I am always looking for simple ways to spark my toddler’s creativity. I love toys like blocks, building bricks, and craft dough because they allow him to use his imagination. They also serve multiple purposes and can become what you need them to be. In addition to being versatile and purposeful, it’s important that they are safe.
In my post on safe baby toys, I mentioned that the safest materials for toys are wood coated with 100% beeswax, 100% natural rubber, food grade silicone and 100% organic cotton. You can find my post about the importance of buying organic cotton whenever possible here. Keep this in mind when shopping for toys; my almost 3 year old still puts toys in his mouth.
Why Shop Small For Your Toddler?
Buying from these small shops means you are supporting individuals that put their heart and soul into their creations. They are professionals, parents, and innovators that proudly sell unique and hand-crafted items right here in the United States.
- Some of these shop owners are occupational and speech therapists. As a physical therapist, I have worked with these disciplines for years and hold a special place in my heart for them. Their education and experience has led them to create products with children and development in mind.
- Some of these shop owners have children of their own and know through experience what works for a toddler.
- Some of these small business owners created a product that filled a need where a product did not exist. A lot of thought and hard work went into their production.
It may be easier to walk into Target or search Amazon for a similar item. But some of these toys are comparably priced, arguably better quality, and directly benefit the maker. Show these shops (and your family) some love–buy from small business whenever possible.
Preschool Ready For Toddler
Epoxy Resin Alphabet from Rest & Refuge Co.
Why I love it: This beautiful set of letters is completely handmade and sturdy enough to withstand toddler play. I love how simple and versatile this set is. They can be used for letter recognition with an alphabet mat, to stamp in play dough, to create sight words, to trace, and even in sensory bins. Head over to the Rest & Refuge Co. shop for tons of other color alphabet options! They even take custom orders.
Toddler Circle Time Chart from Alphabeteers
Why I love it: This item is equal parts educational and aesthetics. I love the calming colors and simple categories. This beautiful time chart encourages organization and keeps them on task with what they’re learning for the day! The velcro makes it simple to use and each piece is laminated to last–even in those tiny destructive hands. Check out the Alphabeteers shop for preschool activities and busy books! Use code HALE15 to get 15% off ANY listing in the shop!
Number Blocks with Braille and Sign Language from Everwood Friends
Why I love it: These blocks are handmade with sustainable solid maple wood and laser engraved to ensure long-lasting quality. I also love that they work double duty! They can be used like traditional blocks to build towers and play scenes in addition to learning about numbers and counting. Reviewers noted the safe rounded corners, ability for expansion with other blocks in their shop, and the weight to the blocks. Another plus is that it comes with a drawstring bag for portability! Check out their shop, Everwood Friends for more handmade wooden toys.
Set of 6 Oversized Soy and Beeswax Crayons from A Childhood Store
Why I love it: These crayons contain only the good stuff and none of the bad. Traditional crayons are made with paraffin wax (a derivative of petroleum) which can be contaminated with tons of carcinogens during processing. These are hand poured from a blend of soy and beeswax so you can be sure if your little one takes a bite, they’ll be alright! They come wrapped in brown paper to prevent transfer onto little hands and can be taken on-the-go with the provided tin. Visit A Childhood Store for other crayon shape options and cute “Color-Your-Own” kits!
Math Blocks Set from Smiling Tree Toys
Why I love it: These blocks are made with natural wood and sealed with organic camelina oil and beeswax which means they are 100% safe for your little one. This serves as a great introduction to math and numbers for your toddler, using different means of teaching including shapes, symbols, and recognition of numbers. Another reason to feel good about these? The shop owners plant a tree for every item they sell. Head over to their shop, Smiling Tree Toys for more handmade wooden heirloom items.
Toddler Creative/Sensory Play
Organic Toy Car Roll from SO Handmade
Why I love it: Okay, this is great. My son literally cannot leave the house without at least 1 toy car in each hand. I have them littered all over the backseat of our SUV. This handy little roll will keep the cars organized and provide a place to play on when you’re on-the-go! Not only is this designed by the shop owner, Sarah Omura, but it is screen printed on 100% organic cotton so you know it will last. Visit SO Handmade for many other eco-friendly toy options.
Gentle Baby Essential Oil Aromatherapy Play Dough from Because Graham and Ava
Why I love it: These play doughs are homemade with all edible ingredients and scented with Young Living essential oils! They can also be dyed with Watkins food dye upon request, which is an all-natural food coloring. This particular one is scented with Gentle Baby, a calming essential oil blend by Young Living. Check out the Because Graham and Ava shop for tons of other essential oil play dough options!
Mini Bee Bath Bombs from A Labor of Love
Why I love it: These adorable bath bombs are handmade with all natural ingredients. The set of 10 comes with a kid-friendly surprise in each mini bee bomb. What I truly respect is that the shop owner, Krystal, does not use any dyes in her products as these can act as hormone disruptors in growing bodies as well as affect sensitive skin. I also love her nativity bath bomb set, each with a surprise mini hand-painted resin nativity scene figure inside. Check out the Labor of Love shop for so many more bath bomb and body care options!
Glow-In-The-Dark Koosh Ball Sensory Bottle with Blacklight Flashlight from DIYSpeechieMommy
Why I love it: What’s better to your toddler than turning the lights off and lighting something up? Not only does this encourage multi-sensory stimulation, but it comes with a blacklight flashlight and is perfect for travel. The shop owner, Jacqui is a speech therapist and is certified in Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC). She uses all of her sensory items right in the treatment room as well as with her own kids! Check out her shop DIYSpeechieMommy for so many more handmade sensory items and hand dyed fabric items too! Use code NATURALLY15 to get 15% off in the shop!
Ocean Sensory Bin from Little Bee Sensory
Why I love it: These provide unstructured sensory play for your little one! I find that my little guy is the most entertained when he is playing with multiple simple items, like rolling his cars through the dirt and rocks outside. This bin is filled with rice, kinetic sand and tons of little additions including fish figurines, gems, and pom poms. Another plus? Each bin is carefully curated and handmade by a licensed occupational therapist. Head over to Little Bee Sensory for a variety of other sensory bin options!
Handmade Kid-Safe Knife from The Logie Shop
Why I love it: This item is handmade from pure wood and coated with mineral oil so it is safe and nontoxic for your little guy or gal. It allows them to help in the kitchen, work on their fine motor skills, and encourages them to try new foods. They could also use this with kinetic sand and play dough! Every purchase helps support two charities: the Starkey Hearing Foundation and Charity Water. What’s more is that you are also supporting the shop owner’s son, Logan, with his hearing loss journey. Another great, versatile item from their shop is the wooden foldable travel ramp. Kids can use these for cars, balls, or even conveniently rolling snacks into their mouths. The uses are endless with enough imagination. Visit The Logie Shop for more handmade wood items.
Unicorn Busy Box from Little Maker Space
Why I love it: These busy boxes are very popular right now and for good reason! Anyone with a toddler knows that they love to mix their toys and play with a variety of items–at least mine definitely does. I love these themed boxes because they are portable, filled with manipulatives, and can be easily organized and stored. They also come with 2 rolls of non-toxic, homemade organic play dough. Visit the Little Maker Space shop for more play dough busy box options!
Final Thoughts
When looking for toddler toys, the simpler the better. I’ve honestly found that my son’s favorite toys are usually the least complicated. That’s why things like play dough and blocks are fan favorites. Because they encourage creative and multi-sensory play time. Next time you are shopping for your toddler, shop small for toys that are safe, portable, versatile, and of course purposeful. You’ll be pleasantly surprised by the quality that you find and you won’t regret helping a small business.
