🌿 Bambino Eco Toys – FAQ
🧸 Products & Materials
Are your toys safe for babies?
Safety is always a priority when we choose products for Bambino Eco Toys.
We carefully select toys made predominantly from materials such as wood, organic cotton, wool and natural rubber, with non-toxic finishes where applicable.
Just as importantly, always check the recommended age shown on each product page, particularly when choosing toys for children under three. A toy may be made from baby-safe materials but still be unsuitable for a particular age because of its size, shape, moving parts or other features.
We stock many toys made entirely from natural materials, including products from brands such as Senger Naturwelt and Nanchen Natur, along with a large proportion of our wooden and natural rubber toys.
What should I know when choosing toys for children under 3?
Always check the age recommendation on the individual product.
This is particularly important for babies and children under three, as toys for older children may contain small parts or other features that aren’t appropriate for younger children.
The materials used in a toy and the age suitability of the finished toy are two different things. A beautifully made natural wooden toy, for example, may still be intended for an older child.
We provide age recommendations on our product pages to help you choose an appropriate toy for your little one.
What do you mean by “natural toys”?
At Bambino, natural toys means toys made predominantly from materials that originate in nature, such as wood, cotton, silk, wool and natural rubber.
We love these materials not only because of where they come from, but because of the wonderful sensory experience they offer children — the warmth and grain of timber, the softness of cotton and wool, and the texture and flexibility of natural rubber.
Many of our baby toys are designed to be grasped, explored and mouthed and use finishes suitable for their intended use. However, not every natural toy is designed to be a teether, so always follow the individual product’s age and use recommendations.
Do you stock materials that aren’t strictly “natural”?
Yes. While natural materials are at the heart of Bambino, we also stock some carefully selected products containing plant-derived, recycled or other materials.
For example, some soft toys use PLA (polylactic acid) fibre filling. PLA is a type of bioplastic generally made from renewable plant-derived feedstocks such as corn or sugarcane. Although plant-derived, PLA is still classified as a plastic and we therefore don’t describe it as a natural material in the same way we would cotton or wool.
Some selected soft toys may contain recycled polyester filling. Using recycled material can reduce demand for virgin polyester, but it is still a synthetic material, so these products are not described as 100% natural.
We are continually reviewing our range and increasingly prioritising products made entirely from natural materials.
We also offer a small, carefully selected range of silicone toys, primarily for bath and water play. We provide information about why we’ve chosen these products so you can decide whether silicone is right for your family.
Read more about the silicone we choose here.
Our aim isn’t to make the decision for you — it’s to give you clear information about what a product contains so you can make an informed choice.
Are your toys eco-friendly?
Caring for the environment is central to how we choose products for Bambino.
We prioritise natural, responsibly sourced and organic materials wherever possible, including FSC-certified timber and organically grown cotton.
We also consider more than just the material. We look for brands that think carefully about sourcing, manufacturing, working conditions, packaging, durability and what happens to a product at the end of its useful life.
For us, sustainability is also about buying less and choosing well. A beautifully made toy that lasts for years, can be enjoyed by several children and eventually passed on is very different from a toy designed to be quickly discarded.
Not every product or component we stock is biodegradable or completely natural. Where other materials are used, we aim to make that information clear so you can choose according to what’s important to you.
What is “Bio-Cotton”?
Bio-cotton is the European term commonly used for organic cotton.
Organic cotton is grown according to organic agricultural standards, which restrict the use of synthetic pesticides and fertilisers.
You may see terms such as Bio-Baumwolle or kbA Baumwolle on products from some of our European brands. These refer to organically grown cotton.
Why are natural toys more expensive?
Because they’re made differently.
Natural materials, responsible sourcing, skilled craftsmanship, ethical production and original design all cost more — but they can also create toys that are beautiful, durable and made to be enjoyed for years.
Many of our toys are handmade or handcrafted in small quantities by skilled makers. We seek out brands that value safe working conditions, fairer production practices and responsible sourcing rather than simply producing toys as cheaply as possible.
We also value original design. The price of a thoughtfully designed toy reflects not only the materials used to make it, but the creativity, skill and craftsmanship behind it.
Our aim isn’t to offer the cheapest toys. It’s to offer beautiful, thoughtfully made toys that are worth keeping, sharing and passing on.
Choosing the Right Toy
How do I choose the right toy for my child?
We’ve made it simple with our “Shop by Age” sections. Each toy is selected to support development at that stage—whether that’s sensory exploration, coordination, or imaginative play. Shop by theme- such as dinosaurs, fairies, farm fun, Aussie animals and more allow you to cater to or encourage particular interests
Are your toys educational?
Yes, but in a natural way. We focus on open-ended play that supports sensory, social, physical and cognitive development—without batteries or flashing lights and overwhelming sounds. Our toys are much more about encouraging learning about the world around them. Relationships, emotional and cognitive development. They learn about heavy vs light and up & down, cause and effect. This is more the focus than literacy and numeracy, which can also be taught using these toys. However, the basics of supporting early development are what make these toys educational.
How are these open-ended toys that we offer, educational?
Cognitive Development
Problem-solving, cause and effect, early logic and spatial awareness — developed through stacking, sorting and building.
Fine & Gross Motor Skills
Grasping, balancing, rolling and coordinating movements strengthen both small and large muscle groups.
Sensory Exploration
Natural textures like wood, wool and organic fabrics engage the senses in a calm, meaningful way.
Creativity & Imagination
Open-ended toys encourage storytelling, role play and independent thinking — without fixed outcomes.
Focus & Independent Play
Simple designs help children concentrate for longer, building patience and confidence.
Orders, Shipping & Delivery
How quickly will my order be sent?
Orders placed before midday are usually dispatched the same day or within 1 business day. They are always sent within 3 business days.
Do you offer express shipping?
Yes. Express options are available at checkout for faster delivery. Express post is always posted same or next day (except weekends)
Do you ship internationally?
Yes—we ship across Australia, to New Zealand, and worldwide. Shipping rates are calculated at checkout. If you are ordering a lighter weight item overseas and would like a quote – get in touch – happy to work it out.
LOCAL PICK UP / CONTACTLESS COLLECTION – CREMORNE, SYDNEY
- Place and pay for your order through the website as usual, then leave a note at checkout requesting – Local Pickup. Please also text me so that i know an order is requiring immediate attention. (0416 087 394)
- Need it in the next hour? Text 0416 087 394 and I’ll let you know how soon it can be ready (usually quite quickly).
- Shipping of $14 will be charged, as usual, at checkout. As Contactless Collection is only $6, you can choose to receive the $8 difference as a refund, store credit, or gift. Simply text your preference when arranging collection or we will assume gift and add that in!
After you text me about having placed your order – I will text you pics on finding us and will text you when it is ready for collection.
Can I send an order as a gift?
Yes, at least half our orders are gifts sent direct to recipient. We offer complimentary gift wrapping – tick this box at checkout and you can include a short message for the cart at checkout. (An indication of the occasion helps us select the best paper and card.
We add no invoices or paperwork in our parcels. All tax invoices and payment receipts are sent to your email address – if you can’t find it – happy to resend.
🎀 Gift Wrapping
Do you offer gift wrapping?
We do—and it’s complimentary. Simply select it at checkout. We use lovely wrap that is Australian made or designed.
Can I include a message with my gift?
Yes. You’ll be able to add a short message for the recipient during checkout. We include gift cards with most orders and greeting card if you are sending a gift
♻️ Packaging
Yes. We use recycled, biodegradable and paper-based packaging wherever possible. We do occasionally receive bubble wrap and other materials from our suppliers. We re-use them so that they don’t go straight to waste. We hope you can re-use or recycle them too.
Returns & Support
What if something arrives damaged?
Please contact us as soon as possible and we’ll make it right.
Can I return an item?
If you have any questions, including change of mind, get in touch. We’re always happy to help. We will work with you on a solution.
If you have any questions about anything at any time please email or text Susan via the following options. If we don’t respond to an email within a day, text me. Emails can go awry, but texts always get through.🐨
TEXT 0416 087 394