Train up a child in the way they should go: and when they are old, they will not depart from it. Proverbs 22:6 The toy industry is massive – it generated over $20 billion in sales last year and made a huge impact on the environment. Plastic toys, which tend to be inexpensive and vibrantly colored, account for 90 percent of the market,. And while they pose the same risks as any other plastic item, these playthings have short life-spans and are often impossible to recycle. Sometimes they only last a few days or weeks before being broken.One of the things that separates plastic toys from other plastic objects is that they’re essentially destined for the landfill.Plastic toys pose a unique challenge because they’re typically composed of other materials too, such as metals. The recyclable components can’t be separated out, and become prohibitive for recycling centers,Environmental experts say to look to the products of eras past ― when toys were made from durable materials that could be passed down from one generation to the next. Before World War II, heavy-duty toys were the standard. But once metal became hard to come by, plastics took over ― and have dominated the industry ever since.Look for Items made from wood, cotton, metal and natural rubber as alternatives to plastic toys.And why not buy your child/grandchild an experience rather than a plastic toy? Here are some ideas: 1. Tickets to an event. Give your child tickets to an event that allows them to feel grown-up, special, or just something to look forward to. Most of all, it’s something to do together. 2. Magazine subscriptions. Not only does she look forward to receiving mail every month, but magazines such as these that are low on fluff and high on quality give a child a on-going dose of fun education and encourage their literacy skills! 3. Classes. Encourage what your child loves or is good at. Be it dance, art, athletics, horseback riding, music, storytelling, or carpentry, give your child a chance to enhance their skills doing something they love or want to learn. The only word of caution here is to book the classes before you gift them – it’s all too easy to promise this gift and then not follow through on actually booking them. 4. Memberships. If there’s a zoo, aquarium, museum, theatre, or music venue in your area, gift your child a membership so they can attend regularly. Not only will it provide on-going events together, but you’ll get to explore more in depth each time you attend. These are especially good for large families, as typically getting a “family rate” is significantly cheaper than purchasing a day pass once or twice. 5. Dress up clothes. Dress-up clothes used to be hand-me-downs from Grandma, so visit your local thrift store and fill your dress-up wardrobe with inexpensive, REAL clothing (not the cheap Disney pre-made stuff that only allows your child how to pretend to be one movie character). Our favorites are aprons, old-fashioned shoes, feather boas, fans, hats of all sorts, old ball gowns, scrubs, and the like. 6. Repurposed play food & kitchen items. Put together an entire kitchen of play food by collecting used containers from your own kitchen, such as spice jars, salt & pepper shakers, and empty boxes (such as from baking powder, cornstarch, sugar, and baking soda), then cleaning them out well and carefully taping shut any sharp or loose edges. If they’re already “pretty” enough as a gift, leave them be, but if you want to “prettify” them, paint and decorate them to make them look just right. 7. Their own travel supplies. Whether it’s a toiletry bag to keep their toothbrush in the next time they spend the night at Grandma’s or a backpacking backpack all their own, having their own travel bag or supplies for on the road gears children up for adventure and helps assuage fears of the unknown by fostering independence. If you’ve traveled away from home before, perhaps slip a few photos from the trip into the gift as well. 8. A piggy bank. Help your child begin to learn important budgeting and saving skills by giving them a piggy bank.. You can seed the piggy bank with a cash gift too if you so desire! 9. Music. Music is the language of the soul and can stir the heart, the soul, and the mind – so whether you want to gift your child classic rock or classical rhapsodies, give a gift that can inspire for years. My husband and I still return to music we first heard decades ago when we feel the need to dance, grieve, or just sing at the top of our lungs while we do family housecleaning – and our children do the same with the music they each love. 10. Musical instruments. Listening to music is essential, but making it and creating your own sounds, melodies, and rhythms is even more so. Whether it’s small, like shaker eggs and maracas, or large, like a guitar or keyboard, the ability to create music informs and shapes the mind AND spirit. 11. A photo album. Whether blank, filled with photos, or gifted with a small camera, a photo album helps create the story of one’s life. Whether the child uses it to tell the story of a single event or the events of their life, this can become a treasured item for years to come. 12. One-on-one outings. Do an activity together of the child’s choosing, such as skating, swimming, skiing, bowling, painting – you name it! Intentional time together having fun is the best part of this gift. 13. Nature up-close. Give a gift that will help your child observe and interact with nature on a regular basis. A few ideas include a butterfly garden to watch caterpillars morph into butterflies, a bird feeder + bird seed + bird field guide a bug house, or even just a magnifying glass, a pair of binoculars,
