Chiconomics
7 best wooden toys for kids, from £12
Want toys that last? Meet the top plastic-free playthings that kids will love…
Looking for a popular – but affordable – gift for kids? Keen to skip plastic in the playroom? Wooden toys and games are always the answer.
Thoughtfully designed to stand the test of time and ignite imaginations, the best wooden toys make great hand-me-downs, keeping kids, parents and mother earth happy. Best of all, they’re designed for real life magical moments – no Instagram playroom props here.
These 7 eco-friendly buys will delight newborns, toddlers, preschoolers and older children alike. Simply bookmark the following rules, shop smart, and you’ve basically nailed parenthood:
Shop FSC-certified – the gold standard in ethical production
Opt for Organic – for fabrics made minus chemicals & produced using less water
Go Scandi – decorate using a muted colour palette for a style that won’t date
Reuse & Recycle – shop second-hand & repurposed kids furniture & DIY to personalise
Buy less, buy better – limit waste & invest in quality (cost-effective) items made to last
John Lewis & Partners My First Wooden Stacking Rings, £12
Classicists (and babies) will LOVE these wooden stacking rings. Designed to encourage problem-solving, colour awareness and hand-eye coordination, this Montessori-style staple is made using FSC-certified wood, and consciously crafted to withstand the everyday wear and tear of a teething tot (hello, child safe paints).
Suitable for: 12m+
BRIO Classic Railway Figure 8 Train Set, FSC-Certified (Beech), £44.99
The traditional train set is up there with the most popular wooden toys. Designed to help develop fine motor skills, this BRIO beauty includes 1 station, 1 engine, 2 cargo wagons, 1 switching track bridge, 14 pieces of curved track and 3 trees – aka everything you need to keep your toddler on track. Crafted using FSC Certified wood, and safe enough to choo-choo on (sorry).
Suitable for: 2+ years
BabyBjörn Wooden Toy, £40
Pregnant? Or just looking for a gift for a new mum? This wooden spinning toy is destined to be your new BFF. Sure, it looks simple – but once attached to a bouncer, it’ll hold a baby’s gaze for days, freeing new mums/dads up for those precious moments – namely a shower, or an (actually hot) cup of tea. Deployed from birth, it has hand-me-down and ‘Tell your NCT friends!’ written all over it, metaphorically speaking…
Suitable for: from birth
John Lewis & Partners Wooden Toaster, £12.50
Any parent will tell you that kids love imitating adults, and some of the best strategies for teaching little ones involves allowing them access to real-life scenarios, which is where this FSC-certified wooden breakfast set comes in. Created to spark kids’ storytelling and social skills, it’ll help to build confidence and independent play (aka the dream). Think of it as ‘breakfast in bed training.’
Suitable for: 3+ years
John Lewis Wooden Baking Set, £15
An exceedingly popular playdate toy, this wooden baking set ticks all the imaginative play boxes and makes a delicious addition to the best play kitchens. With a mixing bowl, whisk, rolling pin and (et voila!) cookies straight from the play oven, your budding GBBO bakers will be cooking up showstoppers in no time.
Suitable for: 3+ years
John Lewis & Partners Wooden Tool Box, £18
This budding builder set will not only improve gross motor skills and balance, but it doubles as an excellent way to get your (little darling) apprentice helping out at-home. One for can-do kids, and parents in need of some independent play. Thanks to this FSC-certified kit, they’ll be upcycling their playroom in no time.
Suitable for: 3+ years
John Lewis & Partners Wooden Ramps Racer, £15
Great for toddlers, preschoolers and older competitive kids – the ramps racer helps develop fine motor skills and hand-to-eye coordination – it’s also just REALLY FUN. This whizzy (FSC-certified) wooden track car set features separate ramps and 3 Crayola-coloured cars. One of the best Montessori toys for encouraging imaginative play, amongst kids and adults too.
Suitable for: 3+ years
The Top 100 – This autumn John Lewis has singled out 100 heroes that showcase how John Lewis products take a joyfully bold approach to enhancing all life’s moments.
