Go Green with PlanToys

These days it's hard to trust the companies that produce the products that we give our children. With all of the recent recalls it's difficult to determine what companies are safe to purchase products from. Luckily, PlanToys makes this decision easy for parents by having a line of products that are not only educational but they're also completely safe. PlanToys was created in 1981 and their products are made from organic rubberwood, colored with soy and water based ink and manufactured using a special glue that is formaldehyde free. All of the materials are made from recycled materials so you can feel good about helping the environment just from purchasing these products.

PlanToys are created with age-specific developmental cues in mind. Their catalog includes toys that are based on birth - 3 months, 4 months- 7 months, 8 months - 1 year, 15 months, toddler, and preschool / kindergarten. This is a great concept since the majority of toys you'll find on the shelves these days has one beginning age on it (Which typically isn't very accurate) and not a lot of information on what age a child can begin to benefit from the toy. PlanToys are created with a psychological profile in mind which outlines what age children like to play alone, and what age children begin to show interest in others and their toys.

Some of the simpler toys in the 2008 catalog designed for infants include different rattle-type toys, rubberwood toys combined with soft fabric, and small hand-held bobble type toys. Their educational toys aimed at one year olds and up include a colorful xylophone, various shape sorters, hammering toys among others. For toddlers on the go there's an array of pull along toys that are adorable (zebra, snake, snail, alligator, puppy and caterpillar). To add some variation to the typical stacking and sorting toys, PlanToys has a number of different products to help your child learn this important developmental skill. Sorters in the shape of trees, boats, trains and clowns are a new version of the old classic sorting toy.

PlanToys has a large line of organic rubberwood blocks in different shapes, sizes and colors. They also have construction sets that come with safe, age appropriate tools to help attach screws and bolts. One of my favorite lines in the PlanToys catalog is the wood play food products. Products range from small sets of cuttable food (With a fake knife of course) to large scale kitchen centers, stoves, refrigerators , toasters and microwaves. All are safe and educational. You can start with a very basic set and expand your child's collection from there to include a shopping cart made entirely from organic and safe materials, cooking utensils and sets, and additional food sets. The food products are designed for ages 3 and up.

For the girls there is a line of dollhouse products, and there are vehicle sets and tracks for the boys. You can even purchase furniture such as a table and chair set from PlanToys. Their catalog is extensive and their products are quite affordable seeing as how you can trust what you receive from the company and the quality is outstanding. These are toys you'll be able to pass on and on. You can read more about PlanToys by visiting their website (www.plantoys.com) and you can order their products through a number of online and in-store locations. A full list can be found on the website.