A trend in parenting today is the need to raise children around natural and organic things.  Everything from food to hygiene products and even toys.

The choice to incorporate natural toys, especially wooden toys, free of plastics, dyes and BPA-infused substances is an effort to keep kids healthy.  It’s a back-to-nature movement to prevent asthma, allergies, rashes and other nasty issues brought on by synthetic additives.

In getting back to basics, some of the best toy choices are wooden educational toys. Due to the popularity of natural toys, there are a lot of excellent wood toys for toddlers and other wooden toys for kids on the market today.

These are some popular items that according to personal research, are among the best natural educational toys for your toddlers.  Note that these toys are for toddlers age 2 years of age and up.  You may also notice that these selections are rather retro, back from a simpler time.

WOOD TOYS FOR TODDLERS

WOOD TOY #1 Hape Walk-A-Long Puppy Wooden Pull Toy

Instead of getting a real puppy, this classic Hape Walk-A-Long Puppy Wooden Pull Toy push/pull toy is the next best thing.  Your child will love playing with this cute wooden puppy who is more than willing to go for walks, sit, stand and roll over.

You can feel good about your little one playing with this all-natural wood crafted toy with non-toxic finishes and features.  Other than being a parent-friendly quiet toy, it is one of those natural educational toys that’s a winner in more ways than one.  It won theParents’ Magazine Best Toys award in 2012.

The Hape Walk-A-Long Puppy Wooden Pull Toy is a simple yet engaging toy for toddlers 18 months and older.

Upsides:

• Develops motor skills
• Improves dexterity and eye/hand coordination
• Encourages physical activity
• Sparks imagination

Downsides:

• Not weather-resistant
• Tips over during turns
• Rope/leash is too short
• Rope poses tripping or choking hazard

 

 

WOOD TOY #2 – Galt Toys Wooden Retro Pop Up Toy

A fun toy for toddlers and even a great choice for wooden baby toys, this sweet toy features “pop up” action and 4 brightly-painted colored characters.  These little characters pop up and down with the use of springs, which are concealed from view.  There are removable parts but should not present a choking hazard as the pieces are not small enough to be swallowed.

Parents can be rest assured that the Galt Toys Wooden Retro Pop Up Toy has gone through the highest standard of toy safety regulated testing.

The Galt Toys Wooden Retro Pop Up Toy is highly recommended for toddlers 18 months old and up.

Upsides:

• Hand/Eye Coordination
• Introduces colors
• Removable Pop up figures inspire creativity

Downsides:

• Non-toxic paint wears off
• Toddlers put figures in the mouth

 

WOOD TOY #3 – CoolToys Timber Tower Wood Block Stacking Game – Original Edition (48 pieces)

Talk about a classic amongst wood toys for kids!  This is a great game for toddlers and parents to play on a rainy or cold, wintry day.  I’ve done it! This game takes you back in time and might bring back memories of you playing with your own parents or grandparents.

The CoolToys Timber Tower Wood Block Stacking Game – Original Edition comes with 48 wooden blocks for one, two or more players to successfully stack into a tower by forming layers.  The idea is to one-handedly remove a block from the middle (or bottom if you’re brave) of the tower without causing the tower to come crashing down.

 

 

The CoolToys Timber Tower Wood Block Stacking Game – Original Edition is a retro classic, similar to a toddler’s version of Jenga, recommended for ages 3+.

Upsides:

• Eye/Hand Coordination
• Develops critical and strategic thinking
• Develops self-control

Downsides:

• Small pieces present a choking hazard for children under 3 years of age
• Difficult to pack up in original box for storage
• Blocks can be uneven and difficult to stack
• Blocks too small

 

WOOD TOY #4 – Play22 Wooden Train Set

Another retro classic in wooden toys!  This cool classic for toddler boys and girls includes a nice mix of wooden train cars.  Your toddlers will spend lots of time lining up the engines, caboose, tanker and cargo cars as they give their imagination a workout.  The cars hook together using strong magnets, so they can mix and match a long line of cars.

The Play22 Wooden Train Set has been thoroughly tested to meet high quality safety guidelines.  It’s non-toxic and lead free.  The set is also compatible with other major train sets including Thomas the Train sets. Watch your toddler have hours of fun by mixing and matching the different cars and colors.

The Play22 Wooden Train Set is perfect for kids ages 1 year old and up.

Upsides:

• Hand/Eye Coordination
• Increased motor skills
• Stimulates creativity and imagination
• Color recognition

Downsides:

• No track included
• Magnets weak
• Compatibility issues with other train sets
• Cars tip when rounding bends on the tracks

 

WOOD TOY #5 – Learning Resources Beads in a Bucket (Set of 108)

A colorful classic!  The first lacing activity set for toddlers.  Nice big beads with large enough holes so that even little fingers can thread the lace through the beads.  A total of 108 pieces featuring three different sizes and shapes in six bright colors, your toddler can create the most beautiful, original pieces they can dream up.  The durable beads an be used and re-used time and time again.

One of the finest in natural educational toys, it comes in a handy storage bucket and contains all your toddler will need for lots of quality play time.  A soothing, quiet activity for children with some developmental challenges.

The Learning Resources Beads in a Bucket works well for toddlers and preschoolers, age 2 and older.

Upsides:

• Development of fine motor skills
• Manual dexterity
• Color recognition
• Introduction to patterning
• Identifies shapes
• Stimulates creativity

Downsides:

• Beads smaller than other brands
• Takes practice for younger kids to get the hang of it

 

Conclusion

While these are all amazing wooden educational toys for toddlers, my #1 pick has got to be the Learning Resources Beads in a Bucket.  My child loved and played with these beads for hours on end and was a go-to favorite.  Because of the hands-on activity, creating different designs and the bright colors/interesting shapes, it holds the child interest and keeps them busy and focused.