[ShannonMVT]

...anyone have some that they just LOVE? I am looking for a couple more Christmas gifts for Matthew and I'm finding some I like but they are either for older babies (12 months and up) or for little bitty babies. I feel kind of bad now that almost everything we got him for Christmas is plastic (well except for a few books) so maybe I should get a few non plastic things.

[Frozendesire]

Can some one fill me in as to why plastic is not purchased in some families? I'm just curious. We have plenty of plastic plus wooden and cloth toys. I've never really thought anything of the plastic stuff.

[sara~b]

Stef - I'm not sure either. I don't necessarily avoid plastic. I just don't like the super-expensive, flashy, crazy, loud toys.

Taggies are one of my favorite sensory brands! They just have so much neat stuff!
Baby Bungalow

[ShannonMVT]

I think because even if you get BPA free plastic, who is to say there isn't some other toxic chemical in the plastics we use? (and that our babies slobber all over) A couple of the toys I got for him are of the light flashing, sound playing variety and I'd like to get a few more toys that are more of the "classic" open ended toys. I got him some wooden blocks but they are 18 months + and they have sharp corners. Those will be more for when he doesn't stick everything in his mouth every second of the day, haha.
I like the Taggies! My MIL actually made him a homemade Taggie blanket and just recently he has really started touching the tags and liking it.

[Trannyfromtheuk]

Ive heard some women go on about how its not safe - I dont understand how because im sure they wouldnt sell it if it wasnt safe? :shrug:

[Mars]

It's generally because of the BPA issue like Shannon mentioned.

I got Amara a wooden blocks set with a pull along wagon from Boots (12+ months). I don't know if she will like it as yet as this is her first wooden toy set and she's getting it as her Christmas gift.

[greeneyes]

I know a lot of mommas here didn't have babies for the Great Toy Recall of 2007 but after that, nope, not gonna buy plastic. There are PLENTY of things that are sold whether they are safe or not, though I do truly believe the bigger name brands (Fisher-Price, etc) do a good job of safety testing. Plus, I love the look and feel of wood/cloth toys and the idea of actually having something to pass down to grandkids.

[sara~b]

here's a question... How do you clean and sanitize cloth and wooden toys? I mean washing a cloth toy would seem to do the job but wouldn't slobber and spit up and whatever else soak into wood?!

[Frozendesire]

Oh Sara, good question about the wood toys! How do you Momma's keep them clean?

I never really thought twice about my plastic play school and fisher price toys! haha.
But I totally agree, just because it's sold it's definitely not FOR SURE safe. UGH. I hate recalls!

[Resi]

About keeping them clean.. To be honest I have never really cleaned them. If anything I wipe them down with a wet wash rag. If I was going to clean them a little better I would use warm water with vinegar. We don't have a huge amount of wooden toys and the ones we have don't get dirty.

My reason for not liking the plastic stuff is becaue of all the toxins used to make them. Besides that I'm just not into the flashy noise making stuff although we have plenty that was given/bought for us. I think it's better to have toys that involve imagination. If we were rich I would buy a ton more wooden/cloth toys and donate all the noise makers/plastics/flashing lights.

Shannon, I don't really have any toys to recommend for Matthew's age. I would just check out some websites and see what they have to offer for his age. You can always get something a little above his age and know he will play with it in the future. I got Oliver a big wooden train from pottery barn last Christmas when he was 3 months old. He didn't start playing with it until he could sit and crawl. It's suppose to be for a 2 yr old but he plays with it all the time! Maybe something like that? Melissa and Dough is a good site to check out. They have a wooden toy train for around $16-20 and it's usually at Kohl's. What about some cloth blocks that jingle? I got some huge ones last year and Oliver liked them too. Or a pull toy? Oliver was able to do a pull toy while sitting.

[greeneyes]

Originally Posted by sara~b

here's a question... How do you clean and sanitize cloth and wooden toys? I mean washing a cloth toy would seem to do the job but wouldn't slobber and spit up and whatever else soak into wood?!

Cloth dolls/toys go into the washer and the wood toys get wiped down, it's never posed a problem. Nothing we have is stained and I haven't gone to any serious efforts to clean them until last month and that was only because we had a few babies over with the sniffles for Thanksgiving and I didn't want any germies lingering around. I filled the kitchen sink with hot water and soap and then let them dry out in the sun. The sun, by the way, is probably the best germ-killer, stain-lifter out there, it gets all of our cloth diapers sparkling white and clean.

[soImarriedAnerd]

I like wood because it can be passed down, because it doesn't take batteries (aka annoy me! LOL), I think no batteries force kids to "learn/create" play with a toy, the health reasons are way at the end for me but is something I consider.
Shannon I got london wood blocks (yes I know he isn't even close to using them! LOL), and a soffie the giraffe (pure rubber), Plan Toy pulling alligator (matthew may like!), and some books. I am taking knitting class and my two main reason to wanting to learn is so I can do my own CD covers and make him toys

[ShannonMVT]

Matthew is truly lucky that my MIL saved a bunch of my Dh's toys. When he gets bigger he'll have some wooden blocks, lincoln logs, tinker toys, matchbox cars...all kinds of fun stuff.

I found a couple things that look interesting that I'm going to order. Nice thing is, if they arent in by Christmas, he won't care!

Angela, what kind of things will you knit? I've seen hand knitted food play sets (like veggies) and they look cute.

[soImarriedAnerd]

This blog gave me some great ideas! Knitted Toys
and my friend down here has this book that looks cool also- Amazon.com: Knitted Toys: 25 Fresh and Fabulous Designs (9781581809008): Zoe Mellor: Books
I promise to post pics when I get good enough to knit the toys! Right now I'm 90% done with a scarf! It was perfect till I started watching football then I messed up a few times and didn't notice, got to far to start over so I'm calling it good for my first time...just need to add the end fluff stuff

[~*Bethy*~]

its very big in the waldorf lifestyles. Anything man made isnt welcome *man made, meaning plastic, TV, Radio, Internet....etc - NOT wooden toys, clothes, stuff like that* Used to open your imagination.

Why I Don't Allow Plastic Toys into Our Home - Associated Content - associatedcontent.com

I would use a vinegar/water solution to clean the wooden toys with. I dont allow bleach in my house and for the most part, all of our plastic toys get wiped down with vinegar/water as well. They have beeswax wood polish that is completely baby safe, and keeps the toys looking great!

~Beth

[Angelaosaurus-rex]

Seriously at his age you could give him a wooden spoon and he would be super into it! Landen's fav toy at his age was a pair of (clean) flip flops LOL! As far as cloth Landen really liked those clothes with rubber edges to munch on.