Category: Blog

A Guide to Safer Toys for Babies & Children

As parents and gift-givers, we naturally want to feel confident about the toys children touch, hold and — particularly as babies — inevitably put in their mouths.

At Bambino Eco Toys, we’ve been choosing natural, thoughtfully made toys for children since 2009. We look for trusted toy makers, carefully considered materials and products that meet recognised toy safety standards.

But what does “non-toxic” actually mean when it comes to toys?

In this guide, we look at what to consider when choosing safer toys for babies and children, the materials and finishes worth looking for, and some of our favourite trusted toy brands.

A Brand You Can Trust

We favour established toy makers that are transparent about their materials, manufacturing and approach to children’s safety.

Some of Our Favourite Non-Toxic & Natural Toy Brands

Over the years we’ve discovered some exceptional toy makers from Australia and around the world. 

Wooden Toys:

Grimm’s is loved for beautifully tactile wooden building and stacking toys, using non-toxic water-based colour stains that allow the natural character of the wood to remain visible.

Ostheimer creates distinctive wooden animals and figures in Germany, shaped and finished by hand using carefully selected materials and finishes.

Grapat creates wonderfully open-ended wooden loose parts and small-world toys, with simple forms designed to leave plenty of room for children’s imaginations.

Wooden Story, made in the Beskidy Mountains of Poland, creates tactile wooden toys using FSC®-certified wood, natural eco-certified colours, beeswax and botanical oils.

Goki creates classic wooden toys designed for lasting play, with a focus on quality materials, thoughtful design and traditional play value.

Natural Rubber Toys:

Tikiri creates charming baby toys, teethers and bath toys made from natural rubber, with designs hand-painted using non-toxic paints. Their soft, tactile toys are especially suited to little hands and sensory play.

Oli & Carol creates colourful baby toys, teethers and bath toys made from natural rubber and hand-painted with natural pigments.

Soft Toys:

Senger Naturwelt is known for beautifully made soft toys using carefully chosen natural and organic materials.

Nanchen Natur creates traditional Waldorf-inspired dolls in Germany using natural and organic materials, with many pieces individually hand-finished.

Apple Park Organics creates soft toys and baby gifts with a focus on organic and thoughtfully selected materials, including organic cotton.

Maud n Lil is an Australian brand known for beautifully soft baby comforters, toys and gifts made using certified organic cotton and carefully selected materials.

Himalayan Journey Co. creates beautiful handmade wool felt toys and play pieces using natural Aus /NZ wool. Crafted by skilled artisans in Nepal using traditional felting techniques, their colourful small-world toys, animals, play mats and fairies bring together natural materials, imaginative play and artisan craftsmanship.

We also seek out smaller makers and Australian brands whose approach to materials, craftsmanship and children’s play fits naturally within the Bambino collection.

What Makes a Toy Non-Toxic?

“Non-toxic” is a broad term rather than a single toy certification.

When choosing toys, we look beyond the label and consider what the toy is made from, how it is coloured or finished, who makes it, and whether appropriate toy safety requirements have been met.

Depending on the type of toy, this may mean choosing materials such as:

• Natural or sustainably sourced wood
• Organic cotton
• Wool and natural fibres
• Natural rubber
• Plant-based fibres like PLA
• Water-based, non-toxic paints and stains
• Plant-based oils and natural wax finishes

For babies in particular, we also consider whether a toy is appropriate for mouthing and whether its construction and components are suitable for the recommended age.

Why Materials Matter

Babies and young children explore through their senses. They grasp, squeeze, chew, bang, stack and carry their toys everywhere.

For families wishing to reduce unnecessary exposure to certain plastics and chemical additives, choosing toys made from simpler, carefully selected materials can provide reassurance.

Some substances commonly discussed in relation to children’s products include BPA, certain phthalates, lead and other heavy metals. Toy safety regulations restrict many hazardous substances, which is why purchasing appropriately tested toys from reputable manufacturers and retailers is important.

A wooden or organic toy isn’t automatically a safe toy simply because it is described as “natural” — good design, age suitability, construction and proper safety testing matter too.

Be Careful with Very Cheap Toys and Copies

Price alone doesn’t determine whether a toy is safe. However, we recommend being cautious about unbranded toys, copies and products from sellers where the manufacturer, materials or safety information cannot be clearly identified.

A toy that looks very similar to one made by an established toy company may not necessarily have been manufactured from the same materials, using the same finishes, or subjected to the same testing.

When shopping for babies and young children, knowing who made the toy and where it came from matters.

What to Look for When Choosing Safe Baby Toys

Natural & Carefully Chosen Materials

Look for clearly identified materials rather than vague descriptions. Wood, organic cotton, wool and natural rubber are among our favourites, but what matters most is understanding what a toy actually contains.

Non-Toxic Paints, Dyes & Finishes

For painted and finished wooden toys, look for manufacturers that clearly disclose the paints, stains, oils and waxes they use.

This is especially important for toys intended for babies and toddlers who may put them in their mouths.

Recognised Toy Safety Standards

Look for reputable manufacturers whose toys comply with applicable safety standards, such as Australian toy safety requirements and EN71 standards in Europe.

A More Considered Way to Play

At Bambino Eco Toys, we’ve been selecting toys for babies and children since 2009, with a particular love for natural materials, thoughtful design, beautiful craftsmanship and open-ended play.

We don’t believe children need endless toys. We believe in choosing fewer, better toys — pieces that feel good in little hands, encourage imagination and can be played with again and again.

Whether you’re choosing a first baby toy, a special birthday present or beginning a collection of beautiful wooden toys, our aim is to make it easier to find toys you can choose with confidence.

Choosing great toys for 1 Year Olds

Natural Wooden Toys & Thoughtful First Birthday Gifts

Choosing the best toys for a 1 year old involves more than keeping little hands and minds busy. Choosing the right toys is about supporting their rapid growth and encouraging their natural curiosity and daily discoveries.

At Bambino Eco Toys, we specialise in natural wooden toys and eco-friendly baby toys for 1 year olds, thoughtfully selected to encourage early development through safe, sensory-rich play.

Our collection focuses on simple, beautifully made and naturally safe toys. They invite exploration. These toys help to build coordination, confidence, and creativity without overwhelming children.

🌿 What to Look for in Toys for 1 Year Olds
At this age, little ones are learning to:

• grasp, stack and release
• explore cause and effect
• move with more confidence (crawling, standing, and towards early walking)
• engage with textures, shapes and sounds

The best toys are:

• simple and open-ended
• made from safe, non-toxic materials
• designed to support fine motor and sensory development

Our Favourite Toy Types for 1 Year Olds

1 Year Old

Natural Rubber Toys

Natural Dolls & Soft Toys

First Wooden Toys

🪵 Wooden, Wool, Rubber and Cotton Grasping & Sensory Toys

Perfect for little hands learning control and coordination.

Think:

• Natural rubber or wool felt balls – (for under 3yo, choose balls from 5cm+)
• Rubber bath toys and wooden graspers (many work first as as teether, rattles -then become toys for exploring water play inside and outdoors)
• push toys and rolling objects (like toys with wheels – push or pull along)
• Items with multiple textures, mixture of materials (activity cubes, books and more)
• and simple vehicles and moving toys

These toys support fine motor development while encouraging movement and curiosity.

👉 Explore our wooden toys for 1 year olds

🌈 Stacking, Nesting & Sorting Toys

A classic for a reason.

Stacking and Nesting toys help develop:

• Stacking = things that can be placed on top of each other – such wooden or soft blocks or stacking wooden ainmals, or other shapes
  Nesting = items that can be put inside each other – such as stacking cups or bowls – often stacking if upside down and nesting upside
  Sorting = this could be matching my shape, size, colour or any other idea you or your child has for grouping things together. – Shape and colours sorters, shape and colour sorting puzzles, – any group of colourful items that can be grouped together on a colour mat
  All these fun games and exploration assists with your child’s:
• hand–eye coordination
• problem-solving
• Builds confidence as achievement builds
• spatial awareness
• learns their own impact on things (part of cause and effect – but using their own control)

From wooden stacking rings to nesting sets and sorting shapes, these toys grow with your child. 
They offer long-lasting play value.
Great examples are shape sorters (boxes or puzzles), chunky puzzles with pieces that can also be played with as toys, Stackers.
Blocks with a variety of sizes and shapes – especially with sensory components like debossing, kaleidoscopes or noise making.

🎵 Sensory & Sound Toys

At this stage, babies are fascinated by sound and cause-and-effect play.

Gentle rattles, bells and musical toys:

• stimulate the senses
• encourage exploration
• introduce rhythm and repetition

We focus on soft, calming sounds — avoiding overstimulation.
Such as our wooden shaker eggs and maracas, handbells and xylophones.

🛁 Natural Rubber Bath & Teething Toys

1 year olds are still teething, making safe, chewable toys essential.

Our natural rubber toys are:

• soft and pliable
• easy to grip
• free from PVC, BPA and synthetic materials

They’re equally loved in the bath or during everyday play.

🧸 Soft Toys & Comforters (Organic & Wool)

Comfort and connection are an important part of your child’s development.

Our soft toys and comforters:

• provide reassurance and familiarity
• support emotional development
• are made from organic cotton and/or natural wool

Beautiful, calming companions for everyday moments.

🎁 First Birthday Gift Ideas

If you’re choosing a gift, look for something that is:

• beautifully and safely made 
• practical enough to be used daily
• made to last beyond the first year

Natural wooden toys and eco-friendly baby gifts are loving and meaningful gifts — to be enjoyed now and treasured over time.

🌿 Why Choose Natural Toys?

We believe the materials children play with matter.

Many of our toys are made from:

• FSC-certified wood
• natural rubber
• organic cotton and wool

Finished with safe, non-toxic oils and paints, they offer a gentler, more sensory-rich play experience — supporting both your child and the environment.

🤍 A More Considered Way to Play

At Bambino Eco Toys, every piece is chosen with care.

We focus on toys that are:

• safe and natural
• developmentally appropriate
• beautifully simple

Because the best toys for 1 year olds aren’t the loudest or most complex — they’re the ones that invite curiosity, connection and calm, everyday play.

1 Year Old

Natural Rubber Toys

Natural Dolls & Soft Toys

Wood Stack, Nest, Sort

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Understanding Silicone Safety Grades for Baby Products

Food-Grade / FDA-Grade Silicone

Most silicone feeding products for babies are made from food-grade silicone, often referred to as FDA-grade silicone.

This means the silicone complies with food-contact safety standards set by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). High-quality food-grade silicone is generally considered one of the safer synthetic materials available for baby feeding products.

Good-quality food-grade silicone is typically:

• BPA and phthalate free
• non-toxic
• heat resistant
• flexible and durable
• dishwasher safe
• microwave safe
• resistant to cracking or breaking
• 
  Easy to Clean & Non-Porous: High-grade silicone toys are dishwasher-safe, can be boiled for sterilization, and will not harbor mold or bacteria.

Food-grade silicone became especially popular as an alternative to some conventional plastics because it is more stable under heat and less likely to become brittle over time.

This is now the standard most commonly used for baby bibs, suction bowls, cups, spoons, snack containers, and teethers.

LFGB Silicone — The European Gold Standard

You may also see some brands advertising LFGB-certified silicone.

LFGB is a German food safety standard used throughout parts of Europe and is often considered stricter than standard FDA food-grade testing. In many cases, LFGB testing involves more rigorous assessments for chemical migration, taste, odour, and overall material purity.

LFGB-certified silicone is typically tested for:

• chemical safety
• purity
• odour and taste transfer
• durability under heat and repeated use

Because of these tighter European standards, many parents seeking premium silicone products specifically look for LFGB-certified silicone.

Does a Higher Silicone Grade Mean “Natural”?

Not necessarily.

Even high-quality silicone remains a synthetic, manufactured material rather than a natural one like:

• wood
• organic cotton
• wool
• natural rubber

However, higher-grade silicones are generally preferred because they are more stable, more durable, and less likely to contain fillers or impurities.

A Balanced Perspective

For many families, high-quality silicone can be a practical and safe option — particularly for feeding and teething products where flexibility, softness, and durability are important.

At the same time, many parents still prefer natural materials wherever possible, especially for toys, comforters, and nursery items.

Materials such as wood, organic cotton, wool, and natural rubber continue to appeal to families seeking a more natural, low-tox, and environmentally mindful lifestyle.

Ultimately, the most important thing is choosing thoughtfully made products from trusted brands that meet recognised safety standards and align with your family’s own values and lifestyle.

As always, quality, transparency, and thoughtful design matter far more than trends alone.

Australian Toy Safety Standards

While it is illegal for baby toys to be sold in Australia if they do not comply with the mandatory toy safety standards, some smaller businesses or parents directly, import from sources that offer counterfeit brands or unbranded cheaper versions of branded quality items. If they are not from a known brand it is unknown if they comply with safety standards. 
To verify compliance, check the product packaging or the brand’s website: It is always safer to purchase from leading brands that go through very strict compliance checks to import into Australia.

Safety Checklists for Parents

The “Pinch Test”: A simple, non-scientific test parents use is to twist or pinch the silicone. If white marks appear, it often means the silicone is mixed with plastic fillers and is not pure 100% silicone.

As parents, we want the very best for our children—safe products, healthy materials, and toys that encourage meaningful play. With growing awareness around sustainability and reducing plastic waste, natural rubber toys have become increasingly popular with families looking for a safer and more eco-friendly alternative.

But what makes natural rubber toys so special? Let’s take a closer look.

Safe, Non-Toxic Play

Safety is often the first thing parents consider when choosing toys, especially for babies and toddlers who explore the world with their mouths.

Natural rubber toys are made from the sap of rubber trees and are free from many of the chemicals commonly found in plastic toys, such as BPA, PVC and phthalates. This makes them a wonderful choice for little ones who chew, mouth and cuddle their toys.

Natural rubber is also soft, flexible and gentle to hold, helping reduce the risk of bumps and injuries during play.

Encourages Open-Ended and Imaginative Play

Many natural rubber toys feature simple, beautiful designs that encourage children to use their imagination.

Whether it’s a rubber animal becoming part of a small world adventure, a bath toy transforming into a sea creature, or a teether doubling as a sensory toy, natural rubber toys leave room for creativity rather than doing all the playing for the child.

Open-ended play helps children develop storytelling skills, problem-solving abilities, confidence and creativity—all while having fun.

Better for the Planet

One of the biggest advantages of natural rubber is that it comes from a renewable resource. Rubber trees can be tapped for their sap for many years without needing to be cut down, making natural rubber a far more sustainable option than petroleum-based plastics.

Even better, natural rubber is biodegradable. At the end of its life, it can break down naturally rather than sitting in landfill for hundreds of years.

Choosing natural rubber toys is a small but meaningful way to reduce plastic consumption and support a healthier planet for future generations.

Durable Enough for Everyday Play

Children can be surprisingly tough on their toys! Fortunately, natural rubber is incredibly resilient and designed to withstand years of squeezing, chewing, dropping and imaginative adventures.

Unlike many plastic toys that crack or break, quality natural rubber toys are built to last. They can often be passed down between siblings or saved as keepsakes, making them a worthwhile investment for growing families.

Wonderful for Sensory Development

Natural rubber has a unique texture that children love. It feels warm, soft and slightly grippy in little hands, making it ideal for sensory exploration.

Many natural rubber toys include different textures, shapes and details that encourage touching, squeezing and exploring. These experiences help support fine motor development, hand-eye coordination and sensory awareness.

Perfect for Teething Babies

Natural rubber teethers have become a favourite among parents for good reason.

The soft yet durable material provides gentle resistance for sore gums, while textured surfaces help massage and soothe discomfort during the teething stage.

Because natural rubber is free from harsh chemicals, parents can feel confident when babies chew and explore these toys.

Supporting Ethical and Responsible Brands

Many natural rubber toy makers place a strong focus on ethical manufacturing, fair trade partnerships and environmentally responsible production.

By choosing natural rubber toys, you’re often supporting smaller companies that value craftsmanship, sustainability and quality over mass production.

This means your purchase not only benefits your child but also helps support responsible business practices around the world.

Why We Love Natural Rubber Toys

At Bambino Eco Toys, we’re passionate about offering toys made from natural, sustainable materials that are safe, beautiful and designed to last.

Natural rubber toys tick so many boxes—they’re gentle for babies, durable for toddlers, kind to the planet and wonderfully engaging for imaginative play.

From bath toys and teethers to sensory toys and animal figures, natural rubber toys offer children a simple, tactile and joyful way to explore the world around them.

A Timeless Choice for Childhood

In a world filled with flashing lights, batteries and plastic gadgets, natural rubber toys offer something refreshingly simple. They encourage children to slow down, engage their senses, use their imagination and connect with natural materials.

Safe, sustainable and made for meaningful play, natural rubber toys are a timeless choice for a healthier, happier childhood.

Shop our Natural Rubber Selection here

If you’ve been exploring toy recommendations lately, you’ve probably come across the term open-ended play. It’s becoming increasingly popular with parents, educators and child development experts—and for good reason.

Open-ended toys are toys that can be used in many different ways, rather than having one fixed purpose. Instead of telling a child how to play, they invite children to use their imagination, creativity and curiosity to decide for themselves.

For babies, toddlers and preschoolers under four, open-ended toys are especially valuable because young children learn through exploration. A simple wooden bowl might become a hat, a treasure container, a boat or a drum. A handful of wooden mandala pieces can be sorted by colour, counted, stacked, lined up into patterns or incorporated into imaginative small-world play.

Electronic toys often entertain children with their noises and movement – this is done already without the child’s imagination or involvement. Whereas, open-ended toys encourage active thinking, problem-solving and creativity. They grow with your child, offering new ways to play as their skills and interests develop.

At Bambino Eco Toys, many of our most-loved toys are open-ended play favourites, including:

🌿 Grapat Pieces – Beautiful loose parts perfect for sorting, counting, pattern making and imaginative play.

🌿 Grimm’s and Goki Rainbows and Building Blocks – Endless opportunities for building, balancing, creating landscapes and storytelling.

🌿 Felt Play Mats and Felt Animals, fairies – Ideal for creating small worlds, storytelling adventures and nature-inspired play.

🌿 Wooden Marbles and Billes & Co Collections – Wonderful for sensory exploration, marble runs, sorting activities and open-ended creativity. We have brought in Billes Marbles for the over 3yo for fun for years

🌿 Papoose Felt Balls and Loose Parts – Beautiful tactile resources for colour matching, counting, sensory play and imaginative games.

The beauty of open-ended toys is that there is no “right” way to play. They encourage children to experiment, create, discover and develop confidence in their own ideas. For children under four, these simple, natural toys often become the most treasured and longest-loved items in the playroom.

Sometimes the best toys do the least—and inspire children to do the most.