Eco-friendly toy gift guide.

This year, I'm trying to make more of an effort to buy mostly eco-friendly gifts for my children and I'd like to share with you all of the amazing gift ideas I've come across... plus some.


Soooo, why buy eco-friendly stuff in the first place?

🌿The methods an materials used to create the products pose very little to no threat to the environment and that includes humans, water, animals, land and skies.

🌿The non-toxic materials and used to make the products are free from chemicals that can cause some cray health problems in the long run.

🌿The items are recyclable.

🌿Many items are made from recycled materials and this helps keep waste our of our waters and landfills.

🌿You'll be supporting smaller companies that are ran by ordinary Joes who need to support their families and not by money hungry billionaires.

🌿Many eco-friendly items are fair trade, which means they are manufactured in foreign countries where the employees are paid fair wages for their labors.


Before we get started, here are the fancy terms you're going to see and what they mean. We've all seen the terms at some point but most of us have never taken the time to look up what they mean (myself included until now). We just assume that it means something good, put it in the shopping cart and move on.

But sometimes, if you don't see these terms and certifications on a product or its package, that could mean you're not getting the "all natural" product you want and that you could be getting fooled by it's natural themed packaging and misleading titles. That's called "greenwashing" and greenwashing is bad, mmkay?

Image source ► https://environmentalbiz.wordpress.com/

 Anywho,  the companies featured in this post have gone above and beyond to prove their products are truly what they say they are. I like that. Click on each term to get to a more detailed article explaining more about term:

▲BPA Free - BPA is man made chemical used in plastic products and is also used to line cans and water bottles to prevent metal corrosion. BPA is an endocrine disruptor. Endocrine disruptors are chemicals that are not naturally produced in our bodies but can mimic or block the action of our own natural hormones.

▲No phthalates - Phthalates are a group of chemicals used to make plastics more flexible and harder to break.  Also known as plasticizers. Can potentially effect the development of male reproductive system: Infertility, decreased sperm count, undescended testes and malformation of the penis.

▲ASTM Certification - A voluntary certification obtained to prove of the good quality of a product.

▲CPSC Certification - "U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission" Certification means ta manufacturers product complies with all applicable children's product safety rules (or similar rules, bans, standards, or regulations under any law enforced by the Commission for that product.)

▲PVC Free - PVC is (polyvinyl chloride) plastic, commonly referred to as vinyl.  "When produced or burned, PVC plastic releases dioxins, a group of the most potent synthetic chemicals ever tested, which can cause cancer and harm the immune and reproductive systems."  

▲EN71 Certified - EN71 is a set of European Product Safety standard that applies to all toys sold in the European Union.

▲Skal Certified - SKAL ensure that organic products truly originate from an organic production process by means of inspection and certification. 

▲Oeko-Tex Certified - The Oeko-Tex criteria catalog provides a scientifically founded evaluation standard for the human ecological safety of textiles. Raw materials, intermediate and end products at all stages of processing throughout the manufacturing chain are tested and certified.

Shape Sorter - $11.99

Made by one of my favorite brands, Green Toys - this sorter was made in the USA, made of 100% recycled plastic, is dishwasher safe and contains no BPA, phthalates, PVC, or external coatings.

Build Your Own Vehicle Set - $17.95

These 28 different pieces have the potential to create up to 20 different shapes! Perfect for super creative and advanced toddlers. Made with eco-friendly materials with ASTM and CPSC certifications. 

Ferry Boat with Mini Cars Bathtub Toy - $14.99

This ferry was made in the USA from 100% recycled plastic, it's safe and durable for indoor and outdoor play. No BPA, phthalates, PVC, or external coatings and dishwasher safe for easy cleaning.

50 Piece Solid Wooden Blocks - $19.99

This vibrant block set was painted with non-toxic paints, and is compliant with EN71 and ASTM toy safety standards.

Organic Cotton Plush Monster - $11.95

Made of 100% certified fair trade organic cotton inside and out, the Little Monster collection is made in fun colors that are dyed with environmentally friendly, low-impact dyes. They're made in India with 100% organic cotton that is certified by Skal.

3-D Puzzle Dump Truck - $28.95

This tough guy is made from 30% reclaimed wood fiber and certified safe plastic for a silky smooth feel. Made in the USA and backed by Luke's Toy Factory warranty.

Xylophone with Mallets and Music Cards- $15.95

This little xylophone stays in tune like a real instrument should so that your child and can actually make music, not just out of tune noise. BPA free, lead free and phthalate free.

Pop-Up Toaster with Accessories - $22.49

This set would be a great addition to your kiddo's play kitchen but is awesome enough to be played with own its own. 

John Deere Front Loader Toy - $29.99

This toy is made from bio-plastic which features a unique blend of sugar cane and corn cob grown. Since corn cob is a main ingredient in these bio-plastic vehicles, these toys have a toasted corn aroma! (I wonder if it's edible too?)

Storybook Gift Set with Train and Book  - $20.99

No phthalates, BPA or PVC,  made in the USA, 100% percent recycled plastic and look at that killer price!

Organic Stuffed Bear - $25.90

Adorable, fair trade, eco-friendly and baby-safe – made from 100% organic cotton and gentle, earth-friendly Oeko-tex certified dyes. This bear bontains 100% polyester filling (per CPSC guidelines) and can withstand lots of handling and washing. The cotton is grown by a small-scale farm in the Ica region of Peru. There are many more animal styles to choose from!

Wooden Tea Set - $27.00

This cute little tea set was made using wood from rubber trees. Rubber tree sap is used to make latex and oftentimes when the trees stop producing, they are destroyed and replaced. This company uses the still perfectly usable wood from the trees to reduce waste.  

Natural Wood Toy Sword - $15.97

For the aspiring knight, warrior princess, these swords are made from 100% natural, chemical-free, untreated wood. Handcrafted in the US.

Wooden Doctors Kit Play Set  - $19.99

This set is made from 100% natural wood and comply with all international toy safety standards. Made from renewable resources with non-toxic paints for safe play.

Frenchy Fox 14-inch Organic Plush Toy - $18.99

This cute little guy is 100% organic cotton and his packaging uses exclusively recycled paper printed with soy ink. Girly bunny and mouse counterparts available.

Eco-Dough, Natural Molding Dough - $18.99

Made from non-toxic, natural ingredients in USA.

Plan Toys Helicopter With Pilot - $29.98

All PlanToys are made using chemical free, kiln-dried recycled rubber wood and designed with water based, non-toxic paint. 

Balancing Tree Game - $14.02
Made from sustainable rubber wood and coated with a non-toxic finish, all colors are made from vegetable dye.

Noah's Ark Play Set - $33.48
This sweet little set meets the ASTM F963 toy safety standards and is made from durable and sustainable wood.

Tower Puzzle - $17.49
This tower puzzle was made with non-toxic, water-safe paint and wood made form trees that are grown in an ecologically clean area in the Carpathians (Ivano-Frankivsk region).

Wooden Nuts and Bolts Building Construction Work Bench Chair - $33.99 
Made of sustainable wood with environmentally friendly and non-toxic paints. All wooden toys by Toys of Wood Oxford are tested by the seller’s own or friends’ children. It conforms to EN71 and CPSA Standard and tested by International Accredited Labs.

12-Pack Multi-Color Rainbow Crayon Set - $12.99
Rainbow Crayons are made from broken crayons of all colors, that are melted down to make new crayons! This reduces the amount of non-decompose paraffin wax from landfills.