5 Best Non-Toxic Activity Gyms: Wooden, Organic

A non-toxic activity gym is a baby gear essential that all parents should have in their homes.

Being non-toxic, they’ll help ease your mind because your little one will be spending their time in a safe and healthy environment.

They’re also the perfect play area that will help with the proper development of your bundle of joy!

In this list, I narrowed down the best non-toxic activity gyms that will be great for your little ones.

Top 5 Picks

1. Lovevery Baby Play Gym

Material: Polyester, 100% cotton, FSC-certified wood

This baby play gym by Lovevery is a popular choice for parents for a good reason!

What makes this play gym great is its five different play zones that you can easily reveal and conceal to prevent overstimulation. 

These play zones are unique in their own ways and were designed to stimulate your baby’s cognitive and motor skills!

On top of that, this play gym has learning cards, BPA-free toys, 100% organic cotton teethers, and a sustainable wood batting toy!

All these kept my kids busy for HOURS!

This baby gym has ALL the tools you need for the proper motor and cognitive development of your newborn until they reach 12 months. 

Of course, with all these goodies comes a high price, so it’s important to budget wisely!

Once they get older, you can also convert this baby play gym into a play fort, making it work great for newborns, infants, and even toddlers, so it’s a great LONG-LASTING solution!

This product is made of 100% baby-safe materials including its machine-washable polyester play mat.

You don’t have to worry about any toxic chemicals harming your precious one, which is perfect! 

You only need 2 minutes to set this up and pack away, so that’s a plus!

A few things I would improve on are some flimsy parts and lack of cushioning on the mat.

2. HAN-MM Wooden Baby Gym

Material: Beech wood

If you’re looking for an affordable baby gym that still works great, this option is an easy pick. This wooden baby gym is made out of natural beech wood that’s smooth and FREE from any chemicals! 

This beautiful finish will look great in your home, and its simple design won’t harm your little one from overstimulation.

This product is also sturdy, lightweight, and easy to fold and assemble, making it convenient! 

This wood baby play gym has 6 hanging toys with 3 of them being wooden teethers. These work great at promoting early developmental skills for babies 3 months and above.

You can also easily remove and replace them, which is great!

Not only could my kids enjoy their playtime; they could even use the wooden frame to practice walking!

The colored wooden beads are made out of food-grade, BPA-free, and non-toxic paint, so that’s nothing to be worried about. 

This affordable baby gym is a great pick-up for any mom on a budget!

However, I wish it came with more colors instead of neutral brown. I don’t think it’s very attractive to look at for babies.

I also had to supply my own play mat, which is just extra payment. It may also be a bit wobbly.

3. HABA Color Fun Play Gym

Material: Beech wood, Birch wood, Plywood

This simple-looking product is a guaranteed safe and non-toxic baby play gym that will not disappoint! With its wooden toys, beads, discs, and base, this is a non-toxic and safe all-wood construction!

What makes this wood baby play gym delightful are the clicky-clack sounds that are produced when your baby plays with the hanging frog toy. 

My little one was more than excited to reach out and grab it!

There are also sliding beads on the side that are purposely placed on the feet of the base. This promotes head-turning and rolling from side to side, which is great!

HABA is a reliable European brand that’s known for making high-quality NON-TOXIC baby products.

This simple wood baby play gym has a thoughtful design that will give you everything you need in a play gym.

Some issues I had were the lack of a play mat and other toys; I had to pay extra for these! The assembly took some time as well.

4. Finn + Emma Wooden Baby Play Gym

Material: Birch wood, 100% organic cotton

Finn + Emma is a great brand that treats its workers right! They carry out a fair trade mission and ensure that all their workers have living wages and work in safe working environments. 

They also commit to providing women with jobs around the world, encouraging social and economic independence!

This non-toxic baby gym is a wonderful choice that’s made of natural, safe, and sustainable materials! This wooden play gym has a birch wood frame that can be adjusted to two different heights. 

It also has 4 hanging toys, with two being wooden teethers made out of untreated Indian hardwood. The other two are hand-knit rattles made from 100% organic cotton and wool!

What’s also great about the dangling toys is that you can detach them and bring them wherever you go!  My kid can enjoy playtime anytime!

Finn + Emma is a reliable, ethical, and non-toxic baby brand that all moms can TRUST! They ensure that none of their products contain any BPA, VOCs, heavy metals, or phthalates.

However, it is pricey and doesn’t even come with a play mat. I think it’s also too small if you have a toddler.

5. Monti Kids Wood Play Gym

Material: Wood

Monti Kids toys are made with a Montessori baby and teaching philosophy. These toys work great for all families, even those who don’t use Montessori in their homes. 

This wood play gym is made out of sustainably sourced wood and non-toxic paint, so you don’t have to worry about any harmful substances.

However, what makes this wooden baby gym stand out is its 4 different mobiles and toys! These mobiles include one which is a high-contrasting black and white, which is great for your baby’s eye development. 

The other mobiles have different shapes and colors. These work great at encouraging visual focus and recognition of colors and shapes!

The other 4 toys are designed to encourage reaching, grabbing, and kicking. These help your baby develop their gross and fine motor skills and have better physical coordination as a whole.

Its simple yet effective design was enough to keep my kids preoccupied for as long as I needed!

I would recommend this gym for newborns only. Take note that it is also quite pricey.

If you’re a Monti mommy, this Monti Kids Play Gym is definitely for you!

What Are the Benefits of Activity Gyms?

Baby gyms are great household baby items that give babies a dedicated space for their playtime.

There are a bunch of benefits that baby play gyms can give that will make you think how ESSENTIAL they are!

#1 Gross Motor Skills

A play gym is a PERFECT place for your little one to develop their gross motor skills.

With all the features that baby play gyms have like toys, sounds, and an area they can move around, your baby will learn to use their body and muscles as they grow older. 

They’ll develop motor skills like crawling, sitting down, standing up, balancing, and eventually walk and run!

#2 Hand-Eye Coordination

Baby play gyms also help develop hand-eye coordination.

Since play gyms have features that will attract your baby like toys, they’ll learn how to focus on them and eventually try to grab them with their hands. 

Once they get the hang of it, you’ll find that they can easily follow along with swinging toys and grab them easily!

#3 Tummy Time

Baby play gyms are also perfect for tummy time when paired with a playmat.

They’ll be on a soft, comfy, and safe surface where they can develop their core muscles of the neck, back, and shoulders. 

Tummy time is important for the development of your little one, so make sure that you make time for this every day!

#4 Cognitive Development

Baby play gyms have a lot of features that will stimulate your baby’s senses and develop their cognitive skills. 

Play gyms can be filled with different stimuli that will catch your baby’s attention. Some of these can be bold colors, designs, shapes, sounds, and even toys that can move!

These play gym features will surely catch your baby’s attention and boost your baby’s natural curiosity to explore their world.

#5 Independence

Speaking of exploration, being in a play gym will also encourage your little one to act independently.

With all the different things that they can see and hear, they’ll have a craving to stimulate a lot of their senses and curiosities. 

They’ll have opportunities to decide to move on their own and pick what toys they want to play with!

Factors to Consider When Choosing a Non-Toxic Baby Gym

Buying a non-toxic gym may seem like a lot of work as there are a lot of parts to take note of.

Listed below are the most important factors to consider when choosing a gym for your baby!

Materials

Of course, non-toxic materials are a MUST in any baby product!

Since your baby will be up close and making contact with their gym, it is important that there are ZERO chemicals present!

Find a gym where the toys, mat, and structure are made with safe materials and FREE of BPA, PVC, phthalates, and so on.

Certifications/Awards

Certifications are official declarations that a certain product is SAFE and FREE of harmful chemicals.

Some of the commonly used certifications to look for are:

• GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard)
• OMRI (Organic Materials Review Institute)
• Oeko-Tex Certified
• GREENGUARD Gold

Rest assured that these seals show that the product has been tested for harmful chemicals and has passed official safety guidelines.

Size and Portability

If you live in a small space or have a lot of clutter, make sure your gym doesn’t take up any more space.

You also want one that can be stored easily for safekeeping or in case your baby wants to play outside or in another house.

Accessories/Versatility

The fun of an activity gym is having many toys that can stimulate your baby!

It is best to find one with toys of different kinds, textures, colors, and so on for them to practice their motor skills and have fun!

Additional accessories like play mats or pillows will also keep your baby comfortable!

Pricing

A lot of work is put into making these play gyms, meaning they will be expensive.

Consider all your other purchases and budget your funds wisely when choosing a baby gym.

Additional Things to Consider When Choosing a Non-Toxic Play Yard

• Age Range – An activity gym is good for babies around 3-6 months old, which is a good age to introduce them to different stimuli to develop their senses and cognitive skills.
• Cleaning and Maintenance – A easy-to-clean activity gym will save you TONS of time in case of spills or accidents. If the toys are machine-washable as well, then that’s great!
• Price and Warranty – Lastly, consider your current budget (after buying all the necessities). Additionally, an activity gym covered by a warranty gives a lot of peace of mind.

What Age Can a Baby Use a Play Gym?

Babies should be able to comfortably lie down on a flat play gym area by the time they’re 6 weeks old or nearing the 2-month mark.

However, at this time, they won’t be that active and may be exposed to overstimulation.

Don’t expect too much playing at this age, so instead, start slow with all the toys and activities.

Are Activity Gyms Safe for Babies?

Activity gyms are generally safe for little ones as long as they’re FREE from harmful substances! 

I purposely chose wooden play gyms because these are made of natural baby-safe materials, so that should help ease your mind. 

I also chose activity gyms that have toys and teethers made of 100% organic cotton. 

You don’t have to worry about leaching chemicals and harmful substances being exposed to your little one!

You should also make sure that you set it up correctly and watch out for environmental hazards that might harm your precious one. 

Other than that, you should also keep in mind what kind of playmat to use with activity gyms.

Pairing Activity Gyms With Playmats

For most of these activity play gyms, there aren’t any playmats that come with them. 

A play mat is essential to pair up with your baby gym because your little one should be on a safe and cushioned surface.

Not to mention that bare floors can be dirty and uncomfortable!

Non-toxic play mats for babies are what get the job done, and you can easily pair them with any of these wooden baby gyms. 

A great foam playmat for babies should be non-toxic, non-skid, and thick enough to protect your precious one if ever they fall.

Thick playmats also make it comfortable for your baby to lie down on, so that’s great!

You can also check out options for the best non-toxic playmats for babies to pair up with your baby gym.

Playmat Materials to Avoid

Like play gyms, foam playmats for babies should ONLY be using non-toxic materials. Watch out for some of these materials before buying one for your baby.

EVA Foam

EVA foam (ethylene vinyl acetate) is a rubbery and soft material that’s commonly used for anything that needs impact absorption or grip. 

It’s durable, water-resistant, and great at absorbing any kind of impact and falls that babies can make.

Despite these great characteristics, there has been some research that revealed that EVA foam is a questionable material that isn’t 100% safe for babies. 

Traces of other chemicals like formamide are present and you want to avoid these as much as possible. There are other non-toxic options out there, so it’s better to go for those safer alternatives!

Polyurethane Foam

Polyurethane foam is probably something you’re familiar with when it comes to baby products. This is a big NO-NO when it comes to any baby product because of its added chemicals! 

Harmful chemicals like formaldehyde and flame retardants are used when manufacturing this foam, and these substances have been linked to Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). 

Avoid this at all costs!

Frequently Asked Questions

Here’s some additional information to help you buy your first non-toxic baby gym!

Are Non-Toxic Play Gyms More Expensive Than Regular Baby Gyms?

Non-toxic play gyms may be more expensive because of the high-end materials used to make them.

Despite them being more expensive, non-toxic gyms are worth it in the long run!

How Do I Know if a Baby Gym is Non-Toxic?

To know if a baby gym is non-toxic, look for official certifications such as GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard) or OMRI (Organic Materials Review Institute).

Rest assured that these certifications are all you need to guarantee that products are NON-TOXIC.

Is It Safe to Buy Non-Toxic Baby Gyms Online?

Yes, non-toxic play gyms are safe to buy online as long as they are from official or reputable sellers.

You can read product reviews to assure their legitimacy!

Can Non-Toxic Activity Gyms Still Be Fun for Babies?

Yes!

Non-toxic activity gyms are designed for the baby’s enjoyment and development.

Many gyms are designed with colorful toys, sounds, textures, and other stimulants to keep babies entertained as they learn to enhance their senses as well.

Conclusion

The Lovevery Baby Play Gym is my pick for the best non-toxic activity gym. With tons of positive reviews on Amazon, I’m sure that thousands of parents think so too!

Not only is this play gym made of 100% baby-safe materials like organic cotton and sustainable wood, but it has all the right toys and tools for the proper development of your little one.

Another great product I recommend is the HAN-MM Wooden Baby Gym. This affordable baby gym has everything you’re looking for in a play gym at a great price! It’s easy to assemble and pack away, and it has a lovely design that will look great in anyone’s home.

HABA is a reliable brand that doesn’t disappoint. Their Color Fun Play Gym is a great all-wooden option that’s safe and free from any harmful substances. The simple but thoughtful design of this product is hard not to love, and your baby will enjoy the woody clicky-clack sounds too!

For less active playtime, you can also get your baby a non-toxic play yard. Since it’s structured like a crib, there are barriers that will offer your baby more protection.