I have some questions about the Waldorf-style natural toys. I never investigated it much before, so my son has a closet full of plastic crap toys. Ditto on regular crayons, store-bought play dough, commercial characters, etc. We have gradually been phasing out a lot of the chemicals and unnatural items in our household, and lately while doing some hardcore research into Waldorf I've decided I'd like to switch to natural toys. But I am overwhelmed! I would love any input on the following:

1. Is it too late to switch? He will be 3 next month. Has his ability to use his imagination already been completely destroyed by the plastic, battery-powered toys?

2. Can you "do" natural toys while still allowing occasional access to the old ways? Namely a couple of his favorite books are commercial characters (still obsessed with Caillou and Blue's Clues!), and I'm wondering if I would have to completely get rid of them.

3. Are there any sources for buying or making natural toys and art supplies more cheaply? Every place I've seen online costs a freaking fortune!

THE RESPONSES:

• No, I don't think your son's imagination has been ruined by plastic toys. Any open ended toys are good, imo. Natural fiber toys are just better. (Better for the environment too.) We are getting rid of most of our plastic toys - although we've never had a lot because I just don't like them. We are keeping some though for bath toys and sand toys. Dh is also very into Lego. He has a HUGE bag full of them and he would be most unhappy if I suggested getting of them. So I won't.

  As for the cost, they *are* more expensive. They aren't mass produced in a lot of cases and the materials are more expensive. Just start building up your new toy collection slowly. Let grandparents/other friends & relatives know your new preferences. Look at Target for some inexpensive wood toys. We got a huge brio-compatible train set off eBay for ~$38. WAY better than if you bought it at the store. Mostly though, I would suggest just saving up and buying things slowly.

• Carters is good for wooden toys and they often have sales. Also IKEA is GREAT! They have a ton of natural fiber stuff and it is all VERY reasonable, an added bonus is they are much more environmentally minded than most large companies so I like to support them if I am going to buy from a corporation.

  There is a book called Toymaking with Children, I took it out from the library. It has idea on all sorts of Waldorf inspired toys. We got the plans to make playstands out of it and found someone to make them for us for only 60$! Second hand stores often have wooden toys in good condition.

  We always had an infinity for natural fiber toys but up until 2 years ago we had a 50-50 mix. I then made the decision to get rid of all plastics. We now are 97% plastic free (we have a few dolls with plastic head which were given to us under special circumstances as well as plastic bath toys). For us it happened over a period of time, which makes it easier on the pocket book.

  The other thing to realize is kids don't need nearly as many toys as we are convinced they do, so it is not like you have to replace Logans toys 1 for 1, KWIM? A good set of blocks is worth 5 electronic toys that involve no imagination.

• I agree that kids don't need that many toys! In the past ~3 years I doubt I've spent more than $200 on toys, but somehow my son has ended up with a closet full. It's really sickening how many toys he has (and of course most are battery-powered with noises and lights). Methinks the grandmothers - especially mine - have been way too indulgent.

  In general I know I have a long way to go but I am trying to live more simply and frugally, and I am hoping to get rid of some of these toys. Thanks for the resources! I'm planning on giving my mom some ideas for Christmas gifts for my son and trying to minimize the presence of all the plastic junk around here.

• It's definitely not too late. He's just reaching into the stage of imaginative play at age 3. Do you want a basic list of things you should consider?

  A good set of blocks - The Grand River Toy Company has a great set of Carob blocks that is from a cooperative in Argentina - 60.00 cdn for a set of 37 blocks, 100.00 cdn for a set of 76. This is a toy that will not lose it's play value until your child gets rid of toys altogether (and hardwood blocks can be passed on to the next generation). I don't recommend the cheaper softwood blocks - we have to replace ours before I can let my second child play with them - I can't get them clean anymore, they splinter and I swear they are all wonky shapes anyway from wear.

  A soft doll - simple face, simple body, a size your child can comfortably carry around - make it yourself it does not need to be elaborate.

  A few rolling vehicles - not an army of them! I recommend a truck they can load up with stuff and a few smaller rolling cars. Check out North Star Toys - theirs are our favorites.

  Playstands - 2 - and again make them yourself; they are really easy! Instead of getting a play kitchen, fort, puppet stand, etc etc etc just get two playstands and let your child's imagination make it into everything they need.

  A basic train set - again, a toy that seems limitless in it's play value - we got this for my son when he was 2 and at 7.5 he still plays with it *every* week.

  A basket of colored rags - you can get nice silks or make your own, or just start out with old receiving blankets - whatever you can manage now. If you have a variety of colours available they'll become all sorts of things! dress up clothes, scenery, drapes for their forts, bedding for dolls, puppets etc.

  This basic list is RICH in possibilities and grandparents are great for hardwood blocks and wooden train sets.

• Oh yes! Dont forget the play clothes! I can't belive I fogot to mention them!!! A couple friends and I went in together and bought some raw silk scarves from Dharma Trading, then we dyed them and made some capes. I don't remember how much it was, but I am sure it was less than 5$ a scarf with everthing included. That is pretty good for silk playclothes.

  Also VALUE VILLAGE!! I can not say enough about this place. We have gotten all sorts of Indian scarves from there, infact the "door" on the platstands right now is a muslin sarong with wonderful embroidery on it. We got it for 1$!!

• Great suggestions! That list gave me a bunch of ideas. I have a basket of various scraps of fabric, old clothes and blankets etc that I already let him play with. I also have tons of fabric scraps and craft materials, I'm sure I could practice and figure out how to make some dolls.

  Maybe I haven't been as hopeless as I thought - he is already most interested in toys that don't "do" anything for him that he can use imaginatively. Now I just need to hit up the holiday craft bazaars at the parochial schools...they have TONS of handmade natural toys priced reasonably. Better yet, I'll make that subtle suggestion to the grandmas!