Ethical wooden toys from Leela
October 13, 2009 by Lucy · 2 Comments
In my quest to avoid all things garish and plastic, I’m always hunting for new wooden toys so I nearly crashed the Bugaboo (sorry, Alfie!) when I spied these fabulous specimens on a stall in North Laine, Brighton. Made by Maya Organic and promoted exclusively by Leela in the UK, all the toys are organic, fair-trade and handmade in southern India.
What really makes them different from other similar products are the earthy colours – all burnt oranges and olive greens from vegetable dyes – and the super-shiny finish created by polishing with palm leaves. All the wood (either hale or rubberwood) is sustainable and the workers who make the toys receive all profits so you can spend guilt-free. I’m loving the twists on the classic pullalong train and stacker clown, while the unbelieveably cute Tuttu turtle is already on the list of potential stocking fillers.
The best prices I’ve found are on Myakka, where the train and clown are £9.99 each and Tuttu is £6.99.
I Know…I see them everyday – they look so good and the vibrant colours always make me smile on the gloomy sea murky day…
I love these toys ! If you place your order over the phone and mention Bambino Goodies, Monsters and Munchkins will match Myakka’s prices.