Best Non-Toxic Montessori Toys for Babies and Toddlers
If you are a natural-minded mom looking for non-toxic Montessori toys for your babies and toddlers, look no further. I have listed non-toxic toys that are open-ended and high quality, so you don’t need to worry about your baby putting them in her mouth.
I wish all the toys were free from BPA, PVC, Lead and painted with non-toxic paint. Then, our kids would have so many options of toys to choose from!!
But unfortunately, it’s not the case. Most mainstream toys are made with PVC, painted with toxic paints, and contain toxic chemicals and heavy metals.
And most of the toys that you find nowadays are made in China and contain an illegal level of heavy metals and toxic chemicals.
As a conscious parent, you do not want your baby to play with these toys as they put everything in their mouth.
If you are looking for non-toxic toys for your baby or toddler, I have compiled a list of brands and toys that are safe for your baby to play with. I have included Montessori style open-ended, high-quality toys that will last you forever and you can pass on to siblings. Most of the time, Montessori-style toys are non-toxic as they are made from wood. Also, check out non-toxic baby play mats if you haven’t bought one yet.
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Why choose non-toxic toys for babies?
Babies and toys go together. Except when my little one is sleeping, he has at least one toy in his hand, and when he is not carrying a toy in this hand, he is either sitting on it or licking it while laying on the floor.
No matter how often you tell them not to put toys in their mouths, they will do it even when they are 3 years old.
So, it is safer not to give them toys that contain toxic chemicals and heavy metals (plastic toys) as it gets absorbed when babies chew or suck on the toys.
Also, there have been many plastic toys recalls in the last 10-12 years. And recalls were on the brand of toys (Malissa and Dough, Dora the Explorer, Elmo) sold at a big box store. The main reason for recalls in 2008 was unsafe levels of Lead.
Fortunately, recalls are significantly reduced in recent years, but toxic chemicals still make their way into the manufacturing of toys.
Most of the toys made in the United States have to follow CPSC regulations. Which is a good thing as the manufacturer has to follow the rules set by CPSC for the safety of their products. And products have to be tested in the third-party lab for safety before entering the market.
Even then, toys can contain phthalate, BPA, and Lead. Unfortunately, CPSC criteria are not stringent enough to keep our kids away from the toxin in toys. As a result, most of the toys in the market today are made with PVC-containing phthalates, and most of them are made in China.
Made in China toys are of a big concern. Most of the toys made in China contain heavy metals or are contaminated with Lead. They do not have stringent regulations on using these compounds during the manufacturing process. There are many toys, baby bottles, and clothes made in China that contain Lead.
Besides Lead, products made in China contain other toxic chemicals that are no longer allowed to use in the USA during the manufacturing process. So, for these reasons, avoid the toys made in China for babies.
Why Choose Montessori toys for babies?
Maria Montessori did not design toys, so there is no such thing as Montessori toys. Instead, it’s her philosophy that inspired toys that are made of wood and other natural material for child-directed learning.
Most Montessori-style toys are made of real wood, metal, bamboo, cotton, and glass, which are better than mainstream plastic and synthetic toys.
That being said, Montessori-style toys can be toxic depending on the type of wood, glue, and paint used while making toys (more on it below).
Best Non-Toxic Montessori Toys for Babies and Toddlers
Toys made responsibly, without toxic material like BPA, PVC, Flamretardant, are considered safe to use for babies and toddlers. In this list of non-toxic toys, I have included toy brands that make wooden toys, organic stuff toys, and toys made with natural rubber.
SkandicoToys
One of my favorite Montessori toy brands is SkandicoToys. Most of the toys by this brand are very colorful, and your baby or toddler will love to play with them.
These wooden toys are made in Russia, and all the toys made by this shop have a colorful, cheerful vibe to them.
Their toys are handmade in Russia from locally sourced lime wood. Limewood is hardwood, chip, and splinter resistant. So, you don’t have to worry about your baby playing with these wooden toys.
The wooden toys are finished with eco-friendly, water-based German colors. You will be glad to know that they do not use oil-based colors for any of their toys.
The shop carries a variety of wooden toys like building blocks, puzzles, toy sets, wooden tree sets, toy car sets, stacking toys.
- Made in Russia
- Made from Solid Russia Linden wood
- German Water-based eco-colors
Plan Toys
Plan Toys is another non-toxic toy brand. Plan Toys are made in Thailand. The toys manufactured by Plan Toys are creative, unique, spark the imagination.
The toys are made from natural rubberwood trees. They use a chemical-free drying process to strengthen the wood for toy making. In addition, they do not use formaldehyde-based glue for any of their toys. Instead, their toys are glued with plant-based glue.
Their toys are finished with organic color pigment or water-based dye, so it is safer for your baby to play with them.
Plan Toys offer a variety of toys like educational toys, wooden baby toys, musical instruments, push and pull toys, building toys, kitchen play, role play, dollhouse, bath toys, and much more.
Plan Toys is a well-known brand, and their toys are durable, even for not so careful toddlers, and safe for your baby to put in their mouth (although you don’t want them to do that all the time).
The brand is conscious of the environmental impact of their manufacturing process, including their recycled paper packaging. And their new packaging comes with a carbon footprint sticker.
- Made in Thailand
- Made from natural rubberwood tree
- Organic color pigment
- Water-based dye
- Comes in Recycled paper packaging
HABA
HABA toys are another eco-friendly manufacturer of high-quality wooden toys. The majority of wooden toys are made in Germany except for soft toys.
HABA uses PEFC certified beechwood or Maplewood. In addition, they use water-based lacquers instead of paints to finish the toys.
HABA toys are resistant to wear and tear, and they are made to last, so it is a one-time investment if you are planning to have more kids.
They offer a variety of toys, from teething rings for younger babies to puzzles, sorters, blocks, animal stacking games, and more for toddlers and beyond.
- Wooden toys made in Germany
- Toys made from PEFC certified beechwood and Maplewood
- Solvent-free, water-based dye
- Toys are high quality and made to last
- Resistant to wear and tear
WelterCoHomeDeco
WelterCoHomeDeco is a small shop on ETSY specializing in making a non-toxic wooden playground for kids aged 6 months to 7 years. The wooden gym is one of the staple toys in the Montessori lifestyle household.
TheThe wooden gyms are made of 100% high-quality solid wood for a sturdy construction. For durability, the products are well sanded and finished with non-toxic food-grade linen oil and beeswax.
The great thing about WelterCoHomeDeco wooden gym is that it can be used indoors and outdoors.
This Montessori-style wooden play gym is designed to develop hand-eye coordination, strengthen muscles, motor skills, and balance control.
Visit this store to find other designs of a wooden gym, wooden kids table and chair set, wooden highchair, and more.
- Hand made in the USA
- 100% solid wood
- Finished with food-grade Linen oil and beeswax
- Sturdy construction
- Variety of designs to choose from
Honeysticks
If you are looking for a safer alternative to crayons and paints for your 1-year-old budding artist, then Honeysticks is a place you want to shop.
As the name suggests, Honeysticks makes beeswax crayons, bath color tablets, and non-toxic paints.
Their products are made from 100% New Zealand beeswax and food-grade color pigments. They are safe to use for infants, toddlers, and older kids.
Another good thing about Honeysticks products is that it does not contain paraffin wax or cheap fillers that are staple to mainstream crayons. And they also provide a 100% money-back guarantee if you are not satisfied with the product after purchasing it.
I love Honeysticks’s non-toxic color bath drops. Your kid will enjoy watching the drops fizz and change the bathwater color. The bath drops come in a pack of 36. It will be fun to mix and match the color and enjoy their bath time. It is a safer alternative to bath bombs for kids.
- Hand made in New Zealand
- Natural and Food grade pigments
- 100% satisfaction Guarantee
Grimms Spiels and Holz
If you are looking for non-toxic stacking toys and puzzles for your baby, then look nowhere. Grimms Spiels and Holz manufactures high-quality wooden toys, dolls, rattle, and teething toys made from natural and sustainable materials.
Most of their manufacturing process happens in Germany. The wood used in their wooden toys is limewood, beechwood, maple wood, and their toys are finished with non-toxic colors and oils.
The natural wooden baby rattle non-toxic teething toys can come in very handy for your baby, and you don’t have to worry about putting it in their mouth.
- Made in Germany
- Wooden toys are made from line, beech, and maple wood.
- Non-toxic colors and oils used for finishing
Bears for Humanity
Stuffed toys are a childhood staple. While babies are not allowed to sleep with it in their crib, you will still purchase it or receive it as a gift. If looking for organic stuffed toys or teddy bears, look no further.
Bears for Humanity uses 100% GOTS certified organic cotton for making their stuffed toys. While the imaginative play is not encouraged in Montessori philosophy, all the kids deserve to have stuffed toys to play with.
- Made in California
- 100% GOTS certified organic cotton
Finn + Emma
Finn + Emma makes organic cotton clothes, and they have a collection of toys. Their toys and clothes are made in India, Vietnam, and Peru.
They use 100% organic cotton and eco-friendly dye for making baby clothing and toys. And they use real wood for the toys and swings. Their stroller toys are so adorable!
In their toy collection, you will also find animal rattle, play gyms, teethers.
- Made in India, Peru, Vietnam
- 100% Organic cotton
- Eco-friendly Dye
- Wooden toys
Vulli
You may know Vulli by its Sophi La giraffe teething toys made of 100% natural rubber.
Vulli also makes rubber rattles, rubber blocks, rubber balls, and more. All their toys are also made from natural rubber. They also use food-based dye for their toys, so you don’t need to worry about the baby putting it in their mouth.
- Made in France
- 100% natural rubber toys
- Food-based dye
Uncle Goose
Uncle Goose is known for making non-toxic blocks in 23 languages. So if you are trying to introduce a second language to your baby, Uncle Goose is where you will find the blocks with foreign languages like Chinese, French, Danish, Braille, and more.
You will have a variety of blocks to choose from. From ABC and number blocks to blocks with animals, planets, and pictures on them. The blocks will help children spell, stack, build and match.
The blocks are made with Michigan basswood, and they use non-toxic inks or paints sourced locally.
- Made in the USA
- Made from basswood
- Non-toxic inks or paints
- Variety of block themes
Under The Nile
Under The Nile manufactures cute organic cotton soft toys for babies and toddlers.
Their soft toys are made of 100% GOTS certified organic cotton and eco-friendly, non-toxic dyes.
Soft toys are made in Egypt. You will find a variety of cute stuffed toys like octopuses and more. They also have a clothing line.
- Made in Egypt
- Fair Trade company
- GOTS certified Organic cotton
- Non-toxic dyes or paints
ARKWoodToys
If you are looking for non-toxic wooden toys, ARKWoodToys is your go-to place.
This small business owner makes all kinds of wooden toys. All the wooden toys are handmade from high-quality wood and will look great in their Montessori bedroom.
Each piece is cut, sanded, and hand-painted with water-based, non-toxic paints and finished with a beeswax and oil mixture.
You also have an option to purchase toys unpainted and unfinished if you want to paint them yourself with non-toxic paint. If you have older kids, this can be a cute DIY project.
The shop sells wooden animal toys, wooden trees, name bocks, and much more. These toys are the best non-toxic toys for 1 year old.
- Handmade in Canada
- Made from high-quality wood
- Food-grade paints and oils
- Option to purchase unpainted toys
FAQs
Things to avoid in non-toxic Montessori toys
Whether you are looking for non-toxic toys or playmats, rockers, wagons, or natural bath toys for babies or toddlers, here is what you need to know to make a safe choice for your kids.
Plastic/PVC
While it may seem hard to avoid plastic, like most toys available in the market today are made of plastic, I like to avoid it as much as I can with babies. However, they will get exposed to plastic toys outdoors once they grow up.
Plastic or PVC toys often contain BPA and phthalates, suspected endocrine disruptors. With awareness of the harmful effects of BPA, you will find products labeled as BPA-free. But you need to be careful about purchasing those for your baby as BPA alternatives are not a safe option as well.
Choose toys that are made of recyclable materials or real wood. They are a much better option than PVC/plastic.
Toxic glue
Toys made of manufactured wood (MDF, plywood) emit a higher level of VOCs and formaldehyde as formaldehyde-based glue has been used in these toys to put it together.
While purchasing wooden toys, you want to confirm what glue, paint, or varnish was used to finish the product. Soy-based or water-based glue is the best alternative to formaldehyde-based glue.
Paint and Finish
Most of the Montessori toys are made with wood, and to make them attractive and shiny; manufacturers use paint or varnish for durability and to protect your babies from splinters.
But conventional paint and finish off-gas VOC in the air. So, choose wooden toys with a water-based or oil-based finish. A water-based finish on wooden toys is safer than an oil-based finish. But it still off-gasses VOCs in large amounts in the first couple of days.
To work around that, leave it in the open air for a few days before giving it to your baby.
Alternatively, look for Montessori toys with a food-based finish like tung oil, linseed oil, or beeswax.
Are Green Toys phthalate-free?
Green Toys are among the safest plastic toys you can. Green toys are made in America from recycled polyethylene, a non-leaching and safe kind of plastic if you want plastic toys for your kids. In addition, toys are BPA and phthalate-free.
Are Hape toys good?
Hape makes quality wooden toys. Their toys are made from sustainable wood or bamboo and finished with water-based paints.
Hape toys is a German company, but they manufacture their toys in China. The fact that toys are made in China, I would avoid giving Hape toys to babies for the first 2 years of life. However, once kids are a little older and stop putting everything in their mouth, give them Hape toys.
Are Magna Tiles non-toxic?
Magna Tiles are kids’ favorite. Magna tiles products line is ASTM, EN71 and CPSIA approved. Even though they are manufactured in China, they do not contain BPA, phthalates, latex, PVC, and other toxic materials. And clear Magna-Tiles are made of ABS (Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene) plastic.
Despite the assurance of the CPSA that ABS plastic does not leach toxic substances, I don’t recommend it to use styrene-based plastic for infant’s toys. If you are looking for a non-toxic alternative to Magna Tiles, go for wooden magnetic tiles from Earthtiles.
The wooden tiles are made from birch wood and are non-toxic. In addition, the Earthtiles magnetic tiles are durable and will last forever. Check out the Earthtiles magnetic wooden tiles here.
Is KidKraft a safe brand?
KidKraft specializes in making dollhouses, kids’ furniture, and other kids’ toys. KidKraft products are made in China from plastic, MDF, wood, and fabric depending on what product you choose. So, KidKraft is not a safe brand for kids’ toys and furniture. According to the manufacturer, their products are free from BPA and PVC.
Hope this list helped you find the non-toxic Montessori toys for your kids. Before you go check out this non-toxic Montessori-style floor bed for your toddler.
Do you know any other brand that makes non-toxic toys or non-toxic Montessori toys for babies and toddlers? Let us know in the comment section below.
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