Wooden toys are the way to go when it comes to durability. But many parents believe their toys are safer just because they’re made of wood instead of plastic. This isn’t always the case.
We’ve spent many hours searching for wooden toys that are well-crafted, free of lead paint or other toxins, and affordable. We’ve curated this list of the best wooden toys for kids to spare you the research and save you time.
Read on to find out more about wooden toys and how they can benefit your child and to learn more about the safest and best options on today’s market.
- Realistic cleaning toys
- Child-sized models
- Natural wood handles
- Highly detailed graphics
- Water-based, non-toxic finish
- Highly engaging
- 7 different colors and sizes
- Inspires creativity
- Refines hand-eye coordination
- Special and unique
- Very portable
- Improves problem-solving ability
- 60 natural-finished blocks
- Smooth-sanded hardwood
- Comes with a wooden crate
- Sturdy wooden frame
- Award-winning craftsmanship
- Rubberized tires
- Exceptional screen-free play option
- 2018 Toy of the Year
- Designed to last
- Solid wood construction
- Child-safe paint finish
- Reversible solar paneled roof
- 43-piece wooden tool set
- Premium quality
- Safe, sturdy, and durable
- Water-based paint
- Personalized toy
- Solid ponderosa pine stool top
The Best Wooden Toys of 2024
These are our favorite wooden toys for kids.
Melissa & Doug Dust! Sweep! Mop!
Best for Little Helpers
Do you have a toddler who insists on helping with cleanup around the house? If so, this playset is a go-to choice to add to your toy arsenal.
This set comes with a mop, broom, dustpan, brush, and duster. It also has a convenient stand to hang each item on when not in use.
The set weighs just over 4 pounds and is easy to maneuver around the house. While this wooden toy is best for kids ages 3 and over, it could be suitable for children as young as 18 months.
User Experience
Manhattan Toy Treetop Activity Center
Best Wooden Toy Design
If you’re looking for a bigger piece to add to your child’s nursery, this activity center is a unique product. This is especially true if you’re going for a natural and woodsy theme for the nursery or bedroom.
Many different activities come with this product, which is good if you’re looking for something to keep their attention. Four quadrants are home to gliders, bead mazes, and other sensory toys for your tot. This product is suitable for ages 12 months and above.
Personal Perspective
Lewo Stacking Rainbow Game
Best Montessori Wooden Toy
For parents who appreciate the Montessori way of learning, this stacking rainbow game seems to be a staple toy for any playroom. Stacking and nesting blocks play a significant role in a child’s development with spatial awareness.
Inspiring creativity, this rainbow version helps with this while teaching about colors and encouraging fine motor development. Suitable for children ages 2 years and above.
Community Feedback
Kingou Wooden Puzzle Ball
Best Wooden Toy for Older Kids
We often see wooden toys marketed for babies through the preschool age range, but it’s important to be aware of the more sophisticated wooden toys for kids. This wooden puzzle ball is great for children aged 5 and above.
It makes for a fun way to exercise the brain and comes with instructions if your child gets confused. This is an appropriate toy for when you’re waiting at a restaurant or doctor’s office. Given its small size, at no larger than 2.5 inches, it can easily be tossed into a bag for transportation.
First-Hand Impression
Melissa & Doug Building Blocks
Best Wooden Building Blocks
If going classic is more your style, consider checking out these building blocks by the well-known company Melissa & Doug. This set comes with 60 smooth-sanded hardwood building blocks in a variety of 3D shapes.
The icing on the cake is that the set also comes with a wooden crate for easy block storage. If you’re looking for a toy that’s going to last, these are a good choice.
This set is recommended for children ages 3 and above and comes with a 100% satisfaction guarantee.
User Experience
Hape Scoot-Around Ride-On Wooden Bike
Best Wooden Bike for Kids
Made with durable wood and child-friendly paint, this two-in-one wooden toy is both a ride-on toy and a push walker for toddlers. It has a sturdy frame to help your child gain confidence in walking. It’s no wonder it has won multiple awards.
This wooden bike helps stimulate the gross motor skills of your curious toddler. The wheels are lined with rubber, making them safe for use indoors. This wooden toy is best for kids ages 12 months and up.
Personal Perspective
TrueBalance Coordination Game Balance Toy
Best Wooden Toy for Tweens
This STEM toy is a game of pure concentration and balance. The person playing must focus on the game and try to line up the magnets on all tiers to form a column. While this may seem easy at first glance, it can prove to be quite tricky.
This product won the 2018 “Toy of the Year” Award by Creative Kids. It’s recommended for children ages 8 and above, and we have a feeling that mom and dad will enjoy this one as well.
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Hape Wooden Dollhouse
Best Wooden Toy for Girls
Another classic option is the dollhouse, a rite of passage for little girls (and many boys). If you’re thinking about purchasing one, look no further. This is the best wooden dollhouse we’ve found.
Standing at just over 2 feet tall, this dollhouse features three stories and six different rooms.
It also comes with all the furniture you need to complete the space. Each piece is painted with non-toxic water-based paint. Due to the included small pieces that could be choking hazards, the dollhouse is not recommended for children under 3 years.
First-Hand Impression
Fun Little Toys Wooden Tool Box
Best Wooden Toy for Boys
If you have a curious child who likes to manipulate things with their hands, this wooden toolbox is definitely something to consider. It comes with 43 pieces and is made of solid, durable, toxin-free, kid-safe wood.
Children can practice their motor skills by making several creations, including dogs, caterpillars, and planes. The toolbox folds into a convenient carrying case, making it the ideal toy to keep your child busy. This set is recommended for ages 3 and above.
User Experience
Personalized Puzzle Bench
Most Practical Wooden Toy
Children are pretty independent creatures once they reach toddlerhood. This can make daily tasks and routines challenging. If you’re looking for something to make washing hands a little easier, this puzzle bench may be the jackpot.
The personalized stool is made of ponderosa pine and stands about 9 inches off the ground. Each letter in the puzzle spells your child’s name and is painted with non-toxic, water-based paint to ensure your child’s safety.
The only downside to this product is an eight-letter limit, or seven if you’re using two names.
This bench is best for children 18 months and over.
Personal Perspective
PlanToys Wooden Beehive
Best Wooden Toy for Motor Skills
This is a fantastic option for parents who want to work on color recognition with their children. It’s a game parents and toddlers play together, where you help the bees each find their correctly colored home.
Besides color recognition, this game is also great for working on fine motor skills. The recommended age is 3 and up due to the bee’s small size.
Community Feedback
Melissa & Doug See & Spell
Best Wooden Toy for Literacy
Is your child ready for basic word recognition and spelling? This durable puzzle could help you out.
It comes with eight double-sided cut-out boards and the letter pieces to fit the word indicated on each board. Your child will identify the picture and then the letters that go into spelling the item pictured.
Those small pieces may make you want to cringe, but it comes with a wooden storage crate with a specific spot to store the letters. Like all other toys by Melissa & Doug, this product comes with a 100% satisfaction guarantee. The puzzles are recommended for children ages 4 and above.
First-Hand Impression
Melissa & Doug Add and Subtract Abacus
Best Wooden Toy for Numeracy
If your child is interested in math and counting, this abacus is another classic option often seen in Montessori classrooms. Not only does it help enhance your child’s math skills, but it also encourages pattern and color recognition.
It comes with an interchangeable board, so you can work on addition, subtraction, or color matching. Suitable for ages 3 and above.
User Experience
Top Bright Ramp Racer
Best for Tracking
If your child loves Hot Wheels and other car toys, this is for you. This wooden racing toy comes with four racing cars and a four-layered ramp to zoom the cars down.
It’s useful for enhancing a child’s hand-eye coordination and tracking skills. It’s lightweight and relatively compact, so you can easily store it on a shelf. Best suited for children ages 3 and up.
Personal Perspective
Benefits of Wooden Toys
There’s no doubt that wooden toys usually last longer than plastic as long as they’re made from high-quality wood. This makes them a timeless option that can be passed down through generations and give a toy sentimental value.
Wooden toys are also ideal for parents who care about the environment or incorporate the Montessori method at home. The Montessori method encourages independence and creative thinking and is known for the use of wooden toys.
Types of Wooden Toys
When you think of wooden toys, what’s the first thing that pops into your head? I’m going to guess that you thought of the traditional wooden building blocks, which seem to be a staple in every child’s toy box.
There are many options for wooden toys; some may be things you’d never think of. There are toys as simple as dollhouses or as complex as wooden puzzle balls.
While we may typically associate wooden toys with the younger crowd, there are options for older children as well.
How to Choose a Wooden Toy
When choosing the best wooden toys for your child, there are certain things to remember. Let’s take a brief look at those now.
Age Range
Keep an eye on the recommended age level for any toy you buy. You’ll want to make sure it’s developmentally appropriate for your child.
Buying something too advanced could cause frustration, and your child may not want to play with it. The same idea goes if it’s too simple.
Likes and Dislikes
While wooden toys are versatile, it’s still important to consider your child’s preferences. A wooden dollhouse would be a good option if your preschooler loves playing with dolls. However, a wooden workbench may be more suitable if they’re more into construction.
FAQs
Are Wooden Toys Better For Children?
Wooden toys can be better for children as they’re durable, environmentally friendly, and often encourage imaginative and developmental play. They’re typically simple, promoting creativity and lasting through multiple generations.
What is the Best Wood For Children’s Toys?
The best wood for children’s toys is usually hardwoods like maple, birch, or beech, which are durable and less likely to splinter. Look for woods finished with non-toxic, child-safe paints or sealants.
Are Wooden Toys Worth the Money?
Wooden toys are often worth the money for their durability, timeless appeal, and the quality of play they encourage. They’re an investment in sustainable play and can be passed down or resold when outgrown.
Do Wooden Toys Last Longer?
Wooden toys typically last longer than their plastic counterparts, as they’re less likely to break and can withstand rough play. They’re also easier to repair or refinish, extending their lifespan even further.
Are Vintage Wooden Toys Safe?
Vintage wooden toys can be safe but need to be inspected for safety standards. Check for splinters, loose parts, or lead-based paints that are common in older toys. It’s also a good idea to clean and possibly refinish vintage toys before use.
Are All Montessori Toys Wooden?
Not all Montessori toys are wooden, but many are.
Montessori philosophy emphasizes natural, simple materials that are sensory and aesthetically pleasing, which often include wood. However, other materials like metal, glass, or fabrics are also used in Montessori materials for various purposes.
