How to Find Toys That Are Safe and Educational for Kids

Disclosure: In any review for a product or service, products or compensation may have been provided to me to help facilitate my review. All opinions are my own and honest. I am disclosing this in accordance with FTC Guidelines. Please see “Disclose” and "Terms of Use" tabs for more information.

The safety of your children is of paramount importance, which is why you are so careful about the products and services you bring into your household and allow your children to access. And this is especially true when it comes to the toys that your kids play with every day. But in addition to providing them with toys that offer safe and non-toxic entertainment, you are no doubt interested in bringing home options that are educational, as well. Of course, this will require some homework on your part; it’s no easy feat to unearth toys that are not only designed to stimulate your children’s minds and help them hit developmental milestones, but that are also made from sustainable, non-toxic, and all-around safe materials. But there are ways to find what you seek. Here are just a few strategies that will ensure only the best toys for your kids.

A good place to start is by speaking to other parents. While some don’t pay much attention to the toys their kids play with, preferring to give them whatever is popular, there are some parents, like you, that strive to make sure every toy they bring home offers added value through educational elements and that any products their kids come in contact with are safe and suitable for children. With scares over toxic lead paint in kids’ toys and other safety concerns, it’s important to be aware of recalls and toy manufacturers that clearly don’t take their responsibility seriously when it comes to safety. So sharing information amongst a group of like-minded parents is a great way to find and pass along suggestions for toys that meet all of your criteria.

Of course, you’ll also want to do some research on your own. This could mean going to local toy stores to read labels and talk to sales associates about the relative safety and educational value of a variety of in-store options. But you might also be inclined to seek out local artisans that specialize in toys that are specifically designed for both eco-friendliness and education. However, you’re most likely to have luck when you explore the vast array of options offered via the online arena. Both Etsy and Amazon offer non-toxic (and even organic) toy options that are less likely to be harmful to children, and you can look on sites that are devoted to offering natural, non-toxic, and organic options, as well. In many cases, you’ll find products that are similar to trendy (but less green) toys, and often you’ll also have access to educational options.

But it’s probably in your best interest to do some further research, nonetheless. By reading product reviews (from both professional and consumer sources) you can find out a lot more about the toys you’re buying than you can from simply reading the information provided on the packaging. And you may also want to check in with the Better Business Bureau to ensure that the companies you’re purchasing from are reputable and reliable. If you want to find the best toys in 2013 and the years to come, it behooves you to do some legwork and get information from as many sources as possible before making a decision. This will ensure that your kids have the safest toys on the market and that their educational interests are seen to in the process.