A List of Montessori Baby Toys (0-6m) That Are Eco-Friendly + Non Toxic
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When I was pregnant (so more emotional and dramatic than usual)
I had recurring nightmares of standing knee-deep in a sea of flashing plastic toys, unsure whether it was my real cat or an electronic one meowing.
My concerns were ignored when I emailed popular companies about the chemicals used in manufacturing. I soon realised that nobody knew or cared who was making their toys, as long as they were making a profit.
If you are entering the world of parenthood and want to know more about sustainable, non-toxic toys for your little one then this article is ideal for you.
READ NEXT: Where to buy sustainable wooden toys, 15 ethical kids pyjamas brands in the UK and US
My parenting style is a mixture of Montessori, attachment parenting and natural living and that is reflected in the toys I bring into my home.
I like to support ethical brands and small businesses with eco-friendly values over Amazon (I highly suggest you read more about the Amazon boycott if you aren’t aware).
This list focuses on toys and activities that can be introduced between birth and 6 months of age.
COMING UP
What is Montessori?
Why choose toys made from eco-friendly materials and not plastic?
Why is Montessori against plastic?
The benefit of a minimalist approach to toys
Affording sustainable toys
Montessori-inspired toys for the first six months
- Handmade mobiles
- High contrast imagery
- Wooden baby gyms
- Organic play mats
- First baby toys and teethers
- Non-toxic sensory toys
- Eco-friendly toys for 6 months
Psssst! For discounts at selected ethical toy shops, please visit my discount page.
1. What is Montessori?
I know some people get to this blog post because they are looking for eco-friendly baby toys, so I’m going to quickly explain what Montessori is.
Montessori is an educational philosophy and method of teaching that was developed by Dr. Maria Montessori, in the early 20th century. The Montessori approach is based on the belief that children are naturally curious, self-motivated learners who thrive in a supportive and stimulating environment.
The Montessori philosophy extends beyond the classroom into everyday life.
It encourages parents and caregivers to create an environment at home that supports a child's independence and learning.
2. Why choose toys made from Eco-friendly materials?
Last year, EU safety checks found that 20% of plastic toys failed safety checks for levels of restricted chemicals. Phthalates and BPA, which are additives used to soften plastic, were the worst culprits.
Your young baby will soon be exploring the world with their mouth. This is a good thing - it’s a sign your little one is curious about their surroundings. While they are busy experiencing new shapes and textures, their brains are rapidly developing, leaving them more vulnerable to certain toxins.
BPA and phthalates
Despite the overwhelming evidence that BPA and phthalates are harmful to the reproductive system, BPA is not a banned substance, and only certain phthalates are banned. In some countries, BPA has been banned in baby bottles, but companies have used similar toxic chemicals to replace them, such as BPS and BPF.
BPA and phthalates have a similar structure to the hormone oestrogen, which means they can affect many bodily functions surrounding the reproduction and endocrine system.
Phthalates, often found in PVC, PVA, PU, rubber and foam, are incredibly toxic so to find out they are still sneaking their way into children’s toys is shocking.
Over the last few years, the EU has been reducing the amount of BPA and phthalates allowed in plastic toys as more evidence comes to light. However, there is still a problem when it comes to buying second-hand plastic toys because you don’t know if they were produced before or after regulations got stricter.
The most sustainable way to shop when you feel uncertain about buying second-hand is to choose toys that will be played with at different ages.
As a consumer, it’s worrying having no idea who you can trust. It’s why I made the decision to support small businesses and transparent companies that have a close relationship with their manufacturers.
Sources:
Phthalates & newborns, Phthalates & children's health, Phthalates & pregnancy, BPA & children's health, BPA & infertility
3. Why is Montessori against plastic toys?
Dr. Maria Montessori, the founder of the Montessori method of education, did not specifically advocate against plastic toys, but she did emphasize the importance of using natural materials in the learning environment.
Montessori education is grounded in the belief that children learn best through hands-on experiences and exploration of the real world so many parents choose to avoid synthetic materials, like plastic.
4. The benefits of a minimalist approach to toys
Montessori and minimalism have a lot in common, and it can be beneficial to apply both these methods to toys.
Babies really don’t need much. You are their entire world, and they will be as fascinated by light as they are by your face.
It can be so tempting to entertain your child, and while this is certainly ok to do, it is also beneficial to let them explore on and lead their own play.
Maria Montessori said a child has an “unconscious, absorbent mind;” their environment becomes part of who they are. A calm space that is free from clutter will allow your little one to thrive.
...Not to mention it means less tidying up for you (or at least for a while!).
It helps me to remember that babies don’t just lie there. While awake, they are seeing, feeling, listening and thinking. It can take a lot of patience at times, but letting them explore their environment on their own terms from a young age will teach you so much about them.
Children are so impulsive and unique; they will focus on what intrigues them and give you an insight into their personality if you let them.
5. Affording sustainable toys
Eco-friendly toys can be expensive compared to mass-produced plastic toys because petroleum (plastic) is cheap and workers are often on poverty wages. But not everyone can afford to buy loads of fancy wooden toys.
When you focus on buying less, it means you can (usually) buy better. At the same time, there is absolutely no shame in buying every single one of your child’s toys second-hand or even making it yourself.
Second-hand is always the most sustainable option.
It is so important to teach our children to be conscious of where their belongings come from. Just as your fruit doesn’t come from the supermarket, your toys have been on a journey that begins with the Earth’s natural resources. My son is older now and he loves that his toys come with a story.
So many toys are mass-produced in factories overseas where the minimum wage is unethically low. If you can afford to buy from a Fair Trade brand, a small business, or a work-at-home mum, you are improving the lives of artisans and real people, instead of handing your money over to billionaires. And if you can’t afford ethical toys, that’s ok too! We all have different circumstances.
While I wouldn’t buy preloved plastic baby toys for this age, I have bought many of my wooden toys second-hand (and some rubber!). Now that eco-friendly toys are more popular, the second-hand market is growing.
Buying preloved is a wonderful message to teach your children from a young age, don’t you think?
Tap to pin this to your parenting Pinterest board:
This list is simply a guide and is more for ideas than it is a shopping list. I created it when I discovered how hard it was to find natural, minimalist baby toys second-hand.
Disclaimer: All products you see photographed have been bought by me, but there are affiliate links to sustainable retailers and small businesses on this page. I am an advocate for the boycott against Amazon. If you’re not aware of what this corporation gets up to, make sure you check out my article about the lawsuits against Amazon.
6. A List of Montessori-inspired Toys for the first six months
When a baby is born they can’t see very far in front of them. For the first month can only see black, white and grey, and after that the primary colours.
It’s unlikely you’ll put your little one down much during the fourth trimester, but you can still create an environment to aid their development if you wish.
A mobile
A hanging mobile is perfect from birth as it can help your baby to focus during those tiny windows when they are awake. Once they are a little bigger, they can use it to practice tracking objects and eventually, they will reach out to swipe at it.
The list below includes the traditional Montessori mobiles for those who want to change their mobile as their baby grows. It also features ethically-made mobiles if your main goal is to buy sustainable products.
USA
Our Green House are a family-orientated business specialising in Fairtrade and Organic baby products. Haba has a selection of toys made in Germany with non-toxic materials.
UK
High contrast imagery and art
Did you know, in the first months of their life, a baby can only see about 8-10 inches in front of their face?
Fascinating isn’t it?
Bold, black and white images can stimulate the development of your baby’s optic nerves without being too overwhelming. High contrast pictures can build the muscles that are used to focus the eyes when set up for tummy time.
Although their vision is limited, you can still help boost their learning and focus by showing them flashcards or picture books (as a bookworm, I like to think it's never too early to include reading in your day).
Once they are a bit bigger, stimulating imagery is perfect for tummy time and decorating an inviting play space for your baby.
The Little Black And White Book Project (UK)
The Little Black And White Book Project is a small business that donates 25% of its profits to wildlife and conservation charities. Their beautifully designed products have been designed for newborns, but are interesting enough that toddlers will love learning about animals from around the world.
Products are printed using soy ink, so you can feel safe if your baby puts them in their mouth.
Adventure Town (USA)
Adventure Town has created its own high-contrast cards with black and white illustrations of woodland animals. The cards are light and durable with rounded corners for safety.
One side of the card has an animal in black with a white background and the other side has the critter in white with a black background.
My two-year-old would love these cards so they can be kept until children are older for naming animals.
Wee Gallery (UK)
I like to choose toys and activities that can be used for a long time, which is how I came across Wee Gallery.
Founders, Surya and Dave, created a high-contrast range of baby toys and decor that complement a baby’s development straight from birth but also have an educational element once they’re older.
They use GOTS-certified cotton from India, and FSC paper, and for the odd product that has some polyester fill so it can be washed, they have tested it for harmful chemicals through Oeko-Tex.
They sell art cards, black and white board books, cloth activity mats that can be hung or laid on the floor, wall hangings and a range of toys.
Where to buy:
YesBebe UK
Green Tulip UK
Walmart USA
Kidizen USA
Baby gym
Eco-friendly play gyms are made from wood with natural materials for the toys that hang.
As well as sensory stimulation, a play gym has a variety of benefits. They help your baby learn about cause and effect and strengthen the muscles on their neck, arms, shoulders and back.
Make your own Gym
I was very lucky and managed to get a second-hand wooden play gym for my son. It had plastic toys attached which I took off and added my own ones (I kept the plastic ones in a drawer for when I donate it in the future). This worked really well as I was able to change the toys as my son grew.
You can do the same kind of thing by buying a wooden baby gym and accessories.
Where to buy in the UK:
HABA
FINN AND EMMA
LITTLE GREEN SHEEP
Where to buy in the USA:
Playmat
Okay so an eco-friendly play mat is technically not a toy, but it is an essential item for babies that aren’t mobile.
You’ll probably spend most of your time cuddling and carrying your new baby, but a play mat can be used from birth to encourage freedom of movement, tummy time, and pop under the baby gym.
There is no need to buy a fancy one. You can use a second-hand one, or make your own using thick blankets or a small duvet. I was very lucky to get hold of my Wee Gallery one second-hand on eBay, a rare find!
If you’d like to buy a natural, ethical play mat for your baby’s play area then here are some handmade, non-toxic options from small businesses:
UK
Little Green Sheep - quilted cotton
Lorena Canals - organic cotton nature play mat in colours
Little Ella James - white organic cotton play mat
US:
Finn and Emma (boho style) - Organic cotton, macrame + some polyester that’s Oeko-Tex certified
ToddleKind leaf mat- 100% organic cotton
Check Kidizen
A lightweight grasping toy/teether
It all gets very exciting once your little one is able to grasp toys. My son was small and slow with his milestones at this age, so I found it beneficial to get light toys for him to grasp.
Eco-friendly first grasping toys/teethers made from natural materials:
USA
UK
Sensory toys
Research shows that sensory play has an essential role in brain development. It helps builds connections in the brain and encourages the development of motor skills. It can also be very calming for children.
There are plenty of sensory play ideas you can do at home, Pinterest is your best friend for that, but here are some ethically-made, natural options in case you’d like some:
Non-toxic sensory toys for babies:
UK:
USA:
Grasping bead + tumble toys 6m
For the first couple of months, grasping is a reflex. After that it becomes intentional and by providing suitable materials to encourage grasping and manipulating, you can help your baby create connections in their brain.
The toys listed here are a little heavier than the previous grasping rings, so they will help build strength too. They are all made from non-toxic materials so you can feel safe when your baby no doubt pops one in their mouth.
Eco-friendly grasping toys for 6-month-old babies:
USA
UK:
Did you find anything you liked today? Let me know in the comments below. Don’t forget to check out my discount code page for offers at some of the ethical toy websites I’ve included today.
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Have a great day - Sophie
