Eco-friendly educational toys by age: materials, labels and safety

Safety comes first

• Follow the age label on the package. Age grading is the maker's guidance on safety and on what a child is likely to enjoy at that age, and a younger child should not use a toy meant for older children.
• Children under three can choke on small parts. A toy for this age should not have small pieces that can come loose, and you should check toys regularly for wear and breakage.
• Magnets: small, strong magnets are dangerous if swallowed, because more than one can pull together inside the body. Keep them away from young children.
• Button batteries: small coin or button batteries can cause serious injury if swallowed. Check that battery compartments are secured, and store spare batteries out of reach.
• Standards: in the United States, toys for children are covered by safety rules, including a standard called ASTM F963, which the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) regards as the toy safety standard. Children's products also have testing and labeling requirements. A mention of the standard on a package is a maker's statement. We do not say that any specific toy meets it.
• Recalls: check the CPSC's website for recalls, especially for second-hand toys.
• If a child swallows a small part, a magnet or a button battery, get emergency medical help right away.

Choosing by age

These are general ideas that families commonly use at each age. We do not claim that any toy changes how a child develops. Check the age label on each one.

• Babies up to about a year: soft cloth books, rattles and teethers made for babies, play mats and large, light toys that are easy to hold. Avoid anything small enough to fit in the mouth.
• One to two years: stacking and nesting toys, large wooden blocks, shape sorters, push and pull toys, and simple musical toys. Check for small parts and loose pieces.
• Three to five years: puzzles, building sets, pretend-play sets, and art supplies. Small pieces may be allowed from this age, but check the label, and watch younger siblings.

Reading material claims

• FSC wood: FSC stands for Forest Stewardship Council. Its labels describe how the wood was sourced. We describe it in general terms and do not say that any specific toy carries a label.
• Water-based paint and finishes: a description of the paint type. Check that the maker states the finish is made for children's toys.
• Non-toxic: not a defined term on its own. Take it as a hint and look for safety information from the maker.
• Recycled plastic: describes where the material came from. The same safety rules apply. Check the label for what share is recycled.
• Organic cotton: usually describes how the cotton was grown. Third-party textile standards, such as the Global Organic Textile Standard, exist, and we do not say that any specific product has one.
• Montessori: the name has no single legal definition for toys. Montessori-style or Montessori-inspired is a marketing description, so check what the maker means.
• Eco-friendly: a general word. The FTC's Green Guides discourage broad, unqualified claims, so look for specific ones.

Our angle: price by how long a toy stays in use

A simple wooden toy often costs more than a plastic one, so compare cost per year of use rather than the sticker price. Choose toys that stay useful across two age bands, such as blocks that work for stacking at one and building at four, and that can be passed on to a sibling or a friend. Divide the price by the number of years you expect it to be used, and by the number of children if you plan to hand it down. Sets and singles differ in value too. A set of many pieces can lower the price per piece but add pieces your child will not use, and some sets have small parts that need to wait until the child is older. Compare what is in the box, not only the count.

1. Estimate how many years the toy will stay in use.
2. Divide the price by the years, and by the number of children who will use it.
3. Compare a set with the singles you would actually buy.

When to buy

• Prices on toys often fall during the holiday sales, and sets sell out before Christmas, so buy early for popular items. See our Christmas gift guide for timing.
• Second-hand toys can be a good value. Check them for wear and recalls first, and wash them as the care label directs.
• Check the return policy, and keep the age label and the box information.