It can feel overwhelming to live in our eco-friendly values when we have children, especially considering how quickly children grow, change, and age out of certain products.
In fact, consumers throw 28.6 million toys away every year! Being mindful of the ones we choose for our kids is a significant first step in being kinder to our planet.
Eco-friendly toys are durable for long-lasting play, use non-toxic stains, glues, and dyes, have less plastic in the packaging and the toys themselves, rarely need batteries, promote creativity and imagination, and can support small artists, creators, and manufacturers.
If you have a kiddo in your life and are looking for a toy you feel good about gifting, these eco-friendly options will help you feel better knowing they are helping take care of the planet, all while creating their own unique little worlds.
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Explore more eco-friendly gift guides: Best Eco Friendly Gifts | Inexpensive | For Him | For Her | For Mom | For Kids | For Coworkers
The best eco-friendly toys to gift the little ones in your life
Beeswax Crayons from Honeysticks
For the creatives who love to draw and color, Honeystick’s beeswax crayons are made with 100% natural New Zealand beeswax, vegetable fats, natural minerals and food-grade pigments.
The founders of Honeysticks are committed to making an impact on the world, living an eco-friendly lifestyle and using natural products for families.
Crayons are for all ages but are specifically designed for little hands and can be grasped without opposable thumb dexterity.
What’s good:
- Made with a natural by-product of honey production
- Contains no paraffin wax, fragrances or fillers
- Made with food-grade, non-toxic colors
- Recyclable product and packaging
Shop: Amazon | Honeysticks
Eco Bricks from Once-Kids
For the LEGO-loving kids, Once-Kids makes a natural wood alternative that is biodegradable and compatible with pre-existing LEGO pieces, allowing for a more sustainable alternative to mix in what you may already have.
Once-Kids is committed to keeping plastic out of oceans and landfills — and believes “that by educating consumers and offering sustainable alternatives, we can make a positive impact on our planet and its future.”
What’s good:
- Uses FSC-certified solid wood and bamboo, and natural non-toxic water-based paints
- Plants one tree for every product sold through a partnership with One Tree Planted
- Free from harmful chemicals that are often found in plastic bricks, such as ABS, BPA, phthalates, and PVC
- Sturdy and durable, which means they can withstand rough play and last for many years
- Promotes education about the importance of environmental conservation, sustainable practices, and deepens an understanding of the natural world
Micro Maxi Eco Scooter from Micro Kickboard
For adventurous kids, Micro Kickboard makes scooters, kickboards, and other innovative personal transport solutions to create a better, more eco-friendly lifestyle.
The company is passionate about fuel-free transport and has an eco line made from recycled fishing nets and plastic.
The scooter is super-safe with a smooth glide and three-wheel design, allowing kiddos more control when riding. It’s great for school-aged children or taller and has an adjustable handle bar so it will grow with your child (from ages 5-12, up to 110 pounds).
What’s good:
- Donates a portion of annual sales to 1% for the Planet
- Made from recycled fishing nets and plastic
- All parts are replaceable so you never throw it away, allowing you to pass it on to a sibling, cousin or friend when your young one is done
Therapy Dough from eco-kids
For the hands-on kiddos, eco-kids makes squishing and squeezing that much more fun.
The brand’s Therapy Dough comes in a number of colors and scents and all its ingredients are safe and natural, including essential oils, soybean oil, organic vegetable extract, salt, citric acid, and wheat flour.
Designed by art therapists, this putty helps promote fine motor skills, imagination, and sensory experiences.
What’s good:
- Made of all-natural ingredients
- Come with recyclable and reusable plastic jars.
- Ships plastic-free
Shop: EarthHero
“My Friend Earth” by Patricia MacLachlan
When your kid is more interested in reading than playing with toys, there’s an eco-friendly option for that, too! This book, “My Friend Earth” by Patricia MacLachlan, turns every day into Earth Day with bursting colors, textures, clever cut-outs, flaps, and curved contours that encourage exploration.
This book celebrates everything Earth does for us, all the while reminding us to be a good friend in return.
What’s good:
- Celebrates the natural world and is also a timely rallying cry for positive action for saving Planet Earth
- Great opportunity to share life science concepts and amazing facts about the environment with children
- Perfect for anyone looking for climate change books for kids, stories for boys and girls who love space and the solar system, or books that explore the science and wonder of nature
Wobble Board from Bunny Hopkins
Wobble boards are awesome for active play and development, using a simply-crafted wooden board for endless possibilities.
Made with child-safe materials and an open-ended design, the Bunny Hopkins wobble board lends itself to the vastness of childhood imagination, as your little one transforms it into a balance board, slide, rocker, bridge, and more!
What’s good:
- Handcrafted in the U.S.
- Made with sustainably harvested U.S.-grown birch wood
- Wood stains are non-toxic, water-based, and heavy metal-free
- Built to last and hold up to 450 pounds of weight
- Uses recycled paper and eco-friendly shipping materials
Shop: Earth Hero | Etsy | Maisonette
Flamingo Doll from Apple Park
Meet Franny the Flamingo! This plush doll from Apple Park is made with 100% GOTS-certified organic cotton and filled with naturally hypoallergenic corn fiber.
It’s a safe and snuggly alternative to plastic plush toys — plus, it’s just plain cute.
What’s good:
- Made with organic and hypoallergenic materials and colored with low-impact dyes
- Ships in plastic-free packaging
- Designed by woman-led team dedicated to using only organic, renewable, and recycled materials
Shop: EarthHero | Amazon | Apple Park
Lovevery Play Kits
Lovevery is a brand that enlisted the help of a whole panel of experts to create play kits that are perfect for every stage of childhood development.
With playthings and books delivered every 2-3 months, week-by-week developmental tips for parents, and a Play Guide that supports play time with your kiddo from age 0-4, every kit is built to last — and even be reused. The company has a Pre-Loved market for parents to shop, too.
What’s good:
- Made with “premium, natural materials”
- Available to sell or reuse through a Pre-Loved marketplace
- Parents can access an on-call Disability Support Specialist at no additional cost to help make the right, customized purchase for their kiddo
American Sign Language Blocks from Uncle Goose
Make building even more fun and engaging by adding some American Sign Language to the mix! These ASL blocks make learning the ABCs easier than ever with easy-to-follow diagrams.
Plus, they’re handcrafted by a small business in Michigan, made with basswood grown in the Great Lakes area.
What’s good:
- Materials include non-toxic inks and renewably sourced wood
- Wood is natural and uncoated
- Too big to be a choking hazard
- Packaged in recyclable cardboard
- Made in the U.S. by craftspeople paid a living wage
Shop: Uncommon Goods | Amazon
Micro D Snap-T Jacket from Patagonia
You’re never too young for your first Patagonia fleece. This jacket — which comes in sizes for babies and toddlers alike — is a stylish addition to their wardrobe to keep those chilly breezes on the playground from slowing them down.
Plus, there are plenty of stylish color options for even the pickiest of kiddos.
What’s good:
- Made with recycled materials in a Fair Trade Certified factory
- Patagonia donates a percentage of its sales to 1% For the Planet
- The company has a long history of environmental activism
- Available to shop used for shoppers on a budget or looking to reduce their carbon footprint
One last thing: If you’re looking for the best places to donate new and gently used toys, check out our guide.
