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15 Chic Wooden Toys for Some Good Old-Fashioned Fun

Upgrade your child's toy collection with these retro-meets-modern playthings for babies, toddlers and big kids.
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profile picture of Megan Cahn
Updated September 25, 2023
toddler hand playing with wooden toy car
Image: iStock
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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.

Benefits of Wooden Toys

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.

Wooden Baby Toys

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

My Little Songbird Wooden Baby Rattle
Image: mylittlesongbird23 | Etsy
Buying Options
Etsy|$10.99

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

What We Love
  • Compliant with CPSC standards
Things To Consider
  • Best for children 5 months and above
  • Wood sometimes needs upkeep with food-grade oil

Wooden airplane toy

Bannor Toys Organic Baby Airplane Grasping Toy
Image: BannorToys | Etsy
Buying Options
Etsy|$19.99

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

What We Love
  • Can be personalized
Things To Consider
  • Sanded and smooth but has no finish

Wooden toy car

PlanToys Preschool Push and Pull Car
Image: Amazon
Buying Options
Amazon|$18

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.

What We Love
  • No glue, just a string holding the parts together
Things To Consider
  • For babies 6 months and older

Wooden bead toy

HABA Magica Wooden Clutching Toy
Image: Target

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.

What We Love
  • Made with non-toxic materials
  • Easy to clean
Things To Consider
  • Suitable for babies aged 6 months and up

Wooden play gym

West Elm Poppyseed Play Wood Baby Gym
Image: West Elm
Buying Options
West Elm|$90

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

What We Love
  • Modern design
  • Foldable and easy to store
Things To Consider
  • Not all pieces are wood
  • Pricey

Wooden tree toy

Tender Leaf Toys Stacking Fir Tree
Image: Amazon
Buying Options
Amazon|$22.99

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.

What We Love
  • Eco-friendly and chemical-free
Things To Consider
  • Some reviewers found it small

Wooden toy train

Melissa & Doug Stacking Train
Image: Amazon
Buying Options
Amazon|$22.99

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.

What We Love
  • Big pieces, easy for small hands
  • Durable and sturdy
Things To Consider
  • Best for ages 2 to 4
  • Comes with 17 pieces

Wooden ride-on toy

B. toys Wooden Bee Ride-On
Image: Target
Buying Options
Target|$34.99

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.

What We Love
  • No assembly required
  • Very low to the ground, easy for toddlers to ride
Things To Consider
  • Holds up to 88 lbs.
  • Small, so they may outgrow it fast

Wooden toy boat

Tender Leaf Toys Sailaway Boat
Image: Maisonette

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.

What We Love
  • Classic design
Things To Consider
  • Pricey
  • Made with fabric and wood

Wooden horse toy

Jack Rabbit Creations Big & Little Horse Push Toy
Image: Amazon

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.

What We Love
  • Helps develop fine motor skills
  • Made from sustainably sourced materials
Things To Consider
  • Ages 18 months and up

Wooden toy cars

Little Wooden Wonders Personalized Wooden Toy Truck
Image: Little Wooden Wonders | Etsy
Buying Options
Etsy|$44.95

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

What We Love
  • Reviewers rave about how well-crafted the toy is and how helpful the seller is
Things To Consider
  • For children over the age of 3

Wooden toy barn

Hearth & Hand with Magnolia Toy Barn with Animal Figurines
Image: Target
Buying Options
Target|$89.99

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.

What We Love
  • Functional doors
  • Animals store in the barn after playtime
Things To Consider
  • Pricey
  • Adult assembly required, tools not provided

Wooden toy kitchen

HAPE My Creative Cookery Club Kid's Wooden Play Kitchen
Image: Amazon

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.

What We Love
  • Quality craftsmanship and solid wood construction
Things To Consider
  • Not for kids under the age of 3
  • Assembly required

Wooden snake toy

Tender Leaf Toys Color Me Happy
Image: Amazon

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.

What We Love
  • Made from renewable resources
  • For every rubber tree that’s used to make a toy, another one is planted
Things To Consider
  • Some reviewers say the paint has rubbed off the edges

Wooden toy building blocks

Migargle Wooden Building Blocks Set for Kids
Image: Amazon
Buying Options
Amazon|$29.96

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.

What We Love
  • Comes with its own carrying case
Things To Consider
  • Variations in wood grain, color, knots, texture or dye transfer on the blocks

How We Chose the Best Wooden Toys

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.

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