10 Best Non-Toxic Baby Toys: Organic, Natural, Safe

As babies get older, it’ll be more difficult to find toys they would actually enjoy, which can be a big problem because toys are everything for babies and kids!

Not only do these keep them preoccupied, but they also help with your child’s cognitive and motor development.

Baby toys can stimulate their senses, encourage imagination and interaction, and teach babies how to handle objects!

In this list, I listed down the most reliable and trustworthy toy manufacturers that sell the best non-toxic baby toys out there.

These range from wooden, 100% rubber, organic cotton, and safe-plastic toys.

10 Best Non Toxic Baby Toy Brands

1. PlanToys

Origin: Thailand

Type of Toy: Wood

This wonderful brand makes toys that are made from natural rubberwood trees that no longer produce latex.

What I love about this brand are the unique, creative, and high-quality wooden toys you can choose from!

From educational, musical, role play, blocks, and playsets, this brand offers a lot of options for different interests!

My baby can rely on this brand whenever he wants to switch things up!

These non-toxic wooden toys are also strengthened using a chemical-free kiln drying process. Only organic pigments and water-based dyes are also used so they won’t stain or damage your child’s play mats.

This ECO-FRIENDLY brand uses materials that are free of chemicals and are water-based. It’s safe for all babies!

However, as much as I love my baby, I need to save money for other things, and these toys are a bit too pricey for me.

2. Vulli

Origin: France

Type of Toy: Organic Rubber

Operating since 1945, this brand is known for its popular Sophie la Giraffe teething toy. All of their toxic-free toys are made of 100% rubber that’s sustainably sourced from forests!

I am no expert on toys, but I know anything sustainably-sourced is a green flag!

They also use clean food-based paint for all of their toys. These are safe for any baby!

This toy is also one of my baby’s FAVORITE teethers!

On top of their rubber animal teethers, Vulli also offers rubber cube toys, house sets, and ring teethers!

However, their selection of toys is quite limited and, might I add, may be quite unappealing for some kids.

3. Green Toys

Origin: USA

Type of Toy: Safe Plastic

I normally stray away from plastic, but Green Toys is one of the good plastic toy manufacturers on this list!

This California-based company uses 100% recycled milk jugs’ materials for all their toys. They come up with different plastic finishes like high-density polyethylene, low-density polyethylene, and polypropylene.

They only use food-safe and mineral-based colors for their toys too!

They even received the Greener Packaging Award for their eco-friendly packaging that’s made of recyclable cardboard!

However, I would NOT recommend this toy for teething.

My baby can’t use this toy for teething, but that doesn’t stop him from letting his imagination run wild.

This non-toxic toy brand makes hundreds of toys out of recycled materials and are sustainable, trustworthy, and versatile.

4. Haba

Origin: Germany and China

Type of Toy: Wood

Haba makes a variety of cheerful, colorful, and durable toys that work great for infants, toddlers, and kids!

Most of their toys are manufactured in Germany, but some toys, like their soft dolls, are made in China.

I recommend sticking to their wooden toys for babies to give your kids a full non-toxic experience.

I would avoid the soft-bodied ones as they may be toxic.

Their wooden toys are made of PEFC certified beech wood or maple, meaning they use wood from reforested trees!

They also use non-toxic substances like water-based lacquer on all their products. You don’t have to worry about solvents and artificial dyes harming your baby!

My baby was busy for HOURS, which was a clear sign this toy was a good choice!

5. Wonderworld

Origin: Thailand

Type of Toy: Wood

Wonderworld is a wonderful brand that makes wooden toys that are safe for kids!

All of their toys are made of rubberwood trees. They also use water-based, non-toxic paints.

They offer a bunch of toys you can choose from, and I love how creative these designs are. A lot of these work great for toddlers and bigger kids!

What’s great is that for every tree they use, Wonderworld makes sure to plant another one in its place! What a good cause!

Their sound blocks are what my kid loves! He really enjoyed practicing his colors, building skills, and enhancing his senses!

However, they are quite hard to find and are pretty expensive.

6. Uncle Goose

Origin: USA

Type of Toy: Wood

When it comes to classic building blocks, Uncle Goose is the best brand to go to. These wood blocks are a baby toy staple!

This company offers over 60 different variants of its block toys. These range from ABCs, numbers, animals, bugs, planets, and even sign language and the periodic table!

My baby LOVED building with these blocks and learning the different symbols on them!

They have foreign-language blocks for 23 different languages too. Some parents might find this useful!

These wooden blocks are made from sustainable basswood. These are also printed with non-toxic and safe ink paints.

I can tell this company gives great attention to detail. These high-quality blocks have some of the best block designs out there!

However, they are not meant for teething and only have wooden blocks.

7. Under the Nile

Origin: Egypt

Type of Toy: Organic Cotton

This company is the first baby clothing company to be certified by the Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) in the USA.

Not only are their products made of non-toxic cotton, but they live out fair trade practices too!

High-quality Egyptian cotton feels soft and great on the skin, and it’s non-toxic too. Under the Nile doesn’t use any chemicals in any of their products!

My baby loved these little plushies and brought them around everywhere! That’s how I knew these toys were a WORTHWHILE purchase!

However, some parents may not find it very… stimulating. All these toys are made of cotton as well, which is not recommended for teething.

8. Bear for Humanity

Origin: USA

Type of Toy: Organic Cotton

If you’re looking for adorable stuffed animals, then Bears for Humanity is a great go-to brand!

I thought my kid loved Under the Nile’s toys, but he immediately switched to Bear for Humanity not long after!

And I can’t blame him; these little guys are incredibly soft and make a great bedtime companion.

However, like all plush toys, they are not meant for teething.

All of their plush toys are made of GOTS-certified cotton, much like most baby bibs are. They make use of non-toxic recycled materials for the filling too!

This is an admirable company as well!

All of their stuffed toys are hand-sewn by men and women from undeserving communities. On top of that, they donate a bear to a child in need for every product they sell!

9. Finn + Emma

Origin: Peru, Vietnam, India, and other locations

Type of Toy: Organic Cotton and Wood

This company is another great baby clothes brand that also makes cotton toys and wooden teethers.

Finn + Emma is an ethical company that lives out fair trade practices. They also focus on the social and economic independence of their workers, so that’s great!

All of their fabrics are made of 100% GOTS-certified cotton, and they use eco-friendly dyes too!

Their wood toys are also made from untreated Indian hardwood that’s finished with non-toxic vegetable seed wax.

I gave my kid some wooden teething toys from this brand when he was a baby, and they really helped with the whole process!

These toys can also be attached to their play gym, which is also a great non-toxic product you might want to consider.

However, Finn + Emma’s toy collection is quite limited and not the most stimulating either.

10. Hevea Planet

Origin: Malaysia and Morocco

Type of Toy: Natural Rubber

Hevea is known for its organic pacifiers, but they make great non-toxic rubber toys too.

Their rubber toys are made from Hevea brasiliensis rubber trees. This natural material is safe, non-toxic, and biodegradable. They also use natural colorants which are also safe!

The Hevea Star Ball in particular was one of my kid’s favorites! It served as both a teether and a plaything when he gets bored.

Hevea is also certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC). This means this company is a guaranteed eco-friendly brand you can count on!

Their selection is quite limited as well, so get them while you can!

Why Non-Toxic for Baby Toys?

Fun fact that’s not so fun: Around 80% of toys are manufactured in China. Why is this a concern?

China is one of the largest manufacturing hubs in the world. However, their toy safety standards aren’t as strict compared to the USA, Europe, and other countries.

This means that a lot of toys made in China can contain toxic chemicals that can harm your baby!

I made sure to list down non-toxic toys made of safe materials from reliable toy manufacturers. This should ease your mind and make it easier for you to pick what non-toxic toy is best for your situation!

If you’re having a baby shower, better to have these baby gifts in your register!

How to Choose the Best Non-Toxic Baby Toys

With so many baby toys out there, it can be pretty tempting to just choose one and hope for the best.

However, choosing the best and safest toys will lead to healthy, long-term benefits for your baby.

Consider the following criteria when going toy shopping!

Materials

Not all toys are safe to handle and all moms know how often babies put things in their mouths!

If you’re going to buy toys for teething or if your baby puts things in their mouth a lot, it is important to get them toys that are made of SAFE, ORGANIC materials.

I would avoid cheap plastic toys as much as possible as this material may contain toxins or BPA, which is harmful to babies, although there are some safe-plastic toys too.

Instead, go for toys made of organic cotton, safe wood, rubber, or silicone; all of these are baby-safe!

You will also notice a lot of cheaply made toys. If it feels cheap, it is likely it was cheaply made as well.

Certifications

In addition to organic materials, look for official certifications and seals like ASTM (American Society for Testing and Materials), GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard), or GREENGUARD Gold.

These certifications declare that a toy has passed standard safety guidelines and is safe for babies.

Toy Parts

Look for non-toxic baby toys that come in one whole piece and avoid ones that have multiple small parts.

Toys that I usually go for are stuffed animals, balls, or blocks because they are big enough that a baby cannot fit the whole thing in their mouth.

However, toys with multiple small parts like dollhouses, action figures, or race car tracks may have small, detachable parts that serve as a choking hazard.

AVOID THOSE AT ALL COSTS.

Toy Features

Baby toys have a bunch of features that are beneficial to both the child’s enjoyment and development.

For example, some toys are good for teething, others teach the baby how to read.

My personal favorites are the ones that stimulate my baby’s senses and expose him to different sounds and textures.

When you have toys with features like these, you can make playtime a great learning activity too!

Age Range

It is best to find toys that are age-appropriate for your baby.

For example, less-than-a-year-old babies won’t benefit from complicated toys like building toys; they may even be dangerous to them!

However, teething toys are great for them at that development stage.

On the other hand, older kids may not really need teething toys and will benefit more from ones that can help develop their cognitive and motor skills, and imagination!

Durability

Since your kid will be playing with their toys a lot, you want to buy toys that are strong and can withstand wear and tear.

Kids will also likely to throw their toys, so choose ones that are not breakable.

For toys that you throw in the washing machine, it will also help to choose ones that will not shrink or be deformed when you throw them in.

Pricing

Lastly, consider how much you can spend on toys, since it may be quite a lot.

Toys are a big part of a baby’s development, so budget your finances carefully to make sure you and your baby get the most out of it.

I would avoid super cheap toys as they are likely low-quality or unsafe.

It would also help to do prior research on which brands offer affordable and safe toys.

Types of Non-Toxic Toys

As you can see from my list, there are four main types of toxic-free toys you would usually see in the market. These are wooden, rubber, cotton, and safe plastic.

Wooden

Wooden toys are the most common, and I find this the SAFEST option that’s also very versatile. Some wonderful wooden toys can be used as teethers, blocks, and other kinds of designs!

When it comes to toxin-free toys, wooden toys are also the easiest you can find.

Natural Rubber

Organic rubber children’s toys aren’t so common, but they’re great toys that are made from naturally safe material.

However, these children’s toys aren’t so versatile. Most of these toys are used as teethers, which means that older kids won’t find them as entertaining.

Another problem is that these aren’t suitable for babies with latex allergies.

Organic Cotton

Toys made of cotton are one of the safest options too!

Reliable brands usually have certifications like GOTS to ensure that their products are safe for your baby.

These children’s toys aren’t that versatile either. They don’t have a lot of interactive features because they’re usually just stuffed toys.

Safe Plastic

Most toys are made of plastic, but not a lot of them are made from safe plastic from a reliable brand.

Plastic toys are one of the most creative and fun toys out there. Most toys for older kids are made of plastic, and you can easily find them in any toy store.

Despite these kinds of toys dominating the market, only a few of them come from reliable toy brands that sell toys made of non-toxic materials.

Toxic Chemicals to Avoid

There are thousands of toys made of toxic chemicals. Most of these toxic substances can be found in traditional plastic toys too.

When choosing toys for your baby’s play yards, make sure harmful chemicals are nowhere to be found!

None of the toy brands in my list use any of these chemicals, but it helps to know why it’s important to avoid these substances as much as you can.

Bisphenol A (BPA)

BPA is used as a plastic hardener, and it’s widely used in a lot of different products. This substance is linked to ADHD, behavioral problems, and even cancer.

That’s why it’s important that baby items are BPA-FREE.

This can be dangerous for little ones when it leeches out from products, even more so when it’s exposed to heat.

They can inhale or ingest this substance, and your baby will be more vulnerable because they’re still in their developmental stages!

PVC, Phthalates, & Heavy Metals

PVC (polyvinyl chloride) is a synthetic resin that’s used to soften plastic.

It usually contains chemical additives like phthalates and heavy metals like cadmium and lead.

Heavy metals and phthalates have been linked to cancer, kidney damage, reproductive issues, birth defects, and other developmental health problems.

Solvents

You can usually find solvents in paint and other lacquer that isn’t water or plant-based.

This chemical has been linked to lower neurobehavioral performance like motor skills, dexterity, and memory!

VOCs & Formaldehyde

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are emitted as gases from different solids or liquids, and they usually contain different chemical additives.

One commonly used chemical is formaldehyde.

Small amounts of off-gassing of formaldehyde are linked to irritation in the eyes, throat, and skin. This is also linked to being a carcinogen, so long-term exposure at high levels elevates the risk of getting cancer!

Flame Retardants

Most products need to be tested for anti-flammability to see if they pass safe fire safety standards. To pass these tests, a lot of manufacturers use flame retardants.

Flame retardant chemicals are linked to endocrine disruption, neurological problems, and other developmental issues!

Benefits of Baby Toys

Now that you know the different substances that can affect your child, it would be nice to know what makes toys great too!

Baby toys aren’t just fun objects that keep your baby busy. There are a bunch of benefits that toys give to help with your child’s development!

It’s definitely part of my Baby Checklist!

Cognitive Development

A lot of toys have different sounds, textures, colors, and functions. Each of these characteristics helps stimulate your baby’s senses and catches their attention.

This can help when you’re traveling with your baby on long-distance car rides!

Bright and contrasting colors are great for the visual development of infants. Toys that make sounds also stimulate your baby’s hearing.

This helps them learn how to focus and operate different kinds of objects.

Toys also have different functions and textures that your baby will learn to feel, use, and be familiar with. These go hand-in-hand with their fine motor skills development too.

NOTE: Be sure not to overstimulate your baby with too many toys! A toy rotation system should do the trick!

Fine Motor Skills Development

Anything related to grasping, grabbing, reaching, and using focused movement with their hands involves fine motor skills.

With attractive colors, designs, sounds, and textures of different toys, your baby will be encouraged to reach out and grab these objects.

This also improves their hand-eye coordination, which is an important skill they should develop by the time they reach 6 months or for when they finally begin to walk.

Social and Language Development

Playing with toys can be an interactive experience for your baby too. You can use different toys and help your baby learn more about them.

You can mention numbers, names, colors, and other features!

Stuffed animals are great toys for this kind of development, and blocks with different themes like ABCs and numbers are great too!

Creativity and Imagination

When it comes to toys, your baby is in a position to learn how to explore, act independently, and think of different ways of how they can play with them.

They can be as creative and imaginative as they can, which is great!

Spatial Recognition

Some toys are meant to be stacked or sorted out into different holes. This is a great way for your baby to imagine how objects fit into different spaces depending on their size and shape.

Cause and Effect

Other toys can also be pushed, pulled, or operated to lead to a specific result. These interactive toys will help your baby learn what cause-and-effect means, which is great for their development.

Pretend Play

Once your baby gets older, they’ll be interested in pretend play or role-play.

In pretend play, they can improve their social skills, thinking skills, emotional skills, and use their imagination as much as they can!

EXTRA TIP: Another way a baby can enjoy playtime is with a nice, refreshing swim! Check out my list of the best non-toxic kiddie pools for a fun day outside!

Frequently Asked Questions

As you continue looking for baby toys, here’s some extra information to help you in your search!

Are Non-Toxic Baby Toys More Expensive Than Traditional Toys?

Toxin-free toys may be more expensive because of the higher-end materials, durability, and high end brands.

Meanwhile, some traditional toys may be cheaply made and built, which could lead to breakage, and eventually, replacement.

Are Baby Toys BPA-Free?

Yes, some organic, natural, and non-toxic baby toys are made with BPA-free plastic and are safe for teething.

Check the toy’s manufacturing labels and look for official certification seals to ensure its toy safety.

How Do You Disinfect Non-Toxic Baby Toys?

To clean baby toys, all it takes is a simple solution of soap, water, and a wash cloth to get rid of debris and dust.

For deeper cleaning, you can soak the toy in a solution of vinegar and water for a few minutes, rinse, and dry.

DO NOT USE BLEACH or anything toxic! The baby will eventually put the toy in their mouth again, so you want to be sure it is safe for them.

For stuffed animals and fabric toys, you can spot clean them or machine-wash them, depending on the washing instruction, and air dry them afterward.

• For machine washing, place the toy in a laundry bag to protect it from the washing machine and wash with cold water on a gentle cycle.
• For spot cleaning, soap and water on a damp washcloth should do the trick.

Are All Wooden Toys Non-Toxic?

Not exactly.

While wood is a baby-safe toy material, you have to consider the paints and coatings used on them as well.

Sometimes, these are the parts of the toy that are toxic or may contain harsh chemicals.

Make sure to choose toys that are painted with water-based, non-toxic, VOC-free paints.

How Often Should I Clean My Baby’s Toys?

My rule of thumb to clean baby toys once a week, but that also depends on how often your baby uses them or puts them in their mouth.

For toys that the baby does not put in the mouth, one wash a week should be fine, but I would suggest washing toys that do go in the mouth about 2-3 times a week.

What Are Some Potential Hazards When It Comes to Baby Toys?

There are A LOT of hazards to watch out for in baby toys.

Apart from the toxins mentioned earlier, toys with small, detachable parts are a choking hazard, and must be kept away from babies.

Do not give toys with sharp or pointy parts to your baby, as they may hurt themselves!

Another thing to look out for are toys with strings or cords that could be wrapped around the baby’s neck.

Lastly, you want to avoid toys that are too loud as they may damage the baby’s sensitive hearing.

Can Non-Toxic Baby Toys Still Be Harmful to Infants and Toddlers?

Yes, non-toxic toys can still be harmful to infants and toddlers if mishandled.

Even if they do not contain toxic chemicals, some toys have choking hazards or sharp parts that could put the baby at risk.

Conclusion

My top recommendation from all these non-toxic toy options would be PlanToys.

Made from rubber trees that no longer produce latex, these wooden baby products are natural, environment-friendly, and free from all chemicals!

Toys made from rubber are one of the safest products your baby can hold and play with. Vulli is a great brand that makes cute rubber animals that your baby can use as a teether.

They can be your baby’s new best friend too!

Safe plastic toys are hard to come by, but Green Toys takes the cake as one of the best plastic toy companies out there. They make hundreds of different non-toxic toys that any child would enjoy!

FINAL TIP: Remember to sanitize and clean your little one’s toys regularly to avoid molds and gunk.