Sustainable Toys for Modern Families: Why We Designed the Art Play Silk

As parents, caregivers, and educators, we want toys that are safe, enriching, and built to last. But we also want to reduce waste and choose products that align with our values. That’s where sustainable toys come in—and why we created the Art Play Silk.

Why sustainability matters in toys

Many children’s toys are made from plastic, which breaks, wears out, or ends up discarded. A sustainable toy is designed to last, be versatile, and carry meaning. Play silks are the perfect example: simple, durable, and endlessly reusable.

The story of the Art Play Silk

At Keiko Furoshiki, our roots are in furoshiki, the Japanese tradition of wrapping with cloth instead of disposable paper. It’s all about sustainability, beauty, and versatility.

When we collaborated with Biggest Little, an award-winning toy company, we saw the opportunity to bring these same values into children’s play. Together, we designed a toy that is:

Safe for all ages
Eco-friendly and durable
Infused with artistic design

Keiko’s art at the center

The Art Play Silk is not just sustainable—it’s beautiful. Each design is painted by Keiko Kira, a Japanese-American artist whose textile work blends modern boldness with cultural roots. Families receive not just a toy, but a piece of art that grows with their child.

Furoshiki meets play

Just as furoshiki teaches us to wrap and reuse, play silks teach children that imagination has no limits. Both remind us that simple things—like a square of cloth—can carry profound meaning.