presents perfect: toys

Filed Under Stuff | November 30, 2009

It’s the first of our 2009 holiday gift guides that’ll be running all this week and we’re starting off with fab toys for tots. We’ve resolved to shop mindfully this year and focus on gifts that are eco-friendly, local if possible and always fun.

Natural Pod’s Tree Branch Blocks: Ask any expert and they’ll tell you the only toy every child needs is a set of blocks and we think this award-winning set makes a beautiful gift. The blocks really do look like tree branches, though they’re smoothly finished and splinter-free, and they come in all different shapes and sizes to make building more creative. We prefer the plain sets to the coloured ones, they seem more in keeping with the theme. Best for babes from six months on up you can find them at Natural Pod.

Green Toys Chef Set or Dish Set: Smaller (and better priced) than their Cookware & Dining Set, these two sets appeal to the chef that lurks within every child.  The Chef Set includes a stock pot, skillet, spatula and ladle and the Dish Set is packed with everything you need to set the table for a family of four – be they dolls, teddies or tots. And like everything from Green Toys they’re made from 100% recycled plastic and they’re BPA-free. Recommended for kids of two and up and here’s where to find them.

Bamboo Collection Creative Dump Truck: Just like their E-Racers, which made our list last year, these trucks are made from bamboo decorated with water-based paint. Their rugged wheels will take them over rough toddler terrain and when it comes to boys and trucks it’s hard to go wrong. They have an airplane and hot rod coming soon too. Best for kids of three on up, find them at Raspberry Kids.

Planet Pixie Dolls: These organic cotton dolls are coloured using non-toxic water-based dyes and all the packing is recycled and recyclable.  And keeping with that theme each of the three characters, Anyu, Maia and Kayla, focus on raising your child’s environmental awareness about the plight of the Arctic, the Everglades and the Amazon Rainforest.  They’re fancy enough to appeal to a girl who may be craving a princess or fairy doll but with a backstory you can appreciate. We’d recommend them for kids of three and up and you can find them at Whole Foods.

Sagaland: What Christmas is complete without a new game? Sagaland sets your child on the adventure of searching for things that belong to different fairy tale characters with the goal of being the first to make it through the enchanted forest to tell the King where they are. Magic and mystery abound. Though recommended for kids of six and up, we think it’s more appropriate for kids from four to six. Find it at It’s All Fun & Games, 1308 Commercial Drive, 604.253.6727.

We’ll be back tomorrow with great gift ideas for mums.