Read on to find a robust list of natural, nontoxic educational toys that your toddler will love playing with, while you feel comfortable with the quality and standards. The majority of these are toys we own personally, and whose quality I can vouch for. We’ll also explore what’s going on with regular toys, and why being discerning about what comes into your toddler’s sphere is an educated choice!
As we get into the summer months, our babies and toddlers need to be kept busy and it’s a great time to build your stock of toys that encourage their imagination and learning potential. As parents, we also want to be confident that the materials our children come into contact with will not harm them in any way.
Why bother getting organic baby toys?
Although most of us would like to assume that any toy off the shelf in a store is advisable for baby’s use, the truth is simply not so. The FDA primarily regulates drugs, and to a lesser extent food; this leaves loose to nonexistent regulation on everything else on the shelf.
Just so the gravity of this is clear: when tested, many baby’s and kid’s toys have been found to have lead-based paints, high levels of off-gassing chemicals such as formaldehyde and other volatile organic compounds (aka VOCs). Additionally, the materials themselves can be risk-posing, such as the notorious PVC, or soft-plastic. Plastics in general can cause endocrine disruption and hormonal damage, which in turn affects growth and brain development.
Many people assume that playing with toys is nothing to worry about, and does not constitute an exposure; after all, the child isn’t eating it. While I don’t disagree with this logic, I think we need to realize that more exposure occurs than we may want to believe.
Why? Firstly, plastics and toxic surface paints are not inert. They actually transfer quite easily from surface to surface. A PVC doll placed in a baby’s mouth, for example, readily transfers plastic particles. Secondly, stop to seriously consider the ways in which children and babies actually play with toys:
- Babies chew on everything they find, and all of their toys will end up in their mouth, gummed and sucked on.
- Babies and toddlers often eat while playing, or hold toys while eating. Anything on the surface of the toys will transfer between the surfaces of toys, food, and hands.
- Do we always wash our kids’ hands before they eat? If not, residue from whatever they’ve been playing with all day remains on their hands and ends up in their mouths.
- Toys that are off-gassing are often located in the child’s bedroom, or even inside their cribs or beds (think dolls or stuffed animals). Sleeping is a particularly vulnerable time, and the longer the exposure to off-gassing the chemicals, the more difficult it is for their bodies to clear them out.
(For a really in-depth exploration of the chemicals that are involved in construction and regular household items, you’ll find my friend Amanda’s healthyhouseontheblock.com a useful and easy-to navigate resource).
So, what can we do about this?
How do I find toxin-free, natural toys for toddlers or babies?
- One of the easiest ways to avoid this is to avoid all toys made in China, or countries where they have even less regulation than the U.S. Chinese toys are the ones whose colorings and paints most often test positive for lead. This is especially true of bright colors, particularly red paint. (Lead-based paint is used so often because it produces a clear finish and bright, vibrant colors).
At first, you’ll turn over the box of every toy at the store and be frustrated to constantly see a “Made in China” sticker. It will seem impossible to avoid, and I understand how frustrating that is. Hopefully the toys I’ve shared below will help you in your search.
2. European manufacturers have to meet much higher standards, and so European toys are often a wise choice.
3. However, another option, and one that I and many others have really embraced recently, is simply to shop small. Know your craftsmen, speak with them, find people who are going the extra mile, and shop directly through people whose values you want to support.
Toys are right at the junction of our children’s imaginations and emotional health as well as their physical health, and I find this is the perfect way to find small businesses that are working hard to create the highest-quality toys and materials for our children.
Shopping smartly, especially using Etsy, has really been the key to my being able to supply my toddler with beautiful, interesting, yet nontoxic educational toy.
Where can I buy natural baby and toddler toys?
While it’s wonderful to be acquainted with local crafts-makers, I’ve found that the simplest and easiest place to start shopping small, while being informed of how things are made, is by shopping on Etsy. Their website has a huge selection, and is a fantastic place to explore and find unique toys your kids will treasure.
A perfect example is this block set which is up to all my standards– hardwood, sealed with edible oils, and made personally by hand in a very small in-home workshop in the U.S. We’ve had these blocks for months and they still inspire creativity, since many shapes are included and they’re simple enough to build anything with. Just one case in point for how well you can score on Etsy!
Using the list of questions I’ve supplied below, you can also discern what meets your standards at any small business, local shop, or online retailer. Simply get the information you need, and you’ll know whether it meets your standards.
While I primarily purchase non-toxic toys at Etsy these days, I’ve also used these principles to find plenty of nice things at:
What to look for when shopping for nontoxic toys on Etsy:
On Etsy, you’ll need to scroll down and open the “Item details” tab to find information on the materials. Hardwood is my preference for structural toys like puzzles, trucks, etc. (These hardwood, handmade vehicles are a perfect example of solid wood, responsible construction that will last forever. Craftsmanship can’t be faked. Love them!)
Engineered woods, like plywood, are usually full of glues and preservatives and tend to off-gas formaldehyde. Not to mention, they are flimsy!
For soft toys like dolls or blankeys, I look for natural fibers rather than synthetic. This would mean cotton, wool, linen, etc. (A bonus is if the material is untreated with pesticides or surface treatments, or even holds a certification such as “Gots organic”).
One perfect example is this soft counting book, made from GOTS certified organic cotton. We’ve had it since my baby was an infant, when it served as a safe chew toy and a rattle since the pages make a crunching/rustling sound. Now as a toddler, he can appreciate the counting and the animals on its pages- so it’s still a toy in circulation. The book is so well-made that it’s also been through the wash a few times without showing wear and tear!
For example, sometimes it’ll advertise “hardwood” and then really be a mix of hardwood with lots of particleboard or plywood. You want to know the whole story!
This is an important one because often, paints and varnishes are the most damaging parts of a baby’s toy. For example, paints can be lead-based, especially red paints. If an artist isn’t looking for particularly non-toxic or water-based paints, they are likely to be using low-quality paints which can introduce all sorts of issues.
The same goes for varnishes. Did you know that polyurethane is a common sealant used on hardwood toys? Many of the varnishes and “finishes” can actually be very toxic. You want to know that the seller is well-versed in what they are using.
On the other hand, wooden chew toys from conscious companies are often sealed with food-grade, mouth-safe oils, such as beeswax or jojoba oil. So, there are also great options out there. Just check!
Message them and simply ASK! Everyone I’ve ever messaged responds quickly, politely, and often are more than happy to share more about their process with you.
PLUS, remember the extra bonus of buying small and direct: you can often request a small tweak or personalization that will make you more comfortable with the overall purchase.
For a simple example, I’ve asked a seller to stuff a teddy bear with organic cotton or wool rather than polyester. This is an easy switch and sellers are usually happy to make these small accommodations.
By the way, you may also enjoy some of these other natural-baby articles:
- Gift Ideas for Natural Organic Babies And Toddlers
- How to Cure Infant Eczema Naturally
- Some of the Best Organic Cotton Baby Brands
- 15 Chanukah Gifts for Natural Organic Family
Best Natural and Educational Toddler Toys from Etsy
Here are some ideas for wonderful, educational toddler toys we’ve found from Etsy:
- Wooden bowling set– This is a really unique toy, and will last from toddlerhood and on. Made of wood and painted with non-toxic paints, which is amazing. It also comes in other bright colors like pink and rainbow, if that’s what your child would like.
2, 3. Solid wood rocking horses are so beautiful, classy, and appropriate for girl or boy toddlers for years. These are both solid wood (and you can choose unfinished if you prefer not to have it stained or painted). Really beautiful pieces that also act as a piece of furniture in your child’s room. We are deciding between the 2 of these- and they’re both a lot cheaper than many comparable hardwood options.
4. Hardwood Stool or Bench: As your toddler gets older, he’ll become interested in reaching adult-height territory like countertops, sinks, et cetera. This stool is beautiful, will last forever, being made of hardwood, and also can be used as a bench for your toddler to sit on. The price for this particular stool is well below many of the same league, and I also love that it’s not sealed with glues or polyurethane- but rather a simple oil instead.
This is really a perfect example of a non-toxic educational toy for toddlers: stools and benches have countless uses both functional and imaginative, and are wide-open to your young one’s imagination. Plus, lifting them up to table-height allows them to engage with adult activities, like watching you cook or wash dishes. Surely a toy to last throughout many phases of childhood!
5. Hardwood shapes puzzle: This may not look like much, but I think it’s very exciting as a nontoxic educational toddler toy. The child must have the focus and fine-motor skills to place the correct shape in the correct hole. The toy also rolls across the floor. Reviews say that it’s bigger and sturdier than you can tell from online; and I love that it’s handmade and uses non-toxic glues.
6. Handmade hardwood toy truck: This shop has remarkably sturdy-looking, vintage toys- each one is beautiful and looks like it belongs on display! In particular, I’ve had my eye on this functional, detailed truck. It’s made of a combination of mahogany, ash, and other hardwoods.
7. Building Blocks Set (45 pieces)- Made from maple, walnut, oak, cherry, and more. We have this set and it’s hard to describe how high-quality they are: shiny, smooth, heavy to the touch but completely glossy and without any splintering.
Especially important to know if you have a baby around- these are finished with edible oils so that they’re mouth-safe! A neat drawstring bag is included as well. Overall, the workmanship is amazing, and I feel so good supporting this small business who pays so much attention to what matters!
8. The Softest Handmade Teddy Bear (can be stuffed with organic cotton): Meet your toddler’s new favorite stuffed friend! We have 2 versions of these- a bear and a bunny. They are unbelievably soft and cuddly, and just the right size for a toddler to tote around and engage with imaginatively.
Note to make it especially natural: You can request it to be filled with organic cotton fill! (this is what we did)
9. Hardwood Train, Helicopter, Boat, and Airplane: Another set of completely natural pieces from beautiful artisan hardwood workshops. These are so perfect for a little boy who likes to play with transportation vehicles- they’re functional and would look beautiful on display when not in use!
10. Colorful Wooden Stepping Stones: Everyone probably knows about these already! I know this brand is a real favorite with young families looking for quality toys- their climbing gyms are a special hit. (While those certainly meet the bar of “natural, nontoxic educational toys,” they’re a huge investment so we don’t have one right now).
Don’t you think these are the ideal natural, educational toy? These stepping stones are really everything I look for- beautifully smooth (no splinters!), vibrantly colored, and wide-open for imaginative play. With my younger toddler’s level of play, they’re usually just “stepping” stones, but I know many more advanced games can be incorporated by older kids as well.
11. Counting Book with Australian Animals: With an organic cotton option, this soft, well-made book is a natural toy that will last through the stages of babyhood and well into toddlerhood. As you can see, each page has a number and an illustration. Some of the pages have a noise-making crinkle effect which is endlessly entertaining for younger babies. As toddlers learn counting, it will once again become a favorite.
Additionally, it’s so well-made- it washes well whenever it becomes dirty, but has shown no signs of wear. I love her shop in general- the play mats are amazing, too, and come in organic cotton as well which we love for newborns.
Buying Natural, Nontoxic Toys on Etsy is Fun!
Lastly- Etsy is a place where it feels as though any creation you could possibly want or need, is possible! I urge you to explore what artists have to offer- and if they’re not making what you need for your family’s health preferences, ask them to!
There’s so much to find, and most of our favorite toys are from Etsy artists who care about quality and have earned our trust. Especially with a first child where we don’t yet have hand-me-downs or “family toys,” using Etsy wisely has been THE way I’ve been able to keep up with his developmental play needs, while ensuring I stick to nontoxic educational toys for him.
That wraps up the guide on finding natural, nontoxic toys on Etsy, plus a huge list of toys from shops we love!
Explore the toys and shops I’ve linked- each and every one is making the world a safer place for our kids, and their devotion to nontoxic educational toys certainly deserves our appreciation and, if we’re in the market, our business.
Please go ahead and share your opinion in the comments if you have one of these- and SHARE the post with your friends if it was helpful!
All the best,
