In an ideal world, all toys would be safe and there would be no need for worry. There would be no toy recalls and no toys with unsafe levels of lead or BPA. Obviously, that’s not the case and most toy manufacturers won’t think twice about using PVC in their toys or paint sourced from China. Since mainstream toys can contain toxic chemicals and heavy metals (and since babies put everything in their mouth), we as conscious parents must choose safer, non-toxic baby toys whenever possible.
For that reason, I’ve put together this guide to some of the best brands of non-toxic baby toys. This isn’t an exhaustive list; for example, I’ve left off some companies whose toys I personally wouldn’t buy (so I can’t really recommend them to you!). And I’m sure other companies out there meet my criteria that I haven’t come across yet. But if you’re looking for the safest non-toxic baby toys, this buying guide will be your map to finding fun and safe toys for your baby and toddler.
The Best Non-Toxic Baby and Toddler Toy Brands
The safest toys are the ones that are made responsibly, the ones with little risk of heavy metal contamination, and the ones made without toxic materials such as PVC, BPA, flame retardants, or phthalates. Here are some of the best non-toxic toy manufacturers! I’ve included brands across the following toy types:
- Wooden Toys
- Organic Stuffed Animals
- Natural Rubber Toys
- Safe(r) Plastic Toys
Remember that not all products from every brand I listed are going to be non-toxic. Some manufacturers make products in a variety of categories, so please be sure to inspect a product yourself or shop from our gift guides or Amazon store for products I’ve personally reviewed.
Apple Park
Apple Park is for parents looking for soft, cuddly, and non-toxic plush toys for their little ones. This brand is all about sustainability and safety, crafting plush toys, rattles, loveys, and dolls using GOTS-certified organic cotton, natural corn fiber filling, and non-toxic dyes.
Apple Park’s designs are so very pretty, featuring friendly animal characters and adorable baby essentials that are perfect for snuggling. Their Farm Buddies collection is a personal favorite!
What makes Apple Park extra special is their commitment to eco-conscious packaging and ethical production. Every product is thoughtfully designed to be as gentle on the planet as it is on your baby’s skin. If you’re searching for an organic, high-quality, and well-made plush toy, Apple Park is a fantastic choice.
- GOTS-certified organic cotton plush toys and baby essentials
- Non-toxic, eco-friendly materials (including natural corn fiber filling)
- Adorable, soft, and safe for babies from day one
Bannor Toys
Bannor Toys is a family-owned company that has been handcrafting heirloom-quality wooden toys in the United States since 2011. Their collection includes everything from classic wooden rattles and teethers to push toys, stacking toys, and beautiful alphabet blocks. Each piece is thoughtfully designed to encourage open-ended play while maintaining a timeless aesthetic that parents love.
What makes Bannor Toys stand out? They exclusively use responsibly sourced hardwoods like maple, cherry, and walnut—never plywood or MDF. Their toys are finished with organic beeswax and food-grade flaxseed oil, making them completely safe for little hands and mouths. Plus, you can personalize many of their products with engraved names or initials, making them a perfect gift.
Bannor Toys is committed to non-toxic, sustainable play, and their craftsmanship truly speaks for itself. Whether you’re looking for a first rattle, a sentimental keepsake, or a toy that will last through multiple kids, this brand delivers on quality and safety.
- Handmade wooden toys crafted in the USA
- Made with solid, responsibly sourced hardwoods
- Finished with organic beeswax and food-grade oil
- Personalization options available
- Simple, beautiful designs that encourage open-ended play
Bears for Humanity
Bears for Humanity makes adorable organic teddy bears and organic stuffed animals, right here in the United States. Their stuffies are made 100% GOTS-certified cotton. A California mom started this company after realizing there weren’t any organic teddy bears out there. What’s even better is that for every bear sold, one bear gets donated to a child in need. And, they are reasonably priced for being organic – love that!
We have had a Bears for Humanity teddy bear for over two years now, and it has held up exceptionally well. I definitely recommend these for your little one. I feel comfortable allowing my toddler to sleep with his bear. (If you are looking for more stuffy recommendations, be sure to check out this guide as well.)
- cute, organic teddy bears
- GOTS-certified cotton
- high-quality stuffed animals
Begin Again Toys
BeginAgain Toys is a brand that truly understands the power of play. Their collection is designed to inspire creativity and hands-on learning while using safe, eco-friendly materials. Whether it’s puzzles, stackers, educational toys, or their popular Animal Parade A to Z puzzle, everything they create is rooted in sustainability and thoughtful design.
What sets BeginAgain apart? They use natural rubberwood, sustainably harvested from trees that no longer produce latex, and water-based, non-toxic stains for vibrant, child-safe colors. Plus, many of their toys incorporate bioplastic and upcycled materials, making them a great choice for eco-conscious parents.
BeginAgain follows a philosophy of “A Wish for Well-Balanced Play”, meaning their toys support five key areas of child development: The Artist, The Writer, The Inventor, The Sportster, and The Hero. This ensures kids engage in diverse, screen-free play that nurtures creativity and problem-solving. If you’re looking for beautifully crafted, toxin-free toys that encourage imaginative play, BeginAgain Toys is a fantastic pick!
- Made with sustainable rubberwood and non-toxic, water-based stains
- Eco-friendly bioplastics and upcycled materials
- Educational and open-ended toys for creative play
- Focus on well-balanced, screen-free play
- Thoughtful designs that support early learning and development
Camden Rose Toys
Camden Rose makes some of the highest-quality wooden toys you can find that are still made in the USA. Their toys are highly imaginative and simple, but truly spark the imagination. Love!
- Quality woodwork
- Classic style toys that are Waldorf-based
- Use beeswax and jojoba oil as finishes
Finn + Emma
Finn and Emma makes 100% organic baby clothes and also has a collection of toys. The company’s toys are made from “fair-trade settings that focus on social and economic independence of people”. Finn and Emma does use 100% organic cotton as well as eco-friendly dyes and real wood. They have some cute animal rattles, stroller toys, and teethers, but my favorite are their certified organic play gyms, which are a great substitute for the activity gyms made by Skip Hop or Fisher-Price.
- organic and fair-trade
- uses eco-friendly dyes
- safer baby play gym
Green Toys
Can we get a big round of applause for toys that are all made in the USA? That’s what you’ll find at Green Toys, a California-based company that uses 100% recycled material. I’m so impressed by the amazing toys that they can make from recycled milk jugs! And proud they manufacture in the United States, keeping jobs here at home.
Green Toys is the only plastic toy manufacturer to make this list because they use safe plastics: #2 high-density polyethylene (HDPE), #4 low-density polyethylene, and #5 polypropylene. These are the plastics used to make milk jugs, yogurt containers, laundry jugs, plastic cups, and plastic grocery bags. Though this is still plastic, I am comfortable letting even my youngest play with anything made by Green Toys.
- uses only safer plastics
- made in the USA
- bright, creative toys that kids love
Grimm’s Spiel and Holz
From dolls to wooden puzzles and stacking toys, this company is committed to making non-toxic baby toys. When you buy any of the toys from Grimm’s Spiel and Holz you can be sure that none of them were made in China. All of the design work, assembly, and finish are done in Germany with just some woodworking outsourced to some European shops. The wood used in their toys is from alder, lime, beech and maple trees, and the colors and oils used are non-toxic. The fabrics on their dolls are Oeko-Tex certified.
The company is probably most recognized for its Waldorf-style rainbow stacking blocks. But they have a wide variety of blocks, stacking toys, teethers, and unique toys. Their toys can run on the pricey side, but the quality is very good and the toys will last a long time. I love their natural wooden baby rattle toy (pictured below) because I don’t have to worry about toxic dyes.
- Made in Germany
- Toys are made from alder, lime, beech or maple
- Non-toxic colors and oils
- High-quality wooden toys
- Designs that inspire creativity
HABA
HABA makes high-quality wooden toys that have a classic, “cheerful” vibe to them (as the company puts it). Their toys are so well-made and they should last you for years. And the great news is that the majority of HABA toys are made in Germany (but the bad news is that some of the toys, like the soft-bodied dolls are made in China). So, perhaps the best advice is to stick with the wood baby toys and steer clear of their dolls.
HABA is one of the only companies that use PEFC certified beechwood or maple, which means the wood comes from reforested trees. They also use non-toxic water-based lacquers, not paints. Their toys are well-made and resistant to wear and tear. They have a great selection of clutching and teething toys for young babies, as well as toys for toddlers and big kids.
- Most wooden toys made in Germany
- Sustainable wood
- Water-based, solvent-free dyes
- High-quality toys
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Hape
While Hape makes high-quality wooden toys that will last for years, their products are made in China despite the fact that it is a German company. Their toys are made with natural materials such as sustainable wood or bamboo and are finished with water-based paints. I struggled with whether I should include them on this list, just because they are made in China. But we own several Hape toys and can attest to their quality, but I really wish they would manufacture their toys in a country with more reliable standards.
- Creative designs
- Well-made toys
- Sustainable wood or bamboo
- Water-based paints
Hevea Planet
Hevea planet is another company that uses eco-friendly materials like natural rubber and manufactures its products in Malaysia and Morocco. They have a very limited selection of baby toys; they are more widely known for their pacifiers, teething toys, and bath toys. But they are the GO-TO brand for real rubber ducks and they also have some great natural rubber balls and other toys to shop.
- Natural rubber
- No additives, BPA, or phthalates
Mushie Silicone Toys
Modern, minimalist, absolutely adorable, and non-toxic, Mushie is known for its beautifully designed baby products, including silicone stacking toys, teething rings, and bath toys that are as aesthetically pleasing as they are functional. I love the brand’s clean, muted color palette and their commitment to safer materials.
I recommend Mushie’s toys that are made from food-grade silicone. Their stacking cups, in particular, are a fan favorite, encouraging motor skills and early learning while doubling as a stylish playroom addition.
- Minimalist, Scandinavian-inspired baby toys
- Thoughtfully designed for sensory and motor skill development
- Beautiful, neutral colors that complement any play space
PLAN Toys
PlanToys makes wonderful wooden toys that spark the imagination. We love playing with their unique, creative toys. PlanToys sends the message of sustainable play because of the materials it uses. Their toys are made in Thailand using trees that no longer produce latex. A chemical-free kiln drying process also strengthens the wood used in the company’s toys. And they only use organic pigments and water-based dyes.
- Made from natural rubberwood trees
- No-formaldehyde glues
- Organic color pigments
- Water-based dyes
- Biodegradable ink and recycled paper
Sarah’s Silks
Sarah’s Silks is beloved for its high-quality, natural play silks that inspire creativity, imaginative storytelling, and movement-based play. Made from 100% real silk and dyed with non-toxic, eco-friendly dyes, these play silks are a staple in Waldorf and Montessori-style playrooms.
Perfect for dress-up, fort-building, puppet shows, or even as a snuggly lovey, these soft, lightweight silks encourage open-ended play like no other toy. Sarah’s Silks also offers silk crowns, capes, and streamers to fuel a child’s sense of wonder and adventure.
- 100% real silk, dyed with non-toxic, eco-friendly dyes
- Encourages creative, open-ended play
- Waldorf and Montessori-friendly
- Available in a variety of beautiful colors and sizes
- A magical alternative to synthetic dress-up clothes
Sophie la Girafe
In business since 1945, Vulli is most known for their ever-popular Sophie la Giraffe teething toy. Sophie and the rest of the Vulli line of toys are made with 100% natural rubber sourced from sustainable forests. The paints used are food-based paints, which are so natural and gentle they can actually fade over time. (This has never bothered me, personally.)
In addition to their Sophie teething toys (and there are now a few different types of them), Vulli also makes great toys for your baby’s first year: rubber blocks, rubber balls, rattles, and more.
- 100% natural rubber
- food-based paints
- quality toys for babies
Uncle Goose
Let’s hear it for another company with only U.S. made products! Uncle Goose makes a childhood staple…blocks. There is a variety to choose from – 62 different sets to be exact – including everything from ABC and number blocks to blocks with animals, planets, and bugs on them.
They even have blocks with the periodic table on them (though I got excited about this, I don’t mean to recommend these for babies— unless you know your little one is a budding chemist, of course). Another great thing about Uncle Goose is that they make foreign-language blocks in 23 different languages including French, Thai, Chinese, and Danish; this is perfect if you are trying to introduce a second language or culture at home.
If you are looking for non-toxic baby blocks, Uncle Goose is your go-to. And just know that whichever set you go with was hand-made with materials from around the Great Lakes area. Only non-toxic, child-safe inks are used (and are sourced from an American manufacturer), and no sealants are applied. The company doesn’t recommend letting your baby use them as teething toys, but they are technically supposed to be safe if they do end up in your baby’s mouth.
- blocks in a variety of themes and languages
- non-toxic inks paints sourced from the USA and tested for quality
- high attention to detail
- amazing quality and design
Under the Nile
Under the Nile makes organic baby toys and clothes using 100% organic Egyptian cotton by the company’s fair trade partner in Egypt. No BPA, lead, or harmful chemicals are used in the making of its toys. Under the Nile was the first baby clothing company in the U.S. to be certified by GOTS.
You’ll find Under the Nile products listed on my bathing and baby clothes guides as well. Overall, a great company that makes quality products.
- GOTS-certified fabrics
- No harmful chemicals used
- Made in Egypt
Toy Safety and Recalls
We can no longer assume that a product is safe just because it is being sold by our favorite big-box store. Products are recalled almost every day because of safety concerns, and there have been many serious toy recalls in the past decade. In 2008, 19 out of 172 toy recalls were due to unsafe levels of lead.
Think about that: 172 toys were found to be unsafe AFTER they had made it to store shelves, and 19 of those had unsafe levels of lead in them. (Just some of the toys that were recalled in 2008 were Elmo, Thomas the Train, Dora the Explorer, and Melissa & Doug toys.)
The great news is that the number of toy recalls has dropped significantly. In 2024, there were fewer than 28 toy recalls, mostly due to safety hazards.
Toys sold in the United States are regulated by the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), which has a long list of rules that toy manufacturers must follow to ensure the safety of their products. Toys for children ages 12 and under must be tested and certified to meet these toy safety standards by a third-party laboratory before they can go to market. The CPSC has taken a hard stance on phthalates in toys and has helped educate consumers about the dangers of flame retardants.
I love this. BUT we aren’t in the clear; dangerous toys still sneak their way through this system for two reasons:
Reason #1: Toys made in other countries (such as China) carry a higher risk of containing illegal levels of chemicals and heavy metals. That’s because many of these substances (such as lead) aren’t as well-regulated as they are here in the United States. This is a serious concern. Not only because of the risks of heavy metal poisoning but because roughly 80% of toys are manufactured in China.
Reason #2: CPSC standards are good, but not good enough in my opinion. Toys can comply with CPSC regulations still contain heavy metals, BPA, or phthalates. Toys can still be made with PVC. Not all phthalates are banned in children’s toys, and not every part of a toy must be tested to meet toy safety standards. It’s complicated, and I’m learning more as I dive deeper into CPSC requirements.
Can You Avoid Plastic Toys Forever?
You might be able to avoid plastic toys while your baby is little. But it gets harder and harder as your baby gets older. Though you have the most control over the toys you buy, your child will receive toys as gifts. They will play with mainstream toys outside of the home. And they will be exposed to expensive marketing campaigns from the big toy manufacturers. Plastic toys are everywhere, and a lot of the popular toys your child will want as they get older will come from mainstream toy brands.
Personally, I try to follow the 80/20 rule and realize that mainstream toys are hard to avoid. I just try to limit the time my kids spend playing with these toys (which is easier when they are younger) and try not to let them put these toys in their mouths.
Did you find some non-toxic toy brands for your little one? I hope you found some that you love!
Related Reading:
Hello, thank you for all the helpful information!! Do you have any thoughts on the Manhattan Toy Company?
What do you think about Lovevery toys?
Like them a lot. Here’s a helpful read: https://www.gentlenursery.com/play-learn/lovevery-play-kits/
Thank you so much for sharing this wonderful information!
Happy to help!
What about non-toxic dolls for babies?
What you want to look for is PVC free dolls. There are a couple threads on this in my Facebook group but I don’t recall the brands that were discussed. I will try to look that up or just feel free to join and search the group 🙂
Yes this was published in November of 2017. There are a few brands to be added but nothing on here is out of date to my knowledge.
Hi Gentle Nursery,
I would like to say how much I love this website. I never search or buy any baby products without checking here first! I was wondering if there are any non toxic activity gyms? I know the finn + emma wooden one, but it isn’t what I am looking for. Any suggestions appreciated. Thanks.
Hi Marina, thank you so much! What is it about the Finn and Emma one you don’t like? That way I can help you find alternatives.
Are there any options for outdoor baby pools that are good non-toxic options?
Not really. Depends how young your LO is. You could try a stainless steel tub…? Otherwise I haven’t come across anything I would feel comfortable using.
Smiling Tree is a great toy company that is based in Minnesota!
Thanks for the recommendation. I’ll check them out!
I love Smiling Tree Toys! Amazing quality.