Top Safe Baby Toys To Help Them Enjoy and Learn During The Infant Years

When kids play, they learn. A collection of blocks can teach them math, a simple bucket of water can help them learn about science, and a trunk of dress up clothes will help them navigate social interactions.

Of course, it’s important that your children play with safe, non-toxic toys that will nourish their imaginations in a way that’s responsible to both them and to the planet. For this article, we’ve chosen to feature several of the top safe, sustainable and eco-friendly toys that will nurture your child’s spirit and let you feel good about their next playdate.

1. Finn + Emma

Type of Baby Toy | Wood Stroller Toy
Benefits | Untreated Hardwood, Vegetable Based Finish, Non-Toxic, Sustainable, Eco-Friendly, Fair Trade, Organic Cotton Components
Age| 6 mo+
Price | $15

The first baby toy on our list is this sweet stroller toy we’ve chosen for our Finn + Emma review. This little toy is ethically made under fair trade conditions by artisans in India, and the hardwood it’s made from is sustainably sourced.

The little stroller toy can be used in a number of ways. Use the GOTS certified organic strap to attach it to your baby’s car seat or stroller or to his playmat. Alternatively, you can just hand this cute little toy to your little one and watch him explore the shape and feel.

Finn + Emma is a socially responsible company that’s based in the USA. It is largely woman-run and the curated catalog includes eco-friendly, sustainable, eco-friendly and non-toxic toys, gear and clothing for your little one.

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2. Norbert Verneuer

Type of Baby Toy | Cottage Dollhouse
Benefits | Ethically Made, Handcrafted, Natural Hardwood, Suitable for Small Hands
Age| 3+
Price | $190

The dollhouse we found for our Norbert Verneuer review is one of the cutest we’ve seen; in fact, our imaginations even ran wild when we played with it. A house fit for fairies, this little wood cottage is made from sustainable Alderwood by artisans in Germany. The Norbert Verneuer dollhouse is available only in limited quantities, so be sure to buy your holiday gifts early.

This beautifully crafted home is perfect for little people who are still mastering their fine motor skills. Chunky wood is easy to grasp, and the figures sold separately are welcoming and friendly. Note that there are some smaller pieces available, so while the house itself is suitable for any age, the optional accessories are best for kids aged three and older.

Your little one’s play cottage is sold through The Natural Baby Co. which offers a rewards program. Be sure to sign up to receive rewards for discounts off future purchases, as we have other options from the retailer on this list!

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3. Plan Toys

Type of Baby Toy | Non-Toxic Water Blocks
Benefits | Ethically Sourced, Fair Trade, Natural Wood, Non-Toxic, Member Rewards
Age| 3+
Price | $60

The next baby toy we’ve chosen for our list is our Plan Toys review. These six blocks are an amazing and creative way for your child to learn about science, spatial relations and other essentials. The non-toxic water contained within the leak-proof blocks will keep little eyes entertained for hours; try showing your little one what her world looks like when viewed through the blue water!

These Plan Toys blocks are another option we’ve chosen from The Natural Baby Co. They’re responsibly and ethically made by artisans in Thailand and are quite giftable. You’ll receive your water blocks in a sturdy cardboard box that’s great for presentation and for storage, too!

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4. Wooden Story

Type of Baby Toy | Non-Toxic Rainbow Blocks
Benefits | FSC Certified Wood, Eco-Certified Paint, Natural Finish, Sustainable, Non-Toxic, Ethically Made
Age| 6 mo+
Price | $55

Do you remember being a child and playing with blocks? Of course you do! Most of us grew up building towers and castles, then giggling until we were out of breath when we sent them crashing to the ground.

If you’re looking for an alternative to your traditional alphabet block, look no further than our Wooden Story review. This set of Wooden Story 100 gorgeous blocks includes all the colors of the rainbow as well as quite a few shapes and sizes. Your child will learn math, science and even teamwork as he builds bridges, houses, even entire villages.

Wooden Story Rainbow Blocks are made from Forest Stewardship Council certified hardwood, so you know they’re sustainably sourced. The dyes used to create the vivid colors are eco-certified, and your blocks are finished with beeswax and botanical oils.

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5. Bajo

Type of Baby Toy | Wooden Vehicle Transporter
Benefits | Ethically Made, Fair Trade, Natural Materials, Handcrafted, Sustainable
Age| 18 mo+
Price |

We are of the firm belief that every little one – girl or boy – needs to play with toy vehicles to fully enjoy childhood play. There’s just something about imagining a construction site, or a racetrack, or even a city street that sparks laughter and makes their little worlds just a little bit bigger.

The next safe wooden baby toy on our list is our Bajo review. This simple little toy will provide hours of entertainment to your baby. She can roll the little blue car on or off the moving ramp, then the transporter can set off toward its next destination.

Your eco-transporter was ethically made in Poland from sustainably sourced wood. Safe and non-toxic paints mean that even “taste testers” can play with this truck safely. We love how much parents love interacting with little ones, too!

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6. Grimm's Spiel and Holz

Type of Baby Toy | Mini Cave Blocks
Benefits | Non-Toxic, Hand-Carved, No Synthetics, Natural Wood, Water-Based Dyes, Fair Trade
Age| 3+
Price | $23

The next safe wooden baby toy on our list is our Grimm’s Spiel and Holz review. These little cave blocks would make a perfect accompaniment to the Grimm’s Spiel and Holz rainbow blocks we featured earlier in this review, or even with a set of traditional toy cars.

The mini cave blocks are hand-carved in Bosnia from a single block of wood. That means each piece fits perfectly into the next, allowing your little one to create different permutations of a colorful cave or just advance his fine motor skills.

Your mini cave blocks are made by hand from natural wood and water-based dyes are used to create their vibrant colors. They’re best for ages three and over, as some of the smallest pieces may pose a choking hazard for littler children.

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7. Olli Ella

Type of Baby Toy | Wooden Holdie House
Benefits | Sustainable Pine Wood, Vegan Leather, American Company, Lightweight, Made in the USA
Age| 3+
Price | $75

Whether it was show and share at school, a play date with the neighbor or a vacation to Gammaw’s house for the holidays, your little one has probably asked you, “Can I bring it with me?” We’ve chosen this Olli Ella review for just that reason.

Your child has probably adopted a favorite toy or two, and those toys bring him comfort. But when you’re on the road, sometimes it’s just not practical to bring those comfort items along. The Olli Ella wooden Holdie House is the perfect solution.

This little playhouse weighs just over two pounds, so even little travelers can tote it along. A vegan leather strap makes transport even easier, and sustainable pinewood is a conscious choice for kids’ toys.

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8. Our Green House

Type of Baby Toy | Square Clutch Infant Toy
Benefits | Chemical Free Wood, Non-Formaldehyde, Non-Toxic, Water Based Dyes, Recycled Materials, Give Back
Age| 0+ months
Price | $26

Our Green House is an American company, and a majority of the products they sell are made in the USA. All are fair trade, with artisans paid a competitive wage for their work. For this article, we’ve chosen to include the square infant clutch toy. Made from non-toxic elastic and sustainable wood, this little toy is going to me your infant’s favorite travel toy.

Eight little balls of different, bright colors will catch your little one’s eye, and sturdy, sustainable wood cylinders give her an easy grip. Even the tiniest infants will be mesmerized by this little toy, with its little wooden rings and the gentle sound it makes when shaken.

The toy is made from pesticide-free rubberwood, a sustainable plant that is responsibly harvested. In fact, each of Plan Toys’ products is made from reclaimed rubber trees; these are trees that no longer produce latex for products like latex mattresses and more.

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9. Candylab Toys

Type of Baby Toy | Wooden Ice Cream Van
Benefits | Solid Wood, ABS Plastic, Water Based Paint, Sustainable
Age| 3+
Price | $15

For our Candylab Toys review we’ve chosen the perfect partner to several other of the products we’ve listed in this article. The wooden ice cream van is going to quickly become your child’s – and your – favorite toy. Play with this little retro ice cream truck with blocks, with sand or just on your own homemade masking tape track, and you’ll find your imagination soaring.

This Candylab Toys truck makes a good partner to the wooden vehicle transporter, the mini cave blocks or, of course, the rainbow blocks. And what child wouldn’t love seeing this truck filled with ice cold treats pull up in front of his cottage dollhouse?

The wooden ice cream van is made of solid wood and is styled with water-based paint. Measuring three inches long, the little van is slight larger than your child’s traditional model cars/ However, it’s safe for little hands and your child aged three and older will love this little treat of a play vehicle.

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10. Poppie Toys

Type of Baby Toy | Rattan Rocking Horse
Benefits | Individually Crafted, Handmade, Fair Trade, Sustainable, Sustainable
Age| 1+
Price | $150

The last eco-friendly and safe wooden toy on our list is our Poppie Toys review. We absolutely love this as a gift from grandparents to their grandbabies. The Poppie Toys rattan rocking horse is sturdy and
“child-proof” – your little one can explore the frontier, search for leprechauns or just take a personal quiet time on this little horse, and the rocker will stand up to even the most rambunctious little people.

Rattan is a fibrous plant that’s very much akin to bamboo. It’s sustainable, renewable and eco-friendly. Rattan grows fast and its harvest has a very minimal impact on the environment. We love that even little ones (with supervision) can play on the rattan horse from Poppie Toys – just be sure to stand by as their balance isn’t perfect yet!

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Baby Toys Are The Tools The Kids Use To Learn

Toys are the tools kids use to learn – that’s just science! Equipping your children or your loved ones with the tools they need to succeed just makes sense. These eco-friendly, safe wood toys and baby toys will have your kids’ imaginations soaring, and you’ll find yourself playing right alongside them.

Rebekah Pierce is a professional social blogger and has worked on several online publications including Citrus Sleep. Rebekah is an experienced content writer and copyeditor. You will find many of her works throughout CitrusSleep.com that cover a wide array of subjects including sleep education, natural, sleep products, electronics, fashion and many more. She is passionate about her work and family.

Follow Lisa at Rebekah Pierce