The best wooden children's toys will not only keep your little one engaged throughout playtime but are less likely to end up in the bin at the end of a month (a serious bugbear of ours). Children's toys are a fantastic way of helping little ones develop lifelong skills, like sharing, problem-solving and creativity - but not all toys are made equal. Wooden toys are not only more sustainable and durable than plastic toys but, generally speaking, are a lot less garish than plastic ones.
With the rise in popularity of Montessori-style learning and minimalistic Scandi decor, it is no real surprise that wooden toys are currently the go-to choice for many parents. Whilst the most stylish kids' toys change over time, wooden toys are always a chic and solid choice that never goes out of fashion.
The Best Wooden Children's Toys At A Glance:
Best wooden transport toy: John Lewis Wooden London Double Decker Bus, £22.50 on John Lewis
Best wooden kitchen: Children's Wooden Play Kitchen, £129.99 on Zara
Best wooden doll's house: John Lewis Odney Wooden Doll's House, £100 on John Lewis
Best wooden sensory toy: TickiT 72101 Touch and Match Board , £15.01 on Amazon
Traditionally, wooden toys would cost significantly more than plastic toys, and although this is still somewhat true, the longevity of wooden toys makes them a much more cost-effective option. Plus, they can even be passed on when your little ones no longer play with them.
We love that the best wooden children's toys tend to be neutral, non-gender specific and crafted from high-quality materials. Tick, tick, tick! And did we mention that they aren't noisy? Quiet toys are the true music to any parent's ears.
SHOP: The Best Wooden Children's Toys
Best wooden transport toy
Credit: John Lewis www.johnlewis.com
Is there anything more iconic than the red London double-decker bus? Whether your little one is a car fanatic or not, all children can enjoy this charming and nostalgic toy crafted from high-quality wood based on the real no. 73 bus.
Suitable for children aged 12 months+.
Pros
- Brilliant colours
- The driver and passengers are made from one piece of wood.
- Easy to push
- The lid is easy to remove
- Sturdy
Cons
- Only male figures
Best wooden play kitchen
Credit: Zarawww.zara.com
Zara strikes again with this stylish retro play kitchen for kids. This mini-kitchen includes storage spaces (drawer, oven, hooks and shelf), mobile elements and a sink. We love that you can also buy a whole host of accessories that match.
Pros
- Vintage design
- Includes storage spaces
- Movable elements
Cons
- Requires simple assembly
Best wooden activity cube
Credit: AmazonThis shape sorter activity cube is a great educational toy for early years development. The Jaques of London cube has been crafted from durable, high-quality FSC-certified wood materials. We love that this toy includes child-friendly coloured shapes.
Suitable for children aged 10 months+.
Pros
- Stimulates cognitive development
- Made from high-quality wood
- Educational Montessori toy
Cons
- Some customers found the lid was a little loose
Best wooden ride-on toy
Credit: Kidly www.kidly.co.uk
Janod's wooden ride-on dinosaur is perfect for toddlers who need to burn off some energy. The adorable unisex design will help build balance and promote imaginative play. We love that it also features a removable plush tail for further play options.
Suitable for children aged 12 months+.
Pros
- Removable washable plush tail
- Rubber-rimmed wheels protect floors and furniture
- Sustainably-sourced wood
Cons
- Limited online reviews
Best wooden sensory toy
Credit: AmazonThis beautifully crafted match and touch board is great for sensory development. The counters have different textures, which can help to encourage communication. We love this product because it is simple yet very engaging for children.
Suitable for children aged 3 years+.
Pros
- The pieces are lovely and chunky
- Lovely different textures
- Colourful
Cons
- No storage case
Best wooden doll's house
Credit: John Lewis www.johnlewis.com
This Odeny Mansion is the doll's house of dreams. Kevin McCloud, eat your heart out. Designed with three floors to accommodate even the largest family, its beautiful pink roof and large Georgian windows give a feeling of classic, elegant grandeur. A beautiful doll house can be the foundation of endless hours of childhood play.
Suitable for children aged 3 years+.
Pros
- Neutral colours
- Lovely design
- It opens up for play
Cons
- Dolls sold separately
Best wooden doll set
Credit: AmazonAnd, of course, every doll's house needs some residents to live inside. These hand-crafted dolls come complete with cute little outfits. We love that this set includes the whole family, from a tiny baby to Granny and Grandad. Le Toy Van offers an array of beautifully crafted dolls, doll house accessories and doll house furniture sets.
Suitable for children aged 3 years+.
Pros
- Good quality
- Bendable legs
- Quick delivery
Cons
- Some customers found the dolls slightly too big
Best wooden children's toy for roleplay
Credit: AmazonEnjoy hours of roleplay whilst your little one runs their very own ice cream parlour. We love that it comes with a little menu so you can order and your little one can follow the picture guides.
Suitable for children aged 3 years+.
Pros
- It comes with a reusable menu.
- It is easy to lift, stack and release the scoops.
- Durable enough for both indoor and outdoor play
Cons
- A few plastic elements
Best wooden activity table
Credit: My First Years www.my1styears.com
This sturdy table is crafted from wood and painted in calming shades of cream and pastel green, pink and blue. This engaging table features a functioning xylophone, shape sorter, turning cogs, animal sliders, flippable mirrors and a bead puzzle. We love that this table can even be personalised.
Suitable for children aged 12 months+.
Pros
- Designed to grow with your little one
- Countless engaging features
- Detachable legs
Cons
- Can only be personalised up to 10 characters
Best wooden children's toy for imaginative play
Credit: The White Company www.thewhitecompany.com
Help develop your little one's imagination with this engaging, elegant mini-market. This wooden set comes with a market stand, scale, cash register and lots of groceries, as well as ten coins for customers to pay with and two shopping bags to pack the goods inside.
Pros
- All the accessories they’ll need to play shop
- Neutral design
- It comes with two shopping bags to pack the goods inside
Cons
- Require a little bit of space
Best wooden toy to give as a gift
Credit: John Lewis www.johnlewis.com
This pretty play set will appeal to a child's imagination, giving their playtime a sweet surprise (without the mess). This adorable set comes with a stand for storage, making it a tremendous colourful feature for any vibrant playroom. Sometimes, wooden toys can be seen as a little monotonous, but this toy truly breaks the mould.
Suitable for children aged 3 years+.
Pros
- It comes with a stand for storing.
- Realistic yet vibrant design
- Unique wooden toy
Cons
- A few people found the lolly sticks became loose
Best wooden toy for physical activity
Credit: AmazonOk, so you need to have a little bit of space for this toy, but if you do, it will enable you to create your very own soft play experience without the terrible hot chocolate and chaos. Made with FSC-certified wood, this indoor climbing frame locks into place whilst your child plays and can easily be folded down for easy storage.
Suitable for children aged 12 months+.
Pros
- Anti-slip rubber feet provide improved stability and protect your floors
- Made from FSC Certified Wood
- Designed to be used with other products in the TP Active-Tots Toddler Range
Cons
- Requires a lot of space
Best wooden educational toy
Credit: Bootswww.boots.com
A toy that is made from sustainable materials that can help to teach your little tike how to look after the planet. The recycling centre comes with a recycling truck and signage. The centre itself comes with four recycling sections and sets of cards. They'll love placing the cards in the slot that they belong in.
Suitable for children aged 3+.
Pros
- Great eco-conscious toy
- Teaches lifelong understanding of recycling
- Great educational aid
Cons
- We would have liked figures rather than cards
Best wooden game
Credit: AmazonDesigned by UK teachers, kids can use these creative animal toys to learn to recognise animals. This educational toy develops fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination. This four-in-one game has been made from FSC-approved wood and has been painted with non-toxic water-based paint.
Suitable for children aged 3+.
Pros
- Designed to develop their fine motor skills
- Colourful
- It comes in a lovely presentation box
Cons
- A few people found a couple of the bricks were stuck to each
Best wooden puzzle game
Credit: Kidly www.kidly.co.uk
Looking for a roarsome gift for the dino-obsessed kid in your life? Look no further. Your little palaeontologists will love digging for dinosaur bones. Just pour the sand and the 64 puzzle pieces into a flat bowl or platter, then watch them use the brush and the magnifying glass to figure out which bony element goes where.
Suitable for children aged 4+.
Pros
- 10 dino skeleton puzzles to complete
- Develops concentration skills
- Wipe clean
Cons
- A little messy
Best wooden construction toys
Credit: AmazonThis set of 100 pieces of wooden blocks has endless possibilities. Kids can create anything from towers to buildings as they learn hands-on construction skills. This set has no magnets or connectors, just balance, friction and engineering skills.
Suitable for children aged 3+.
Pros
- Made of high-quality New Zealand pine
- Children can build and break down repeatedly
- Teaches construction skills
Cons
- Uniform blocks
Best wooden train set
Credit: Amazon Wooden train sets are timeless toys that generations of children have enjoyed. They offer a classic and durable play experience that fosters creativity and problem-solving skills.
Suitable for children aged 3+.
Pros
- Made of FSC Approved Sustainable Wood
- Completely recyclable
- Simple design
Cons
- No instructions
Best wooden toy subscription
Credit: Loveverylovevery.co.uk
Lovevery offers age-specific Montessori-style wooden toys and subscription-style play kits with toys designed to be used on rotation, with development and stimulation firmly in mind. We love these high-quality toys and have found them extremely popular with our children.
Pros
- Supports your child’s learning
- Stress-free as experts pick the toys
- Toys are made with sustainably harvested wood, organic cotton, nontoxic paint, and baby-safe plastics.
Cons
- Works on a subscription basis
Are wooden toys better for kids?
We think so! Let's be real - they're much more eco-friendly than plastic toys, which is a win for the planet. Plus, they can withstand the epic adventures and imaginative escapades that kids put them through without falling apart.
How long do wooden toys last?
With proper care, these toys can last for generations and like all good retro toys, they won't go out of style. Unlike some flimsy plastic options that might call it quits after a few playdates, wooden toys are known for their durability. Sure, they might get a few scratches and battle scars along the way, but that's just a sign of a well-loved toy.
Are old wooden toys safe?
Generally, old wooden toys can be safe, but it's crucial to give them a thorough once-over. Check for any splinters, sharp edges, or loose parts that could pose a risk.
How to clean wooden toys
Cleaning wooden toys is a breeze. First, grab a damp cloth and wipe off any visible dirt or grime. Next, mix a mild solution of water and a bit of gentle soap. Dip the cloth in the soapy mix, wring it out, and give the toys a good wipe-down. Be sure to get into nooks and crannies! After that, grab a dry cloth to remove any excess moisture. Finally, let the toys air dry completely before sending them back into action.
Hannah Carroll is a Parenting, Lifestyle and Home Product writer for Grazia, specialising in product testing and reviews. With three children, Hannah loves testing the latest industry products on her own family.