A children's room without toys is hardly imaginable! Playing is fun and, quite incidentally, your little explorer learns an incredible amount about themselves and their environment. That makes it even more important that toys are safe, free from harmful substances, and ideally environmentally friendly, too. Let this article inspire you with ideas for making sustainable children's toys yourself, and learn what to look for when buying wooden toys and more.

Toys: Things to consider

It can be hard to resist sparkling eyes in front of the toy shelf and fulfill every wish. But whether it's for a baby or a toddler, less is often more . An overfilled toy box can overwhelm your little explorer and may cause them to lose interest in playing. Our tip: Rotate the toys. Keep some games, stuffed animals, and the like out of reach, and bring them out again when it's time for a change. This way, your child won't be overwhelmed by too many options and will rediscover their toys again and again. Of course, toys should also correspond to your child's age and developmental stage , so they are neither under- nor overchallenged.

Have you found the perfect toy? To decide whether it's suitable for your child, check it with all your senses : Does it smell strange? Do you see anything that isn't well made? Do you feel any sharp edges? Is the toy too loud? This is a great way to make sure your little explorer can play with it safely. Here's an overview of what to look out for in both new and used toys:

• Warning notices : Manufacturers are required to specify age recommendations and potential hazards, such as long cords that could wrap around the neck, on the packaging. If this information is missing, it's best to stay away.

• Swallowable small parts : If your little explorer is under three years old, the toy must not contain any small parts that could come loose. Also, make sure batteries and button cells cannot be removed by your child.

• Volume: Before you buy talking dolls or cars with engine sounds, hold them up to your own ear. If you find the volume uncomfortable, it is definitely too loud for children's ears.

• Fragrances: Should not be included, as they can trigger allergies.

• Seal of approval: Certain labels provide information about toy safety, among other things. These include, for example, the GS Seal (guarantees that legal requirements regarding safety and pollutants are met), the CE mark (toys comply with European laws and standards, but inspections are only carried out on a sampling basis), VDE (electronic safety when used properly), and Play well ( is the primary focus, evaluated according to pedagogical criteria).

• Washable : This kind of toy has to withstand a lot. It gets put in the mouth, splashed on the table with baby porridge , or dropped on a dirty floor. To ensure your child continues to have a hygienic toy, it should be washable or easy to clean.

Sustainable toy ideas

It doesn't always have to be something new : If you want to fill the toy box a bit more sustainably, it's often worth visiting a second-hand store or a flea market. Another lovely idea is to organize a swap-and-gift party with friends and family. That way, you can declutter at the same time and discover a new favorite toy.

Many great things to play with can also be easily made from natural materials or everyday objects. Isn't a kitchen pot a great drum?! :) Your child likely sees many things around the house differently, and with a little imagination, even a boring shoebox can become an exciting treasure chest for the next pirate adventure.

We have compiled a few ideas for you for sustainable children's and baby toys :

Wooden toys

Wooden toys are stable , durable and usually come without chemicals and pollutants . They rely on simplicity and clean shapes. This allows the toy to grow with your child, as it can be rediscovered at any age and reimagined in new ways.

There are now many manufacturers offering wooden toys made from sustainable forestry and fair production facilities. When purchasing, make sure the toy is made from untreated solid or massive wood . If it has been treated with paints or varnishes, these should comply with the toy standards DIN EN 71-3 and DIN EN 71-9.

Alternatively, you can craft toys yourself with a saw, hammer, and plane. Online, you'll find numerous instructions for making everything from a dollhouse to a puzzle game. During the final finishing touches, make sure the toy has no sharp edges, doesn't splinter, and use food-safe paints.

Stuffed animal

A favorite cuddly toy is a loyal companion and an important friend for endless snuggles. For younger children, stuffed animals with embroidered faces make the perfect cuddly friend: there is no risk of small parts like buttons or beads coming loose—otherwise, the choking hazard would be too high. For this reason, a stuffed animal should only be taken into the Baby bed for sleep once your little explorer can sit upright independently and roll over.

And because the stuffed animal is close to your child's skin, it should be made of skin-friendly materials such as organic cotton or terry cloth. The OEKO-TEX label, for example, provides helpful guidance here. It identifies textiles that have been tested for harmful substances and come from environmentally friendly production. By the way: All our baby care products, such as our Diapers and Wrapping pads are certified according to MADE IN GREEN by OEKO-TEX.

You can quickly sew a stuffed animal from a few old cotton T-shirts or other skin-friendly fabric scraps. You can find pattern templates and instructions online. Here is a tutorial for a cute owl:

DIY toy from the LILLYDOO box

Toys are especially sustainable when you repurpose existing items. This reduces waste and conserves resources. Our cardboard is ideal for creating wonderful toys. The LILLYDOO Monthly Box is made from 100% recycled paper fibers. Did you know you can easily craft an exciting Knight's Castle ? We'll show you exactly how in our video:

Crafting a baby rattle

Fill an empty small bottle (for example, an old one) with lentils, rice, pasta, wooden beads, or anything else that makes a nice rattling sound. If you have fabric scraps at home, you can sew a cover, and your child can eagerly reach for it and watch how the rattle makes sounds through their movements.

There are many ways to delight your little explorer with homemade toys. Most children are happy with simple things, and it doesn't always have to be the newest, brightest, and most colorful toy. :)