Melissa & Doug Farm Animal Figure Swaps | Sustainable Toys
When you ask someone to name a wooden toy brand, most often, the first brand they can think of is Melissa & Doug. They have been around for many years and are readily available at big box stores like Target and online at Amazon. They also have one of the lowest prices for all significant wooden toy companies. However, their toys are priced down for a reason, as the quality of the product dictates the price. Melissa & Doug are known for how badly the paint chips off on their toys and how easily dented the toy becomes. Often parents complain about how the wood on their toys splinters leaving a hazard to their little ones. I am offering some Melissa & Doug Play Farm Animal Swaps in this article below to consider.
Over the years, we have had many Melissa & Doug puzzles, including their chunky wooden animal puzzles. All the wooden chunky animal puzzles we purchased have had paint that chipped, scratched off, and the edges worn. I hope that by writing this article, others will learn from my mistake of purchasing from this company. I am offering some Melissa & Doug Farm Animal Figure Swaps in this article below, which are of higher quality and sustainably made. Farm animals are the staple of every childhood and should be included in every playroom. Below are some of the most sustainable swaps and some of the cutest little animals I have ever seen. Even when holding them in your hand, you know they are of superior quality and detail.
Most of the Melissa & Doug toys we have purchased have been “landfill quality” and sadly don’t get handed on to the next family, which is unsustainable.
Because Melissa & Doug’s toys are not made with natural organic dyes and water-based pigments, their paint can contain acceptable amounts of lead. The wood in their toys can be made from a compressed board or cheap pine constructed in an unsustainable way. Most of their toys are made from compressed boards with formaldehyde-based glues. Also, they tend to mix plastics with their wooden play sets to lessen the manufacturing cost. Melissa & Doug makes both wooden and plastic animal figures. Most wood animal figures are in their chunky toddler puzzles and shape sorters. Melissa & Doug only makes 3-D animal figures from plastics. Plastic play figures can contain chemicals, including PVC as well as metals.
“The Melissa & Doug corporation makes little to no effort to be a sustainable company or to make environmentally friendly toys.”
All of their toys are made in China in various outsourced factories with little oversight from the company. They recently added a sustainability message about what they plan to do, but it’s all greenwashing until I see photos and articles about what they have done. Greenwashing is when a company purports to be environmentally conscious for marketing purposes but isn’t making notable sustainability efforts. I recently published a complete article on “What’s a Sustainable Toy? Melissa & Doug would not remotely come close to making a sustainable toy by my definition.
I spent countless hours researching the Top Sustainable Toy Companies out there. My findings are published HERE; please let me know what you think!
Why are China toys nasty? There is a price for everything. Melissa & Doug cannot sell their toys at their price point without someone paying the price—a price, whether cheap labor, materials or environmentally unfriendly practices, is paid. Review my article on China Toys here. It’s pretty shocking when you learn more about the toy industry.
Over the years, we have had our fair share of Melissa & Doug toys with five kids in the house. Almost all of our Melissa & Doug toys were not in good enough condition to be handed down after much use. They have not been made to be heirloom quality. We have had to throw out many Melissa & Doug parts because they are unsafe with light usage. I am not saying that all Melissa & Doug toys have terrible quality, as there are a few notable toys they produce of good quality.
I wish more people could witness firsthand the difference between subpar Melissa & Doug and heirloom quality sustainable wooden toys. If you have the choice to do the sustainable swap and choose a better company over Melissa & Doug it is worth it.
Parents sometimes complain about the higher cost of sustainable toys; however, I believe it is worth the cost difference. Giving your child a safer, better-made toy from a reputable company that is environmentally responsible is worth every penny. Some of the sustainable swaps I have listed below are only a 5 to 10-dollar difference, nominal for peace of mind. To learn more about our favorite sustainable companies, Click HERE. In this article, I have included six sustainable toy brands: Plan Toys, Maple Landmark Toys, Tender Leaf Toys, Le Toy Van, Holtziger, and HABA.
Melissa & Doug Plastic Farm Animals:
Sustainable Wooden Swap for Farm Animals:
PlanToys Figures- These are my favorite animal figures, which are safe for ages 12 months. They are made of PlanWood, which is water-resistant and very durable. The organic pigment is throughout the wood and not just painted on top. All Plan Toys use non-formaldehyde glues. These figures are solid and of heirloom quality. Plan Toys makes some of the safest toys around!
Wooden Sheep | Farm Animals | Pretend Play | PlanToys 6142
Le Toy Van Figures-
Designed in England and, made in Indonesia, for ages 3+. These figures are a nice size and fit well into Le Toy Van Barn. Their attention to detail is excellent. All of Le Toy Van’s toys are classically styled.
Holtziger Animals
Holtziger is a German company that designs beautiful hand-crafted animals in Romania. Holztiger toys are all handmade from native maple and beech wood. Holtziger animals are a larger size. The range includes Holztiger Farm Animals, Holztiger Woodland Animals, and Holztiger Exotic Animals.
Melissa & Doug Farm Animal Puzzle Figures:
Sustainable Swap for Farm Animal Puzzle Figures:
Tender Leaf Figures- Made in Indonesia, with safe organic water-based dyes. They use non-formaldehyde-based glue. Their toys are beautiful and the colors are modern and muted.
OR
Melissa & Doug Toddler Farm:
Sustainable Swap for Toddler Farm:
Maple Landmark Farm –
Made in the USA of heirloom quality wood, this set lets kids be creative! They get to construct the farm; this set is safe for ages 1+. Also, this block set can be added to Maple Landmarks block sets and animal trains for even more fun! Maple Landmark toys are beautiful in person and of superior quality.
NameTrains Farm Car Set
OR
Le Toy Van Barn -Classically designed barn, with accessories such as tractor and figures sold separately. For ages 3+.
PlanToys Countryside Blocks –
This block set lets your child create different farms and scenes every time they play! It can be combined with basic block sets to add interest. This type of toy grows with your child for years of play.
Countryside Blocks | PlanToys 6293 | 3+ | Wooden Blocks
Melissa & Doug Farm:
Sustainable Swap for Farm:
Tender Leaf Farm- Made in Indonesia, with safe organic water-based dyes. They use non-formaldehyde-based glue. Their toys are beautiful and the colors are modern and muted.
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HABA Wooden Stall- Made in Germany, HABA makes well-crafted toys, however, their animal figures are made of plastic. This is a lovely, space-saving barn.
Melissa & Doug Farm Train:
Sustainable Swap for Farm Train:
Maple Landmark Farm Train- Made in the USA of heirloom quality wood, Maple Landmark toys are beautiful in person and of superior quality. Maple Landmark trains are our family’s favorite. These unique train animals are versatile and multi-functional. These farm animals will grow with your child!
NameTrains Farm Car Set
NameTrains Town Train Set
About the Sustainable Toy Companies:
1. PlanToy
3 Reasons to Choose PlanToys for Kids!
- Firstly, they are passionate about child safety. They pay close attention to the safety standards of their production process. Their materials are non-toxic and environmentally friendly, so parents can let their children play without worry.
- Secondly, they help children develop. Every parent wants to see their child successfully grow and develop. They believe that creative and educational play can help them do this! Children learn and evolve in various ways by playing with their educational toys.
- Thirdly, they care about the environment. They believe that a quality environment will give rise to qualified individuals. At PlanToys, they also use chemical-free water-based colors, E-Zero glue that doesn’t contain formaldehyde, and they maximize resource utilization by using leftover sawdust to create a new sustainable material called PlanWood™.
PlanToys Sustainable Mission:
“Since 1981, our mission has been to create a more sustainable world. We carefully consider the environment and society regarding our business practices. We also focus on safety standards and child development in the production process. Also, by applying innovative eco-friendly manufacturing methods and using green materials, we help pave a sustainable path for our children. And in turn, doing our part to protect the beautiful ecosystems and environments that inhabit our planet.” Additionally, to read more about PlanToys Sustainable Mission HERE. To learn more about our favorite sustainable companies, Click HERE.
They are made in Thailand of certified chemical-free rubberwood. PlanToys is one of the most sustainable toy companies in the world. Instead of paints, their teethers are made with unfinished wood and water-based natural dyes. This is one of my favorite wooden toy companies.
2. Maple Landmark
Maple Landmark Sustainable Mission:
“A world of American-made wood products”
“At Maple Landmark, we have been making eco-friendly, educational wooden toys, games, and gifts since 1979 at our shop here in Middlebury, Vermont. We pride ourselves on being a local company that supports other local companies that operate responsibly and sustainably. We employ about 40 local folks year around. As a result of these practices, we produce products that have always been safe and of superior quality.”
Notes:
- One of the best sustainable wooden toy companies on the market today.
- Made in Vermont, USA.
- Maple Landmark uses only heirloom quality hardwoods. No plastics
- Maple Landmark has created some of the most sustainable wooden toys from birth on.
- Their schoolhouse and the natural line are free from all dyes, paints, and lacquers, only using wood.
- They source their materials as close to their workshop factory in Vermont as possible.
- Maple Landmark truly is America’s largest producer of sustainable wooden toys.
3. tender leaf toys–
The sustainable mission of tender leaf toys:
“We are deeply committed to protecting Indonesia’s natural resources and only work with reclaimed rubberwood, a by-product of the latex industry. In addition, for every reclaimed tree it uses, we plant a new one, driving the regeneration cycle ahead. We have been awarded the ICTI Ethical Toy Program seal of approval for our ethical and sustainable supply chain.”
“Every year, we spend around two months working alongside our wonderful suppliers Mentari International in Indonesia, makers of all Tender Leaf Toys. Their family-run factory operates with high standards of training, well-being, and respect and provides dependable employment for hundreds of local villagers. During our visits, we work together, eat, and make gorgeous toys together.”
Notes:
- Wooden toys are made without plastics.
- They are classically based on pretend play.
- Tender leaf toys are handmade in their factory in Indonesia.
- Their family-run factory operates with high standards and employs hundreds of local villagers.
- They only work with reclaimed rubberwood.
- For every reclaimed tree it uses, they replant a new one.
- Tender Leaf receives the ICTI Ethical Toy seal of approval for a sustainable supply chain.
- Tender leaf packages without single-use plastics.
- Hand-painted with water-based safe paints.
4. HABA
Haba Sustainable Mission:
“‘We assume responsibility for our environment – that is one of the principles of our corporate philosophy. For us, that means minimizing the environmental impact within the bounds of the financially defensible. HABA takes environmental protection very seriously in all aspects of its business. Therefore we are constantly upgrading our production processes and ascertaining, evaluating, and minimizing the use of raw materials, emissions, and waste volumes on an ongoing basis.
Minimal Environmental Impact
Conserving natural resources and minimizing our environmental impact is paramount when selecting materials and determining the proper production methods. The PEFC label, for example, which all our wooden toys have carried since 2010, is a testament to this commitment. All beech and birch wood used in our production comes from sustainable forestry. By only utilizing wood from sustainable forestry, we help preserve the ecological balance of our planet’s forests and do our part in improving sustainable forestry practices. HABA produces most of our wooden toys at its Bad Rodach, Franconia site. We use woods from sustainable forestry.”
Notes:
- It is made from unfinished hardwood beechwood from sustainable forestry in Germany.
- Comes with a reusable OETEX-certified and free-of-chemicals cotton tote bag
- Haba favors the use of wood when making many of their toys. They operate for the environment and children.
- Their wood is PEFC certified Beech or Maple. Wooden toys are from reforested timbers.
- Haba uses only safe, non-toxic, water-based stains and lacquers on its products.
- They use recycled corrugated with as little foam or plastics as possible to package items on their packaging.
- Learn more about HABA’s sustainable mission at HabaUSA Here.
5. Le Toy Van
Le Toy Van Sustainable Mission:
“At Le Toy Van, we’re always striving to find ways to reduce our impact on the planet. We know we’re not perfect yet but we are progressing toward our zero-waste ambition. We’re working towards this by sourcing sustainable materials for our products, finding alternatives to plastic parts in our range, using renewable energy sources at our HQ, and supporting conservation projects protecting precious ecosystems. We’re focusing on the design of our toys.”
Notes:
- Designed in London, with a European classic style.
- Le Toy Van makes its traditional pretend-style toys in their factory in Indonesia.
- They use only sustainably sourced wood grown under ethical working practices.
- Le Toy Van has been making toys sustainably for 25 years.
- They use only safe water-based paints, dyes, and cloth materials to make their toys.
6. Holtziger Animals
Holztiger Wooden Animals
Holztiger animals are produced in Europe. Their toys are all handmade from native maple and beech wood and hand-finished to a high standard with quality wood stains. The range includes Holztiger Farm Animals, Holztiger Woodland Animals, and Holztiger Exotic Animals.
Melissa & Doug Farm Animal Figure Swaps Conclusion:
In conclusion, I recommend buying better quality farm animal figures even if it costs a bit more. You will spend just as much money replacing the lousy quality ones when buying cheaply made animal figures. Safety has always been my utmost concern as a parent, so I think choosing toys made with safer materials is an important criterion when selecting toys. Staying away from animal figures made from plastics is also essential, as these can contain heavy metals and PVC. If you want to learn more about “5 Ways to Reduce Plastics For your Child,” this is a great way to get started on lessening your child’s plastic exposure. However, it is essential to choose reputable wooden toy companies to purchase toys from so that you know your child is playing with something safe.
A quick search on Amazon for farm animal figures will render you a lot of random brands. These toys are made unsustainably in 3rd party factories with non-trustworthy production. If I leave you with one thought, it would be to carefully consider your purchases with these types of companies because they probablaren’t’t producing products as safe as they claim to b. It is essential to play it safe and buy from a reputable and sustainable company when toys could enter a child’s mouth. It is also nice to know that these sustainable companies put our children and their safety first, which is most important. If you enjoy my Melissa & Doug Farm Animal Figure Swaps, please consider subscribing for new articles and exclusive discounts in my shop.