Looking for eco-friendly toys that are both fun and sustainable? Look no further! In this article, we will unveil the top 10 eco-friendly toy brands for kids that will not only entertain but also promote a greener and healthier future. With environmental consciousness on the rise, parents are increasingly seeking toys made from sustainable materials, non-toxic components, and lasting quality. Our carefully curated list includes toys that tick all these boxes, ensuring your little ones can play without harming the planet.
Key Takeaways
- Green Toys offers a range of toys made from 100% recycled materials.
- PlanToys focuses on sustainability and child development with their wooden toys.
- Lovevery provides stage-based play essentials made from organic and sustainable materials.
- Tender Leaf Toys creates hand-finished wooden toys with a focus on sustainability.
- Wishbone Design Studio specializes in multi-functional, eco-friendly ride-on toys.
1. Green Toys
Green Toys is one of my favorite sustainable toy brands for kids! Every Green Toys design is made from 100% recycled plastic, primarily from milk jugs. Everything is manufactured here in the USA, and the milk jugs are collected, cleaned, and reprocessed into raw recycled plastic before being mixed with food-safe, mineral-based color dyes. They have many different toys, but their bathtime ones are always a big hit!
Quality and Safety
Despite being made from recycled materials, Green Toys doesn't compromise on quality or safety. Their products are robust, durable, and, most importantly, safe for children, with no trace of BPA, phthalates, or PVC.
Educational Value
Green Toys provides kids with engaging, fun, and educational playtime experiences. They stimulate imagination and creativity while helping kids to develop motor skills and problem-solving abilities.
Materials
Recycled Plastic
Manufacturing Country
USA
Green Toys’ products have removed over 54 million milk jugs from landfills and they encourage parents to use their toys as a lesson on how something bound for the trash can be turned into something fun.
2. PlanToys
About PlanToys
PlanToys got its start when seven university graduates decided to give back to their home country of Thailand. For more than four decades, they’ve created a range of locally-made toys that include their highly popular dollhouses, doctor kits, and walkers. But that’s just the tip of the toy box.
Sustainability
PlanToys uses rubberwood from trees that no longer produce latex. This is an excellent example of resource utilization, as these trees would otherwise be cut down and burned. Additionally, all materials used are eco-friendly and safe for children.
Educational Value
PlanToys' toys are designed to enhance motor skills, logical thinking, and creativity. They help children understand the world around them and learn crucial skills for their development.
Safety
PlanToys ensures their toys are safe. They use non-toxic glues and paints and follow stringent quality control procedures to ensure each toy meets the highest safety standards.
PlanToys has been sustainably making toys in Thailand since 1981. Toys are made with water-based dyes, organic pigments, plant-based inks, and more. PlanToys products adhere to international safety standards such as ATSM and EN71 and utilize solar panels at the PlanToy factory to reduce carbon emissions. The company's 2022 sustainability report is also freely available on the company website.
Materials: Rubberwood, Eco-friendly paints
Manufacturing Country: Thailand
3. Lovevery
Lovevery is a fantastic choice for parents who want to provide their kids with eco-friendly toys. Co-founded by Jessica of Happy Family Organics, Lovevery is a Certified B Corp toy company. Their products are made with sustainably sourced wood, cotton, recycled paper, soy-based ink, and more for an all-around eco-friendly play experience. Lovevery aims to use 90 percent recycled materials by 2025 and they purchase carbon offsets to minimize their environmental impact. They even joined the Climate Collaborative in 2020 to commit to sustainability.
Why Choose Lovevery?
Lovevery is probably most famous for its baby play mat, which features activities and colors for a baby’s development in the first 12 months. However, they also have these fantastic play kits you can have delivered to your door every two months as your child grows. Every piece of wood that comes with The Play Kits is sourced from FSC-compliant sustainable sources, using soft, natural, 100% organic cotton. They also ship carbon neutral through projects that offset any carbon they emit while shipping.
What Makes Lovevery Special?
- Sustainably sourced materials
- Carbon neutral shipping
- FSC-compliant wood
- 100% organic cotton
Products and Pricing
| Product Type | Price Range |
|---|---|
| Subscription | $120 per subscription |
| Individual Toys | $120–$400 individually |
Your child will love every eco-friendly sensory toy that comes from this brand. And parents will, too.
4. Tender Leaf Toys
Tender Leaf Toys is all about providing kids with educational yet fun toys. Each toy is crafted at a family-run factory in Indonesia, ensuring high standards of training, wellbeing, and respect for the workers. Plus, the toys are made from sustainably sourced rubberwood, cotton, and wool, making them safe and eco-friendly.
What I love most about Tender Leaf Toys is their commitment to sustainability. They use replantable rubberwood and water-based colors and finishes that are absolutely safe for children. From building blocks and puzzles to kitchen and doctor sets, these toys foster creativity, imagination, and fine motor skills.
For every reclaimed tree that’s used, the company plants another one. This dedication to the environment is something I truly admire.
Tender Leaf Toys are also moving towards plastic-free packaging, using paper and recycled cardboard. So, if you're looking for toys that are both fun and environmentally responsible, Tender Leaf Toys is a fantastic choice!
5. Wishbone Design Studio
Wishbone Design Studio is all about spreading creativity, joy, and independence through their innovative and durable toys. Their range includes trikes, bikes, rockers, walkers, and wagons, perfect for little ones on-the-go. These toys are designed to grow with your child, making them a great investment for years of fun.
Price Range
Wishbone Design Studio offers toys ranging from $25 to $280, catering to various budgets while ensuring high quality and sustainability.
Ethical & Sustainability Practices
Wishbone's toys are made from sustainably harvested birchwood and post-consumer recycled content, like recycled plastic and carpet. They comply with AU, NZ, EU, and US safety standards, ensuring your child's safety while playing.
Supply Chain & Labor Practices
Designed in New Zealand and ethically made in China, Wishbone ensures fair labor practices throughout their supply chain.
Carbon Commitments & Green Practices
Wishbone toys are designed for longevity and zero waste end-of-lives. Most toys use zero additives, making recycling easier and more efficient.
Community & Charitable Giving
With some products, portions of sales are donated to organizations promoting biodiversity and protecting endangered species. It's a great way to give back while providing your child with amazing toys.
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6. Kinderfeets
If you're looking for toys that help develop your child's gross motor skills, coordination, and balance, then Kinderfeets is the brand for you. They offer a range of products like balance bikes, Waldorf-inspired balance boards, tricycles, play gyms, and prams. Their 2-in-1 Tiny Tots bikes are a hit, converting from bike to trike as your child grows.
Ethical & Sustainability Practices
Kinderfeets is committed to minimizing environmental impact. They use fast-growing bamboo, eco-friendly birchwood, or FSC-certified German beechwood for their toys. Only non-formaldehyde glue and non-toxic, water-based paints and lacquers are used.
Community & Charitable Giving
A portion of Kinderfeets' annual profits is donated to Trees for the Future, supporting efforts to combat deforestation. They also use recycled materials for packaging and sell individual replacement parts for easy repairs.
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7. Once-Kids
Once-Kids offers a range of heirloom-quality toys that inspire wonder and creativity in kids. Their toys are aligned with their mission of being Organic, Natural, Charitable, and Environmentally-friendly. The materials used in their eco toys include FSC-certified eco-friendly wood and felt made from recycled water bottles. All products are safe and compliant with CPSIA, ASTM, EN71, and CE standards.
8. Our Green House
Our Green House is a family-first, woman-owned company offering an impressive range of eco-friendly gifts, including toys. The range includes blocks, puzzles, journals, arts & eco-friendly crafts, games, cars, and playsets. Bruce the Goose™ plushie: your ultimate cuddle companion. Explore unique baby items, kids clothing, toys & games, baby gear. Shop now!
9. Legacy Learning
Legacy Learning blends fun with, well...learning. From quiet time activities to wooden stackers that cultivate fine motor skills (and are sure to make plenty of noise when they fall), there’s a Montessori and Waldorf-inspired toy for every kid’s (and parent’s) mood. If you’re shopping for the tiniest of tots, check out their selection of eco-friendly teething toys, like the adorable Dinosaur Teething Ring, made of sustainable wood and non-toxic, non-plastic silicone.
Want to support a small business and find eco-friendly toys for babies, toddlers, and kids? Legacy Learning has got you covered. All their toys are made with wood and all-natural, non-toxic paints. Some even feature medical-grade silicone. Everything is handcrafted by owner Ashley in her Illinois home, so you know these are totally ethical toys, too.
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10. EZPlay
About EZPlay
EZPlay makes toys for active kids, including indoor mini jungle gyms, tents, play mats, and wobble boards. The company's products are designed to last forever, and they're made with quality ash wood and fittings, as well as water-based paint and solvents. EZPlay manufactures its toys in Eastern Europe, and the company also sells refurbished versions of its own toys on the EZPlay website.
Price Range
Price Range: $20–$499
Why Choose EZPlay?
Did you say jungle gyms? EZPlay can provide your mini-me with the best climbing experience. Suitable for all ages, they create adventure-ready playthings for kids of all ages, including options that serve as sustainable toys for babies.
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Conclusion
Choosing eco-friendly toys for your kids is a fantastic way to combine fun with sustainability. Not only do these toys provide endless entertainment, but they also teach our little ones the importance of caring for the planet. From wooden puzzles to organic cotton dolls, there's something for every child. So go ahead, make the switch to eco-friendly toys and watch your kids light up with joy—minus the eco-guilt. Happy playing!
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes a toy eco-friendly?
Eco-friendly toys are typically made from sustainable materials, such as organic cotton, bamboo, or recycled plastic. They are also designed to be non-toxic and biodegradable, minimizing their impact on the environment.
Are eco-friendly toys safe for children?
Yes, eco-friendly toys are designed to be safe for children. They are made from non-toxic materials and often go through rigorous safety testing to ensure they meet or exceed safety standards.
Where can I buy eco-friendly toys?
Eco-friendly toys can be purchased from a variety of retailers, both online and in physical stores. Some popular brands include Green Toys, PlanToys, and Lovevery.
Are eco-friendly toys more expensive than regular toys?
Eco-friendly toys can sometimes be more expensive than regular toys due to the use of sustainable materials and ethical manufacturing processes. However, many parents find the investment worthwhile for the health and environmental benefits.
How can I tell if a toy is truly eco-friendly?
Look for certifications such as FSC (Forest Stewardship Council), GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard), or Green Seal. These certifications indicate that the toy meets specific environmental and safety standards.
Can eco-friendly toys be recycled?
Many eco-friendly toys are designed to be recyclable or biodegradable. Check the packaging or the brand’s website for specific recycling instructions.
What age groups are eco-friendly toys suitable for?
Eco-friendly toys are available for all age groups, from infants to older children. Brands like Lovevery offer toys specifically designed for different developmental stages.
Do eco-friendly toys last as long as traditional toys?
Yes, eco-friendly toys are often very durable and designed to last. They are made with high-quality materials and craftsmanship, ensuring they can withstand regular play.
