Product Reviews / 19 April, 2021 / Christina Walter
We all want to do our bit to help the world when it comes to reducing plastic waste and encouraging fair trade. We have pulled together a range of toys that are sustainable, and eco friendly, using recycled plastics, and recyclable packaging. All of these toys play a part in cutting down on waste, to make our planet a healthier place to be.
It’s easy to see that Great Little Trading Company is passionate about wooden toys. Their selection of quality toys is designed to last, so they can be passed down through generations. What we love about GLTC’s toy offering is that they’re powered by nothing other than creativity and make-believe. In these eco-sensitive days it’s comforting to know that at the end of their play life, wooden toys are biodegradable, unlike their battery-powered, plastic counterparts, which will plague the planet well into the next century.
As their passion to help preserve our planet increases, their product range is evolving too. From sustainable wooden alternatives to single-use advent calendars to products designed to nurture a child’s interest in the environment around them – they are continually thinking of ways to encourage the next generation to care for our wonderful planet.
Edx Education’s eco-friendly Junior Pebbles Activity Set is made from FPC, derived from rice husks and stems. Perfect for toddlers aged 18m+, the set includes a range of tactile stacking pebbles in various shapes, sizes and colours, which can be used to teach little ones how to sort, stack, make patterns, identify colours and create pictures. The set also includes an activity guide for hours of open-ended play ideas.
This Tactile Sea Shells set from Edx Education contains 36 shells in six different textures and three sizes, which are perfect for counting and sorting, or even for making great patterns in play dough. For more of a challenge, why not place the shells in the cloth bag for your child to try and match the patterns and sizes through touch alone? Made from FPC derived from rice husks and stems, the material breaks down naturally in the environment so is a great alternative to plastic. Suitable from 18m.
Dantoys sturdy BIOplastic Bucket Set is made purely from sugarcane, and its packaging is made from recycled cardboard. Bioplastic made of sugarcane is a 100% sustainable raw material, and the best bit? There’s no compromise on the quality and the strength of the product as the BIOplastic range delivers both.
The manufacture of bioplastics reduces carbon emissions. The sugarcane is cultivated on controlled, pesticide-free plantations in central and southern Brazil. The sugarcane is harvested every 6 – 12 months.
All of Dantoys range is made to last and contains no toxins. The Dantoy Bio-Toy Bucket and Spade 4 piece playset costs £12.99 from Smyths.
Entice your baby with these gorgeous sensory toys. They are made with interesting contrasting colours, they rattle and crinkle and have interesting shapes to explore.
Pure Earth Collection is a growing company that creates natural, non-toxic and biodegradable children’s products perfect for your baby’s nursery. Founded by Emma Bianco and previously trading as Little Earth Baby, Pure Earth Collection are passionate about keeping our little ones safe, as well as being kind to the environment. All of their products are beautifully designed to a very high standard and are free from formaldehyde, BPA, phthalates, EVA foam, polycarbonate and other nasty chemicals.
£26.00
Encourage free and open-ended play with the Boat Stacking Tower.
Montessori toys are healthy, natural, non-toxic and eco-friendly. Made mostly from natural and non-toxic wood, they’re durable and educational. Montessori toys are beautiful, as well as fostering children’s imagination they encourage natural and open-ended play.
£47
This Baby Play Gym is perfect for entertaining your baby. It includes 4 natural baby rattles & charms. It has been made using certified organic cotton and a hand-oiled curved Birch frame, all non-toxic and eco-friendly.
The Little Green Sheep is a sustainable baby brand on a mission to use natural and organic materials to create stylish, long-lasting products that are away from chemicals. Their beautifully crafted products are always made with comfort and safety at the forefront of their designs.
£89.95
Colour Chameleon is a fun exciting matching game from Amazon. It is suitable from 3 years up. The games are made from 100% recycled materials including old shampoo bottles, old paper and discarded wrapping paper which makes this game a great eco-friendly choice.
£12.99
This organic modelling clay from Smallable is created using organic ingredients and natural dyes from fruits, vegetables and sugar. The plant oils will also protect little hands against dryness and strengthen the skin barrier. The clay is suitable for 3 years and up, and comes with five pots all in recycled packaging.
£25
Have great fun outdoors with this bright and sturdy frisbee made from 100% recycled plastics.
It comes in assorted colours will which will be sent to you at random. Which will you receive?
£3
Let your toddler learn through play with these wooden cubes from From Babies with Love. They feature numbers letter and shapes and are great for early learning. The blocks are made from wood from sustainable sources.
What’s more, every penny of profit made at From Babies with Love, goes to orphaned and abandoned children around the world.
£24.90
With two working ramps, a detachable trailer and three mini cars this Green Toys double-decker car carrier is great for encouraging motor skill development and imaginative, creative play.
Made from 100% recycled plastic, it’s safe and durable for playing inside or out. There are no BPA, phthalates, PVC, or external paints or coatings. Recommended from 3 years up.
£19.10
This very large knitted diplodocus soft toy from Best years is 36cm high x 40cm long for an awesome addition to any child’s dinosaur collection. Made from 100% ethically sourced acrylic, this toy is suitable from birth and would make a great new friend for any dinosaur-loving child.
Best Years are known for being an ethical company and their ethics extend from the people who make the toys through to the people who play with them.
£29.99
Perfect for babies, this adorable dinosaur toy rattle from Best Years is made from 100% organic cotton yarn by Pebble Toys.
Pebble toys are all handmade in Bangladesh, creating work opportunities in rural Bangladesh to change lives for the better. They provide flexible working conditions so that women are able to stay close with their families.
£18.99
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Any child will love and cherish this adorable doll’s bed from Cam Cam Copenhagen. It is suitable for a standard size doll of 36-44cm.
The Doll’s bed is made from responsibly forested FSC certified wood with environmentally friendly production and produced under socially responsible conditions.
109.90 Euros
Why not let your child have a go at familiarising themselves with good tooth care with this Wooden Dentist Set from For First Steps. It comes with a wooden toothbrush, dentist’s mirror, drill, syringe and pliers, plus a set of play teeth and is suitable from 3 years and up.
Plan Toys are made ethically in Thailand from rubber trees that no longer produce latex. Some products are made from PlanWood which is created by compressing sawdust. Plan Toys also produce their own glue which is formaldehyde-free and they operate carbon neutral.
£21.90
Made from recycled paper and printed with vegetable inks, this fantastic 24 piece floor puzzle from For First Steps is a chunky puzzle suitable for ages 3 years and up.
£14.90
Enjoy hours of fun making giant bubbles with Dr Zigs’ Original Giant Bubbles Kit from Amazon. The bubble mixture is fully biodegradable, palm oil and phosphate-free and the wand and rope are made here in the UK from sustainably sourced wood and unbleached cotton.
£16.00
For the ultimate bath time fun check out the Green Toys Ferry Boat. It comes with two toy cars, a spacious cargo area and a slide-out ramp. Made from recycled plastic it’s safe and non-toxic as it contains no BPA, PVC, phthalates or external coatings. Suitable from 3 years up.
£23.99
A perfect size for babies to hold and cuddle, this colourful soft toy bear from Amazon is a great way of engaging your little one in sensory play while helping to develop hand-eye coordination.
The bear is filled with certified recycled polyester made from water bottles, the teether ring is made from sustainably sourced beech wood and the packaging is made from recycled card and printed with soy inks.
£21.95
Made up of three avocado half shaped pieces this Elou Pebbles natural cork building set is great for developing problem-solving abilities and motor skills. Ethically made in Portugal from sustainable, native raw cork it is suitable from 2 years up. We think this product makes a great alternative to wooden blocks.
£29.94
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Every family is unique and that’s why Stokke® offers a collection of award-winning high chairs designed to meet your needs and match your style. Meet Tripp Trapp®, Nomi®, Stokke® Steps™ and Stokke Clikk™.
Each offering comfort and excellent ergonomics, Stokke® baby highchairs and seating solutions are designed to bring your baby into the heart of your family to connect and develop alongside you at the family table.
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