Are you looking for baby toys that are adorable, non-toxic, sure to encourage baby’s developmental milestones, and made with natural materials? Then you’ll love this natural and eco-friendly baby toys guide! This article is packed with a selection of some of the best natural baby toys on the U.S. market – from non-plastic baby toys made with nothing but natural materials to certified organic baby toys.
Whether you’d like to round out the stash of your baby’s toys or need a natural eco-friendly baby gift for a family-to-be (these toys are the perfect baby shower gift!), here are a few of my favorites that are suitable for babies in the 0-12 months+ age category. All are a great natural option for baby’s first toys.
A word on natural baby toys…
Natural materials like solid wood or cotton are ideal for baby’s first toys, but it’s equally important to pay attention to the finishes used and the origins of the fibers if you’re looking for a baby toy that’s truly toxin-free. Just because a toy is made with a natural material doesn’t mean it’s free of harmful substances.
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Non-toxic finishes
When it comes to wooden baby toys, the safest options are unfinished wood and gentle finishes like food-safe oils or beeswax, or water-based dyes, paints, and lacquers (vs. standard solvent-based). Toy companies that use non-toxic paints and natural finishes are also more likely to use formaldehyde-free glue if any components need to be glued on a wooden toy.
Certifications
While cotton is generally a good choice for a natural baby toy, GOTS certified organic cotton is the gold standard, especially when it comes to some of the first toys that a baby interacts with. Conventionally processed cotton, even if the cotton was organically grown, can contain a plethora of residual toxic chemicals that your baby can pick up by playing with the toy and especially mouthing the toy. GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard) is the highest achievement in textile certification that guarantees that no known harmful chemicals were used at any stage of the production process from crop management all the way to the finished product.
In contrast, a product certified to the OCS (Organic Content Standard) specifics verifies the presence of a certain amount of organically grown fibers (depending on the tier) but does not address the use of chemicals during processing of those fibers.
Another certification to take note of is Oeko-Tex. The Oeko-Tex Standard prohibits a long list of chemicals but not to the extent of GOTS. Oeko-Tex addresses the safety of the finished product, but it’s not an organic certification. Any fibers, including synthetic fibers like polyester, can be Oeko-Tex certified. The substances screened for under the Oeko-Tex certification include heavy metals, carcinogenic and allergenic dyes, flame retardants, formaldehyde, and certain pesticides, all of which are known to be harmful to human health.
Related: Is Polyester Safe for Baby?
European baby toys
A couple of brands on this list are European companies, and some toys listed are manufactured directly in Europe. You should know that European baby toys are second to none in safety.
Toys that are made in/imported into the European Union need to comply with safety and health regulations that are more robust than the U.S. standards set by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, therefore any toy that’s sold in the United States that has been certified for the E.U. as well has – theoretically – been made to the highest standard.
Best natural and organic baby toys 2022
Thoughtfully designed and made with natural materials, these baby toys are eco-friendly and safe for baby. In addition, they are made by reputable companies that stand behind their products.
Featured brands:
HABA
HABA is a European company based in Germany that’s well known for producing a wide variety of non-toxic, eco-friendly, and natural toys. Their natural baby toys made from solid wood are especially popular among parents trying to avoid toxins. HABA toys are made in Germany and China, depending on the materials used.
HABA wooden clutching toys are made in Germany of solid beech wood from sustainable German forestry (PEFC-certified), and water-based finishes that are non-toxic and safe, even for teething babies. They are suitable for babies 6 months and up, brightly colored, and sure to catch baby’s attention. The colorful wooden pieces are strung on an elastic cord and move around, and some have a small bell in the center of the toy and double as a rattle (bottom row below if you’re on a desktop).
Good to know: Due to the nature of the finishes, HABA wooden baby toys should not be submerged in water for cleaning.
Some HABA wooden baby toys contain plastic components (see below). The small rings are ABS plastic (BPA- and phthalate-free), and the larger curved plastic components are made from HABAform, which is the company’s proprietary bio-based material. Per HABA, HABAform is free of diethyl phthalates and BPA.
Hape
Hape is a European company based in Germany that manufactures toys in China in a Hape-owned factory. While their toys ARE made in China, Hape holds several “green” certifications and strictly monitors their operations from sourcing to manufacturing. And because it’s a German company, the toys comply with strict European toy regulations.
Hape makes natural baby toys made with solid wood, as well as plastic toys and toys made with both wood and plastic (shown below – click on the images for more details if any of these toys spark interest).
Although the selection of wooden baby toys by Hape with no plastic components is small, the Hape Bunny Stacker and the Hape Wooden Multi-Stage Sensory Set are both a great option to consider. They’re made with solid wood, and non-toxic water-based paints and finishes. The sensory set includes 5 small toys that are uniquely adapted to satisfy baby’s curiosity and development from birth and up, and the bunny stacker toy has fabric components and is suitable for babies 10 months and up. (Neither is currently available on Amazon, but you can get them on the Hape website – don’t forget to use my discount code (below) when you check out!!)
Use the code HAPPYHEALTHYWHOLESOMECHILDREN on the Hape website to get 10% off your order!
Under the Nile
If you’re looking for certified organic cotton toys or natural baby toys NOT made in China, you’re going to love the Under the Nile brand! All Under the Nile toys are made in Egypt with GOTS-certified organic Egyptian cotton. Absolutely no toxic colorants, formaldehyde, or flame retardants are used to make Under the Nile toys (or clothing – in addition to organic plush toys they also make adorable certified-organic baby clothes and swaddle blankets), and you can choose from a variety of options.
Best yet, Under the Nile soft cuddly stuffies are not only made with organic cotton but also stuffed with organic cotton (GOTS certified), making them perfectly safe to chew on and ideal for teething babies! Furthermore, each toy is made in a Fair Trade Certified facility, so you can feel good about contributing to a good cause where the workers in all stages of production are treated well and paid a living wage.
Finn + Emma
Finn + Emma are makers of whimsical organic baby toys that are sure to catch your and your baby’s attention.
Their wooden teethers and knit rattles are a great option for a natural baby toy. The wooden teethers are made with GOTS-certified organic cotton and sustainably sourced Indian hardwood that’s untreated and finished with vegetable seed wax, and the knit rattles are hand-made with GOTS-certified organic cotton yarn. The knit rattles are stuffed with virgin polyester fiberfill, and each contains a phthalate-free rattle. They also make wooden and knitted stroller toys for safe playtime on-the-go.
Finn + Emma baby toys are third-party tested to ensure safety and compliance with the regulations enforced by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission and are made in India (wooden toys) and Peru (knit toys) with fair trade practices. “Fair trade” means that all employees along the manufacturing chain are paid living wages and work in safe and humane conditions. Visit their website for a full selection of their baby toys.
finn + emma – teething ears / flying pigs – $16.50
from: FINN + EMMA, LLC
Finn + Emma – rattle buddy / amelia the giraffe – $28.00
from: FINN + EMMA, LLC
finn + emma – 2 pc. stroller toys / gunnar & ship – $29.00
from: FINN + EMMA, LLC
PlanToys
PlanToys is a company based in Thailand that manufactures natural and organic toys from local rubber trees that no longer produce latex. To achieve maximum purity, they go as far as not fertilizing the trees for 3 years prior to harvest.
PlanToys uses non-toxic water-based finishes and formaldehyde-free glue to make their toys, and some of their toys are left unfinished for a completely natural baby toy. All baby toys made by PlanToys are made in Thailand and fulfill or exceed American and European health and safety requirements. At this time their toy selection is limited compared with the variety of wooden baby toys they normally produce, but some of their staples are available on Amazon.
PlanToys Wooden Car
A well-made, non-toxic, and adorable baby’s first car! The car can be pushed and pulled, glides easily across the floor, and the colored disks are movable and held together by an elastic string. Suitable for babies 6 months+.
PlanToys Wooden Tumbling Set
A 3-piece non-toxic wooden sensory tumble toy. Each wobbling ball stimulates a different sense – one has a fluffy top, one has a mirror inside, and the third has small balls inside that rattle. Suitable for babies 6 months+.
Or, see all PlanToys options for baby on Amazon.
Tikiri Toys
Tikiri Toys are makers of non-toxic eco-friendly baby toys that are handcrafted with natural and sustainably sourced materials. Their toys are made in Sri Lanka with fair-trade principles and comply with U.S. and E.U. regulations. In addition to a wide selection of plush toys and stuffed animals, you can also choose from many natural rubber toys.
5″ Tikiri Safari Clutch Ball & Rattle
A Montessori-style sensory toy with visual, auditory, and tactile stimulation, made with organically grown cotton muslin and cotton jersey (OCS certified) and polyester filling (Oeko-Tex certified). Suitable for babies 0+ months.
5″ Tikiri Toys Ocean Activity Cube
A soft play cube made with organic cotton (OCS certified) and polyester filling (Oeko-Tex certified). Different textures together with a mirror, rattle, and a squeaker stimulate baby’s senses. Suitable for babies 0+ months.
Bannor Toys
Looking for natural baby toys made in the USA? Consider Bannor Toys – a small family-owned company based in Iowa that offers a variety of hand-crafted heirloom-quality baby toys made of solid wood from domestic hardwoods, finished with a mixture of beeswax and flaxseed oil.
For a completely organic baby toy, choose one their 100% wooden rattles (some of them feature silicone components – imported from China but extensively safety-tested). Their classic baby rattle is guaranteed to be a hit with teething babies and a well-received keepsake baby gift, but honestly you can’t go wrong with any of their wooden rattles. You can even customize many of them with personal touches!
Maple Landmark
Maple Landmark is another option if you’re looking for natural eco-friendly baby toys made in the USA. Maple Landmark is a family-owned business based in Vermont that produces a wide range of wooden toys. They have a selection of wooden teethers and rattles that are worth a look which are just perfect for a natural baby’s first toy!
Depending on their product line, some Maple Landmark toys are unfinished and some are finished with a variety of applications (from food-safe finishes to teak oil, water/alcohol-based stains, petroleum-based lacquers, and urethane varnish). Maple Landmark wooden teethers and rattles are made with pure maple wood without any finish coatings. You can’t go any more natural than that! Some of their teethers and rattles are available on Amazon, or see their website for more options.
Wee Gallery
Wee Gallery is a small family-owned business based in Florida that’s centered around making simple natural baby toys with high-contrast visual patterns that promote infant brain development. The company uses natural and organic materials to manufacture their toys, like FSC-certified paperboard and organic cotton. Depending on the materials used, Wee Gallery baby toys are made either in India or Sri Lanka (soft toys) or China (paperboard art cards).
The soft baby toys below are made in India with GOTS-certified organic cotton.
4″ Wee Gallery Taggy Ball + Rattle
A simple natural baby toy with a variety of features made to stimulate baby’s senses – black and white high-contrast graphics (nature-themed), different textures, and a rattle. Made of organic cotton and polyester fiberfill (Oeko-Tex certified). Suitable for babies aged 3 months+.
7″ Wee Gallery Sensory Puzzle Ball
A popular Montessori infant toy made with visual and tactile stimulation in mind. This soft sensory ball is easy to grab for small fingers and features black and white high-contrast nature-themed graphics typical for Wee Gallery toys. Made of organic cotton and polyester fiberfill (Oeko-Tex certified). Suitable for babies aged 3 months+.
Petit Collage
Petit Collage is a company based in the U.S. that manufactures toys in China but complies with American and European toy regulations. They make wooden and soft baby toys.
Not *all* baby toys made by Petit Collage have glowing reviews at the moment, but the selections below seem to be constructed well and hold true to their claims.
Petit Collage Soft Chime Ball
Soft, cuddly, non-toxic ball with crinkly ears that chimes when shaken or rolled across the floor. Made with GOTS-certified organic cotton and polyester filling made from recycled water bottles. Suitable for newborns & up.
Petit Collage Newborn Baby Blanket
Soft non-toxic baby blanket for comfort. Designed to gently stimulate the senses, easy to hold for baby thanks to a knotted bottom. Made with GOTS-certified organic cotton and polyester fiberfill. Suitable for newborns & up.
Don’t miss:The Best Natural & Non-Toxic Baby Products (2022 Ultimate Guide!)
The best natural baby toys
The baby toys on this list are intended for ages 0-12 months & up. You can rest assured that these baby toys are made with natural materials and are non-toxic and safe, even for babies. All comply with the American and/or European toy safety standards and requirements.
I took to the internet to search for the best natural baby toys there are in 2022 so that parents, friends, and family have an easier time looking for natural and organic baby toys and eco-friendly baby gifts. If you’re curious about a particular baby toy or a baby toy brand that you haven’t found on this list but believe should have been featured, feel free to leave a comment below with the name of the brand or a product link and I’ll tell you what I think! (It’s possible that I have I simply missed it.)
Curious about safe bath toys? See a selection of non-toxic bath toys for babies & toddlers here.
For the parent looking for natural and organic baby toys
If there is one thing that natural and eco-friendly toys have in common, it’s that they generally don’t come cheap. Natural materials are more costly to obtain, toxin-free processing tends to also cost toy manufacturers more, and any extra voluntary certifications further add to the overall cost of a toy (but are nice to have if you want a guarantee). In addition, many toys on this list are handmade, so the cost to make them is already much higher than mass-produced machine-spat toys.
That being said, quite a few options on this list are under $20 a piece, which isn’t terrible!
When it comes to baby’s first toys, in my opinion, quality is better than quantity. Babies don’t really need a lot of toys.
Your baby might actually benefit from having fewer, high-quality toys over heaps of just about any baby toys. In fact, 3-5 toys for a non-mobile baby that shows interest in toys is plenty! Once babies can sit up on their own and start to crawl, a handful of engaging, safe, age-appropriate toys is all you need.
A good rule of thumb is to keep the number of toys under 10, otherwise you risk your baby becoming overstimulated from having too many toys to choose from.
While the decision on how many and which baby toys you allow in your home is ultimately yours to make, you can never go wrong with a natural baby toy constructed of organic toxin-free materials – even if it’s just one toy or a few out of a bunch!
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Do you have suggestions for me to add on this natural baby toys list? Please share them below for others to see!
Hello, I wanted to comment on the clothing section but can’t find it. What is the best way to store baby clothing and items not in use. I had initially bought plastic tubs and plastic vacuum bags but am no worried that toxins could off gas into the clothing. I need something to safely store my sons clothing he has grown out of….
Hi Jeffrey, if you have the space, hard plastic bins might be less likely to off-gas chemicals than soft plastic vacuum bags, but I wouldn’t stress too much over it if this is a necessary item for you. If the bags have a smell, I would try to keep them in the garage, basement, or the least used room in the house until the worst of the odor is no longer there.
Itzy Ritzy Silicone Teething Mitt – Soothing Infant Teething Mitten with Adjustable Strap, Crinkle Sound and Textured Silicone to Soothe Sore and Swollen Gums, Fox https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07GY8163L/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glc_i_ZGE9FbGBGA78Z
Another question- do you do reviews on playmats? We have the Nook Lily Pad 2 right now but want to find something bigger and easy to clean. I was going to get a CreamHaus one but they are so expensive to cover a big area. I also have a Gathre splash mat and am curious if polyurethane leather is okay? I know polyurethane foam isn’t but was unsure about leather.
Thank you for the link! It doesn’t seem like the teether is designed to end up in the mouth upside down too often, with the polyester part being sucked on, so I wouldn’t worry about it too much. If your baby preferred to use the teether the other way around, by sucking on the fabric, then I would perhaps look into a teether made with organic cotton, ideally GOTS certified.
As for playmats, that’s a tough one as there aren’t many great natural selections. Cotton would be a good choice but it’s not waterproof, cork is another good one. In my opinion polyester – while not an ideal material – is acceptable for this use as well. I would avoid all types of foam. I’m not familiar with the manufacturing process of polyurethane leather, so I don’t know if this material can emit volatile organic compounds.
Thank you. I asked the Gathre company about the polyurethane leather process and if it emits any VOCs and their response was, “our mats do not contain mercury, lead, or other heavy metals, and are free of VOC’s including formaldehyde, benzene, butanol, naphthalane, and isocyanates. Additonaly, no bromated or chlorinated flame retardants are used.”
I was reviewing your suggestions on organic loveys…before reading this we had purchased the brand Apple Park Organic as they label their items 100% certified organic cotton. Then I kept reading to find that they are stuffed with corn fiber filling and use dyes. Looking at the FAQ on their website they responsed to questions with these answers.
“Our GOTS certified organic cotton fabrics are dyed with low impact, azo-free dyes incompliance with GOTS requirements.”
“We use a mix of organic cotton and sustainable, hypoallergenic, anti-bacterial corn fiber in our toys.”
Do these seem like reassuring answers? I’m not sure if this could mean the corn fiber could still have pesticides on it…
PU leather products often say: “No toxins, no PVC, no phthalates, no lead.” But I have not seen any VOC claims. To be honest, I would assume PU leather might contain some levels of VOCs just based on being composed of layers of bonded fully synthetic materials. As for the toy – that type of fiberfill resembles polyester fiberfill, and I would treat it as such – safe for playing with, not safe as a mouthing toy for a teething drooling baby. At least not as a popular toy that’s used often.
Hello! Thank you for this helpful information. Do you think a teether mitten made of food grade silicone but then the mitten part being made of polyester is safe? Also, what are your thoughts on Vtech toys. We received so many Christmas gifts that seem not to be safe for our little one!
Hi Jeff, do you happen to have a link to the teether mitten so I could take a look? Unfortunately, Vtech toys (like virtually all mainstream toys) don’t have the best reputation for being toxin-free, but it’s also REALLY hard to avoid mainstream toys altogether, so moderation is a good approach, I think. I don’t know how old your baby is, my biggest concern would be mouthing potentially unsafe toys for long periods of time on a consistent basis. When they’re older and able to keep toys out of the mouth, toxicity from toys becomes less of an issue.
Thank you! Do you know anything about the Lovevery brand? When asking them about their stainless steel cup, wooden toys, painted toys and rubber teething toys, their response was this. They are still getting back to me about the rubber.
“ – The stainless steel cup is 100% food-grade stainless steel (there is no lead)
– All wood used in our products is FSC-certified to be responsibly and sustainably sourced. As a natural material, wood is subject to variation in texture and color. We also comply with TSCA.
– All materials in our products are tested to, and comply with, global toy safety standards and are all tested by third-party labs. We include testing for each coating and material in our products for dangerous chemicals, heavy metals, and phthalates. The paint we use on our products is always water based and non-toxic.
– The Nesting Stacking Drip Drop Cups are ABS or acrylonitrile butadiene styrene”
I think they have interesting products and are genuine about trying to make a difference. There is always the risk that a stainless steel cup or bowl will leach some amount of heavy metals, but that risk is at least reduced when you avoid adding acidic foods to stainless steel containers.
This was helpful. Thank you!
Happy to help! 🙂