The S File™ Holiday Gift Guide — Parenting

Since we’ve been avoiding plastic food containers, we’ve been preferring stainless steel ones that are also fun for the kids. Planet Box makes great bento-style stainless steel lunchboxes. A classmate of my daughter had one first and my daughter wouldn’t stop talking about it. There are  compartments for different foods to make sure there are no overlapping foods (for the picky ones) and to remind those packing if they’ve missed an important food group! They are so cool, I’m thinking about getting some for myself and my husband!

Sippy cups are another item often made out of plastic. Avoid phthalates and BPA in plastic, and give a stainless steel sippy cup to a new parent with young children. The Safe Sippy, pictured left, has a straw adapter for when the “big kid” is ready. There’s also a no-leak travel plug, allowing the sippy cup to join on all the adventures! My three-year-old has two of these, and her younger sister cries for one whenever she sees it. (Click on Non-Toxic Sippy Cups: Our Experience to see which other sippy cups my children enjoy.)

I recently discovered this “dinnerware” that has the compartments that my three-year-old loves. The fun bus-shape enlivens the low-toxic stainless steel material so both mom and child are happy! The Innobaby platter, pictured left, has five different compartments for different food groups, so meal time can be educational too.  Click on Tips for Plastic in the Kitchen for other related health tips.

I learned of these Magna-Tiles from my daughter’s wonderful school. Even though they are made of plastic, they are a worthwhile educational toy for children. The tiles allow children to explore geometric shapes in endlessly creative ways. They are so engaging that we always bring a full bag to a restaurant. Parents can’t stop fiddling with them once they get their hands on them too!  Click on Magna Tiles: An Engaging Educational Toy to read why schools around the country have Magna Tiles in their classroom.

Tegu is a company that is devoted to creating safe non-toxic toys (and to fostering entrepreneurship in Honduras, where the toys are made). These beautiful magnetic blocks share many of the same benefits of Magna-Tiles but with different shapes, and a different look and feel.  One key difference that I love is that they are made of non-toxic wood!  They are engaging for both parents and children.

Since learning that toxins such as phthalates, BPA, and PVC are found in school supplies, I was thrilled to find this adorable school backpack that are BPA-free, Phthalate-free, PVC-free!  The Skip Hop Backpacks couldn’t be any cuter.   Our daughter picked the Owl (pictured to the left), but there are many other great options! (Click Environmental Concerns at School: Use This Interactive Tool to learn more about toxins in schools.)

An award-winning product and a huge hit in the U.K, this suitcase is so much fun for children that it is sure to help alleviate some of the stresses of traveling. Kids can sit on top of the suitcase and ride their luggage around the airport. Click on Trunki to check out more fun styles.

Written by family physician Dr. Joel Fuhrman, Disease Proof Your Child is a book that applies the expertise in Dr. Campbell’s The China Study towards the health / nutrition of children.  I’m very grateful for Dr. Fuhrman’s perspective as I decide my children’s meals and snacks.

If your family is going on a sunny holiday, then consider sun-protective clothing!   The concerns over sunscreen, especially many conventional brands of sunscreen, is alarming.  To minimize the amount of chemicals you and your family absorb, then consider sun protective clothing like Coolibar.   Coolibar’s fabric is lightweight and breathable so it’s easy to wear in the summer. Plus, you won’t have to worry about reapplying sunscreen or missed coverage!