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Looking for super safe non-toxic kids toys without harmful chemicals that your children will actually want to play with?

The TFC team has put together the most comprehensive list of safe and non-toxic toys that are sure to capture your kiddo’s imagination for years of playtime fun!

Best Non-Toxic Kids Toys, in a nutshell…

The joyful giggles, those sparks of pure wonder dancing in their eyes, there’s nothing quite like your children playing with their favorite toys.

In those special moments of unstructured bliss, they aren’t just having fun. They’re making sense of the world around them, exercising their creativity, and developing essential cognitive and motor skills. Play is the building block for all learning and growth in those wondrous early years.

But what if the very toys meant to inspire their adventures were harboring some invisible threats?

Hiding beneath those bright plastics and cheerful colors, a cocktail of toxic chemicals like lead, phthalates, and BPA can disrupt some of the most important years of your child’s development.

With their hand-to-mouth exploration and sensitive systems, our littlest ones are particularly vulnerable to these toxic chemicals hiding in seemingly harmless toys.

As conscious parents, we want toys that are going to boost our children’s imaginations and grow their creativity while protecting their health.

Luckily there is a wave of companies pioneering safe and sustainable toys that are designed to foster our kids’ curiosity and problem-solving while still keeping playtime fun.

From our own playrooms to yours, we’re thrilled to share these eco-conscious toy companies that are putting your child’s wonder and well-being first. Get ready to discover cherished toys that your little ones will adore.

What toxic chemicals are hiding in kids toys?

Many children’s toys contain chemicals that can be detrimental to their health, as their developing hormonal and nervous systems are particularly vulnerable to these substances. Here are some toxic chemicals to look out for:

Bisphenol A (BPA): Toys are often made with BPA because it helps to make toys lightweight and shatter-resistant. However, BPA exposure can alter hormonal development in young children, potentially affecting growth, puberty, and even future fertility.

Phthalates: Phthalates are sometimes used in toys to soften what would otherwise be brittle plastic. Similar to BPA, phthalates, can disrupt hormone function, impacting everything from development to metabolism.

Lead: Although more restricted in toys these days, lead can still be found in some paint, plastic toys, and toys made before 1978. Lead exposure is particularly harmful to young children’s developing brains, causing learning disabilities, memory problems, and even hyperactivity.

Heavy Metals (beyond Lead): Other heavy metals like cadmium, arsenic, and antimony can hide in paints on toys and damage organs such as the kidneys and nervous system if ingested.

Flame Retardants: Some stuffed animals and plush toys are sprayed with flame retardants, which can mimic hormones and interfere with normal hormonal development. Studies suggest potential links between flame retardant exposure and developmental issues in children, and some flame retardants are suspected carcinogens.

Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC): PVC is most often found in foam play mats, blow-up mattresses, camp beds, inflatable toys, and paddling pools. PVC plastics often contain phthalates that cause hormonal disruption, developmental issues, asthma, and allergies in children (as explained earlier).

Fragrances: Surprisingly, artificial fragrances can sometimes make their way into toys to mask plastic odors or make the toys seem more attractive to kids. These fragrances can irritate a child’s sensitive skin, causing rashes or allergic reactions.

11 Eco Brands Making The Best Non-Toxic Kids Toys:

Plan Toys is all about creating non-toxic kids toys that stimulate your child’s creativity and cognitive development.

They use innovative designs that are intended to enhance motor skills and logical thinking so that kids can better understand the world around them.

All of their wooden toys are crafted from natural rubberwood trees. And to ensure the utmost safety for your kiddos, they don’t add fertilizer to their trees to keep the wood pure and chemical-free.

But they don’t just stop there. Plan Toys uses a chemical-free kiln-drying process and formaldehyde-free glue to strengthen their toys. This process makes them more durable to prevent splintering and breaking.

And when it comes to paints and dyes Plan Toys only uses soy ink, and their dyes are free of heavy metals, so you can have peace of mind knowing your kids are playing with the safest materials around.

Price

From $5.00+ 

Materials

Chemical-Free Rubber Wood, Formaldehyde-Free Glue, Organic Pigments, Water Based Dyes, Independently Tested For Product Safety

Location/Shipping

United States

Our Favorites from Plan Toys:

This amazing brand, founded by the incredible mom Angie Ting, is all about creating sustainable, eco-friendly toys that your children will love too.

The first thing you’ll notice about Apple Park toys is just how darn cute they are! These plush pals are made from 100% GOTS-certified organic cotton, so you can feel good about your child snuggling them close.

Most Apple Park toys are stuffed with a corn fiber filling, so they are completely plastic-free.

Moreover, Apple Park uses OEKO-TEX 100 toxin-free dyes to create the most vibrant, cheerful hues that little ones can’t help but gravitate to.

With everything from clothing and accessories to books and, of course, those toys, Apple Park is a one-stop shop for more than just toys. It’s the kind of thoughtful design that comes from a mom who truly cares about what she’s creating.

Price

From $17.00+ 

Materials

100% Organic Cotton, Eco-Friendly Dyes, Corn Fiber Filling, Poly-Free Filling

Location/Shipping

United States

Our Favorites from Apple Park:

Begin Again Toys is a trusted, family-oriented brand that prioritizes ethical and sustainable practices while emphasizing imagination, exploration, and hands-on learning. All without batteries or electronics!

Their non-toxic kids toys are designed to foster creativity, problem-solving, and social-emotional development through open-ended play.

Their bath toys, made from 100% natural rubber, are a favorite among parents. 

But Begin Again Toys isn’t just about bath time fun. They offer a wide range of products, from bath toys to wooden puzzles that will keep your little ones entertained for hours.

Beyond making great toys that kids love, Begin Again Toys uses sustainable, natural materials like wood, organic cotton, and plant-based plastics in their products. They also use water-based paints and stains, ensuring that your little ones are safe while they play.

Price

From $9.99+

Materials

Non-Toxic Rubberwood, Natural Rubber, Cornstarch Rubber, Maine Rock Maple, Water Based Stains

location/shipping

United States

There are wooden toys, and then there are Camden Rose wooden toys.

Each Camden Rose toy is meticulously handcrafted by skilled artisans in the USA. Each toy is made with eye-catching visuals that will capture your child’s attention and make playtime more engaging.

The level of detail and durability in these toys is unmatched, and you’ll want to pass them down from one generation to the next.

Inspired by the Waldorf educational philosophy, Camden Rose toys are all about open-ended play. From simple yet engaging shapes to more complex, interactive designs, these toys are bound to foster your child’s creativity.

What really sets Camden Rose apart is their dedication to using non-toxic materials. Their toys are finished with a blend of beeswax and jojoba oil, ensuring that your little ones can play without any worries.

 

Price

From $9.50+ 

Materials

Natural Hardwood, Wool, Silk & Cotton. Beeswax finish. No MDF or particleboard due to the toxic off-gassing of chemicals. Eco clear hard finish that is water-based. Phylate-free and lead-free.

Location/Shipping

United States

Our Favorites from Camden Rose:

Eco-Kids creates art supplies that are safe, sustainable, and most importantly, kid-approved! This family-based business, nestled in the heart of Portland, Maine, has been stealing hearts and nurturing creativity with their all-natural products.

From crayons to modeling dough, Eco-Kids has something for every budding artist. Their natural wax crayons glide like a dream, while their 100% pure beeswax modeling dough will provide your kids with hours of entertainment.

What started as a single, all-natural product has organically grown into an ecosystem of artistic play for children of all ages.

And when we say all-natural, we mean it! Eco-Kids uses ingredients like non-GMO flour, vitamin E, essential oils, FDA-approved pigments, organic fruit extracts, and FDA-approved soy-based inks. It’s like raiding your own pantry for the most wholesome art supplies imaginable!

Price

From $6.99+

Materials

All natural & non-toxic ingredients

Location/shipping

United States

Hailing from the heart of Germany, Grimm’s (also known as Speil & Holz) is one of the coolest toy companies around. And they’re on a mission to magically inspire your little ones’ imaginations with sustainable, non-toxic toys.

Yes, Grimm’s toys are admittedly expensive. But trust us, they’re worth every penny! These wonderful wooden toys are handcrafted with love, using only the finest natural materials.

Grimm’s is all about bringing color into the toy box in the most natural ways possible. Each toy is a unique work of art, lovingly painted in vibrant hues that’s like having a rainbow right in your playroom!

Grimm’s uses only non-toxic stains instead of paints, so you don’t have to worry about any pesky chipping.

From bright wooden blocks to dreamy puzzles and inspiring playsets, everything is designed to promote free and imaginative play. Your kiddos will be lost in their own magical world for hours on end!

Price

From $12.00 

Materials

Grimm’s educational wooden toys are made in Europe from alder, lime, beech and maple, all sourced from sustainably managed European forests. Non-toxic paints, colors & oils.

Location/Shipping

United States, Worldwide Stores

Our Favorites from Grimm’s:

With a name like Green Toys, you know they’ve got to be good for the environment. And boy, do they deliver!

These clever folks have figured out how to transform recycled milk jugs into the most imaginative playthings you’ve ever seen.

Their toys are designed to stimulate imagination and creativity while helping kids develop essential skills like motor control and problem-solving. It’s like sneaking in a little bit of learning with a whole lot of fun!

Their products are built to last too, with a level of toughness that can withstand even the roudiest playtime sessions. And the best part? They’re completely safe for your little ones, with no trace of icky stuff like BPA, phthalates, or PVC.

So if you’re ready to take your kid’s playtime to the next level, Green Toys is the way to go. With their commitment to recycling, quality, safety, and educational value, these toys are sure to become a beloved part of your child’s toy box.

Price

From $19.99+ 

Materials

Made from 100% recycled plastic. No BPA, phthalates or PVC. Manufactured in the USA.

Location/Shipping

United States

Green Toys Bestsellers:

If you’ve got a little one who can’t resist the allure of those shiny house keys, hold on a second. Did you know that not only are those keys often covered in icky germs, but they can also contain harmful lead?

But fear not, because Kleynimals has come to the rescue with their 100% stainless steel toy keys, proudly made in the USA for worry-free playtime.

The idea was born from the founder’s personal experiences as a parent, sparked by their youngest son’s fascination with keys. Concerned about toxins, the founder searched high and low for safe toy keys but came up empty-handed. That’s when they had their “aha!” moment – why not create non-toxic stainless steel keys themselves?

Since then Kleynimals has expanded their product range to include stainless steel utensils and rattles, all adorned with the most charming animal engravings that will delight your little ones.

All Kleynimals products are made in the USA from stainless steel and undergo rigorous third-party testing for lead, cadmium, and nickel leaching.

So if you’re ready to ditch those germy, potentially toxic house keys and give your little one a toy they’ll love, look no further than Kleynimals.

Price

From $35

Materials

Stainless Steel

shipping/location

United States

Are you looking for something new a different to get your kids excited? Meet Wobbel! The versatile wooden board that’s stealing hearts and sparking imaginations everywhere!

The Wobbel isn’t just any old toy. It’s a slide, a seesaw, a bridge, a stool, and whatever else your little one can dream up. With Wobbel, the possibilities are truly endless!

Wobbel is all about functional fun. This toy is on a mission to promote your child’s creativity, balance, and strength. Whether they’re rocking back and forth, practicing their cartwheels, or creating the coolest fort ever, Wobbel is there to support their development every step of the way.

Now this toy is on the expensive side, but these are great non toxic toys for toddlers to grade-schoolers and beyond. The Wobbel is a toy that your kids can play with for years.

There are so many different ways to play with it, from creating tunnels and reading nooks to practicing their climbing skills. When you consider all the hours of enjoyment it brings, it’s worth every penny.

Price

From $199+

Materials

Pressed beechwood

location/shipping

Europe, Worldwide Locations (USA linked above)

Whether your little one is building the coolest block tower ever or playing doctor with their new medical set, Tender Leaf Toys are designed with one goal in mind: to promote learning through play.

Each toy has a timeless quality that’s hard to find in today’s world of plastic and batteries. There’s just something so satisfying about watching your little one play with these beautifully crafted wooden toys. It’s like stepping back in time to a simpler era when playtime was all about imagination and creativity.

Tender Leaf Toys offers a wide range of options to suit every child’s interests. From puzzles and building blocks to kitchen sets and doctor kits, there’s something for everyone. Your kids will be developing important skills like creativity, imagination, and fine motor control, but they’ll be having so much fun they won’t even know it.

Tender Leaf uses replantable rubberwood in their toys, which means that for every tree used, another one is planted in its place. And they use only water-based colors and finishes that are completely safe for children. 

No toxic chemicals or questionable materials here. Just good, old-fashioned wood and a whole lot of love!

Price

From $4.99+ 

materials

FSC certified wood. Reclaimed timber from rubber trees that no longer produce latex from Indonesia. Toxic free paints and glue. All toys meet the safety standard EN71, ASTM F963 and AS/NZS ISO.

Location/Shipping

United States

The Honest Choice Top Picks:

If you’re looking for non-toxic toys that your little ones will adore, you’ve got to check out Hevea’s awesome line of PVC-free natural rubber balls, bath toys, and teethers.

Hevea makes some of the best non-toxic bath toys available.

Designed for hours of underwater adventures, they can splash water and even stick and slide around the tub. Our kiddos were endlessly entertained, scooping and pouring water again and again and again.

Hevea’s toys are made from 100% natural rubber, so they’re plant-based, completely plastic-free, and non-toxic. And the rubber dyes are even FDA-approved. 

Hevea also has an innovative closing mechanism for their bath toys, preventing inside mold. All you have to do is open the belly and dry it after use, then seal it back up when it’s time to play again. 

Price

From $15+

materials

100% natural rubber, FDA approved natural colour pigments

location/shipping

United States, Worldwide Shipping

What are the benefits of non-toxic toys for kids?

Health Benefits

Young children often explore the world by putting objects in their mouths, and toys containing lead, phthalates, or other toxins can leach these chemicals when chewed on, potentially leading to health problems.

By opting for non-toxic kids toys, you significantly reduce the risk of little ones ingesting these toxic chemicals.

Environmental Benefits

Safe toys for kids made from natural materials like wood, organic cotton, and natural rubber offer several environmental benefits. These materials come from renewable resources, meaning they can be replenished at a rate comparable to their use.

Plus, they are built to last, so you don’t have to constantly be buying new toys. 

Developmental Benefits

Safe, open-ended toys like building blocks and wooden figures don’t dictate a single way to play. This freedom ignites your child’s imagination, allowing them to create their own worlds, scenarios, and narratives without the limitations of pre-defined toys with specific functions.

What certifications should I look for to make sure my children’s toys are safe?

Look for these certifications and labels to make sure that the toys you are purchasing toys that are safe and healthy for your kids:

ASTM F963: This is the mandatory safety standard for all children’s toys sold in the United States. It ensures the toy has undergone rigorous testing for mechanical hazards (choking hazards, sharp edges), flammability, and chemical hazards (heavy metals like lead, and certain phthalates).

EN 71: This is the European safety standard for toys, similar to ASTM F963 but with some variations. If a toy is manufactured in Europe or meets European standards, it may have this label.

Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS): This certification ensures organic cotton production throughout the supply chain, meaning the cotton was grown without harmful pesticides or chemicals.

Forest Stewardship Council (FSC): This label indicates the wood used in the toy comes from sustainably managed forests, minimizing environmental impact.

OEKO-TEX Standard 100: This certification verifies that textiles used in the toy are free from harmful substances at levels that could be detrimental to human health.

Tips for Using Certifications and Labels:

  • Don’t rely solely on labels: While certifications offer valuable information, a responsible toy company will prioritize safety beyond just meeting the minimum standards.
  • Research the brand: Look for companies with a reputation for using safe, non-toxic materials and sustainable practices.
  • Read product descriptions: Pay attention to the materials listed and any information about the manufacturing process.

This was your complete guide to non-toxic kids toys!

In a world overflowing with toy choices, making mindful selections that prioritize our children’s health and well-being is one of the greatest gifts we can offer. By opting for safe, sustainable playthings free from toxic chemicals, we nurture their holistic development while safeguarding their health. 

These carefully chosen child-safe toys will fuel creativity, imagination, and problem-solving skills, far outlasting fleeting trends and gimmicks. 

Cultivating a safe, eco-friendly play space is not just an investment in your child’s future, it’s an investment in the future of our planet. By making thoughtful choices, one toy at a time, we can create a world where children and the planet can thrive. 

We’d love to hear from you! Share with us the best non toxic kids toys that have captured the hearts of your family. We’re always eager to discover and share new, innovative toys that align with our values, so we can continue to bring you the best options available.

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