Eco Friendly Tip # 2 – Toys that ‘never die’
I read a great book while on holiday in Australia on having a green mind when you go about your day to day living of your lives. The name and author has escaped me but I promise to find out ASAP and post it in to this blog. Basically the author talked about items in their lives which lasted, ‘things that never died’. These items were ones which once purchased once did not need to be replaced for a very long time, if you could re-use and re-use an item it’s carbon footprint in less than something that you only use once and dispose of. It inspired me to try and make as many of my belongings ‘things that never die’.
When first buying toys for my daughter I realised that I had an opportunity for me to make eco-conscious purchases and buy toys that would ‘never die’. There are so many plastic bits and bobs out there that can be squashed, smashed and broken and so often there is a wooden alternative. If you purchase a wooded toy it will last the life time of your child, your children, friend’s children and even be passed down generations. (Dylan’s rocking horse is a great example, Tara’s husband found it in his Dad’s attic it looks great in their sitting room, works just as well as all the plastic rocking horses out there and not only did it not cost a cent it has close a zero carbon footprint .)
I find the ‘Melissa and Doug’ toys to be really good quality, brightly coloured educational and most importantly indestructible. Amelie loves her wooden toys. Now I won’t lie she has her share of plastic ones too but I find a little solace in my eco-conscious purchases and know that when she out grows them I can put them away for my children, grandchildren or great grandchildren to come, at best they will need a dust and a new coat of paint.
Amelie concentrating very had on her 'Melissa & Doug' stacking toy
There is a wonderful store in Stillorgan called Nimble Fingers. They are jam packed wall to wall with wooden and fabric toys for your kids. They are beautiful and reasonably priced. I can’t wait to get Amelie a doll house when she is a little older. You can even shop on line http://www.nimblefingers.ie/
Eco-Conscious Toy pointers
We all love to spoil our kids but before you rush to the shop to buy them all the newest and latest toys think about the following ideas, you might save a few bob and help out mother nature too.
- Sometimes children will have as much fun with the pots, pans and wooden spoons do they really need a new toy, get creative around the house you’ll have fun and save money!
- Swap toys with friends when your children get bored as opposed to buying new ones.
- Put some toys away and bring them out again after a few weeks, it is like having new toys.
- Raid the attic of your parents, who knows what you might find?
- Second hand toys will only need a clean and polish and if you buy from a charity store you are giving back to your community too and helping those in need.
- Buy toys made locally or by hand, check out your local craft markets.
- Buy toys the will ‘never die’ made from wood or fabric
- Donate old toys and books to a school, charity or crèche
- Get outside and in touch with nature, far better than any toy you could imagine!
Amelie gettig up close and personal with some of natures most beautiful toys at Adeliade Zoo
Dylan and Amelie having some fun in the park... They look like they could do with a few toys here
ha ha ha but they were actually having a great time this day enjoyng the grass and the birds they
were full of smiles, I promise!
Again, I completely plagiarised this term ‘thing that never die’ and will post the author
responsible for my inspiration as soon as I find the book again. It was a great read and clearly very inspirational.
With love,
Angi, Tara and the Jetsetting Babies
