🎠 Toy Brands We Trust

The Problem With Most Toys

Walk into any toy store, and you'll notice something: most toys are made of plastic—bright, cheap, and everywhere. But here’s what many parents don’t realize:

• Some plastics can contain harmful chemicals, like phthalates or formaldehyde, which may affect children’s health, especially during early development.

• Poorly made toys from unregulated factories might have paint with lead, sharp parts, or tiny pieces that break off easily—posing a choking hazard.

• Most plastic toys end up in landfills after just a few months. They don’t biodegrade, and many can’t be recycled. The environmental cost is enormous.

In short, many mass-market toys are not made to last, and they’re not made with children's long-term health—or the planet—in mind.

What We Look For

At our toy library, we carefully select brands that go beyond the basics—companies that prioritize:

• Child-safe materials and design

• Non-toxic finishes

• Sustainable and renewable materials

• Transparency in their production processes

That’s why we’ve chosen to include Grimm’s, Goki, Londji, Djeco, and Hape in our collection. Here’s how each of them helps protect both your child’s health and our shared environment.

Brand	How the Brand Protects Children’s Health	What the Brand Does for the Environment
Grimm’s	✅ Uses natural oils and water-based stains ✅ No varnish – safe for mouthing ✅ Exceeds EN 71 standards ✅ No batteries or plastic	🌱 FSC-certified/sustainably sourced wood 🌱 100% plastic-free toys & packaging 🌱 Handmade in Germany with green energy 🌱 Long lifespan heirloom toys
Goki	✅ EN 71 and CE certified ✅ Water-based, non-toxic paints ✅ Safe edges and durable builds	🌱 FSC-certified wood 🌱 Plants 1 tree per tree used (400,000+ trees) 🌱 Recyclable packaging 🌱 Reducing plastic across lines
Londji	✅ EN 71 and CE certified ✅ Printed with vegetable-based inks ✅ No toxic varnishes or solvents	🌱 Made locally in Barcelona 🌱 FSC-certified paper & recycled cardboard 🌱 Zero plastic packaging
Djeco	✅ EN 71 and CE certified ✅ Solvent-free glues and paints ✅ Age-specific safety design	🌱 Uses FSC wood and recyclable paper 🌱 Paper-based packaging 🌱 Reducing plastic use
Hape	✅ EN 71 and CE certified ✅ Non-toxic paints and adhesives ✅ Physically durable & age-tested	🌱 FSC wood & bamboo 🌱 Solar-powered, eco-certified factories 🌱 Minimal recyclable packaging 🌱 Supports green schools & education

🔍 Reminder: What Do These Safety Labels Mean?

Label	What It Means
EN 71	European safety standard for toys. Ensures toys don’t contain toxic materials, sharp edges, choking hazards, or dangerous chemicals. Legally required in the EU.
CE Mark	Shows the toy complies with EU health, safety, and environmental regulations — including EN 71.
FSC	The wood comes from responsibly manag 💚 Thoughtful Toys for a Healthier Future In a world where fast, flashy, and plastic still dominates, it matters when brands take the slower, better route. The chosen brands all go the extra mile—not just to meet regulations, but to offer toys you can trust, made with materials and methods that are gentle on little ones and the Earth. We’re proud to include these names in our toy library—and even prouder to support play that’s built to last. Ekaterina Bero Previous Previous Why I’m Starting a Toy Library, and Why You Probably Wish One Existed Sooner Lekoteket - Bibliotek for leker lekoteketnorge@gmail.com