Sustainable & Eco-Friendly Toys Gift Guide

As buying habits change, there are higher numbers of us who want to be more sustainable in our everyday practices, including through gifting toys and games.

At BrightMinds, we are committed to promoting sustainability and environmental responsibility in our products and gift recommendations. This Christmas season, give the gift of joy while also doing your bit for the planet. 

Which types of toys are better for the environment?

Wooden toys make great educational gifts for children of all ages, and they are great eco-friendly toys too! Compared to their plastic counterparts, wooden toys are made using natural materials, helping to reduce landfill waste.

Due to the quality manufacturing process of wooden toys, they also tend to be handed down through various generations. Toys in general make excellent family heirlooms - choose carefully as future generations may be playing with your wooden train sets or doll houses in years to come!

Why we love wooden toys as an eco-friendly gift

Wooden toys make great gifts for several reasons. While being better for the planet, they also have many educational benefits too: 

• DURABILITY: Wooden toys are typically well-made and can withstand the wear and tear of playtime. They are less likely to break or wear out quickly compared to many plastic toys, making them a practical and long-lasting gift.
• SAFETY: Wooden toys are often made from natural materials and are free from harmful chemicals and toxins. This makes them a safer option, especially for toddlers who may put toys in their mouths.
• ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY: Wooden toys are typically made from renewable resources. Choosing wooden toys can be a more eco-friendly choice compared to plastic toys, which are often made from non-renewable resources and contribute to plastic waste.
• EDUCATIONAL VALUE: Many wooden toys are designed to be educational, promoting creativity, problem-solving, and fine motor skills development. They can encourage imaginative play and help children learn through hands-on experiences.
• IMAGINATIVE PLAY: Wooden toys, such as cars and garages, dolls and puzzles, encourage imaginative and open-ended play. They allow children to use their creativity to invent stories and scenarios, encouraging cognitive development.
• GENDER NEUTRAL: Wooden toys are often gender-neutral in design, which means they are suitable for both boys and girls. This makes them versatile gifts that can be enjoyed by children regardless of their gender.

Sustainable wooden toddler toys

Encourage motor skills and development from a young age with some of our favourite wooden baby & toddler toys:

Wooden rainbow tunnel

This adorable and colourful wooden rainbow toy stacks on top of each other to create a rainbow. The material is tactile and but chunky enough for small hands! Looks great displayed on a shelf or nightstand once assembled.

Wooden Noah’s Ark - FSC 100%

Painted in child-friendly paint, this beautifully coloured FSC Wooden Noah’s Ark encourages creative role play. An assortment of animals means they can let their imagination run wild. The wood for this product has also come from 100% FSC Certified materials, meaning it is made in the most ethical way possible.

Eco-friendly puzzle gifts

Wooden puzzles are great for children of a range of ages. Here are some of our top picks:

Melissa and Doug Geometric Stacker

The Geometric Stacker incorporates a classic circular stacker, an octagon stacker, and a more challenging puzzle stacker - giving a range of puzzles for children to get stuck into!

Happy Puzzle 30 Cubed

Perfect for older children looking for more of a challenge, this 30 cubed puzzle includes 18 junior puzzles extending to increasingly complex challenges. Pack 30 wooden cubes and a storage tray.

Wooden toy doll houses 

These gifts allow children to create their own story. Explore gifts and accessories below:

Melissa and Doug Wooden Hi-Rise Dollhouse

Complete with 3 play people and 14 pieces of furniture, the hi-rise doll house is beautifully designed with a natural wooden finish.

Dovetail Dolls House Pet Cats Set

What house is complete without a pet? These adorable wooden pet cats are an excellent addition to any dolls house.

Eco-friendly toy train sets

A classic favourite that stands the test of time. Toy train sets make the perfect gift for all occasions!

Bigjigs Figure of Eight Train Set

Let their creative play run wild with this figure-of-eight train set. Complete with high quality wooden track, a three arch bridge for the colourful engine and 2 carriages to chug over, village folk, signage, trees and a freestanding barn - this set has all they need!

Bigjigs Dinosaur Railway Set

If they’re feeling even more imaginative, the dinosaur train set is excellent for creative play! high quality wooden tracks, a dinosaur railway engine and 2 carriages, volcano tunnels, a group of wooden dinosaurs and more. Perfect for any dinosaur and train enthusiast.