Natural Toys (a few safe reputable brands)
Natural toy shops are to be found in many towns, and focus on dolls, games and toys made from natural materials. Basically, you don’t have to press buttons to make toys ‘do things’, instead encourage creative play without batteries (choking hazards).
Only buy brands that carry safety kitemarks, have nontoxic paints and are sustainably made. Choose the correct age range (to avoid small parts) and supervise at all times.
Threadbear Toys (beautifully crafted wooden toys)
Threadbear Toys offers beautifully crafted wooden toys, to inspire imaginative play. Everything is FSC-certified and conforms to UK safety standards. Trees are planted for each item sold, over 80,000 so far.
The site is a compendium of three brands, between them offering contemporary natural toys in nature-inspired colours. United by their warm friendly styles and love of good design.
Mentari Toys (for good imagination)
- A wooden tea set including a dotty tray, teapot, saucers, cups and spoons, sugar pot, jug and two wooden biscuits!
- An allotment crate made from rubber wood and plywood, containing non-toxic aubergine, carrot, mushroom, turnip and leek.
- A first aid kit with a toy doctor’s bag containing a stethoscope, thermometer, ear probe, scissors, and syringe.
Clover Dolls House with opening windows and decorated shutters, illustrated inside walls and extra space in the attic which can be accessed through the removable roof.
Tender Leaf (made from reclaimed rubber wood)
- A market stand for little greengrocers!
- A fridge-freezer with a dispenser that drops ice cubes, with the press of a button.
- A home kitchen with 3 cooking utensils and a hob
Threadbear soft toys and rag books
Mostly made from organic cotton (inside and out).
Lanka Kade (educational wooden toys)
Lanka Kade offers educational wooden toys, to inspire children to learn through play. With natural finishes, the range is designed in-house in Leicestershire and made by skilled artisans in Sri Lanka, who are treated and paid fairly.
From mini-beast board games to a Scottish animal collection (including a push-along Highland cow!), there is lots to love. All comply with the 2011 EU Toy Safety Directory and meet/exceed the EN71 European Toy Safety Standard.
