on Amazon.

University of Denver electrical engineering professor Dr. David Gao investigated a toy brought to him by parents and experienced the same problems as many consumers. After putting in new batteries, "the coil began to burn. It turned bright red, smoke poured out of the compartment, and the plastic casing around it began to melt." If left burning to keep going, the battery may explode. "Dr. Gao said the burn risk isn't the only problem. He said the fumes from the melting plastic can be poisonous, and overheated batteries are dangerous, too. He believes the problem with the Soothe & Glow Seahorse is a design flaw that involves the battery coil, metal, wiring, and soldering inside the toy."

Despite at least 10 complaints being filed to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, Fisher-Price refuses to issue a recall, asserting that the toy is safe. They have apparently made changes to the design - originally the toy required 3 batteries, now it only takes 2. Dr. Gao says that may help the problem, but the company should still recall the old models and replace them.


Now, onto the items that have been recalled: