Etsy's Handmade Blog
Etsy Finds: Eco Toys for Tots, Naturally
Story by Iheartmoustaches
Published on March 24, 2009 in Spotlight 		Photo by

TactileBaby

Christine

Teach your children an important lesson about preserving the world around them with toys made from safe, natural materials. They will spark their imagination and help save our environment. Look for toys made from wool, natural woods, organic cotton, recycled sweaters and natural paints and finishes; toys made in the Waldorf tradition are a perfect example. Natural materials are safer for children who put toys in their mouths. Go the natural toy route and you also help decrease the amount of non-biodegradable plastic toys that end up in landfills every year. The items below are just a few examples of the many talented toy makers here on Etsy who have taken on an eco-friendly mission to look out for the well being of our planet, as well as your child's future.

 

Wooden Rainbow Stacker

By Imaginationkids, $13.

View Item | View Shop

 

Kitty no.112 gold herringbone with lavender and pink dots

By penguinandfish, $45.

View Item | View Shop

 

Kitty Egg Molded Crayons- Set of 6 Custom Colors

By kittybblove, $15.

View Item | View Shop

 

Bucket of Apples. Wooden

By naturalkidsandtoys, $8.95.

View Item | View Shop

 

Yellow Cedar Toy Wooden Tug Boat

By FriendlyFairies, $28.

View Item | View Shop

 

Rolling Sheep the Natural Collection Oak

By TactileBaby, $12.

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Waldorf Wool Felt Crown - green leaves and vines

By littleredcaboose, $34.

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Carries Kitchenette with Pull out shelf

By imaginethatwoodshop, $145.

View Item | View Shop

 

Handmade wool felt Backgammon (roll it up and take it everywhere)

By isiki, $35.

View Item | View Shop

 

natural Tree Blocks

By ZooLooNaturals, $25.

View Item | View Shop

If you have any questions about what age a toy is intended for, feel free to contact the seller. They can tell you more about how they make their toys too.

Looking for more Etsy Finds? Try these links:

Baby Gift Guide | Handmade Kids Series

Environmentally Friendly Gift Guide | Children's Gift Guide

Need a daily fix of Etsy Finds? Sign up for the Etsy Finds e-mail! Conveniently delivered to your inbox!

Tags babies, baby, Children, earth friendly, Earth Tones, eco-friendly, Etsy Finds, Handmade Kids, kids, natural, organic, playing, shopping, Spotlight, tots, Toys, Waldorf
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91 comments     Login to add your own!

March 24, 2009 at 10:21 a.m. uncharted

i love the wooden rainbow stacker

March 24, 2009 at 10:26 a.m. EpicBones

great post! this is so important. so many parents have no idea how bad their toys are. the more we spread the word, the better, they'll catch on :) i love the Wooden Rainbow Stacker!

March 24, 2009 at 10:28 a.m. breadandroses

They're all adorable! My natural fiber, eco friendly children's clothing is an extension of this concept & aesthetic. Let your child shine instead of the costume.

March 24, 2009 at 10:32 a.m. slinkymalinkicat

Great finds ..... there are some wonderful toys for children on Etsy.
Great article, thank you!

March 24, 2009 at 10:34 a.m. zombuki

Those kitty crayons are dar-ling!

March 24, 2009 at 10:35 a.m. bugbitesplayfood

Beautiful collection of natural toys! I cant decide which one I love best - guess I'll just have to love them all! Thanks for supporting handmade eco-friendly toys!!

March 24, 2009 at 10:38 a.m. fairiesnest

Search "NaturalKids team" for lots more eco-friendly toys and clothing!

March 24, 2009 at 10:40 a.m. raggyrat

wow what inspiring things ...

March 24, 2009 at 10:44 a.m. BabbidgePatch

love the tree blocks ~ all the pics are fabulous!

March 24, 2009 at 10:48 a.m. NaturallyHip

These toys are amazing!! Thanks for the great info :)

March 24, 2009 at 10:52 a.m. SudsNSuch

Adorable!

March 24, 2009 at 10:54 a.m. catsongstitchery

Being ecofriendly is so important. Thanks for drawing attention to it!

March 24, 2009 at 10:56 a.m. dogties

Wooden toys rock...
They remind me of my childhood.

March 24, 2009 at 11:02 a.m. 4TheSparrowsNest

I think more kids should play with toys that they need to make move themselves and expend a little more creativity with. So many toys nowadays just make a bunch of noise and are really and honestly--obnoxious. Natural toys are the way to go!!

March 24, 2009 at 11:04 a.m. MarcoLaGrenouille

great finds, love the kitties!

March 24, 2009 at 11:17 a.m. UglyBaby

What wonderful toys! I love the mixed green salad.

March 24, 2009 at 11:21 a.m. IcingOnTheCupcake

Those natural tree blocks look so fun! Great choices!

March 24, 2009 at 11:30 a.m. LaveMeSoapCo

i wanna play!

March 24, 2009 at 11:42 a.m. KnightTimeDesign

Yay TactileBaby! love that sheep!

March 24, 2009 at 11:45 a.m. peaceandmagic

I want to buy everything here! Wow...those crayons are too cute.

March 24, 2009 at 11:46 a.m. seaglassthings

Love TactileBaby - excellent products for children!!!

March 24, 2009 at 11:54 a.m. MomNMiaQuilts

This is great! thank you for featuring these handmade artisans!

March 24, 2009 at 11:55 a.m. CraftinaT

I want to play with all of those toys, great selection!!

March 24, 2009 at 12:11 p.m. Zooguu

Thanks for supporting handmade toys - there are some great finds on Etsy!

March 24, 2009 at 12:13 p.m. SewnNatural

wow! thanks so much for featuring OSANA, the upcycled octopus - she is is fantastic, natural company. Super feature!

March 24, 2009 at 12:18 p.m. woolies

I help to lead a team of shops that make items for kids made from natural fibers, etc
If anybody is interested in joining the Natural Kids Team - contact me! some of our members are featured here - thanks!

Great Article!

March 24, 2009 at 12:27 p.m. FaerieRebecca

Lovely feature with lots of terrific toys featured! Thanks for supporting handmade toys and goodies :)

March 24, 2009 at 12:30 p.m. LibbyRyan

Thanks, this was great. I have this same approach....
For anyone interested check out my illustrated A-Z Childrens Flashcards produced with post consumer recycled paper and they come in an organic cotton hand sewn pouch.

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?...

March 24, 2009 at 12:32 p.m. SnuggleHerd

thanks for the shout-out for natural toys! these are really great ones - love those natural tree blocks. what a beautifully simple idea!

March 24, 2009 at 12:37 p.m. freedomRainbow

mole music!!! i LOVE mole music! and those kitty crayons are incredible!

March 24, 2009 at 12:37 p.m. SewFragrant

I love the pogo shop! Her pictures are adorable! Did you see the sleepsack photos?! Cute!

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?...

March 24, 2009 at 12:38 p.m. pupa

yeah natural toys!

March 24, 2009 at 12:41 p.m. viltalakim

There is a group who specialises in this: the naturalkidsteam!

March 24, 2009 at 12:43 p.m. pogoshop

Making something out of cast-out nothings is so much fun! I'm really proud to see little Craig included in this feature. Upcycling and creative play are both subjects dear to my heart. Thanks for a great article!

March 24, 2009 at 12:44 p.m. littlepancakes

If only I had a baby to buy these for!

March 24, 2009 at 12:53 p.m. TheCottageCheese

Wow, unique ideas and amazing craftsmanship in these cute toys! I want a set of the kitty crayons just to display!

March 24, 2009 at 12:58 p.m. auntboosbabies

ooh, we have toys from mamkopp(we love mamkopp:o), a crown from littleredcaboose, tree blocks(and other toys)from zooloonaturals, and tops from urban turn. there are so many wonderful natural toy shops here on etsy!

March 24, 2009 at 1:09 p.m. WoollyWonka

Hurray for safe, creative and beautiful toys! Lovely selection!

March 24, 2009 at 1:16 p.m. MyJunkyTrunk

So precious!!!

March 24, 2009 at 1:22 p.m. modtangle

wow! so wonderful....

March 24, 2009 at 1:27 p.m. sandali

Awesome article -- we should teach our children at a young age the importance of respecting mother nature & to be aware of our environment !! Great picks -- many happy days ;)

March 24, 2009 at 1:27 p.m. BlueTerracotta

Great article, it gives me lots of ideas for gifts!

March 24, 2009 at 1:28 p.m. twolefthands

They are all so sweet, great picks!

March 24, 2009 at 1:32 p.m. fantasybeader

I love these selections. :-)

March 24, 2009 at 1:47 p.m. dillydolly

I love the stuff from pogoshop! I don't have any children, but I never got over my toy fascination, lovely selections!

March 24, 2009 at 1:47 p.m. CutieDynamite

I love those bumble bees! So cute...

March 24, 2009 at 1:50 p.m. timesandchimes

LOVE the natural tree blocks! LOVE THEM!!!!!

March 24, 2009 at 2:36 p.m. KellesKitchen

Wonderful toys! When my brother and I were young I remember having all the latest toys - barbies were my thing, he created a whole lego village! But we also had a wooden doll house that had been in my family since the 60's and a set of colorful wooden blocks. Some our most creative playing (and most enjoyable) was with those blocks! I can't wait to have children of my own...I'm sure that they will have plenty of non-handmade toys but to give them these wonderful items that can be cherished and used for years to come will really be something special.

March 24, 2009 at 2:50 p.m. autumnsarrival

Awesome toys! Grow little imaginations, grow!!

March 24, 2009 at 2:57 p.m. patchylover

Those are all adorable! Great listing. I gave my daughter some beautiful waldorf doll house dollies for her birthday last year - now they just need a house! I'll have to look around on here for one to fit them (and my budget). I wish I was good at wood working or I'd make one myself.

March 24, 2009 at 2:58 p.m. raegunfabric

oh my gosh I want ALL of these

March 24, 2009 at 2:59 p.m. GreetingsthatGrow

Wow, my girls would love all of these! They have gotten very into learning about being more eco-friendly. I am very excited to see so many other Etsians doing the same!

March 24, 2009 at 3:06 p.m. ecogreenglobe

Very cool, Great selection of eco friendly products! KUDOS!

March 24, 2009 at 3:40 p.m. WingsDove

There is nothing finer than hand carved, hand stitched or hand felted toys. Wonderful selection, and very hard to choose a favorite (possibly the octopus).

March 24, 2009 at 4 p.m. MademoiselleG

The tweed cats, how cute they are ^^

March 24, 2009 at 4:32 p.m. stonesofhealing

These are incredible! These are the only kinds of toys my kids play with and the only kind I sell, too!

You can find amazing eco-friendly toys on Etsy!! Great picks! :)

March 24, 2009 at 4:40 p.m. mamakopp

OH this is lovely! Thank you for featuring Mr. Mole. He is a favorite :) YEAH for natural toys!

March 24, 2009 at 4:53 p.m. Imaginationkids

What a great article! Thanks for featuring my rainbow. All the other picks are fabulous. What an honor to be in such talented company.

We pride ourselves on making toys that are good for your child and good for the Earth!

March 24, 2009 at 5:04 p.m. lilacpopphotography

These are all so great!! Why buy boring toys from the store when you can get these and really feel good about buying them too?

March 24, 2009 at 5:56 p.m. art2theextreme

The kitty crayons are so cute! I make crayons as well! So cooL!

March 24, 2009 at 6:05 p.m. WhimsicalMom

What whimsical and lovely treasures:) There is so much talent here..way to go everyone:)

Wonderful article too:)

March 24, 2009 at 6:56 p.m. Miniopolis

Toys are great; however, Toys for Tots is a United States Marine Corps Reserve Trademark. They travel throughout America giving poor kids toys for Christmas every year in many poor neighborhoods. Marines have been collecting and distributing Toys for Tots for many decades. This site should not deal with companies who enfringe on other company or images especially when it involves our American Service men and women. Tell Eco to get another name! Thanks and regards. I'm in your files if you ned to email me. Regards.

March 24, 2009 at 7:13 p.m. oritdotandolls

Thanks so much!

March 24, 2009 at 7:15 p.m. dragonhouseofyuen

just a wonderful selection!

March 24, 2009 at 7:47 p.m. littleredcaboose

Thank you so much for including me and leading me to many other great finds!

March 24, 2009 at 9:13 p.m. PomLove

Wow, I pretty much want to buy everything in this collection!

March 24, 2009 at 11:21 p.m. littlealouette

thank you! It is an honor to be on this page with all of these awesome etsy artists! Natural toys rock! xoxo

March 24, 2009 at 11:22 p.m. littlealouette

thank you! It is an honor to be on this page with all of these awesome etsy artists! Natural toys rocl

March 25, 2009 at 12:52 a.m. merrydaledolls

Wonderful toys! You can find more shops selling such treasures in the Etsy NaturalKids Team.

March 25, 2009 at 1:48 a.m. SouthwestFlower

I want that FELT CROWN for myself. Thanks for the gathering of toys.

March 25, 2009 at 4:04 a.m. Iammie

Sooo Cuteeee!

March 25, 2009 at 10:11 a.m. PipocaHandmade

Thanks for this posting...it's too cute!

March 25, 2009 at 10:24 a.m. AshleyPahl

Thank you for posting this - it's just what I've been looking for!

March 25, 2009 at 1:50 p.m. prettydreamer

Thank you - what a thrill to be here!!

March 25, 2009 at 4:37 p.m. penguinandfish

eee. thanks for including my little plush Kitties. Great article, love your selections.

March 25, 2009 at 11:58 p.m. recycledwares

I love these toys, they speak to my inner child. I dont know, can adults still play with toys?

March 26, 2009 at 2:37 a.m. BossysFeltworks

Thanks for this post and for including our shop! What amazing company we are in. Etsy artists love kids and it shows!!!

March 26, 2009 at 5:45 a.m. tuviworld

Thank you for posting this - Love these "Green" toys -

March 26, 2009 at 10:15 a.m. jodieflowers

My son and I love Etsy toys!

March 27, 2009 at 10:42 a.m. aNixsCreation

Great article highlighting the importance of eco-friendly toys. Some of the toys remind me of my favourites when I was growing up - which strangly enough were all knitted by my Gran.

March 27, 2009 at 7:52 p.m. sillycondesigns

This is great! So much great talent on Etsy

March 27, 2009 at 11:02 p.m. Nushkie

Great article and wonderful finds! Thank you for highlighting so many of my fellow naturalkids team members!!

March 28, 2009 at 12:23 a.m. WoodClinic

Thank you so much for including the Sewing Machine...I'm thrilled to see this on your Blog. All of these toys let children be children and own their imagination...think of what they will create!

March 28, 2009 at 1:03 a.m. ZooLooNaturals

We have 5 homeschooled children, we know toys! Not only have they tested and loved our designs over the years (they are the real reason we got into making toys, all the holidays and gifts for them) they are a part of the business as they grow and we feature their creations in our shop as well.

We enjoy shopping with our fellow Etsy toy makers very much. Keep it up friends!

Blessings~

April 1, 2009 at 5:57 p.m. jacksroos21

LOVE ETSY!!!!!SO GLAD I FOUND THIS SITE.I WANT EVERYTHING...

April 1, 2009 at 6:47 p.m. WeeWoodNaturalToys

What a wonderful world that we can have places like Etsy to find safe toys and such for our children!

April 5, 2009 at 9:29 p.m. thefairyring

Love the stacker! Great article

April 18, 2009 at 4:42 p.m. mamma4earth

Natural toy are awesome, yeah!

April 18, 2009 at 4:42 p.m. mamma4earth

Natural toys are awesome, yeah!

April 24, 2009 at 11:55 p.m. TIPS4TOTS

What a great selection! I love them all and love the options avaiable to us, Thanks to Etsy and All of these Crafty People who care about our Environment. A great way to teach our children at a young age!!!!

God Bless,
Cathy/tips4tots

June 30, 2009 at 9:41 a.m. PawPawsWorkshop

These are so cute

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