8 Best Eco-Friendly Baby Toys
Many parents are hyper-aware of the food they feed their babies. But it’s important to be concerned about the materials used in making their toys. We’ve put together a list of the best eco-friendly baby toys.
Though they may appear innocent from the outside, many baby toys are made with toxic plastics that never biodegrade. That’s one reason why it’s necessary to find sustainable alternatives.
Why should I buy Eco-friendly baby toys?
Before sharing the best eco-friendly baby toys, you need to know that shopping for sustainable toys is not only good for the planet but also for the wellness of your baby. Cheap plastics are often made with incredibly toxic chemicals that are harmful to humans. Eco-friendly baby toys help to provide all the fun of your average plastic counterpart with less damage.
Even though eco-friendly baby toys can be more expensive than their plastic equivalent, they tend to last significantly longer. You also need to think about where your money is going.
The best eco-friendly companies are those who make sure their whole supply chain is ethically functioning. Fair labor and ethically functioning companies are likely to have a higher upfront cost, but it is well worth it. Sustainable companies provide innumerable benefits to the artisans’ economies within their supply chain.
Best Eco-Friendly Baby Toys
1. Play Gyms by Finn & Emma
These play gyms are a hot commodity for all Finn & Emma fans. These non-toxic gyms are a great way to foster creativity and entertain your baby.
Artisans in India make these play gyms by hand from macrame and wood. They are made to travel, so you can take the fun anywhere your baby goes!
Finn and Emma is a sustainable company devoted to creating contemporary, stylish, and safe toys and clothes for children. They’ve vetted the companies in their supply chain to ensure that all products have been produced in fair trade settings. When you buy a product from Finn & Emma, you not only create a better lifestyle for you and your baby but also for the people throughout the supply chain who made those items.
2. Baby Toy Starter Set by Green Toys
Customers are RAVING about Green Toys’ affordable and sustainable toys! This toy set comes with colorful stacking cups, elephant-on-wheels, and a set of keys.
They are manufactured in the USA from 100% recycled plastic. These toys are also dishwasher safe for easy cleaning and packaged with recycled materials.
Though they might not be as eco-friendly as wooden toys, they are a great alternative to unrecycled plastics. Recycling the plastics that are already in our environment is a fantastic way to reduce pollution and landfill waste. Plus, these toys are also fun to bring in the bath since they are made of plastic!
Green Toys is a California-based company with a mission to build toys that are safe for the environment and your child. All of their products are made from 100% recycled materials, so you can feel good about what you are buying.
3. Organic Hand Knit Bunny Rattle by Our Green House
Rattles are a great source of entertainment and learning for babies. They help increase audiovisual awareness and develop fine motor skills. Unfortunately, a lot of rattles are made from cheap plastics – not this one!
This soft bunny rattle is made from 100% organic cotton. Next time you buy a rattle, make sure that it comes from sustainable materials so that you, your baby, and your planet get the most benefit. This rattle is so soft and cuddly that it might also help your baby fall asleep after playtime!
Our Green House was founded by Pam and Mike Davis when they began seeking out eco-friendly toys for their children. They are family-focused through and through, encouraging employees to work from home when possible so they can spend more time with their families. All products support the well-being of the artisans and the consumers.
4. The Block Set by Lovevery
This block set is incredibly versatile, with over twenty corresponding activities! Composed of 70 quality pieces, this set promotes brain development in babies and toddlers through problem-solving play.
Made with sustainably harvested wood and water-based paint, this five-star set is equally fun and safe for your baby and the environment. Though designed for children 18 months and older, customers have said their younger children enjoy playing with this set and look forward to watching their child grow with it.
Lovevery designs award-winning products that support brain development. With a team of researchers and practitioners, they have created toys that evolve with your children, supporting each stage of development.
Lovevery has a long-term plan to achieve net zero carbon emissions in every part of its supply chain. Check out their website for more details on their environmental goals.
5. Bird Walker by PlanToys
This walker comes with two birds and 16 wooden blocks, offering a great variety of toys for your child to play with! When your baby pushes the cart, you will hear the sounds of birds chirping! This walker is sustainably made in Thailand with water-based dyes, organic pigments, formaldehyde-free glue, and chemical-free rubberwood.
Plan Toys is passionate about promoting safety, brain development, and eco-friendly practices. All toys are made with chemical-free, water-based colors and E-zero glue. They even use leftover sawdust from manufacturing processes to create PlanWood, their custom-made sustainable material for toys!
6. Scrappy Baby Buddies by Under the Nile
These GOTS-certified cuddly toys are upcycled from 100% organic cotton leftover from Under the Nile’s clothing production. Baby buddies have a flat body that will help your child develop motor skills of carrying, holding, and grasping. Not to mention, the stuffed hands and feet are great for teething!
Under the Nile is a women-owned company that creates organic cotton baby clothing. For twenty years, this charitable company has been creating sustainably and ethically sourced products in Egypt. These beautiful clothes and toys are crafted with love, a playtime favorite of many customers.
7. Stacker Little Goose Family by Little Dutch
With a fun pastel aesthetic, this little goose family will help your child learn to count and develop hand-eye coordination. These rings can be mixed and matched however your child pleases. These stackable wooden rings are sure to be a staple in your child’s nursery!
Little Dutch creates an assortment of toys and nursery accessories for babies, toddlers, and preschoolers. All toys are carefully designed and tested to ensure you receive the best possible product by the time it arrives in your nursery. You can find their products on Scandiborn, a virtual marketplace partnering with brands who share the mission to create eco-friendly products and better the planet.
8. Marshmallow Collection Teether, Rattle, and Bath Toys by Tikiri Toys
These cute little animals are made from 100% natural rubber, so you can feel safe about your baby teething on them. As versatile as they are cute, this toy can function as a rattle, teether, and bath toy!
All of these toys are certified non-toxic, BPA-free, Phthalate free, and PVC-free. They are sustainable and biodegradable. Sounds like a great toy to me!
Tikiri Toys creates high-quality toys with natural materials. All Tikiri products are made on the tropical island, Sri Lanka, with the highest standards of quality and production. They are committed to creating a positive work environment, taking care of their employees, and most of all, creating eco-friendly alternatives to your average plastic toy.
Before you go
Next time you think about buying an average low-quality toy for your child, consider the supply chain you support and the effect on the environment around you. Purchasing eco-friendly and ethically sourced toys will help you teach your child to respect others and the planet!
