When I was a kid, summer meant beach balls, pool noodles, squirt guns, and sand buckets… All fun, but all plastic!
Now that I have kids of my own (and a more low-tox, eco-conscious lifestyle), I try to be more mindful about what ends up in our pool or beach bag. That means looking for non-toxic pool toys and floats that are safer for my kids and better for the planet.
Of course, finding water toys that check all the boxes isn’t always easy. Truly non-toxic options can be hard to come by, especially when it comes to things like pool floats and beach toys.
But while there might not be a perfect option out there, there are definitely better ones, which is what this guide is all about!
If you’re looking for safer, more sustainable ways to stock your sandbox or pool this summer, here are my top picks for non-toxic pool toys, beach gear, and more.
What's in this guide:
This guide contains product recommendations and we may receive compensation if you purchase through certain links. As always, we only make recommendations that are genuine! Featured image: Pool Buoy
What Makes Some Toys Toxic or Unsafe?
In recent decades, there have been various studies looking at chemicals of concern in kids’ toys. For example, a 2021 study published in the Environment International identified 126 substances in plastic toys that are cause for concern.
Some of the toxicants we’re talking about include:
- Endocrine disruptors (like BPA and phthalates)
- Carcinogens (like vinyl chloride that’s used to make PVC plastic)
- Volatile organic compounds, or VOCs (like formaldehyde in glue and lead paint)
Considering that these chemicals are basically everywhere in our world these days, exposures can add up. Children more vulnerable to the potential negative effects of toxins in their environment in part because of the fact that they are still developing. Their metabolic rates are faster, their organs and tissues are growing, and they have a higher surface area to body weight ratio.
Not only that, but as every parent knows, kids love to put toys in their mouths! As they suck and chew on them, their exposures increase.
Even though it may not be realistic to get rid of 100% of the toxic chemicals in your child’s environment, parents can at least reduce exposures by choosing better toys when possible.
Toxic Materials in Pool, Beach, & Sand Toys
Identifying which toys are free of endocrine-disruptors or carcinogens (or at least almost free of them) isn’t always easy. Toys don’t come with the same kind of labeling requirements that food does, so you don’t always know what’s in them.
Here are some of the materials that make toys unsafe for kids:
- Lead, cadmium, and other metals
- PVC
- BPA, BPS, and other bisphenols
- Phthalates
These ingredients are used in toys for various reasons, including:
- Plasticizers to increase or decrease the flexibility and durability of the plastic
- Stabilizers
- Colorants
- Processing chemicals to make the actual material
The Sustainability Aspect
Apart from the effect on children, beach toys, pool toys, and sandbox toys don’t last forever. When they are chipped or cracked, the toys almost always end up in landfills. Most plastic toys won’t ever biodegrade… They’ll just break down into smaller and smaller microplastics that then permeate our environment (and damage our health).
According to World Counts, over 3.7 million tons of plastic have been dumped into the oceans. Of course, a percentage of this statistic includes toys that are dumped in the sea (or end up there on accident), where they leak harmful compounds into the water and disrupt aquatic life and ecosystems.
What To Look for in Non-Toxic Beach Toys for Kids
The safer toy materials you want to look for instead of plastic are things like:
- Food grade silicone
- Natural rubber
- Bamboo
- “Better” plastics like ABS
- Solid wood (and/or wood that’s been treated with beeswax or natural oils)
- Mineral pigments
- Plant-based colorants
There are toys that fall in a kind of middle ground—they aren’t 100% perfect, but they are safer than most other toxic options. Plastic toys made from ABS or polypropylene fall into this middle ground. They’re still plastic, but they’re better than other types of plastic (like PVC).
This is an area where you may end up having to choose the “better” option, even if it’s not the perfect one.
Of course, you’ll want to look for eco-friendly beach toys that also meet US and EU safety standards, too. Be sure that the recommended age on the toys match that of your child and stay away from potential choking hazards.
The Best Options for Non-Toxic Pool Floats
Unfortunately, I have yet to find a 100% non-toxic, plastic-free pool float. So for now, we basically have to go with a plastic that’s phthalate-free and PFAS-free. I talked about the pros and cons of inflatables in our kiddie pool guide, so go check that out for more info.
For now, here are the best options I’ve been able to find for low-tox pool floats:
Quut
Quut is one of the best options for low-tox water toys because they have so much stuff: inflatable pools, float rings, noodles, beach balls, sand buckets and molds, and more.
The inflatables are made of PVC that’s free from phthalates, latex, and BPA. The hard beach toys (like buckets, shovels, etc.) are made of durable ABS plastic that they also say is free of BPA, phthalates, and latex.
Quut is based in Belgium, so if you’re based in the U.S., you have to get their products from a retailer like Amazon.
&Sunday
They have lounger floats and pool rings that are made of thick, phthalate-free PVC.
I like their designs—they collaborate with artists for some of them!
Pool Buoy
They have rings (that come in three different sizes), pontoon floats, loungers, and beach balls. They all come in super cute designs!
They are made of heavyweight PVC that’s free from lead and phthalates.
And to make these pool floats a bit more sustainable, they’ll help you recycle them at the end of their life.
Hello Samah
These ones are made specifically for kids. They have baby float rings that have seats with leg holes in them, as well as arm floaties.
They’re made from PVC that’s “safety tested, phthalate, lead and BPA free”.
Minnidip
Minnidip has a lot to choose from. They have loungers, pool rings, beach balls, and more. Their designs are super cute and they do collaborations all the time, like with Target or Jeni’s ice cream.
Minnidip says their floats are made of lead-free, phthalate-free PVC and are CA Prop 65 compliant.
Skip the Fabric Floats (for now)
Some pool rings, noodles, and rafts on the market are wrapped in fabric such as nylon. But unfortunately, many of these floats are treated to make them water-resistant.
It’s practically impossible to tell whether or not these floats have PFAS on them. PFAS are what has usually been used to make things water-resistant, and there are no rules that require companies to disclose whether or not PFAS have been added to their products.
Some brands use Sunbrella fabrics for their floats, and Sunbrella has said they are transitioning away from PFAS. However, I have not been able to get a straight answer about the timeline of that phase-out.
So for now, I personally would skip the fabric floats because they may be coated in PFAS. I expect that in a few years, there will be some explicitly PFAS-free options!
PVC-Free Floaties & Life Jackets
Now let’s talk about where to find non-toxic floatation devices for kids. Here are some safer options on the market for non-toxic swim aids, life jackets, and floaties:
Stearns
Stearns has a large collection of personal flotation devices (PFDs) that are US Coat Guard Approved. They offer standard life vests as well as life jackets for kids that go over the arms.
These PFDs are made out of polyethylene foam on the inside and nylon on the outside. While they’re still synthetic, these are better options than PVC. They are also treated with an anti-microbial coating, which again, is not ideal. However, considering that these products will be constantly coming into contact with water, it will help prevent mold growth (which can also be toxic).
Water Gear
Water Gear has a collection of swim training belts that are made from EVA foam. These are meant more for training and are not meant to be life-saving jackets.
Brands for Eco-Friendly & Non-Toxic Water Toys for the Beach, Pool, & Sandbox
Here are my recommendations for toys your children can play with in sand and water:
Moonkie
Moonkie has a few (really cute) sets of beach toys. One comes with a bucket, shovel, and various sand molds (and comes in a few different colors), and another is a set of stackable cups.
They’re all made of silicone and are “100% free from BPA, BPS, PVC, PFAS, phthalates, lead, and latex.”
Big Little Universe
This set is similar to the Moonkie one. Big Little Universe offers a couple of beach bucket sets that are made out of 100% food grade silicone. That means it’s FDA approved and completely free from things like BPA, BPS, phthalates, and PVC.
The set comes with a bucket, shovel, and four sea-shaped accessories.
Spielstabil
These beach toys from Spielstabil are not plastic-free, but they are made from ABS plastic, which does not have any BPA, lead, PVC, or phthalates. Plus, they’re actually welded together so you don’t have to worry about any toxic glues.
They’re also incredibly durable and colorfast—they even come with a 10-year warranty. They have buckets, shovels, sieves, rakes, and even little ice cream scoops and cones to make pretend sweet treats in the sand.
Minnow
Minnow’s Beach Market collection has a lot to offer.
You’ll have to check the materials on each of the product pages, because they vary quite a bit. Some of their products are natural, while others aren’t.
They have plastic-free kids’ swim goggle masks, some of which are made out of 100% silicone.
They also have things like ‘dive buddies’, which are made out of partially natural materials, natural rattan accessories and more.
Green Toys
Green Toys carries different kinds of sustainable toys, including several that are great for the beach, sandbox, pool, or bath.
Their toys are made locally in the USA from 100% recycled milk jugs. Although products made from recycled materials can be problematic at times because they contain unknown amounts of phthalates and other materials, Green Toys’ products are actually phthalate-free, PVC-free, and BPA-free.
Hevea
How cute are these fins!? These kids’ flippers are made out of 100% natural rubber. The heel tab and open toe design make it easy for your child to put these flippers off and on. The foot pockets are flexible and soft, too, so your child can play comfortably when you hang out at the beach.
They also carry other products like bath toys, pacifiers, and teethers.
Hevea is a sustainable brand that’s based in Denmark, where regulations about about what kinds of ingredients and materials are allowed in kids’ products are more strict than they are in the US.
Ekobo
Ekobo’s sand bucket and set of three sand-scooping tools are ideal for building sandcastles at the beach or in a sandbox. The bucket is inspired by the shape of a bird, the large scoop is a whale, the sieve is a turtle, and the shovel is a manta ray—so cute.
These toys are free from BPA, phthalates, PVC, and latex. They’re made from bamboo covered in melamine. Although melamine is not the perfect option, it helps to extend the life of the toys and prevent things like mold growth for toys that are in contact with water all the time. And it’s still a better option than 100% petroleum-based toys that may contain unknown phthalates and more.
Plantoys
Plantoys’ sand and water toys are made in Thailand using natural rubberwood, formaldehyde-free glue, organic pigments, and water-based dyes. They carry super cute sand sets for digging and building, as well as several different kinds of boat toys for the pool or bathtub!
Colored Organics
Although Colored Organics is focused on organic apparel for kids, they have a pretty good toy collection, too.
They have a couple of different kinds of stackable nesting cups, which are great for building towers at the sandbox or beach. You may also want to check out this wooden sail boat or this Beach Craft Set from Eco-Kids, too.
Depending on which specific product you’re looking at, you’ll find materials like food-grade silicone and wheat straw. It’s all BPA and lead-free, and the stacking cups are also completely free of PVC, latex, and phthalates.
Related guides for more non-toxic summer fun:
The next time you hit the beach, skip the plastic toys when you can and opt for better alternatives like silicone. Although it can be difficult to find a perfect option, the brands listed above are some of the best options for eco-friendly beach toys currently on the market.
Enjoy the sun!
This article was originally written by Denine W. and has since been edited by Abbie D.
Do you have any recommendations for a water table?
Looks like Kiwi Co (https://fave.co/3y2ysUk) has one that’s made of more wood than plastic (although the main tub part is still plastic). And Step2 (https://fave.co/4dueZMu) has some that are made from HDPE, which is one of the ‘least bad’ kinds of plastic (I recommended them in the kiddie pool guide: https://thefiltery.com/best-non-toxic-kiddie-pool/)