In this article we will discuss a variety of non-toxic wooden toys that are not only educational but provide endless hours of fun for your toddler. Wooden toys help to promote imagination and are more durable and safer than plastic.
I am in the process of redecorating my toddler’s room and want to fill it with educational wooden toys. I love the look of Montessori and Waldorf preschool classrooms so I am trying to model my toddler’s room after these programs. These programs highly value imagination and daily life skills, so their toys often reflect that. The toys I want offer up open-ended, imaginative play that no LED-lit plastic toy could even match.
I also love the subdued look of wooden toys and the creativity they invoke without the use of electronics or noise. Wooden toys are safer and more durable than many new age plastics toys, which often break easily and are made with unsafe plastics (such as PVC), phthalates, or other chemicals.
Why Choose Wooden Toys?
- Safe and non-toxic
- Never go out of style
- Durable
- Good for the environment
- Wood has a warm, hefty feel that gives off the feel of quality
As with all things, you need to make the choice that’s right for your family. We all have lots of plastic in our lives already, including kid’s toys, so it’s nice to go to a natural material when you can.
Wooden Rainbow Set
Another favorite is the wooden rainbow stacker from Grimm’s Spiel und Holz Design. This toy is not only a beautiful edition to a nursery or toddler room but has endless uses for hours of fun. It is a stackable toy that can be used in a multitude of ways from educating children on colors, counting, balance. It can be used as a tunnel, a bridge, a fence , house or marble track! Great for kids six months or older. Made from wood and painted with non toxic paint. Grimms Rainbows come in a small 6-piece or a large 10-piece set (pictured at the top).
Melissa and Doug Cleaning Set
In general the company Melissa and Doug provide great educational wooden toys that are in alignment with the Montessori “work as play” model. One of my favorite toy sets is the Play Cleaning set. This toy has kept my toddler not only entertained for days but helps to empower him in helping around the house. It comes with a play broom, mop, dustpan and duster.
Earth Tiles
Another classic and long lasting wooden toy is Earth tiles. They are magnetic geometric wooden tiles that come in a 32-piece set. These have a clear non toxic water based finish which is a perfect compliment to your neutral toned nursery. They are made of a high quality and sustainably sourced hardwood and will stand the test of time. Watch your child’s imagination blossom as they build towers, rocket ships, houses, or geometric 3d shapes. Great to help enhance motor and math skills. This set comes with 20 squares, 8 equilateral triangles, and 4 isosceles triangles.
Wooden Toy Storage
To keep track of all your new wooden toys this book shelf with reading seat is the prefect addition for your child’s room. It helps to organize toys and provides a cozy place for them to relax, read or play with their new wooden toys. I personally like the natural wood look, but it also comes painted in white or espresso.
Wooden Balance Board
For an active toddler (or likely a big kid) a balance board is the perfect toy! It helps kids develop balance, posture and strength. It also doubles as a bridge, tunnel, reading table or many other creative uses you’ll see unfold as your child play with it. It is made from sustainable beech and birch wood and uses non toxic lacquer. It is so sturdy it can hold over 400lbs. This is a great edition to a toddlers room and is best used on a rug or play mat to prevent damage to hardwood floors or slipping.