With the recent wave of recalls on toys and other children’s products – due to their use of harmful lead paints and dangerous plastics (containing BPA and phthalates) – why don’t you go green and eco-friendly this holiday season?

In today’s shaky economy, don’t waste your hard-earned money on cheap, hazardous products that may cause your child harm. Consider spending your money on products from trustworthy, eco-friendly companies. Plus, going green doesn’t have to cost an arm and a leg. In fact, when you look in the right places, you can find affordable, green toys that are pretty ingenious.

Here is my Holiday Gift Guide: Top 5 Green Toys and Kids’ Products (in no particular order). All of these products are cheap (under $50) and lots of fun to play with, too!

Odd Ducks from Boon

I’ve always loved the traditional yellow rubber ducky, so if you are looking for an eco-friendly alternative, check out the Odd Ducks from Boon, Inc. Marketed as “not your average rubber ducky,” the Odd Ducks are BPA-free, Phthalate-free, and PVC-free. They’re great for the green parent and child.

The Odd Ducks come in four unique colors with interesting designs, and they have playful names too – Slim, Bob, Jane, and Squish. Eco-friendly parents will love that Boon’s ducks do not hold water, so they won’t grow black mold. Pretty nifty, and they make a great gift. Cheap too – each rubber ducky is available for $5.99.

Eco-Friendly Art Supplies from Clementine Art

If you’re looking for a green alternative to chemical-laced art supplies, check out the eco-art products available from Clementine Art. Unlike traditional art supplies, Clementine Art products do not contain harmful chemicals, dyes, and other additives. Instead, they are all natural, certified non-toxic, and environmentally friendly. Even the Clementine packaging is good for the environment – it’s made with 80 percent post consumer recycled and reusable materials.

Products from Clementine Art include natural modeling dough($8.29), natural paint ($11.04), and natural markers ($2.75).

Recycled Plastic Fire Truck by Green Toys

What little boy doesn’t love fire trucks? Check out Green Toys’ Recycled Plastic Fire Truck – the world’s coolest eco-friendly emergency vehicle. Made from 100 percent recycled plastic milk containers, this nifty green toy is earth-friendly and it’s plenty of fun, too. The sturdy roof ladder turns 360 degrees and moves vertically, and there are two removable side ladders – for even more daring fire rescues!

The Recycled Plastic Fire Truck by Green Toys is BPA-free, PVC-free, and phthalates-free. It is also packaged using only recycles or recyclable materials. Made in the U.S.A. and is available for under $25.

Eco-Friendly Kids’ Nail Polish by Hopscotch Kids

For your little girl, consider getting her a green alternative to solvent-based nail polish. Check out Hopscotch Kids WaterColors – a collection of non-toxic, eco-friendly nail polish.

Traditional nail polish contain harmful chemicals – such as toluene, formaldehyde, and dibutyl phthalate (DBP). Toluene has been linked to causing rapid breathing, dry skin, blurred vision, and even kidney and nervous system damage. Formaldehyde is a known carcinogen – cancer-causing substance. And DBP has been linked to causing reproductive problems.

Why not avoid all of that? Hopscotch Kids nail polish is free of toluene, formaldehyde, and dibutyl phthalate – so it’s good for kids and the environment. What better combination is there? Plus, it’s not too expensive. A 14ml bottle of this eco-friendly kids’ nail polish is available for $12.99. You can find it 11 colors – ranging from shades of pink to red to purple, green, blue, gray, and orange.

Green Toys Blocks

If you’re looking for a “green” alternative to Legos – awesome toys, but all that plastic makes me shudder – you will love Green Toys Blocks
. Colorful and eco-friendly!

Like other Green Toys’ products, these organic building blocks are made with 100 percent recycled plastic milk containers and packaged with only recycled materials. Green Toys Blocks are printed with soy inks, and they are oversized and lightweight, making them perfect for your little tot’s hands.

While your child plays and lets his or her imagination go wild, you can feel great knowing that these building blocks are made in the U.S.A. and contain no BPA, PVC, phthalates or external coatings. Available for $24.99.