Growing up I didn’t have a lot of toys for several reasons; there wasn’t the money, there wasn’t the availability and there wasn’t the need. I was a pretty content little thing who adored playing outside, making things out of nothing and using the same several toys over and over. When I think about it, most of my toys were hand made or made up by me. I was pretty green even back then!

Since I don’t have children, toys aren’t something I think a lot about. And even though I’m huge about being green, safe, simple the idea that a toy could be this way didn’t pop into my head. That is until I read Angry Chicken’s post on toys called, “Not Made in China.”

It’s an incredible post that came up because of the recent toy recalls. She talks about what are her beliefs with toys not just in how/where they’re made but what do the children really need? The post also has lots of information on how to make a toy and buy safer ones.

For children, I’ve always bought books or the gift of time (taken them to the beach, the museum, a park, the aquarium etc.). I’ve never bought an actual toy but this wasn’t done consciously – it was just done because that’s how I grew up and that’s what I knew to be lovely as a kid.

If you have any children in your life, I really recommend reading the post and then asking yourself, “what is my definition of a toy?” and then seeing what changes you can make when you give something to a little one.