Wooden Toys For 1 and 2 Year Olds - Best Toys Your Toddler Will Love
Wooden toys have been cherished & loved for generations, and they totally capture the hearts of both kids and parents. They simply have a timeless charm and natural appeal. Wooden toys are the ultimate choice for families who value durability, safety, and the beauty of natural materials.
Are you looking to find good toys for your toddler to play with? Toys that your toddler will actually enjoy playing with? That are quality, educational, beautiful and durable?
Maybe you are just on a hunt to find some unique toys because let’s s be honest, you are seeing the same exact toys over and over everywhere you go. You want to find something special & unique for your little one.
One of my personal favorite things about wooden toys is that they can be kept as treasures and past down from siblings, to grandchildren and so on. I have a wooden train set from my childhood which I have given to my son when he was a toddler 12 years ago and now I have passed it on to my daughter who is 21 months. It's truly amazing how new and beautiful it still looks after all of the years of play behind it.
I have found some super cute and fun quality wooden toys which keep your little one focused & engaged! These wooden toys are totally worth it!
So, whether you're a parent, grandparent, or a friend in search of the perfect gift, get ready to be inspired by the enchanting world of wooden toys for 1 and 2-year-olds. Whether you are searching for a gift, or gathering toy ideas for your little ones nursery, I have shopped, tested and tried several toys and today I am sharing my with you my absolute favorite wooden toys.
Get ready to watch their eyes sparkle with joy and witness their little hands explore the wonders of these timeless treasures.
Shop Montessori Dollhouse
Table of contents
- WHY WOODEN TOYS?
- THE TOYS BELOW OFFER ONE OR A FEW OF THE FOLLOWING BENIFITS
- TOY ROTATION
- WHAT IS THE BENEFIT OF WOODEN TOYS?
- BEST WOODEN TOYS FOR 1 & 2 YEAR OLDS
Shop Montessori Dollhouse
Why wooden toys?
Toddlers are innately very curious and happy to explore just about anything!
That's why you little one is always into everything.
Toddlers don't need all of the bells and whistles that come with most mainstream toys.
Simple wooden toys are impressively fun to toddlers.
And let’s not skip the obvious, but wooden toys are also so beautiful. Wooden toys are usually painted in delightfully soft colors and have nice textures. Some feel heavy while others are light which make them that much more interesting to play with.
I have been on a mission to find the best toys for my toddler to play with and let me tell you where it's at.
Whenever I purchase a toy for my toddler, I am looking for toys that offer either open ended play or have an educational purpose like puzzles and games.
A lot of people don’t know this about me, especially since I work in fashion but I actually studied Child Development in college. One of my biggest inspirations and takeaways is the Montessori Method which was developed by Dr. Maria Montessori in the early 1900s.
The Montessori Method focuses on child led activities and hands on independent learning. All children learn during play, so offering your toddler a variety of quality toys are very important.
The Montessori environment focuses on the playroom being filled with natural light and takes on a more minimalistic approach. For example, offering your toddler no more than 6-10 toys at any given time is good, while anything more than this can start to feel overwhelming to toddlers (& adults too)
The toys below offer one or a few of the following:
- Open ended play/imaginative
- Educational
- Simple in nature
- Fine motor skill development
- Good quality/durable
- Attractive
Shop Montessori Dollhouse
Montessori Toy Shelf
We use a multipurpose dollhouse as my toddlers Montessori shelf.
I absolutely loved this shelf! Its so cute and displays her toys beautifully.
My toddler is able to reach all of the shelves and can pick and pull any toy she feels like playing with. It has 6 slots which is perfect for offering 6 different toys.
I also love that in the future, once my toddler is old enough, I can turn the Montessori dollhouse into an actual dollhouse. Of course, dollhouse toys entail lots of small bits and pieces, so likely it will be several years before we introduce these kinds of toys.
But it's great that this shelf is able to grow with her over the years. We could also turn it into a bookshelf when she is 9. The possibilities are truly endless.
Shop Montessori Dollhouse
Toy Rotation
Once a week I rotate some of the toys out of the shelf and replace them with new ones. This keeps your toddlers toys fresh, interesting and keeps them fun for your toddler.
Sometimes I let my toddler go through the toy bin while I am trading out her toys to see what she is drawn to each week.
What I love about doing a simple toy rotation is that I can provide my toddler with a carefully selected set of toys to play with.
A toy rotation is my secret to an always clean and toy free floor by limiting the amount of available toys making clean up quick and easy every night.
It also helps prevent my toddler from becoming overwhelmed and fosters an environment that allows for more focused and engaging play.
I am literally writing this article while my toddler is playing with her toys right now. I am able to focus on my work because she is able to focus on her play. Its a win-win! 😉
What is the benefit of wooden toys?
Here are some of the my favorite benefits that make wooden toys so delightful.
Durability: Wooden toys are durable and can withstand rough play. They are less likely to break or wear out quickly, making them a good investment. I actually have a wooden train set from when I was a 10, which now my toddler plays with. Wooden toys definitely hold up!
Safety: Wooden toys are generally safer than other types toys, as they are not made with harmful chemicals or materials that can be toxic to babies or children. They are also less likely to have small parts that can be a choking hazard. This is especially important for babies and toddlers under 3. Wooden toys reduce risk. You just want to make sure that the toys are large enough and wont fit inside of baby’s mouth. If you find a piece that's too small, just put it up until your toddler is old enough or ready to play with smaller bits and pieces.
Open-ended play: Wooden toys often encourage open-ended play, which allows children to use their imagination and creativity. This is honestly so important! Wooden toys can be used in a variety of ways and can be adapted to different types of play. And play is such an important part of early development.
Developmental benefits: Wooden toys can help develop fine motor skills such as hand-eye coordination, and problem-solving skills in children.
Let's dive in!
Best wooden toys for 1-2 year olds
Shop Pillowhale Wooden Stacking Train Toy Set
This wooden train set it so precious! My daughter loves pushing it all around the house. She also loves removing the blocks and putting them back on in new & creative ways. It really helps work her fine motor skills.
All of the train pieces can be moved around which keeps it interesting and fun. I’m in love with the soft pastel colors which makes it perfect as a gender neutral gift or keepsake. I find the train set to be very attractive and beautiful enough to display as a decorative piece on her dresser when it isn’t in use.
Shop Pillowhale Wooden Picnic Basket Playset Toy
This wooden picnic toy set is so dreamy! As a family we regularly enjoy picnics at the park, the beach and in the forest. We love packing picnics & enjoying a sunny day. Emma is 21 months now and she loves playing picnic at home all of the time. This is a great toy for igniting your little one’s imagination.
The neutral color palette makes it a wonderful gender neutral keepsake for your little one. The quality of the wooden toys are smooth and feel really well made. I love that this toy will grow with my baby over the years and can be passed down generations due to the quality of this special wooden toy. 
Shop PairPear Flower Garden Toy Playset
This little farmer set is one of the most unique wooden toys I’ve ever seen! The entire set is made of wood & it’s absolutely gorgeous! It’s probably my baby’s favorite toy. She will sit there and play with it for hours.
There are little slots the vegetables can go into which makes it great for developing motor skills while also offering open ended play. It’s a great gift for both girls and boys & its definitely a toy that can grow with your toddler over the years to come. So worth the investment! 
Shop Similar Play22 Wooden Car Ramps Race
I searched high and low for a wooden race track. I found lots of different ones but when I saw this one, I knew it was the one. It’s great for developing those fine motor skills and teaching your baby cause and effect.
You can also work on numbers and colors with this toy. Overall a really great classic Montessori piece to have in your toy rotation. 
Shop nunukids Wooden Makeup Toy Set
My toddler absolutely adores this wooden self care toy set. There are several different pieces included to inspire your toddler’s imagination. There’s a comb, nail polish, hair straightener, blush, hair bands and several other wooden accessories. Younger babies would probably enjoy exploring the variety of pieces while older toddlers and children would enjoy the imaginary open play opportunities this wooden toy offers.
It comes in a case to hold all of the pieces too which is nice. I also like to rotate the toys in the set since there’s so many pieces. I’ll put half of the set out for one week and swap them out later. My toddler loves to get ready with me in the mornings. It’s adorable!
Shop nunukids Wooden Tea Party Set
This charming wooden cupcake tower is nothing short of adorable! It’s such a pretty toy that I display it on my toddlers dresser when it’s not being played with. This cupcake tower is a great open ended play toy.
My toddler received this toy shortly after she had just turned 1. She would stack the desserts on and off of the tower and play with the pieces like blocks, or she would play “cupcake” and have fun giving everyone cupcakes on a plate with a spoon.
It’s a really sweet toy that will surely grow with your little one. It’s also a gender neutral option that’s great for sparking your toddlers imagination and providing a unique play experience. 
Shop PlanToys Wooden Beehives Sorting Game
There are so many great opportunities this simple wooden toy offers. Firstly, my toddler adores this wooden bee hive set! This set is actually how I was able to teach my toddler colors and color matching. She will play with it for hours on end.
The blocks can be stacked in various ways, moved into different shape hives and the bees each have a house. It’s great for learning colors, numbers and counting, along with fine motor skills. This toy also offers open ended play opportunities. Overall it’s a fantastic quality wooden toy that offers a great experience.
The only downside is that the bees are on the smaller side, so its not recommended for children under 3. The blocks are large which are totally safe, so I will let my toddler play with those freely. When we play games or colors with this set I will bring out the bees. I just keep the bees up when I am not playing a game with my 21 month old. As soon as she is old enough I will leave the bees out along with the blocks for her to freely play with. 
Shop Montessori Toys for 1 to 3-Year-Old Boys Girls Toddlers
Its colorful, affordable and engaging! This amazing and simple wooden toy keeps my toddler busy for hours. It’s just the right amount of challenging for a toddlers dexterity making a great toy for building those fine motor skills.
When we first got this toy it was challenging for my toddler to get the pieces in and out of their spots, but now she is super speedy at putting this toy together. It’s also great because it builds on hand eye coordination skills, colors, numbers, counting, organization skills, and more. A fantastic Montessori toy that will grow with your toddler making worth having in your collection. 
Wooden Farm Yard Tractor
So lovely and charming! This adorable tender leaf wooden tractor is so high quality and beautifully detailed. My daughter loves to push it around the house and stack the pony & duck. This toy makes a great gift and offers skills such as dexterity and it’s great for open ended play. It’s truly one of a kind!
Conclusion
Wooden toys are my favorite kind to offer my children as they have such a special charm and offer numerous advantages that make them truly wonderful! Wooden toys make great gifts and keepsakes for children of all ages. I hope you have enjoyed this post today!
Disclaimer: The information presented here is intended to be a helpful guide. It's crucial to consider important safety guidelines when selecting toys for young children. Always carefully read and follow the manufacturer's instructions, age recommendations, and any safety warnings associated with the toys you are considering. Regularly inspect toys for wear and tear, loose parts, or potential hazards, and promptly remove any toys that may pose a safety risk.
