THE toy industry has a lot to answer for when it comes to creating waste from plastic toys, which end up in landfill and are made using fossil fuels.
The best eco-friendly children's toys are kinder to the planet, made from recycled materials, wood or organic cloth. They're still just as much fun to play with, though.
You don't have to seek out eco-brands for the best environmentally friendly toys for kids, although look out for Scandi companies like Liewood, Fabelab and Dantoy, as well as Green Toys and Green Creativity.
These brands all share the mission of encouraging creativity in kids – but not at the expense of the planet.
Buying eco toys for children can be as simple as choosing wood toys, which will decompose naturally, instead of plastic.
We'd also recommend selecting toys that will grow with the kids, like train sets, toy kitchens or doll's houses, instead of one-off items the kids will play with and forget about quickly.
Eco-toys aren't just better for the planet – they're better for your kids' welfare, and yours. Trust us, you'll feel a lot happier if your child is sucking on something that isn't toxic.
1. Dantoy
- (AD) Dantoy Bio Stacking Cups, £24.95 at Amazon – buy here
Danish brand Dantoy makes a range of stylish and well-liked eco-friendly children's toys out of sugarcane, designed to last for years and which are 100 per cent recyclable.
Choose from a variety of toys, like toy trucks and cooking sets; we'd also recommend the set of stacking cups, which have myriad uses for little ones, from bathtime fun to counting, building, sorting, filling with treasures and – of course – knocking them over.
Fans love that these toys are 'as sturdy as plastic' – but without any of plastic's negatives.
2. Green Toys
- (AD) Green Toys Seaplane, Green, £17.49 at Amazon – buy here
With thousands of positive reviews, Green Toys' Sea Plane is an eco-winner – on air, on land, or in the water.
This sturdy design features a spinning propeller and chunky pontoons, and is made from BPA-free, non-toxic, recycled plastic.
'These toys are amazing. They are all very sturdy, safe and easy to clean', writes a reviewer.
3. Fabelab
- Organic Cotton Bunny Pocket Friend, £15.95 at Liberty – buy here
This GOTS-certified organic cotton soft toy is ethically constructed and filled with corn fibre.
Since it's designed to fit in small pockets, it's the perfect pal to accompany your little one on all of their daily adventures.
You can also find Fabelab soft toys in organic cotton for little ones to snuggle in their beds.
4. Wobbel
- Originale Balance Board Natural, £94 at Smallable – buy here
For an eco-toy that keeps your active kid occupied, a Wobbel board is an investment that grows with your child.
Made from beech wood, natural wood and lacquer, the board transforms into a boat, a slide, a bridge, a seesaw, a balance board, a toy horse, a bed to lie on – whatever your child needs it to be.
Kids can also use the Wobbel board as a shelf, desk and ledge for toys or books, so it really is a versatile piece of kit that can work for toddlers or teens.
5. Lanka Kade
- Lanka Kade Wooden Dog Number Jigsaw, £12.99 at Ethical Superstore – buy here
A quality toy that introduces little ones to numbers and helps with their fine motor skills, this colourful dog jigsaw is handcrafted in Sri Lanka.
It's made from sustainable rubberwood, painted with eco-friendly paint and each purchase helps provide employment to Sri Lankan families, as well as supporting schools across the country.
6. The Den Kit Company
- The Original Den Kit, £40 at Not On The High Street – buy here
Arguably, the best eco toy is the one that gives your child the opportunity to reconnect with nature.
This den kit is filled with everything a child needs for an outdoor adventure: waterproof tarpaulin and a groundsheet, a wooden mallet, an enamel mug, camouflage face paint, tent pegs in a bag and a khaki haversack made from cotton with a shoulder strap to carry it all.
You'll also find instructions for how to build a basic den.
Customers note 'it's a great way to encourage outdoor play'.
7. Play For Future
- My First Ride recycled plastic car 58cm, £30 at Selfridges – buy here
With its bright colours and smart design, this ride-on car simply looks like a more stylish alternative to other plastic cars.
It does one better, though: made from 100 per cent recycled plastic, it's crafted in Italy and even features a squeaking horn. Beep, beep!
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