An ethical Ark

This half term sees the arrival of a range of beautifully crafted and decorated wooden toys from online ethical gift store Boutiko, all made entirely by hand in Sri Lanka under fair trade conditions from sustainable rubber wood and MDF.

With four jigsaws, two skipping ropes and a beautiful Noah’s Ark every bedroom, playrooms and nurseries alike, can be brightened up with ethical, eco-friendly toys painted with non-toxic paints to ensure a healthy and stimulating play environment.

The wood is sourced from exhausted rubber plantations which are replanted every decade or so, and the packing materials are PVC free and made from waste materials from local suppliers. Children have not been involved at any stage of the production of these toys, and they have been approved by the British Association of Fair Trade Shops.

The butterfly and mini beasts skipping ropes are the ideal stocking filler at £5, with pretty images and bright colours, suitable from age five and up.

Noah’s Ark is perfect for toddlers, a brightly coloured wooden ark with removable lid and top desk, and a stern which transforms into a ramp, together with Mr and Mrs Noah and ten pairs of animals, to encourage role play and manual dexterity as well as speech and recognition skills, £24.

For two-year-olds, the Snake 1 to 10 jigsaw helps extend their counting abilities, £10. Finally, for five years plus, it’s time to learn the alphabet! The elephant A-Z jigsaw at £10 teaches letters the fun way – the perfect step on the ladder to literary success!