What materials are safest for baby and toddler toys?

The safest materials for baby and toddler toys are solid hardwood with non-toxic water-based or beeswax finishes, 100% natural rubber (for teethers and bath toys), organic cotton and wool for soft toys and stuffed animals, and food-grade silicone for teethers. These materials are non-reactive, don’t off-gas, and won’t leach chemicals when mouthed. For any plastic toys, look for explicitly BPA-free and phthalate-free labeling with material disclosure — “meets safety standards” alone is not enough.

What plastics should I avoid in children's toys?

PVC (polyvinyl chloride, recycling code #3) is the most concerning plastic in toys — it requires phthalates as softeners, which are hormone disruptors that leach out over time, especially when chewed. Polystyrene (#6) and polycarbonate (#7) plastics can also contain concerning additives. The relatively safer plastics are polypropylene (#5), high-density polyethylene (#2), and low-density polyethylene (#4) — these are more chemically stable and don’t require phthalate plasticizers. That said, no plastic is completely inert, and for babies who mouth toys constantly, natural materials are always preferable to any plastic.

Are Schleich animal figures non-toxic?

Schleich figures are made from a proprietary plastic blend and painted with non-toxic paints — they meet European EN71 and US ASTM F963 toy safety standards. However, Schleich does not fully disclose the plastic formulation used in their figures, and “meets safety standards” reflects regulatory minimums rather than a higher non-toxic standard. For children who primarily handle and play with figures rather than mouthing them, Schleich is generally considered a reasonable option. For babies and toddlers who mouth toys, natural rubber or wood alternatives are preferable. ⚠️ Please verify against our Non-Toxic Toys Guide for the most current assessment.

What are the safest teething toys for babies?

The safest teething toys are made from 100% natural rubber or food-grade silicone — both are non-toxic, flexible, and safe for mouthing. Natural rubber teethers (like those from Hevea or similar brands) are made from a single ingredient: natural latex from rubber trees. Avoid teethers with painted surfaces, any plastic you can’t confirm is phthalate-free, gel-filled teethers (the gel can leak), and any teether with small parts or that’s been recalled. Also avoid amber teething necklaces — the FDA and AAP have warned against them due to strangulation and choking risks, regardless of material.

Is Melissa and Doug non-toxic?

Melissa & Doug toys meet US toy safety standards and use non-toxic paints and finishes on their wooden toys. For a mass-market brand, they are a reasonable choice — better than most conventional toy brands. That said, they don’t provide full third-party testing transparency or detailed material disclosure beyond regulatory compliance. For older children who handle toys without mouthing them, Melissa & Doug is generally considered acceptable. For babies and toddlers who put everything in their mouths, we recommend toys with more explicit material disclosure and third-party testing. ⚠️ Please verify against our Non-Toxic Toys Guide for our current recommendation.

Are eco-friendly toys worth it?

Yes — for a few reasons beyond just safety. Eco-friendly toys made from solid wood, natural rubber, and organic textiles are almost always more durable than their plastic counterparts, which means they last longer and often get passed down rather than ending up in a landfill. They also tend to be simpler and more open-ended in design, which research suggests is better for creative play and cognitive development than highly stimulating electronic toys. The upfront cost is higher, but the cost-per-year-of-use often works out in favor of quality natural toys. For babies and toddlers especially, a small collection of well-made non-toxic toys is better than a large collection of cheap plastic ones.

Baby & Toddler Toys

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Toy Guide 📖

Most conventional toys are made with PVC plastic, phthalates, BPA, toxic paints, and synthetic materials that young children mouth, chew, and handle constantly. Everything here is chosen for safe, non-toxic materials — because the toys your kids play with most shouldn’t be the things you worry about most.

How to Choose Safe Non-Toxic Toys for Babies and Toddlers

1. Why Toy Safety Matters More for Young Children

Babies and toddlers put everything in their mouths — which means toxic materials in toys have a direct route into their bodies. Young children also have developing immune and endocrine systems that are more vulnerable to chemical disruption than adults. The chemicals of greatest concern in toys are phthalates (plasticizers in PVC that disrupt hormones), lead (still found in some paints and imported toys), bisphenols like BPA (found in hard plastics), and formaldehyde (in some wood finishes and glues).

2. Best and Worst Materials for Baby and Toddler Toys

Best: solid hardwood with non-toxic water-based or beeswax finishes, natural rubber (look for 100% natural latex), organic cotton and wool for stuffed toys and soft toys, and food-grade silicone for teethers. Avoid: PVC plastic (often labeled as vinyl), unknown plastics with no material disclosure, toys with strong chemical smells, bright synthetic paints on items babies will chew, and any toy without country-of-origin and material disclosure.

3. Are Melissa & Doug Toys Non-Toxic?

Melissa & Doug is one of the most searched toy brands for safety. Their wooden toys are generally made with non-toxic paints and finishes and meet US safety standards. However, “meets safety standards” is a low bar — US toy safety regulations allow levels of phthalates and heavy metals that many parents and experts consider too high for young children. For the most sensitive age groups (0–3 years), we recommend toys where materials are explicitly disclosed and third-party tested. ⚠️ Please verify against our Toys Guide for specific brand guidance.

Read our full Safe Non-Toxic Toys Guide for brand-by-brand breakdowns and age-specific recommendations.

How We Vet

We avoid PVC (vinyl) plastic, phthalates, BPA and other bisphenols, lead and heavy metal paints, formaldehyde-based finishes, and synthetic chemical flame retardants. We look for solid wood with non-toxic finishes, natural rubber, organic cotton and wool, and plastics that are at minimum BPA and phthalate-free. We also consider age-appropriateness and whether toys are made to last rather than break quickly.

Baby & Toddler Toys FAQs

The safest materials for baby and toddler toys are solid hardwood with non-toxic water-based or beeswax finishes, 100% natural rubber (for teethers and bath toys), organic cotton and wool for soft toys and stuffed animals, and food-grade silicone for teethers. These materials are non-reactive, don’t off-gas, and won’t leach chemicals when mouthed. For any plastic toys, look for explicitly BPA-free and phthalate-free labeling with material disclosure — “meets safety standards” alone is not enough.
PVC (polyvinyl chloride, recycling code #3) is the most concerning plastic in toys — it requires phthalates as softeners, which are hormone disruptors that leach out over time, especially when chewed. Polystyrene (#6) and polycarbonate (#7) plastics can also contain concerning additives. The relatively safer plastics are polypropylene (#5), high-density polyethylene (#2), and low-density polyethylene (#4) — these are more chemically stable and don’t require phthalate plasticizers. That said, no plastic is completely inert, and for babies who mouth toys constantly, natural materials are always preferable to any plastic.
Schleich figures are made from a proprietary plastic blend and painted with non-toxic paints — they meet European EN71 and US ASTM F963 toy safety standards. However, Schleich does not fully disclose the plastic formulation used in their figures, and “meets safety standards” reflects regulatory minimums rather than a higher non-toxic standard. For children who primarily handle and play with figures rather than mouthing them, Schleich is generally considered a reasonable option. For babies and toddlers who mouth toys, natural rubber or wood alternatives are preferable. ⚠️ Please verify against our Non-Toxic Toys Guide for the most current assessment.
The safest teething toys are made from 100% natural rubber or food-grade silicone — both are non-toxic, flexible, and safe for mouthing. Natural rubber teethers (like those from Hevea or similar brands) are made from a single ingredient: natural latex from rubber trees. Avoid teethers with painted surfaces, any plastic you can’t confirm is phthalate-free, gel-filled teethers (the gel can leak), and any teether with small parts or that’s been recalled. Also avoid amber teething necklaces — the FDA and AAP have warned against them due to strangulation and choking risks, regardless of material.
Melissa & Doug toys meet US toy safety standards and use non-toxic paints and finishes on their wooden toys. For a mass-market brand, they are a reasonable choice — better than most conventional toy brands. That said, they don’t provide full third-party testing transparency or detailed material disclosure beyond regulatory compliance. For older children who handle toys without mouthing them, Melissa & Doug is generally considered acceptable. For babies and toddlers who put everything in their mouths, we recommend toys with more explicit material disclosure and third-party testing. ⚠️ Please verify against our Non-Toxic Toys Guide for our current recommendation.
Yes — for a few reasons beyond just safety. Eco-friendly toys made from solid wood, natural rubber, and organic textiles are almost always more durable than their plastic counterparts, which means they last longer and often get passed down rather than ending up in a landfill. They also tend to be simpler and more open-ended in design, which research suggests is better for creative play and cognitive development than highly stimulating electronic toys. The upfront cost is higher, but the cost-per-year-of-use often works out in favor of quality natural toys. For babies and toddlers especially, a small collection of well-made non-toxic toys is better than a large collection of cheap plastic ones.

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Baby & Toddler Toys