Classic Toys That Will Last
It’s no secret that having kids means your home will never look the same. Toys are bound to be scattered around, and that’s just part of the deal. However, what you can control is the type of toys filling your space. Instead of cluttering your home with plastic toys that break easily and lack visual appeal, consider choosing wooden toys for a more durable and sustainable option.
For Montessori parents, wooden toys are already a familiar choice. While they may seem traditional or even old-fashioned, wooden toys are known for their durability, sustainability, and ability to engage children in focused, imaginative play. As noted by Hello Minimalist Family, “introducing natural, quiet toys with room for interpretation and creativity, kids naturally feel more at ease and in control of their playtime.”
But how do you choose the right wooden toys for your child? Below is a collection of 20 beautifully designed, educational, and fun wooden toys that your kids will adore!
Top Reasons to Keep Wooden Toys in Your House
When it comes to selecting the best toys for your little ones, wooden toys are wonderful for several reasons. Here’s a quick list of why you should include wooden toys in your kids’ playroom:
- Durability: Wooden toys, especially those made from sustainably harvested wood, are built to last. Since plastic items may break or wear out, these toys can endure years of play, making them a great investment.
- Encouraging Imagination: Wooden toys encourage imaginative play. Whether it’s a collection of wooden cars or a handcrafted animal figure, these toys allow toddlers to create their games and stories.
- Safe for Newborns: Many wooden toys are made with non-toxic finishes, making them safe for newborns and toddlers alike. Parents can rest easy knowing that their children are playing with items that are free from harmful chemicals.
- Spatial Awareness: Engaging with wooden play items helps develop spatial skills. Whether stacking blocks or navigating vehicles through a DIY course, kids learn about balance and coordination.
- Classic Appeal: A selection of classic and traditional wooden toys, such as handmade puzzles or toy guns, offers an old nostalgic charm that resonates with both parents and children.
- Variety of Styles: From small vehicles to larger playsets, boxes, and more, the variety of wooden toy brands means you can find items that suit every interest and age group. Whether you’re looking for toddler toys or gifts for older kids, the options are plentiful.
- Eco-Friendly Option: Choosing wooden toys is a sustainable choice. Opting for items made from responsibly sourced materials helps support environmental health.
Investing in wooden toys is not only a way to provide your children with fun and engaging play but also supports their development and encourages lifelong values of sustainability and imagination.
Our Favorite Wooden Toys for Babies & Toddlers
Finn + Emma Play Gym
Introduce your baby to the world of wooden toys with the beautifully crafted Finn + Emma Play Gym. Made from 100% birch wood, this wooden baby toy is designed to encourage natural, educational play from the very beginning. The Play Gym features removable wooden teething toys, offering stimulating and tactile experiences whether your baby is at home or on the go.
What You’ll Love:
- Play Gym: Crafted from durable birch wood, this wooden playset is both sturdy and aesthetically pleasing, blending seamlessly with any home decor.
- Teething Toys: The removable wooden teething toys provide a safe, natural alternative to plastic, encouraging your child’s early development while supporting sustainability.
- Portable Entertainment: With detachable wooden toys, your baby can enjoy engaging play anywhere, making this product a convenient companion for parents.
Finn + Emma’s Play Gym not only offers timeless wooden toys for your baby but also serves as a beautiful, eco-friendly addition to your home. It’s the perfect way to combine natural, stimulating play with style and sustainability.
Melissa & Doug Cutting Fruit
While keeping your kids out of the kitchen during dinner prep might seem like a good idea, it’s never too early to start teaching them valuable life skills. The Melissa & Doug Cutting Fruit Set is the perfect way to help your child build fine motor skills while learning about food. This beautifully designed wooden toy set allows your child to practice cutting without the worry of BPA or harmful plastics.
What You’ll Love:
- Cutting Fruit Set: Made from high-quality wooden materials, this classic wooden toy set includes a variety of fruits, giving your child a hands-on learning experience with safe, durable toys.
- Fine Motor Skills: Cutting through the wooden fruit provides a real feel for food and helps your child develop their motor skills while learning the names and shapes of different fruits.
- Safe & Natural: Unlike plastic, these wooden toys are free from harmful chemicals, offering your child a natural, non-toxic way to explore kitchen play.
The Melissa & Doug Cutting Fruit Set combines fun, learning, and safety, making it an ideal choice for parents who want to encourage educational and imaginative play while fostering important kitchen skills.
Melissa & Doug See & Spell
When searching for the perfect educational wooden toys for your child, it’s important to consider every aspect of their development. The Melissa & Doug See & Spell puzzle is an excellent tool for introducing early spelling and word recognition. This engaging wooden puzzle allows your child to match letters to pictures, making learning fun and interactive.
What You’ll Love:
• See & Spell Puzzle: Made from durable wood, this wooden toy encourages your child to explore letters and words, helping them improve vocabulary, spelling, and fine motor skills.
• Educational & Fun: The unique design of this wooden puzzle makes learning a hands-on experience, combining playtime with valuable language development.
• Durable & Non-toxic: Crafted from high-quality, non-toxic wood, the See & Spell set offers a safe and natural way for kids to learn.
With the Melissa & Doug See & Spell, your child can start building foundational skills in spelling and word recognition, all while enjoying the durability and beauty of a classic wooden toy.
Personalized Name Puzzle
As your child begins working on spelling, the Personalized Name Puzzle is a must-have! There’s nothing more exciting for kids than a wooden puzzle made just for them, helping them learn to spell their name with ease. This beautifully crafted wooden toy makes learning fun and personal, turning every playtime into an educational moment.
What You’ll Love:
- Personalized Name Puzzle: Custom-made from high-qualitywood, this wooden puzzle helps your child practice spelling their name in a fun and interactive way.
- Perfect Gift: With the option to engrave a personalized message on the back, this puzzle makes an unforgettable gift for any child, combining thoughtful customization with durable,natural materials.
- Learning Through Play: This wooden toy supports early development by helping your child recognize letters and practice spelling in a hands-on, engaging manner.
The Personalized Name Puzzle offers a combination of fun, education, and timeless quality, making it an ideal gift that encourages learning while celebrating individuality.
KidKraft So Stylish Mansion Wooden Dollhouse
Can you say “dream dollhouse?” That’s exactly what your kids will see when they lay eyes on the KidKraft So Stylish Mansion Wooden Dollhouse. If you’re looking for wooden toys that your kids can grow with, this dollhouse is truly one-of-a-kind. Featuring three levels and ten rooms, it offers endless possibilities for imaginative play and creative storytelling.
What You’ll Love:
- Wooden Dollhouse: Made from durable wood, this dollhouse is built to last for generations, offering a timeless heirloom-quality toy that won’t fall apart like plastic.
- 360-Degree Open Concept: With its open design, your kids can easily move around the dollhouse without needing to disassemble rooms, making it ideal for uninterrupted play.
- Expansive Play Options: With three levels and ten rooms, your child will have plenty of space to explore and enjoy with this beautifully crafted wooden toy.
TheKidKraft So Stylish Mansion Wooden Dollhouse is designed to inspire imagination and create lasting memories for your family, providing a sustainable, heirloom toy that’s built to stand the test of time.
Etched Wooden Blocks
Blocks are celebrated as one of the most classic and charming early developmental toys. Why settle for brightly colored plastic when you can have beautifully crafted blocks that enhance your child’s play experience? The Etched Wooden Blocks feature the alphabet, with intricately etched and white-painted images accompanying each letter, combining aesthetics with functionality.
What You’ll Love:
- Etched Wooden Blocks: Made from high-quality wood, these blocks not only promote fine motor skills but also add a touch of elegance to your playroom decor.
- Non-Toxic & Safe: Crafted with non-toxic paint, you can rest easy knowing that if your little one decides to chew on the letter A, they’re safe and sound.
- Timeless Keepsake: These wooden toys are so aesthetically pleasing that they’re sure to become cherished keepsakes, perfect for passing down to future generations.
The Etched Wooden Blocks are an excellent way to encourage learning through play while providing a beautiful, sustainable option that your kids will want to treasure for years to come.
Grimm’s 12-Piece Wooden Stacking Rainbow Tunnel
Building blocks don’t always have to be in traditional block form; they can also take the shape of a stunning rainbow arch! The Grimm’s 12-Piece Wooden Stacking Rainbow Tunnel is one of those exceptional wooden toys that goes beyond simple stacking. Each arch in this beautiful rainbow can be used for building tunnels, creating circles to hop through, or crafting unique homes for their imaginary friends.
What You’ll Love:
- Imagination Stimulator: These wooden blocks are designed to inspire your child’s creativity, turning playtime into a magical adventure filled with endless possibilities.
- Versatile Play Options: Whether stacking, arranging, or using them in imaginative play scenarios, the rainbow arches offer a vibrant way to engage your child’s fine motor skills and cognitive development.
- Sustainable & Timeless: Made from high-quality wood, these wooden toys are durable and environmentally friendly, making them a perfect choice for parents who value sustainability.
The Grimm’s 12-Piece Wooden Stacking Rainbow Tunnel not only provides hours of engaging play, but also adds a splash of color to your child’s toy collection, encouraging imaginative exploration and creativity with every use.
Milton and Goose Essential Play Kitchen
Ah, we absolutely adore kitchen play for our kids! From learning to prepare pretend meals to washing dishes, a toy kitchen is an essential addition to every child’s playroom. The Milton and Goose Essential Play Kitchen stands out as the best quality play kitchen you’ll find. Its design is both modern and classic, featuring neutral colors that won’t distract your little one during imaginative play.
What You’ll Love:
- High-Quality Craftsmanship: Made from durable wood, this wooden toy ensures long-lasting fun while promoting hands-on learning.
- Realistic Play Experience: Watch your kids as they open the under-sink cabinet and mimic you by turning the burners while cooking spaghetti on the stove top.
- Encourages Creativity: This wooden toy fosters creativity and role-playing, helping your child develop essential life skills in a fun and engaging way.
The Milton and Goose Essential Play Kitchen is not just a toy; it’s a tool that helps prepare your child for a bright (and tasty) future filled with imaginative cooking adventures!
Waldorf Original Wooden Balance Board
Wooden toys can be a fantastic way to help your kids expend energy while also enhancing their hand-eye coordination. The Waldorf Original Wooden Balance Board is a versatile toy that accomplishes all of this while providing your child with a greater sense of body awareness.
What You’ll Love:
- Promotes Physical Activity: Your kids will enjoy taking turns surfing around the house or even curling up on it for a cozy nap, making it a perfect wooden toy for active play.
- Durable and Safe Design: Crafted from sustainably-sourced wood and finished with a water-based lacquer, this wooden toy is safe for indoor use and durable enough for outdoor adventures.
- Encourages Imaginative Play: This balance board invites endless possibilities for creative play, stimulating your child’s imagination as they explore its many uses.
The Waldorf Original Wooden Balance Board is not just a toy; it’s a tool that enhances your child’s physical development while encouraging imaginative play, whether indoors or on the go!
Weather Station
Teaching your kids about the weather becomes an exciting adventure with their very own Weather Station! Wooden toys should be a staple in every child’s playtime, and this wooden toy ensures that your kids will engage with it daily.
What You’ll Love:
- Interactive Learning: This toy allows your kids to monitor the weather in depth, from tracking temperature changes to gauging wind speed. They’ll be channeling their inner meteorologist as they observe the world around them.
- Durable Wooden Construction: Made from high-quality, sustainable wood, this wooden toy is designed to withstand daily use, making it a lasting addition to your child’s collection of educational toys.
- Encourages Curiosity: By exploring how different weather conditions affect their environment, your kids will develop a deeper understanding of science and nature.
The Weather Station is not just a toy; it’s an educational tool that encourages imaginative play and fosters a love for learning about the world around them!
Lily & River Birch Wood Climber
Ditch the plastic play gyms and invest in a wooden toy that encourages your child to climb and explore! The Lily & River Birch Wood Climber is a high-quality climber designed for children as young as six months.
What You’ll Love:
- Versatile Exploration: There are countless ways for your kids to engage with this climber. Whether they begin with the ladder and slide or the reversible rock wall, your little ones will have a blast learning to climb and crawl all over.
- Promotes Physical Development: This educational toy helps develop essential skills like coordination and balance while encouraging active play.
- Perfect for Indoor Fun: If you’re struggling to find wooden toys that keep your kids entertained on rainy days, the Lily & River Birch Wood Climber is the ideal solution for hours of active play!
This wooden climber isn’t just a toy; it’s a fantastic way to inspire imaginative play and promote physical activity in a safe and stimulating environment!
Plan Toys Wooden Toy Shaving Kit
Let’s face it: sometimes our kids get into things we’d rather they not touch. Instead of instilling fear, why not find wooden toys that can educate them before they’re ready for the real deal? The Plan Toys Wooden Toy Shaving Kit is an adorable way to involve your kids in your morning routine.
What You’ll Love:
- Complete Play Experience: This set includes a comb, knife, trimmer, razor, and more, allowing your little ones to carry their own bag into the bathroom and feel like grown-ups during morning rituals.
- Encourages Imaginative Play: With this educational toy, your kids will explore role-playing and mimicry, which are essential for their social and emotional development.
- Perfect for Bonding: Who knows? This playful engagement might even inspire them to give you a delightful pretend haircut!
ThePlan Toys Wooden Toy Shaving Kit offers a fun and safe way to introduce your children to routines they’ll eventually experience, all while nurturing their creativity and independence!
Stoie’s International Wooden Music Set
Music time is essential in every child’s life, but many plastic musical instruments can be a bit overwhelming for parents. Instead of opting for electronic toys, consider the charm of classic wooden instruments! The Stoie’s International Wooden Music Set is the perfect setup for any music session.
What You’ll Love:
- Diverse Instruments: Your kids will have a blast jamming out to the tambourine and shaking their arms with the handbells, providing a fun introduction to rhythm and sound.
- Focused Play: The classic look of these wooden toys ensures that your children aren’t distracted by flashy colors or overwhelming sounds, allowing them to truly immerse themselves in the music.
- Durable Quality: Crafted from high-quality wood, this set is designed to withstand the enthusiastic play of your little musicians.
The Stoie’s International Wooden Music Set not only enhances your child’s musical journey but also fosters a love for music in a way that’s both engaging and enriching. Bring joy to music time with these timeless, educational wooden toys!
Wooden Scoops and Tongs for Transfer Work
Music time is essential in every child’s life, but many plastic musical instruments can be a bit overwhelming for parents. Instead of opting for electronic toys, consider the charm of classic wooden instruments! The Stoie’s International Wooden Music Set is the perfect setup for any music session.
What You’ll Love:
- Diverse Instruments: Your kids will have a blast jamming out to the tambourine and shaking their arms with the handbells, providing a fun introduction to rhythm and sound.
- Focused Play: The classic look of these wooden toys ensures that your children aren’t distracted by flashy colors or overwhelming sounds, allowing them to truly immerse themselves in the music.
- Durable Quality: Crafted from high-quality wood, this set is designed to withstand the enthusiastic play of your little musicians.
TheStoie’s International Wooden Music Set not only enhances your child’s musical journey but also fosters a love for music in a way that’s both engaging and enriching. Bring joy to music time with these timeless, educational wooden toys!
Kids Bowling Set
Who doesn’t love bowling? While trips to the bowling alley may not always be feasible, you can easily bring the joy of bowling right into your home! Your kids will delight in the sound of these wooden toys clanging together as they aim for their very first strike.
What You’ll Love:
- Customizable Fun: This Kids Bowling Set offers a variety of color options, allowing you to choose any hue your child can imagine, making it a vibrant addition to their playtime.
- Personal Touch: You can even have your child’s name etched onto their very own bowling ball, adding a special touch that makes playtime feel personal and exciting.
- Durable Design: Crafted from high-quality wood, this bowling set is built to withstand the energetic play of your little bowlers.
The Kids Bowling Set is a fantastic way to encourage active play while honing fine motor skills and coordination. Transform your living room into a bowling alley and watch your kids have a blast with these charming educational wooden toys!
Wooden Kids Knife for Cooking and Safe Cutting
Practical wooden toys are some of the best tools for encouraging your child’s development! While you certainly wouldn’t hand a real knife to your two-year-old, involving them in the kitchen can greatly enhance their motor skills while also helping you whip up dinner. The Wooden Kids Knife for Cooking and Safe Cutting is expertly crafted from natural beech wood, featuring rounded corners and no sharp cutting edges, making it perfect for little hands.
What You’ll Love:
- Safe Design: This knife is designed with safety in mind; although it’s not sharp, it cuts surprisingly well, allowing your child to help with meal prep without any worries.
- Encourages Independence: With this knife, your little ones can feel empowered as they assist in the kitchen, fostering a sense of independence and accomplishment.
- Easy to Clean: Made from natural wood, this knife is easy to clean and maintain, making it a hassle-free addition to your kitchen tools.
The Wooden Kids Knife for Cooking and Safe Cutting is the ideal solution for children eager to join you in the kitchen, blending fun and education seamlessly!
Wooden Shop & Café
If your kids love to help out at the store rather than in the kitchen, the Wooden Shop & Café is the perfect fit for their imaginative play! This charming wooden toy allows little ones to engage in grocery shopping or run their very own café, fostering creativity and role-playing skills.
What You’ll Love:
- Imaginative Play: With the Wooden Shop & Café, your children can easily act out various characters and scenarios, enhancing their storytelling abilities and social skills.
- Eco-Friendly Materials: Crafted from sustainable rubber wood, this wooden toy is not only fun but also environmentally friendly, promoting a greener planet.
- Durable Design: Built to withstand countless hours of play, the sturdy construction ensures that this toy will be a beloved part of your child’s playtime for years to come.
The Wooden Shop & Café opens up a world of possibilities for kids to explore their creativity while also learning valuable life skills. It’s an excellent addition to any playroom that combines fun with educational benefits!
Little Dutch Guitar
Say goodbye to the plastic electric guitar your parents bought and introduce your kids to the joy of a real instrument with the Little Dutch Guitar! This beautifully crafted wooden guitar can be tuned just like a professional instrument, allowing for a pleasant sound that fills your home as your little ones start to strum.
What You’ll Love:
- Realistic Tuning: The Little Dutch Guitar offers a genuine musical experience, making it perfect for budding musicians eager to learn the basics of guitar playing at an affordable price.
- Durable and Safe: Made from high-quality wood, this guitar is designed to withstand enthusiastic playing while being safe for your children.
- Inspires Creativity: As your kids explore their musical talents, they’ll enjoy rocking out and performing concerts right in your living room, fostering their creativity and confidence.
The Little Dutch Guitar is an excellent gift for any child interested in music, providing a solid foundation for their musical journey. Get ready for countless jam sessions and family performances that will resonate with joy and laughter!
Wooden Alligator Shape Sorter & Pull Toy
Wooden toys on the go are among the best, and your little ones will adore pulling around their shapes with the Wooden Alligator Shape Sorter & Pull Toy! This delightful toy features five different shapes for sorting, encouraging cognitive development and fine motor skills in a fun and engaging way.
What You’ll Love:
- Shape Sorting Fun: With five unique shapes to sort, your kids will enjoy matching and placing each shape into the corresponding slot, fostering their problem-solving abilities.
- Smooth Mobility: Once they’ve sorted their shapes, your kids can take their alligator on a ride around the house! The wheels glide smoothly, ensuring that the shapes stay securely in place as the alligator embarks on its adventurous journey.
- Encourages Active Play: This pull toy promotes physical activity as your child learns to walk and explore while having fun with their new alligator friend.
The Wooden Alligator Shape Sorter & Pull Toy is perfect for keeping your toddler entertained while enhancing their learning experience. Make playtime an exciting adventure with this charming wooden companion!
Mini Wooden Camera
“Say cheese!” How many times have you said this to your kids? We all want to document every moment of our children’s lives, but they want to be involved in the process too! Giving your child their very own Mini Wooden Camera empowers them to focus on the details around them, allowing them to “take their picture” while fostering creativity and imagination.
What You’ll Love:
- Encourages Imaginative Play: With this wooden camera, your kids can immerse themselves in the world of photography, capturing the beauty and details of their surroundings in a fun and engaging way.
- Reduces Screen Time: The Mini Wooden Camera provides a great alternative to using your phone for photos, giving your little ones a reason to explore their creativity without the distractions of electronic devices.
- Durable and Safe: Crafted from high-quality wood, this toy is built to withstand the rough-and-tumble play of young photographers, ensuring that it can handle all their adventures.
The Mini Wooden Camera is perfect for inspiring your child’s creativity and keeping them engaged in the art of storytelling through photography. Capture every precious moment together with this delightful wooden toy!
Build a Sustainable & Natural Toy Wishlist
Wooden toys are not only educational and fun, but they’re also incredibly durable. Instead of constantly replacing your kid’s favorite plastic toys, consider investing in high-quality wooden toys that will last for generations. Whether it’s a classic dollhouse, colorful building blocks, or engaging educational toys, these timeless pieces can inspire creativity and imaginative play in your children. One day, you may find your grandkids joyfully playing with the same wooden dollhouse that brought so much joy to your kids, and it will surely make your heart soar.
Other Montessori Topics to Explore
Learn more about Montessori education and related topics are out there with these informative blog posts:
- 5 Tips For Designing A Montessori Bedroom
- 10+ Best Teaching Supplies: Educational Games & Toys You Need – a great option for engaging your child’s mind.
- 20 Educational And Fun Wooden Toys That Kids Will Love
- Awesome Toy Subscription Boxes For Homeschooling During COVID-19
- Educational Toys For Toddlers And Children With Lakeshore Learning
- Encourage Education: Developing A Growth-Mindset In Your Child This Summer
- Finding The Best Learning Environment For Your Child
- Montessori in the Kitchen: Four Tips For Making Food Fun in a Montessori Household
- Starting Montessori Education Young With Monti Kids Subscription may earn benefits for both parents and children.
- The 10 Best STREAM Toys For Your Kids {2019}
- Toddler Tasks: Chores That Teach Responsibility
These blog posts cover a range of topics related to Montessori education, the Montessori parent, and implementing the Montessori method at home, providing valuable insights and practical tips for implementing Montessori principles at home and in educational settings.
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