17 Chic Wooden Toys for Some Good Old-Fashioned Fun
Looking to upgrade your kid’s toy collection? Consider going back to the basics. In a world full of screens and plastic, wooden toys make a refreshing addition to any playroom or nursery. First of all, they’re totally retro-chic—who knew playthings could make your home more stylish? And since wooden toys are made from natural materials, they’re also non-toxic and more eco-friendly. Plus, buying handmade wooden toys supports small businesses—and it turns out they might be better for your child developmentally. Keep reading to learn the benefits of wooden toys before shopping some of our favorite picks.
According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), simpler, hands-on toys like building blocks and puzzles promote more parent-child interaction than electronic toys—and playing with your child will further their overall growth and learning.
While many parents may think they need to go out and buy the newest toys with all their gizmos and gadgets, the AAP’s evidence suggests that all those sounds, flashing lights or buttons may actually “detract from social engagement that might otherwise take place through facial expressions, gestures and vocalizations and that may be important for social development.”
Playing with toys is a huge part of your child’s cognitive development when it comes to problem solving, social interactions, self regulation, fine motor skills and so much more. But the AAP says that “electronic toys by themselves will not provide children with the interaction and parental engagement that are critical for the healthy development.”
Enter: wooden toys like the ones you played with when you were a child. The benefits of wood toys are even more pronounced when you play alongside your little one, so it’s lucky the toys available will stir up all that sweet nostalgia.
Ready to shop for toys made of wood? We’ve found options for all ages, from simple wooden baby toys like a wooden rattle to complex wooden toys for older kids like a decked-out wooden toy kitchen.
Searching for the best of the best? Here, check out two top-rated toys that were highlighted in our Best of The Bump roundup of the overall best toddler toys.
Overall best wooden toy for toddlers
- Made from durable, all-natural maple
- Suitable for toddlers of all ages
- Strengthens gross and fine motor skills
- Inspires open-ended play
- Large footprint
First up on our list is this standout toddler climbing toy that's made from high-quality, all-natural maple. The Montessori-inspired play strucutre includes three pieces—a climbling triangle, a rocking arch and a slide—all of which can be arranged for endless open-ended play opportunities. As your little one reaches new heights, they'll also improve their gross and fine motor skills and get some of their energy out. Our product tester highly praised the play set, telling us "even though it's educational, [her child] has had a blast on it cause she at least plays with it for any hour every day! Also if the pieces aren't just so—she will definitely let us know to fix it, which is a new skill." It's no wonder this was awarded a top spot in our Best of The Bump series!
Dimensions: 59.5" (L) x 19.7" (W) x 17.7" (H) | Weight: 23.9 lbs.
"My daughter did not need any explaining when she first saw the climbing set - she even asked for her own configurations and played with it for over an hour!"
Overall best wooden toy set
- Made from sustainable materials
- Has interactive elements, like a functioning elevator
- Comes with four figurines and other play accessories
- Takes a while to assemble, according to our product tester
- Lots of small parts
If you're looking for a top-notch wooden toy set, this adventurous bamboo house is sure to check all of the boxes on your list—and then some. The three-level abode is filled with interactive elements for your kiddo to discover, including a built-in slide, swings, a rope bridge and a working elevator. Plus, it comes with four panda figurines and several accessories so your little one can create imaginative scenes with ease. The bottom line? "I would highly recommend this toy. Simply because my kids love it so much! And because it encourages hours of independent play, allowing parents a moment to tackle other tasks or just rest," said our product tester.
Dimensions: 23.4" (L) x 13.4" (W) x 24" (H) | Weight: 15.5 lbs.
"The treehouse also helped [my kids] understand family roles and routines. It was great seeing them implement daily life in their role playing, such as setting the dinner table, making the bed and washing hands after using the bathroom."
The best wooden baby toys (or should we say the best toys, period) factor in your child’s developmental stage. Items like rattles, grabbers and play gyms suit babies ages 0 to 12 months. That being said, the following playthings don’t just serve learning purposes—they’re also just plain cute!
Wooden rattle
- Compliant with CPSC standards
- Best for children 5 months and above
- Wood sometimes needs upkeep with food-grade oil
This Etsy seller offers a variety of handmade wooden toys, but this rattle with beads that slide back and forth is a standout among the bunch. Made with organic maple wood that’s been sanded down and sealed with organic coconut oil, you’ll be comfortable with your little one playing and chewing on this toy as much as their heart desires.
Dimensions: 6" (L) | Weight: N/A
Wooden airplane toy
- Can be personalized
- Sanded and smooth but has no finish
All wooden baby toys should be safe and effective, and this wooden airplane toy is both! It’s made of hard maple wood, which is antibacterial (so you don’t have to worry when they inevitably put it in their mouth) and splinter-resistant. It also has built-in spots that make it easy for baby to grasp.
Dimensions: 4" (L) x 4.5" (W) | Weight: N/A
Wooden toy car
- No glue, just a string holding the parts together
- For babies 6 months and older
Wooden toy cars aren’t just for older kids. This pretty pastel vehicle is made from baby-friendly natural rubberwood and water-based paint. It’s designed to stimulate your child’s senses thanks to the colors and moving parts, and is a great push toy for honing baby’s motor skills.
Dimensions: 3.3" (L) x 3.9" (W) x 2.8" (H) | Weight: 4.9 oz.
Wooden bead toy
- Made with non-toxic materials
- Easy to clean
- Suitable for babies aged 6 months and up
Add this to the list of stimulating wooden baby toys! The vibrant grasper will fascinate baby visually and tactilely, encouraging hand-eye coordination while they develop hand strength. It’s also made sustainably, which is always a pro in our book!
Dimensions: 3.2" (L) x 1.5" (W) x 5.4" (H) | Weight: 3.2 oz.
Wooden play gym
- Modern design
- Foldable and easy to store
- Not all pieces are wood
- Pricey
Think big with a full-blown wooden play gym. This structure made from smooth, sanded wood will help baby exercise their body and mind. Plus, it looks understated and lovely and will easily blend into a modern home compared to many play gyms on the market.
Dimensions: 24" (L) x 12" (W) x 24" (H) | Weight: N/A
Wooden tree toy
- Eco-friendly and chemical-free
- Some reviewers found it small
Stackers are great for toddlers to develop their hand-eye coordination, and this bright wooden tree toy made with highly renewable rubber tree wood will also help with color and shape recognition. But most importantly, the little owl and fir tree will inspire imaginative play. Oh, and it’s pretty darn cute too!
Dimensions: 3.6" (L) x 3.6" (W) x 7.3" (H) | Weight: 12.7 oz.
Wooden toy train
- Big pieces, easy for small hands
- Durable and sturdy
- Best for ages 2 to 4
- Comes with 17 pieces
No toy box is complete without a wooden toy train—and this classic may be just like the one you had growing up. The colorful cars can be taken apart and stacked together, providing some of the same benefits as block play, and can also be rolled around for endless fun. Choo-choo!
Dimensions: 18.2" (L) x 3.5" (W) x 5.5" (H) | Weight: 2.4 lbs.
Wooden ride-on toy
- No assembly required
- Very low to the ground, easy for toddlers to ride
- Holds up to 88 lbs.
- Small, so they may outgrow it fast
Let your toddler buzz around the house on this adorable bee wooden ride-on toy. The bee shape sets this apart from other wooden ride-on toys, as do the color combinations.
Dimensions: 12.75” (H) x 9” (W) x 17.5” (D) | Weight: 6.4 lbs.
Wooden toy boat
- Classic design
- Pricey
- Made with fabric and wood
Ahoy little matey! Let your toddler sail away to an imaginary land with this too-cute-for-words wooden toy boat that also comes with two wooden animal toys, best friends Bubble and Squeak. It may be on the pricey side, but it’s so adorable, you might just keep it forever!
Dimensions: 9" (L) x 3.2" (W) x 11.6" (H) | Weight: 13.8 oz.
Wooden horse toy
- Helps develop fine motor skills
- Made from sustainably sourced materials
- Ages 18 months and up
Another toy with a timeless feel, this comes with not one wooden horse, but two! Your child will love rolling around this mommy-and-baby nesting wooden horse toy, which is extra chunky and super easy to hold on to.
Dimensions: 6" (L) x 3" (W) x 10" (H) | Weight: 1.5 lbs.
Wooden toy cars
- Reviewers rave about how well-crafted the toy is and how helpful the seller is
- For children over the age of 3
It’s a wooden toy truck. No, it’s a wooden toy car. Actually, it’s both! When it comes to wooden toy kits, this one’s especially genius, since it’s a push and pull toy, a stacking toy and a puzzle all in one. With the option for personalization, it’s obvious why it’s an Etsy bestseller.
Dimensions: 20" (L) x 5.5" (H) | Weight: N/A
Wooden toy barn
- Functional doors
- Animals store in the barn after playtime
- Pricey
- Adult assembly required, tools not provided
We never thought we would say this about a barn, but this wooden toy barn, complete with wooden animal toys, is quite chic! Parents will be happy with the minimalistic yet realistic design that won’t stand out in your home, and your kid will delight in creating their own farm scene and mastering their oinks, clucks and moos.
Dimensions: 17.9" (L) x 16.5" (W) x 18" (H) | Weight: 15.4 lbs.
Wooden toy kitchen
- Quality craftsmanship and solid wood construction
- Not for kids under the age of 3
- Assembly required
This comprehensive wooden toy kitchen is a nice alternative to plastic toy sets. It comes with wooden food toys, wooden toy utensils and more for budding chefs to practice with.
Dimensions: 21" (L) x 12" (W) x 31" (H) | Weight: 15.75 lbs.
Wooden snake toy
- Made from renewable resources
- For every rubber tree that’s used to make a toy, another one is planted
- Some reviewers say the paint has rubbed off the edges
This is a snake your child will not be scared of! This brightly colored wooden snake toy is actually a puzzle matching game that’ll not only help them learn about colors and shapes, but will spark their imagination to boot!
Dimensions: 8.5" (L) x 10.4" (W) x 0.8" (H) | Weight: 15.1 oz.
Wooden toy building blocks
- Comes with its own carrying case
- Variations in wood grain, color, knots, texture or dye transfer on the blocks
There’s a reason wooden building blocks have been a popular toy for generations—they provide endless fun (you don’t ever have to build the same thing twice) and chances for creativity and independent play without a ton of fuss. Meaning: They never get old! This set comes with 80 naturally finished and smooth-sanded hardwood blocks.
Dimensions: N/A | Weight: 3.7 lbs.
Your child’s room is probably filled with more toys than you’d like to admit, but how many of them do they actually play with? It’s not easy knowing what will click with your kid, so we decided to do some research to find the best wood toys on the market that your child will love and learn from. We narrowed down some of the best wooden toys for kids that’ll be welcome additions to any nursery (and make great presents too!). When selecting the children’s wooden toys, we considered their design, the materials, the size and shapes. We also made sure to read user reviews to see what real consumers have experienced when buying these toys, and didn’t consider anything with less than an average four-star rating.
Interested in learning more about our editorial process? Read about how our team develops and reviews all articles here.
Plus, more from The Bump:
American Academy of Pediatrics, Selecting Appropriate Toys for Young Children in the Digital Era, January 2019
Learn how we keep our content accurate and up-to-date by reading our medical review and editorial process.
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