Consumers are increasingly asking the question, "Where is this made?" And especially when it comes to buying something for a baby, you want to know everything about the product, from how it was made to what it's made of. Not just any toy will do for our precious cargo.
The co-founder of Green Toys, whose products are eco-friendly, safe and made in the USA (several of which have made it onto our list below), says that "'Made in the USA' is known for one thing: quality". While that may be true, there are many reasons to buy products made here at home.
When we make purchasing decisions for our children, when we buy them toys, and especially when they chew and suck on those toys, it's imperative that those toys be safe, in every way.
With that in mind, we looked carefully at dozens of toys and narrowed it down to 11. We love them not only because they're made in 'Merica, but also because they're PVC- and BPA-free and non-toxic; they promote hand-eye coordination, sensory play, and imagination; and many of them solve some of baby's problems, like teething (it ain't easy being little!).
Our top picks are:
- Wooden Teether Rattle
- Shape Sorter
- Rubber Ducky
- Wooden ABC Blocks
- Stacking Toy
- Banana Bendable Training Toothbrush
- Twist Teether Toy
- Turtle on Wheels
- Baby's First Tugboat
- My First Keys
- Wooden Teething Rings
If you're looking for the perfect gift for a baby shower, something special for a new mom, or a thoughtful present for an infant, the list below should give you more than a few ideas!
From turtles and tugboats to teethers and toothbrushes, we feel confident you'll love our list of baby toys made in the USA (for more inspiration, check out these other articles on toys for 6-month-olds and for 18-month-olds).
Wooden Teether Rattle
The teething blues are no joke and baby will experience quite a few of them before the age of two! Don't let your baby cry in pain—pick up this teether rattle, as it's the perfect soothing relief he or she needs.
Made from organic beeswax and food-grade olive oil, this Montessori-inspired rattle is safe, eco-friendly, biodegradable and anti-bacterial. In addition to relief, it also provides some sensory exploration and promotes hand-eye coordination.
What we love:
- It has a natural look and is made from top-quality wood
- There are no chemicals used in the product
- The wood doesn't splinter or crack
- It effectively relieves pain the baby may experience from cutting teeth
- The rattle will boost development of his or her fine motor skills
What we don't love:
- Previous buyers have complained that rough play may break the teether
- It may not stimulate baby, as there are no colors or bright lights
Click here for more info and current pricing.
Shape Sorter
Are you looking for a way to stimulate baby while also teaching him or her about shapes? This shape sorter is the perfect way to encourage learning through play.
The bright colors attract baby’s eyes and each piece fits easily into its coordinating shape on the sorter. The sorter itself is made from lightweight materials, which means the piece is never too heavy for baby to move around and you don’t have to worry about any accidents.
What we love:
- It's made from 100% recycled materials
- It's BPA-free, for safe play
- It's easy to clean
- It promotes learning and develops fine motor skills
What we don't love:
- Customers do not like that all of the shapes do not fit inside the sorter at one time
- The sorter rocks when touched and can be frustrating to some babies
- Young children may not understand how to twist open the sorter to release the pieces
Click here for more info and current pricing.
Rubber Ducky
Ladies and gentlemen, meet the world's safest rubbery ducky! If your baby has had some all-nighters due to his teeth cutting through the gums, it's time to alleviate that pain with this awesome teether.
The duck shape is sure to enthrall baby and, in classic rubber ducky style, it floats. Made from non-toxic medical- and food-grade resin, this teether is the perfect America-made toy for your little one.
What we love:
- It’s PVC and BPA free
- It comes in three colors: blue, pink and yellow
- It's super easy for baby to grasp in his or her hand
- There are no holes in the bottom of the duck, which prevents water from getting inside
- It's got no lead, paint or latex, so it's totally safe for chewing
What we don't love:
- Some customers say the packaging could be more attractive
Click here for more info and current pricing.
ABC Blocks
Baby is growing every day, and it's never to early to teach him or her the ABCs, 123s, and more. These ABC blocks provide hours of learning fun. Each block contains letters, numbers, symbols, and animals to promote quality fun and learning all in one.
You and baby can build an alphabet castle or simply make animal noises together as you play with the blocks. Each block is painted with a lead free, non-toxic paint, so it's ultra-safe for baby.
What we love:
- This is a handmade product
- It's made from durable Michigan-grown basswood
- It's the perfect size for baby's little hands
What we don't love:
- Customers have said the rough play with the blocks can cause the wood to chip
- Customers have said the paint comes off if baby chews on the blocks
Click here for more info and current pricing.
Stacking Toy
If baby is constantly stacking your items into a tall castle, this quality stacking toy will provide him with hours of stacking fun. And, the best part—you don’t have to worry about baby stacking your belongings anymore!
This toy has no interior post, which prevents frustration for baby. It comes with eight different stackable pieces that fit together perfectly, guaranteeing not only hours of fun, and but also exploration to help develop his or her fine motor skills.
What we love:
- It's made 100% from recycled products
- It's easy to clean and dishwasher safe
- It's BPA free
What we don't love:
- The sloped sides on the product may be difficult for young children to grab
- Customers have said that sometimes the pieces stick together, which can be difficult for baby to remove
Click here for more info and current pricing.
Bendable Training Toothbrush
Ward off those cavities! It is important for baby to learn good dental hygiene early on in life and this bendable training toothbrush will help you accomplish just that. The toothbrush itself is made from a hard plastic that won’t give, even under the pressure of baby’s rough play style. It’s dishwasher safe for easy cleaning and freezer safe, which is sure to sooth baby’s gums. Your baby’s future dentist will thank you!
What we love:
- The toothbrush is latex, toxin and BPA free
- It helps develop mouth, hand and eye coordination
- The bristles massage baby's gums and alleviate any pain from teething
- The brush bends super easily, allowing for safe brushing of all teeth
What we don't love:
- Some previous buyers have said that bristles may come loose over time
- Hair and dirt can get stuck in the bristles, so you have to be careful
Click here for more info and current pricing.
Twister Rattle and Teething Toy
Has your baby been up all night crying because his or her gums are aching? Teething ain’t fun. What is fun, though, is this twister rattle and teething toy, which will surely prevent the teething blues and keep baby entertained while providing soothing relief to his or her gums. It even has colorful charms attached to it that stimulate baby’s senses and encourage hand-eye coordination.
What we love:
- Incredibly, it's made from 100% recycled milk jugs
- It's lightweight and easy for small kids to move around
- It keeps little ones entertained and makes a lot of rattling noise (as it should!)
What we don't love:
- Rough play is not encouraged since the toy is hard
- The teether may be too heavy for smaller infants
Click here for more info and current pricing.
Turtle on Wheels
There’s nothing quite like a turtle on wheels, now is there? Baby can have a grand adventure with his toy, whether he wants to perform a street show for onlookers or simply race through the living room. It’s perfect for promoting hand-eye coordination as well as cause and effect. The wheels spin easily and baby can push the turtle all around the house, much to his or her delight! The turtle’s body is rounded to provide your child with a solid grip on the toy. Days at home have never been more fun!
What we love:
- It's made 100% from recycled materials
- It's BPA and PVC free
- It's totally safe for baby to put in her or her mouth
- Throw it in the dishwasher for easy cleaning
What we don't love:
- It may have some trouble moving over carpet
- It may not keep all infants entertained
Click here for more info and current pricing.
Baby's First Tugboat
Is your baby ready to be the captain at sea? He or she can embark on an adventure in the bathtub with this adorable tugboat. Made from quality materials, it’s designed to float on water and provide tons of entertainment in the pool or bath. Whether your baby is on the hunt for some pirate booty or looking for a dolphin nearby, this tugboat will encourage imaginative play.
What we love:
- It's BPA free
- It's made 100% from recycled milk jugs
- It encourages fun tub time
What we don't love:
- Water left in the tugboat can lead to mold
- His or her fingers could get a little stuck in the boat's windows
- Some previous buyers said that when it fills with water, it often sinks to the bottom of the tub
Click here for more info and current pricing.
First Key Set
Start your engines! Baby can now feel like a grown-up with his or her own set of car keys, just like mommy and daddy. Each colorful set is made from recycled materials that are eco-friendly. Baby will enjoy hours of fun as he or she shakes, rattles, and explores all of the shapes and colors this key set has to offer.
What we love:
- The keys have rounded edges to promote safe play
- They're lightweight and easy for baby to pick up and hold
- They are BPA free and non-toxic
What we don't love:
- Some previous buyers say the toy is too loud
- Keys may be too big for very small babies
- Heavy chewing can leave teeth impressions
Click here for more info and current pricing.
Wooden Teething Rings
Teething is a painful experience for babies, and your little one may cry for hours on. These Montessori-inspired wooden teething rings will help calm your baby down and provide the relief he or she needs. The rings are made from durable wood and are sanded down to create a smooth finish that doesn’t splinter or break. The wood is a natural anti-bacterial, making it safe for baby to chew on. Another plus is that your youngin’ can take these wooden teething rings anywhere, as they are small and easy to carry.
What we love:
- The wood comes with natural varying textures and colors
- It’s a CPSC certified product
- It's easy for baby to hold
- It's made from non-toxic products and is safe for baby to chew on
What we don't love:
- Some customers have said that the wood cracks when dropped on hard floors
- Some customers say the rings have an odor initially
Click here for more info and current pricing.
We sincerely hope you found this list of baby toys made in the USA to be helpful. If you have any suggestions or comments, we'd love to hear from you. Shoot us a message on our contact page and help us improve this list for others!
