Which toys for babies and kids have no plastic in the body, the paint, the stuffing or the stitching?
This category is being vetted. Nothing here is a recommendation yet.
Side by side
Every kids' toy we checked, and what kept each one off the list. The full evidence for each is one click away.
| Rank | Photo | Materials | Packaging | Price seen | The catch |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Checked, not listed | |||||
| Bannor Toys Classic Baby Rattle Cannot tell | |||||
| natural maple hardwood, unstained, organic beeswax and flaxseed oil | Not verified yet | Not linked | A major part is unverified | ||
Where plastic hides in kids' toys
Most toys are molded ABS, PVC or silicone, and even many "wooden" ones hide plastic in the wheels, the puzzle backing, the box window or the glossy print. Plastic-free versions exist: solid wood, natural rubber, wool, cotton and tin. The catch is in the details. Plush is usually stuffed with polyester fill and sewn with polyester thread, wood gets sealed with a polyurethane lacquer, and plywood is glued with synthetic resin. Teethers sold as natural rubber are sometimes blended with silicone.
What to check before you buy
- Body: solid wood, natural rubber, wool, cotton or metal, and is any ABS, PVC or silicone mixed in?
- Finish: raw, oiled or waxed, or a water-based paint or lacquer that may be acrylic?
- Fill and thread: wool, cotton or kapok, or polyester fill and stitching?
- Moving parts: wooden or metal wheels and axles, or plastic ones?
- Packaging and extras: any plastic window, film or sealed electronic module?
Checked and not listed
- Bannor Toys Classic Baby Rattle
Cannot tellA solid maple rattle with a beeswax and flaxseed oil finish and no paint, silicone or plastic named anywhere on its page. That is most of the way there, but we can't list it yet. The page never says what makes the rattle sound, and the maker says only that its glue is "non-toxic", which doesn't tell you whether it's a wood glue or PVA.