Why We Love Wooden Toys – 25 Favorites For Kids Of All Ages
In an industry that’s still quite unregulated, a lot of potentially harmful ingredients can be found lurking in plastic toys, especially when they come from overseas. If you’re like us – after safe alternatives – then you’re going to want to check out these 25 wooden toys your kids will actually want to play with!
When buying new toys for our little ones, it’s easy to become entranced by shiny plastic, flashing lights, and other bells and whistles. Add to that our children’s demands for the latest fads (LOL Dolls, Beyblades and fidget spinners, anyone?), and it’s no wonder we end up with a living room full of broken plastic gadgets. The worst part: plastic toys can be full of harmful ingredients like lead, PVC, phthalates and bisphenols.
Even though the U.S. has cracked down on the use of these ingredients in household paint and feeding products, they’re often wildly unregulated overseas and can be found contaminating other materials. Since most toys end up in your baby or child’s mouth, it puts them at risk for exposure to neurotoxins, carcinogens and endocrine disrupters.
Luckily, there are plenty of alternatives, starting with wooden toys.
In this article, we’ll go over:
- The benefits of wooden toys
- Chemicals to avoid in kids toys
- The best non-toxic wooden toys for kids
Scroll down to learn more!
The benefits of wooden toys
Wooden toys can seem old-school and simplistic compared to the latest generation of battery-operated gizmos, but modern play-based learning programs such as the Montessori Method and the Reggio Emilia approach emphasize the importance of simple and natural materials to enhance learning and discovery.
Here’s why we love them:
- Safer: They don’t break as easily as plastic toys, so they’re less likely to harm your child with small parts and jagged edges. They’re also less likely to contain unsafe dyes, paints and chemicals.
- Longer-lasting: Wooden toys rarely break or fade. They’ll not only be enjoyed by your children, but they can also be passed on to friends or handed down to future generations.
- Timeless: The classic designs and heirloom quality of wooden toys mean that even your great-grandchildren will delight in playing with them.
- Sustainable: Wood is natural, biodegradable and recyclable, whereas plastic ends up in landfills.
- Encourage creativity and stimulate the imagination: Whether they’re basic blocks or in the shape of everyday items, wooden toys encourage children to build, create and engage in imaginative play. These types of activities often simulate real-life situations and prepare them for the future.
- Develop reasoning skills and problem-solving: Wooden blocks and puzzles engage children and prompt them to use their reasoning skills as they build new structures and try to fit pieces together. Plastic toys with music, lights and audio commands result in much more passive play.
- Develop fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination: Stacking blocks, fitting wooden bricks together and stringing wooden beads all encourage the development of neural pathways between small hands and brains.
- Pleasing to the eye: Some wooden toys are so beautiful that they double as decorations in your home.
Chemicals to avoid in kids toys
As mentioned before, plastic toys can often be harboring dangerous chemicals. Even though wooden toys are a much safer option, you still want to ensure they haven’t been made with wood that contains formaldehyde nor any toxic finishes.
At The Tot, we never use or recommend anything that hasn’t passed The Tot Safety Test. This means we’ve reviewed third-party testing, examined ingredients lists and asked in-depth questions about a product’s composition. To help keep your family safe, below is a list of ingredients we avoid and why:
Formaldehyde
Formaldehyde is a known carcinogen and very low levels can irritate and burn the eyes, nose, throat, and skin. Those with asthma may have exacerbation of symptoms when exposed to formaldehyde.
PVC
PVC, also known as polyvinyl chloride, or vinyl, is an incredibly toxic chemical that is harmful to our bodies and to the environment right from the production phase through to disposal. It contains additives like phthalates, lead, cadmium, organotin that are quite toxic and have been linked to asthma, allergies, reproductive problems and cancer.
Known Harmful phthalates
Many phthalates are known endocrine disruptors associated with asthma, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, breast cancer, obesity, type II diabetes, neurodevelopmental issues, behavioral issues, autism spectrum disorders, altered reproductive development and male fertility issues.
BPA + BPS (bisphenols)
Bisphenols mimic the hormone estrogen and have been linked to prostate cancer, breast cancer, female infertility, and obesity. BPA is an especially dangerous endocrine disruptor since even small amounts of this chemical have been shown to cause serious reproductive damage, especially when the exposure occurs in utero.
Lead and other heavy metals
Exposure to heavy metals can cause nerve damage, learning and behavioral problems, reproductive damage and irreversible brain damage.
Click here to view the full list of ingredients that The Tot cautions.
Our favorite non-toxic wooden toys for babies, toddlers & big kids
Lily & River Climber
The Lily & River Climber encourages babies and toddlers to use their natural instinct to (you guessed it) CLIMB! Wonderful for strengthening muscles, encouraging problem-solving and building confidence, Lily’s & River’s Pikler-style triangle comes in multiple colors and configurations.
Lily & River Birch Wood Climber
Ranging from $350 to $578.95
EXCLUSIVE
Available in more colors and bamboo
Bajo Baby Walker
The Bajo Baby Walker helps babies find their feet and walk with confidence. Made from FSC certified wood and painted with non-toxic paints, it takes sustainability to the next step (pun intended) by transitioning into a wagon for longer use.
Bajo Baby Walker
$175
EXCLUSIVE
Lily & River Little Surfer Balance Board
Arguably one of the most versatile toys you can find, the Lily & River Surfer Balance Board allows kids to balance, rock, step, slide, launch, rest and more!
Lily & River Little Surfer Balance Board
$129.95
EXCLUSIVE
Jupiduu Slide
Indoor active play will be even better with the Jupiduu Slide on hand! Fun to go both down and up, it’s a must-have for gross motor play.
Jupiduu Slide
$299.90
Available in more colors
Raduga Grez Sand Small Arch Stacker
Learning shapes, sizes and honing hand-eye coordination is extra fun with the Raduga Grez Sand Small Arch Stacker! Made of sustainably sourced solid lime wood and finished with non-toxic water-based paints, it does double time as decor!
Raduga Grez Sand Small Arch Stacker
$30
Big Future Toys Magnetic Earthtiles
Magnetic building play is incredibly important for both cognitive and physical development. We love these wooden sets from Big Future Toys because they offer a variety of shapes for kids to explore.
Big Future Toys Earthtiles
$59
Poppie Toys Rattan Poppie Rocking Horse
Inspired by mid-century modern European design, your tot will imagine riding across the prairie, have untold adventures and befriend unicorns!
Poppie Toys Rattan Poppie Rocking Horse
$89
Raduga Grez Vegetable Wooden Food Set Vol 2
Your little friend will obviously need something to put in their shopping cart, which is why we are all about the Raduga Grez Vegetable Wooden Food Set Vol 2.
Raduga Grez Vegetable Wooden Food Set Vol 2
$65
PlanToys Musical Band
Let your little one take center stage with this groovy percussion instrument! Just the thing for fine motor play and developing rhythm, it’s made of renewable rubber wood and colored with non-toxic vegetable dyes.
PlanToys Musical Band
$60
Stuka Puka Moon Phase Wooden Puzzle
Made of FSC certified 100% beech plywood and child-safe varnishes, the Stuka Puka Moon Phase puzzle includes 14 pieces + frame and cover. Beautifully detailed, it’s a great toy to teach kids about the phases of the moon as well as hone hand-eye coorindation.
Stuka Puka Moon Phase Wooden Puzzle
$60
BabyNoise Rain Maker
Fun at all ages, the BabyNoise Rain Maker is equal parts soothing and musical by mimicking the peaceful sound of falling rain. The Rain Maker will develop your child’s hand-eye coordination and will encourage them to connect with both music and nature.
BabyNoise Rain Maker
$45
Guidecraft Foundation Train Set A
Designed for kids to think critically while imagining a busy railroad world, kids will love assembling the Guidecraft Foundation Train Set A!
Guidecraft Foundation Train Set A
$129
Tender Leaf Toys Dovetail House
Speaking of magical worlds, the large Tender Leaf Toys Dovetail House dollhouse is what Birthday morning dreams are made of!
Tender Leaf Toys Dovetail House
$250
Make Me Iconic Doctor Kit
A must-have for role play games, the wooden Make Me Iconic Doctor Kit has everything your tot needs to assess their patient!
Make Me Iconic Doctor Kit
$64.99
Milton & Goose Essential Play Kitchen + Food Toys
Play kitchens and food toys are a wonderful way to expand vocabulary, teach manners, encourage independence and establish healthy eating habits. Made in the USA, the wooden options from Milton & Goose are something that will be cherished by generation after generation.
Milton & Goose Essential Play Kitchen w/ Hood
$798
Available in more colors
Milton & Goose Pantry Play Food Set
$48
Poppie Toys Rattan Doll Daybed
While it’s fun to cuddle a doll or bring them on a backyard adventure, it’s extra fun to get to take care of them and provide them somewhere safe (and cute to sleep!) Made of rattan, the Poppie Toys Daybed is another toy even your grandkids will play with!
Poppie Toys Rattan Doll Daybed
$109
Make Me Iconic Beauty Kit
The Make Me Iconic Beauty Kit is just the thing your tot needs for pretend makeup time!
Make Me Iconic Beauty Kit
$69.99
Guidecraft Wooden Fire Truck
Made from FSC-certified birch plywood and decorated with naturally toned screened artwork, Guidecraft’s wooden fire truck is fantastic for imaginative play.
Guidecraft Wooden Fire Truck
$49.95
Let Them Play Story Scene + Tree People
Small world play with the Let Them Play sets provides an engaging way for kids to create storylines in their minds, develop characters and ultimately begin to understand setting, sequence and relationships.
Let Them Play Story Scene – Bundle
$150
EXCLUSIVE
Let Them Play The Tree People – Natural
$24.50
EXCLUSIVE
Available in more colors
Once Kids Eco Bricks
An eco-friendly alternative to LEGO, Once Kids Eco Bricks take the classic activity a step further by allowing kids to color and paint their designs!
Once Kids Eco Bricks
$110
Available in more sizes
Loog Guitars
Made with the same high-quality materials that adult guitars receive, Loog’s options for kids are designed with little hands and minds in hand! Complete with easy-to-understand instructional cards, your tot will be rocking out in no time.
Loog Guitars Mini Guitar
$79
Available in more colors
Loog Guitars Acoustic Guitar
$129
Available in more colors
Guidecraft Hollow Blocks
If your tot is ready to take their block play to the next level, literally and figuratively, you’re going to want to know about these epic hollow sets from Guidecraft.
Guidecraft Outdoor Wooden Hollow Blocks
$999.95
Wishbone 3-in-1 Bike
The Wishbone 3-in-1 Bike goes from trike to balance bike in a flash! With two seat heights available, it’s a gift they’ll play with for years, not months.
Wishbone 3-in-1 Bike
Ranging from $249.99 to $269.99
Available in more colors
Swurfer Swing
Your backyard play sessions will be even more exciting with the addition of a Swurfer Swing!
Swurfer Sway Classic Swing
$54.99
Swurfer Stand Up Surfing Swing
$129.99
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