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Do you find it hard to buy toys for your kids? Do you wish you had a way to help grandparents, aunts, uncles and friends to find toys  that are safer, healthier, sturdier and better for the environment?

Toy recalls for health and safety concerns are almost daily news these days. In fact, just a couple of weeks ago Fisher Price announced another massive toy recall. As my kids’ toy collection has grown, I’ve also become increasingly aware of the lack of quality and aesthetic value of most of the toys on the market these days. And I’ve become concerned about the relentless use of plastics and vinyl, especially with growing concerns about bisphenol A and pthalates and their long-term impact on our health (read Slow Death by Rubber Duck for more on that).

There are conflicting opinions about the effects of plastic and vinyl products on human health, and it’s sometimes hard to know who or what to believe. Critics, usually on the side of big industry, say there’s no proof of ill effects. Cynics say that’s because we haven’t done the studies. The truth, as usual probably lies somewhere in between. But the track record of the big toy companies clearly shows that the mainstream toy industry doesn’t always have our kids’ health and safety as their top concern. There are other, better options.

As you may know if you’ve read some of my previous posts, I’m working on building an online store to market and sell greener, more sustainable toys. That’s right, I’m becoming a daddypreneur. This fall, two days a week, with my 2-year-old toy tester extraordinaire by my side, I’m shifting my focus from just talking about it to actually doing it.

There are a number of criteria that I’ll be considering in sourcing greener toys – things like what they’re made of, how they’re made, how they’re packaged, distance to market, and quality or longevity of the toys, among other things. Aesthetics and safety will also be part of the formula.

A little while ago, Playwell Enterprises, the Canadian distributor for Plan Toys, sent me one of their toys – the Pull-Along Snail – to review. Plan Toys, a company based in Thailand – is an excellent example of the kind of supplier I’m looking for. According to their website, Plan Toys seeks to create toys that inspire children’s imagination and promotes their physical and intellectual development. Any toy maker probably has a similar vision statement, but where Plan Toys is different is that they are showing that it is possible to create high quality toys that are more environmentally and socially responsible.

The Pull-Along Snail is an excellent example of how toys can be better. It’s made with clean, natural rubber wood from trees that no longer produce latex. The wood is strengthened using a chemical-free kiln drying process. According to Plan Toys, the snail (and their other toys) is assembled using certified emission-free glue instead of traditional toxic wood glue. Its bright greens, oranges and yellows come from safe, non-toxic water-based dyes. The toys are sparingly packaged in recycled and recyclable cardboard printed with biodegradable soy and water-based inks. It’s an attractive toy, and more importantly from a kid’s perspective, it’s fun.

Beyond the toys themselves, what impresses me about Plan Toys is their commitment to being an environmentally and socially responsible enterprise. Here are some links to some of the programs they’re involved in:

• Children’s Museum
• Plan Loves Forests Project
• Adaptive Toys For Children With Special Needs Project
• Toys For The Community Project
• Plan’s School Holidays Creative Project
• A Green Fins Project

Both consumers and retailers need to be wary of the claims that manufacturers make, rather than simply taking them at face value. And this is especially true when it comes to claims about sustainability and social responsibility. So one challenge for my business will be assessing the claims of offshore suppliers like PlanToys. But I’m impressed with what I’ve seen of Plan Toys and I look forward to finding other companies where corporate social responsibility and sustainability are clearly defining values.

If you’re interested in supporting my new venture, I could use your help with my research. I’d love your input in my toy poll (in the column to the right), and your help in passing it along to others – parents, grandparents, caregivers, aunts and uncles – anyone you know who may be interested in finding a source for toys that are better for kids and better for the planet. And if you’re interested, and live in Burlington, Ontario, you can also help me choose some of the toys I’ll stock (leave a comment and I’ll get in touch with you).