Play with Purpose: Unveiling the World of Eco-Friendly Toys
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Imagination is the enchanting spark that dances within all of us, from wide-eyed children to fully grown adults. Play, in its myriad forms, stands as one of the most potent catalysts for kindling the flames of creativity, breathing life into whimsical ideas. Eco-friendly toys can help reveal this magic.
You’re likely aware that the majority of contemporary toys are molded from plastic, often lacking in durability, and made with materials that can contain toxins.
Within this post, our primary focus lies in the careful curation of brands that place a premium on eco-friendly conscientious materials capable of withstanding the test of time in the realm of play.
Furthermore, we conduct a thorough assessment of these brands, delving into the depth of their commitment to sustainability across diverse facets, encompassing their workforce, packaging practices, and contributions to meaningful causes.
Unfortunately, we recognize that eco-friendly toys can be somewhat expensive. We have done our best to include sustainable toys with different price ranges. Hopefully, eco-friendly toys can become more affordable as the demand for quality toys increases. Happy reading!
If you are in a rush, take a look at our quick links below:
Our Favorite Eco-Friendly Toys
Exploring Eco-Conscious Toy Options for Children
There’s a world of exciting brands that truly champion our planet and craft exceptional toys for infants, toddlers, and children.
Delving into the realm of secondhand treasures remains a stellar choice for finding sustainable kids’ toys.
Finally, it’s important to remember how wonderful local stores are. Keeping these small businesses thriving is a testament to the resilience of community spirit, especially in the lively and competitive landscape of the eco-friendly toy market.
Unearthing Our Favorite Eco-Friendly Delights: Your Guide to Remarkable Toy Companies!
At Lovevery, the focus is on nurturing children’s development one stage at a time. Lovevery’s mission is to empower parents by offering stage-based play essentials that cater to children’s evolving brains. Crafted by child development experts, Lovevery’s products are distilled to their most fundamental purpose – providing exactly what children require at every stage of their growth.
Lovevery's Sustainable Values and Actions
Product Materials:
FSC-certified, sustainably sourced wood
OEKO-TEX® certified fabrics
recycled paper
biobased plastics
water-based paint and finishes
Supply Line Ethics and Workforce Principles:
- The creative heart of this Certified B Corp resides in Boise, Idaho, where ingenious designs take shape.
- Their transformation into tangible treasures occurs on the other side of the globe in Ningbo, China, under the careful supervision of a manufacturing collaborator dedicated to fostering a work environment that champions ethics, sustainability, and utmost safety for its workforce.
Sustainable Business Approaches:
- Lovevery ensures that all its products ship with a carbon-neutral impact.
- Presently, Lovevery’s lost parts promise stands as a testament to its commitment to its customers, providing replacement components for all its playthings.
- In 2023, the brand aims to enhance its dedication to circularity, whether through extending product lifespans, facilitating repairs, or enabling transformations into fresh iterations.
- Looking ahead to 2025, Lovevery envisions that 90% of its products and packaging materials will originate from renewable, biobased, or recycled sources.
- As for the grand vision for 2030, Lovevery is steadfast in its commitment to achieving carbon neutrality across its entire supply chain.
At Tender Leaf Toys, they craft enchanting realms of wooden wonders, built to withstand a lifetime of affectionate play. Their passion lies in the ever-evolving world of delightfully whimsical creations, meticulously designed to captivate young hearts and hands with endless amusement.
While they embrace the power of play as an educational tool, they also champion authenticity, nurturing children’s self-confidence while ensuring they have an absolute blast along the way!
Their captivating array spans play tables, opulent dollhouses, charming dolls, engaging games, and a whimsical assortment of toys inspired by the realms of space, nature, the circus, and the culinary world. Prepare to be captivated. You might find yourself setting up a delightful tea party with their charming tea set.
Tender Leaf Toys’ Sustainable Values and Actions
Product Materials:
- Reclaimed rubberwood
- FSC certified plywood
- Toxic-free paints (No heavy metals or lead) and glues (formaldehyde-free)
- All toys are thoughtfully designed to meet stringent international safety standards, ensuring compliance with EN71, ASTM F963, and AS/NZS ISO regulations.
Supply Line Ethics and Workforce Principles:
- All Tender Leaf Toys are made in Indonesia by Mentari International.
- This family-run factory is not just a workplace; it’s a hub of excellence where high standards of training, well-being, and respect are the norm. Here, they don’t just craft toys. They create dreams while offering a steady livelihood to hundreds of local villagers who are part of this extraordinary journey.
Sustainable Business Approaches:
- Tender Leaf Toys is embarking on a journey towards eco-conscious packaging, shunning plastic in favor of the earth-friendly embrace of paper and recycled cardboard.
- Their commitment to sustainability and ethical practices has earned them the prestigious ICTI Ethical Toy Program seal of approval, a testament to their dedication to fostering a responsible and virtuous supply chain.
- With each reclaimed tree used in the production of Tender Leaf Toy products, the company plants another one.
Since 1981, PlanToys has been on a mission to preserve natural resources and empower children to make a positive impact on the world. For over four decades, their focus has centered on designing toys that foster children’s development from infancy to age five while instilling a love for nature and freedom of play.
They’re dedicated to creating processes that prioritize safety and minimal environmental impact. PlanToys’ eco-friendly materials ensure both child safety and the planet’s well-being. Beyond toys, they engage children in activities that promote social responsibility, environmental stewardship, and holistic growth.
PlanToys’ Sustainable Values and Actions
Product Materials
- PlanWood: Utilizes leftover sawdust and wood chips, condensed through a thermal process into toys; boasts higher density, suitable for water play.
- Rubberwood: Sustainably harvested from Thai trees that have ceased latex production, and combined with PlanWood, a zero waste material.
- Safe Finishes: Toys are finished with E-Zero non-formaldehyde glue and non-toxic water-based dyes.
- Safety Standards: Exceeds international safety standards, including ASTM and EN71.
Supply Line Ethics and Workforce Principles:
- The materials are conscientiously sourced and produced in Trang, Thailand, fostering a close-knit local connection.
- Furthermore, their dedication to ensuring a fair, safe, and healthy work environment is evidenced by their OHSAS 18002 and SA8000 certifications.
Sustainable Business Approaches:
- Transforming Waste into Light: No sliver of wood goes to waste in their commitment to a greener future. Their waste wood finds a new purpose in a biomass gasification power plant, where it dances into electricity, not just for their bustling factory but also to light up the smiles of neighboring villages.
- Eco-Friendly Packaging: Wrapped in eco-consciousness, their packaging shuns plastics in favor of a planet-friendly embrace. Soy inks and recycled paper come together, ensuring every package tells a story of sustainability and care for our world.
- Championing Environmental Excellence: Their dedication to environmental stewardship shines bright, earning them the prestigious ISO 14001 and ISO 9001 certifications. It’s a testament to their unwavering commitment to nurturing our planet’s well-being.
- Supporting Special Needs Children: PlanToys, in collaboration with partners, initiated the PlanToys Bring Smile and Mom-Made Toy project. This project focuses on designing toys specifically tailored to special needs children, including those with Visual Impairment, Autism, and Cerebral Palsy.
- Accessible Play Opportunities: They are dedicated to creating inclusive play opportunities, such as setting up a Toy Library at their factory and public libraries in Trang, which offer free lending toy services.
- Community Play Spaces: PlanToys has established the Forest of Play and the Toy Museum in Trang, serving as comprehensive learning play areas that expand play opportunities for the local community.
- Supporting Social Development: A portion of their sales proceeds goes toward social development projects. For instance, they contribute 1 euro for every Wonky Fruit & Vegetable Set sold to Kromkommer, an organization focused on reducing food waste awareness. They also donate $10 for every Walking Elephant purchase to support the Save Elephant Foundation Thailand and its projects.
- Community Reforestation: PlanToys actively contributes to reforestation efforts, planting over 2000 trees annually as a part of their commitment to a sustainable environment.
- Customer and Partner Collaboration: They acknowledge that their contributions to society are a collective effort, made possible through the cooperation of their customers and worldwide partners who support PlanToys’ vision for a Sustainable World.
- Their goal is to be carbon neutral by 2025
Once-Kids prides itself on igniting children’s wonder and unleashing imagination. Their commitment to sustainability aligns seamlessly with the brand’s mission, represented by the acronym ONCE: Organic, Natural, Charitable, and Environmentally-friendly.
Within the Once-Kids range, one can discover a captivating array of blocks, play sets, and action figures, each designed to inspire limitless imagination. Many of these toys also offer the option of DIY decoration, ensuring every playtime is a unique adventure. Welcome to Once-Kids, where sustainability meets boundless possibilities.
Once-Kids’ Sustainable Values and Actions
Product Materials
Toys are made from FSC-certified wood, reducing the use of plastic and promoting a more sustainable future.
Some items are adorned with recycled bottle felt.
Bamboo Bricks, made from bamboo, a fast-growing, abundantly available material with remarkable antimicrobial properties that keep them clean even with heavy use, embody sustainability with superpowers.
Toy safety is ensured with third-party testing: CPSIA, ASTM, EN71, and CE compliant.
Supply Line Ethics and Workforce Principles:
Not enough information was provided.
Sustainable Business Approaches:
- The packaging, crafted from FSC-certified wood, serves as a versatile option beyond protection – it encourages re-gifting or even repurposing as a toy box.
- Through our collaboration with One Tree Planted®, Once Kids plants a tree for every product sold. Their mission extends beyond mere tree planting; it’s about forest restoration, biodiversity habitat creation, and fostering global social impact.
Play isn’t just child’s play; it’s a powerful force. It ignites curiosity, fosters self-expression, and liberates us from the grip of perfectionism. When harnessed effectively, play becomes enchanting. At Clixo, they’re staunch believers that everyone should experience this magic in their lives, and their mission is to make that a reality. A lightweight, colorful, and versatile toy, Clixo offers a toy experience brimming with possibility.
Clixo’s Sustainable Values
Product Materials
- Toys are made of kid-safe (non-toxic) recyclable synthetic paper
- Embedded magnets (also non-toxic)
- All Clixo products have undergone premier testing and comply with US toy safety standards including ASTM, EN71, and California’s Proposition 65.
Supply Line Ethics and Workforce Principles:
- Not a lot of information was found.
Sustainable Business Approaches:
- Clixo’s packaging is 100% biodegradable and plastic-free. The packaging is made from recycled bamboo and is sustainably manufactured.
Introducing the irresistible natural cotton dolls, crafted for endless cuddles and boundless love. Cuddle & Kind dolls are not just toys; they’re a source of profound impact. With every doll, they deliver a remarkable gift of 10 meals to children in need.
Cuddle & Kind’s Sustainable Values
Product Materials
- 100% Natural cotton that is soft and ready for kids to cuddle.
- OEKO-TEX-certified cotton that is hypoallergenic
Supply Line Ethics and Workforce Principles:
- Every doll is handcrafted by female artisans in Peru and Nepal.
- The production of Cuddle & Kind dolls provides these female workers with sustainable and fair trade income.
Sustainable Business Approaches:
- With each doll they sell, Cuddle & Kind sends an astounding 10 meals to hungry children across the globe, thanks to their trusted giving partners. These heartwarming meals reach 64 countries (including the US), all made possible by their cherished collaborations with various humanitarian agencies. In a grand total, they’ve delivered over 28 million meals to children who truly need them.
- Happiness guarantee: Each Cuddle & Kind doll is made with a Happiness Guarantee. If you are unsatisfied with your doll for any reason when you receive it, Cuddle & Kind can replace or return it, no strings attached!
Target
Land of Dough® is your passport to a world where imaginations soar and social skills flourish, all through a sensational tactile play adventure. Dive into a realm of vividly hued dough, each inspired by beloved themes and enchanting locales that captivate every child’s heart.
Land of Dough’s Sustainable Values
Product Materials
- The dough includes all-natural ingredients and colors
- Compostable glitters
- Organic essential oils
Supply Line Ethics and Workforce Principles:
- Each dough is handcrafted in the United States.
Sustainable Business Approaches:
- All doughs are shipped in compostable packaging from Norristown, PA!
It’s safe to assume that most children, at some point, find joy in the art of drawing. However, many crayons on the market contain harmful chemicals like paraffin wax and petrochemicals.
Enter Honeysticks, on a noble mission to craft sustainable coloring products that kids will cherish, all while banishing those nasty ingredients from the artistic joy of being creative.
Honeysticks’ Sustainable Values
Product Materials
- 100% New Zealand Beeswax
- Food-grade color pigment
Supply Line Ethics and Workforce Principles:
- All of the crayons are sustainably sourced from New Zealand Beeswax.
Sustainable Business Approaches:
- All Honeysticks crayons are plastic-free (including the packaging)
Tegu embodies the spirit of imagination and champions the cause of free play. Their toys are not just playthings. They are gateways to creativity, discovery, and a lifetime of open-ended fun. Think of it as a modern spin on a classic.
With masterful craftsmanship, they’ve discreetly nestled magnets within traditional wooden building blocks, crafting a visually stunning toy that seamlessly blends into your playroom, graces your coffee table, or adorns your office desk.
Tegu’s Sustainable Values
Product Materials
- Huesito (“little bone”) trees, an overpopulated tree in Honduras
- The blocks are dyed with non-toxic, water-based lacquers
Supply Line Ethics and Workforce Principles:
- The blocks are intentionally hand-crafted by artisans in Honduras. Tegu’s founders wanted to bring social change to the nation of Honduras through job creation and responsible sourcing.
- Tegu prioritizes long-term employee growth and development.
- This product conforms to the USA and European safety requirements of CPSIA 2011 and EN71, respectively.
Sustainable Business Approaches:
- Tegu believes in a circular process, so when your child outgrows the blocks, parents can return them to Tegu utilizing a prepaid shipping label. The company will recycle them.
At the heart of Earthtiles’ mission lies #FewerBetterToys – a celebration of top-tier playthings that ignite the fires of imagination! Our toy design is all about blending rugged durability with endless possibilities, ensuring kids can dive into imaginative adventures time and time again, each play session brimming with fresh, exciting twists!
Earthtiles’ Sustainable Values
Product Materials
- Toys are made from sustainably sourced baltic birch plywood in FSC-certified forests
- The toys are finished with a water-based, non-toxic lacquer
- Phthalate free
Supply Line Ethics and Workforce Principles:
- All toys are manufactured in Indonesia
- All toys have been independently verified to meet CPSC and EU toy safety standards
Sustainable Business Approaches:
- For each toy purchased, Earthtiles plants a new tree.
EverEarth, on a mission to fuse fun and education, envisions a world where children and parents embark on a thrilling journey to explore and protect our environment. Their commitment to sustainability radiates through every EverEarth product and business practice, making learning about our planet an exciting adventure for all.
EverEarth’s Sustainable Values
Product Materials
- Sustainable FSC-certified wood
- Stained with non-toxic, BPH-free, water-based paint
Supply Line Ethics and Workforce Principles:
- Not enough information was found.
Sustainable Business Approaches:
- With each toy purchase, EverEarth plants a new tree.
- Sustainable packaging (the material was not specified).
Meet Le Toy Van, the delightful wooden toy brand that’s all heart and family spirit. With a legacy dating back to 1995, they’ve been crafting wooden wonders that are not just ethically made, but also sustainable.
Their secret weapon? Rubberwood, a by-product of the rubber industry, lovingly repurposed alongside other woods into a vibrant collection of eco-friendly, top-notch toys. It’s no wonder that Le Toy Van has captured the hearts of many, earning them a treasure trove of well-deserved awards.
Le Toy Van’s Sustainable Values
Product Materials
- Sustainable FSC-certified wood
- Stained with non-toxic, BPH-free, water-based paint
Supply Line Ethics and Workforce Principles:
- Le Toy Van chooses their places of production very carefully. The company is committed to only working with certified ethical factories. Thereby, providing careers and opportunities to local families in China and Indonesia. They conduct thorough and frequent audits to ensure their toys are being ethically made.
- Each factory Le Toy Van works with has an ICTI Ethical Toy Programme Certification.
Sustainable Business Approaches:
- Le Toy Van is a part of One Tree Planted, helping to restore our natural forests.
Final Thoughts on Eco-Friendly Kids’ Toys
In a world that’s learning how humans impact the planet, eco-friendly kids’ toys offer more than just play. They carry the hope of a brighter, greener future, nurturing young minds while safeguarding the planet.
With every eco-conscious choice, we shape not only the playtime memories of our children but also the world they’ll inherit.
So let’s play, learn, and grow while leaving a smaller footprint and a bigger impact.
None of us are perfect. None of the toys listed above are without shortfalls. We do our best and strive to do more when we can. Happy playing.