Looking for the best wooden baby gyms that are equal parts child-safe and eco-friendly? Here are our favorite non-toxic wooden play gym options for countless hours of fun-filled play.
P.S. Don’t forget to take a look at our list of the Best Natural Wooden Baby Toys!
Wooden play gyms offer a fantastic way to provide your baby with multi-sensory stimulation while also enhancing their motor skills, sparking curiosity, and igniting their imagination. They are a staple in many nurseries and playrooms, but unfortunately, not all baby gyms are created equal.
Plastic play gyms, often adorned with a rainbow of overstimulating bright colors, may seem appealing at first, but they come with an array of potential downsides.
Some plastic options may contain heavy metals like lead or cadmium, as well as other harmful chemicals like dioxins.
These substances have been linked to a range of health issues, including hormone disruption, developmental and reproductive problems, and even respiratory conditions like asthma.
It’s no wonder parents worldwide are switching from plastic to beautiful non-toxic wooden play gyms.
The safest activity gyms are skillfully crafted with organic materials and are free from harmful chemicals.
Furthermore, the best wooden play gym brands also consider their environmental impact. Since your child will quickly outgrow their play gym, recyclable and biodegradable children’s toys are a beloved option amongst eco-parents.
Plus, with their natural colors and minimalistic aesthetics, they can effortlessly complement any decor, from classic to contemporary.
Read on to find the best baby gym picks that prioritize your child’s safety, are environmentally responsible, and bring a touch of elegance to your nursery.
The Best Wooden Baby Gyms From Trusted Brands
1. Finn + Emma
Boho wooden play gyms that actually look like a part of our decor? Yes, please. Finn + Emm a’s range of baby gyms aims to foster creativity, movement, and entertainment in the safest way possible.
You can choose to opt for both the macrame large round play mat and the macrame play gym in 3 wood options or go for just the frame.
If macrame isn’t your thing, there is also the option of wooden teething toys made from untreated Indian hardwood ethically with no chemicals and toxic finishes.
Either way, the toys are removable and can be used away from the gym as stroller or car seat toys!
Price: From $99+
Materials/Ethics: Untreated Indian hardwood, vegetable seed wax finish, 100% organic cotton knit, GOTS Certified
Location/Shipping: United States, ships worldwide
Our Favorites from Finn + Emma:
2. Lovevery
Lovevery offers some of the best wooden baby gyms backed by the Parent’s Choice award.
The set includes 4 detachable activity toys, and 4 sets of cards to foster exploration and growth. That’s not all!
You’ll also receive a foolproof guide of stage-based tips and activities you and your baby will absolutely love.
On top of that, the Place Space Cover of this non-toxic activity gym can transform the baby play mat into an adorable fort for toddlers in just a few minutes. Who doesn’t love multi-functional goodies, right?
Price: $140
Materials/Ethics: Wood, polyester, silicone, organic cotton, OEKO-TEX® Certified, FSC Certified, Certified B Corporation, carbon neutral shipping
Location/Shipping: United States, ships to Canada
3. Haba
Next up is a sensory wonderland for your little one. Haba’s safe and toxic-free baby gyms are wiped with cheerfully colored wooden disks on the sides and a charming little frog is hanging on the discovery bar – so cute!
No worries, there’s plenty of space to add more hanging elements as well. They’ve made it super easy for adults to customize the height of the bar in a matter of seconds. This means the Click-Clack Wooden Baby Gym grows with your baby.
Plus, thanks to the sturdy beech wood and birch plywood construction, durability is guaranteed.
Price: $89.99
Materials/Ethics: Beechwood, birch plywood, PEFC seal since 2010, third-party CPSC tested
Location/Shipping: United States, ships to Canada
4. PlanToys
Play Toys’ wooden activity gyms feature two suspended toys that are sure to capture your baby’s attention.
There’s a rattle and a grasping toy that can be detached for later stages of development as well.
Plus, this wooden baby gym is designed with four sturdy legs, which means no rocking and increased safety for your precious one.
To top it all off, all their toys are made from sustainably harvested rubberwood trees that can no longer produce latex.
Surplus sawdust chips are thermally reprocessed to form durable wood, and the toys are finished with E-Zero non-formaldehyde glue and non-toxic water-based dyes.
Price: $79.99
Materials/Ethics: Natural rubberwood trees that can no longer produce latex, finished with E-Zero non-formaldehyde glue & non-toxic water-based dyes, OHSAS 18002 & SA 8000 Certified, recyclable packaging
Location/Shipping: United States, ships to Canada
5. Project Nursery
Project Nursery’s non-toxic wooden play gym collection includes some of the most noteworthy products from ethical and sustainable baby brands.
The Ritzy Activity Gym, in particular, comes with an utterly cute quilted rainbow play mat to create a comfy and modern play area where your little one can experience all textures and sounds.
The set includes 3 removable toys with rings, ribbons, one braided teether, clinking rings, and jingle sounds.
Of course, there are many more options to choose from as well as bigger play gyms suitable for newborn through toddler stages.
Price: From $80+
Materials/Ethics: Chemical-free rubberwood, plywood, formaldehyde-free glue, organic pigments + water-based dyes, FSC Certified, complies with the European standard EN71-1
Location/Shipping: United States
6. HAN-MM
HAN-MM’s best wooden baby gym comes with six wooden rings that provide early motor skill development opportunities for infants.
These rings offer something for your little one to grasp and manipulate to help perfect coordination and dexterity. Plus, their natural color perfectly complements most nursery themes.
The brand uses unfinished beech wood to craft the frame which is also painstakingly sanded to a smooth finish.
Lastly, assembly is a breeze, and it’s just as easy to fold away when not in use.
Price: $59.99
Materials/Ethics: Unfinished beech wood, free from chemicals, unisex
Location/Shipping: USA, ships internationally
7. Nobodinoz
The Sensorial Arch, made from beechwood and plywood, offers two positions to cater to your baby’s playtime needs.
Place it in the low position on the sensorial mat or elevate it in the high position above the Growing Green bouncer for added fun.
We love that the toys are crafted from linen sourced from 100% French harvests. Thanks to their fabric expertise, Nobodinoz has transformed linen into a soft and refined material.
From cultivating flax in France to weaving and finishing in Barcelona, our short-distance production chain ensures quality and minimizes the carbon footprint.
Price: From €115.95
Materials/Ethics: 100% French linen, beech wood, polyester, maple wood, OEKO-TEX® Certified, complies with the EN 71-1 European security standard, packaging 100% biodegradable
Location/Shipping: Spain, ships to Europe
Are wooden baby gyms good for babies?
Wooden play gyms are great for babies! Aside from helping them practice their motor skills and enhance their senses, activity gyms also offer a fun way to educate your little one on the various colors, shapes, sounds, and patterns.
Cognitive development (how children think, explore, and figure things out) is extremely important in early childhood and these wooden goodies can definitely assist kids in moving through the different stages of learning.
How do I choose an activity gym for my baby?
Choosing the best activity gym for a baby is not an easy task. The products should meet some non-negotiable criteria such as being made from natural materials instead of synthetics.
Also, wooden play gyms with child-safe, non-toxic finishes, and dyes are the only way to ensure the well-being of your little one due to the complete lack of chemicals.
It’s best to opt for a gym that can have several different uses, and grow along with your baby. Some styles can be turned into clothing racks while others double as toddler-approved fortresses! Last but not least, the activity gym should be durable enough and have the ability to add different toys.
This was your full guide to the best wooden baby gyms!
No matter your preferences, rest assured that the best wooden baby gyms below were designed with your kid’s safety and healthy development in mind.
From non-toxic activity gyms with macrame to bold options that can stimulate the baby’s eyesight, you can never go wrong with an eco-friendly children’s product!
