Eco-Friendly Toys

There is no single definition, but three things usually matter. The first is the material: wood is a renewable resource and lasts longer than cheap plastic. The second is where the material comes from. Wood with an FSC certificate comes from a responsibly managed forest. FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) is an international forest certification system. The third is service life: a durable toy that can be passed on to the next child creates less waste than several cheap ones that break quickly.

Where a product in this collection uses FSC-certified wood, this is stated in the product name and description. Examples are the marble run with chimes and the 3-in-1 shape sorter with stacker and pull-along elephant.

• From 12 months. A 3-in-1 set: shape sorter, stacker and pull-along elephant in one box with a lid.
• From 18 months. A wooden marble run with chimes for learning cause and effect, and a fold-up farm in a suitcase with animal figures for storytelling.
• From 2 years. Wooden lacing toys: zoo animals, and vehicles with road signs. They train finger dexterity and concentration.

Find more ideas for a specific age in toys for 1–2 year olds and toys for 2–3 year olds.

Children hold toys, put them in their mouths and play with them every day, so parents rightly care about what they are made of. Wooden toys feel pleasant and are calm: they work without batteries, and the sound comes from the play itself. Simple toys also leave more room for imagination. A farm becomes a story, a marble run becomes an experiment, and a lacing toy becomes quiet finger work.

Many of these toys also fit the Montessori approach, where children work independently and learn with their hands. You will find a wider range in Montessori toys and wooden toys.

Woopie is a Polish toy brand, and Woopie Green is its line of wooden toys in soft pastel colours. The line focuses on the youngest children: sorters, marble runs, lacing toys and play sets. You will find every product from the brand on the Woopie page.

A long life is one of the main benefits of an eco-friendly toy, so care matters. Wipe toys with a damp cloth and let them dry at room temperature. Do not soak them, put them in the dishwasher or dry them on a radiator, as wood can swell or crack. Toys your child has outgrown can be passed on.