Natural, wooden toys vowed to be my mission for my kiddo. When my son was born, I insisted upon only wooden toys—no plastic, characters, nor noise-making, please—and safe, brain-building toys at that. I’d like to say this was an easy task, but in a world full of commercials, consumer traditions, and big-box stores, communicating the idea of safe, non-toxic toys to friends and grandparents was no easy feat. I wished there was a reputable and easy-to-navigate site out there for natural toys. I just wanted a simple response to, “Where can we get a gift?”
Thankfully, I now have the answer: Wild Mint!
Why choose natural toys?
I think my insistence on natural toys is sometimes seen as “crunchy” or maybe even “crazy,” but there are some solid reasons I’d prefer wooden toys for my little boy:
1. PVC plastics are known carcinogens
PVC, or poly vinyl chloride, have been shown to cause cancer. PVC usually appears in bath toys, inflatables, and other plastic items. Learn More About Phthalates.
2. Polycarbonate (or “#7” plastics) contain endocrine disruptors.
BPA plastics were banned from baby bottles in 2012, but they still appear in other children’s items and toys. The chemicals used in these plastics can interfere with a developing endocrine system. Get the facts about BPA.
3. Plastic toys may contain lead
The use of lead in plastics (to stabilize the molecules against heat or to soften plastic for flexibility) has not been banned in the US. Even low levels of lead can impair cognitive & physical development. Understand More About Lead
Learn More About Toxins:
In addition to safety, when you choose a natural or wooden toys over plastics, you’re generally making a choice to avoid promotions, consumer culture, character buy-in, and the like. You’re choosing play, imagination, and learning over ideas that have been created for your child. (Think about a set of blocks and what can be created from them versus a toy based upon a t.v. show’s characters; open-ended toys provide more learning opportunities.)
… you’re generally making a choice to avoid promotions, consumer culture, character buy-in…
What I love about Wild Mint Shop is that the selection of toys not only includes open-ended and educational items, but there is NO GUESSWORK involved with the products. You can choose from any of their natural, wooden, or organic toys and feel confident that each is safe for your child. Not sure about something? Wild Mint’s president, Hannah, personally answers any inquiries. Now that’s customer service!
Below I’ve got some of my favorite picks for natural kid’s toys from Wild Mint Shop, but if you’d rather explore on your own, head to Wild Mint Shop and search by age or type of toy. CLICK HERE.
Happy Holidays!
HealthfulMama’s Picks for Natural Toys from Wild Mint Shop:
1. The Perfect Gift for Any Child
50 Wooden Blocks
Wild Mint sent my son a beautiful set of 50 Wooden Blocks from Plan Toys. My little builder set to work right away creating a parking garage for his vehicles. We worked together with the set until Mr. I’mFour decided “That’s not how it goes, Mom,” and my participation was demoted from Mom to Crewmember-Under-a-Dictator-like-Foreman. Such is play with my budding leader. :-/
This set includes unfinished and painted pieces, in a variety of shapes and sizes. It’s the perfect starter set of wooden blocks or a great way to increase a set you may already own.
Click Here to See a Vid of My kiddo LOVING his new set of blocks! (8 seconds)
See More Wooden Blocks HERE
2. The Perfect Gift for Anyone:
Klean Kanteen Wide Mouth Vacuum Insulated Stainless Steel Water Bottle 20 oz
It’s no secret that I love Klean Kanteen. This bottle keeps beverages hot for 6 hours or cold for over 24. This bottle is perfect for taking coffee, hot cocoa, or steaming soup to work or school.
3. Awesome, Non-Toxic Stocking Stuffers:
Tiny, non-toxic toys and a few surprises have been curated by the folks at Wild Mint. Check ‘em out!
Get a discount at Wild Mint Shop!
We lead such hectic lives that it is nice to know that Wild Mint carries a variety of products that us moms can feel safe buying for our families.
Love the post!
I love wooden blocks! My kids are too old to find them interesting but God bless you – for dealing with 50 blocks around the floor, lol. Looks like you have an engineer in the making.
Wooden blocks bring me such fond memories of my own childhood. So glad WIld Mint carries non-toxic ones that parents don’t have to worry about.
I love this simple holiday gift guide! Blocks are such a timeless classic — some of the toys that get the most use at my house, and we have that exact Plan Toys set (picked up second-hand at a thrift store, no less!). Such a great point about wood toys as a great way to avoid character tie-ins. Unfortunately, you can’t even count on all wood toys being safe (especially painted ones, or ones with glue), so It’s awesome to find a store like Wild Mint that weeds out all the losers for you.
Wooden Blocks are truly the best toys! I love allowing natural creativity and this inspires kids. It’s great to know Wild Mint offers creative toys that are safe and non-toxic too. 🙂
These toys are the BEST! I love wooden ones for my kids. Thanks for sharing this list with us!!!