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Brijiena Lovelace

9 Best wooden toys for safe, environmentally-friendly playtime

Whilst there are loads of baby toys out there to choose from, wooden toys are reliable, safe and hard wearing, which is always good as they're likely to take a few knocks in their lifetime.

Besides being incredibly nostalgic, a lot of parents are opting for plastic-free toys to ensure they aren't exposing their little ones to harmful toxins, commonly found in plastic agents.

Another good reason to go wooden with toys is they last longer and are a lot less susceptible to damage, not to mention a lot less than an iPad. You also won't have to replace batteries or spend hours charging wooden toys, either.

Proving they don't go through too much turmoil, smaller wooden toys or accents also make lovely keepsakes from your little one's younger years and are much simpler to preserve.

Read on to discover our roundup of the best wooden toys for babies, including popular options from JoJo Maman Bebe and Le Toy Van.

Best wooden toys to buy

1. Melissa & Doug Wooden Geometric Stacker Toy

Melissa & Doug Wooden Geometric Stacker Toy (Amazon)

This wooden learning set from Melissa & Doug is great for little ones aged two to four years old. It's nice and bold, featuring 25 colourful wooden pieces to arrange and stack.

The geometric stacker include rings, octagons, and rectangles; all of which can be matched and stacked on three rods till complete. The developmental toy helps to nurture early colours, shapes and size differentiation, as well as helping with coordination and other vital skills.

It's made from child-safe, non toxic and durable materials that don't fade or chip with consistent use.

Price: £13.90, Amazon - buy here now

2. Kids Concept - Plywood Xylophone

Kids Concept - Plywood Xylophone (Scandi Born)

Inspire their early taste for music and creativity with this smoothed edge, plywood xylophone. The sleek and and modern design makes a sweet musical accent to any nursery or play area.

The keys are assorted colours, which is a nice contrast to the neutral tone of the plywood. It comes equipped with a wooden drumstick suitable for little hands to get music underway.

Price: £25.95, Scandi Born - buy here now

3. Plant and Pick Veggie Patch

Plant and Pick Veggie Patch (Jojo maman bebe)

For little gardeners in the making, this Plant and Pick Playset is perfect. Not only does it encourage healthy and natural diets, it also boosts their imaginative play possiblities.

Including in the set are assorted wooden fruit and veg including carrots and strawberries, animal puzzle pieces that slot into the lid, a watering can and other accessories. The entire contents fits inside of the veg patch which is is handy for keeping everything tidy and organised.

It's suitable for children aged three and above.

Price: £30, JoJo Maman Bebe - buy here now

4. Beatrix Potter Peter Rabbit Wooden Picture Blocks Set

Beatrix Potter Peter Rabbit Wooden Picture Blocks Set (John Lewis)

Beatrix Potter was all the nostalgia we needed, but in wooden picture block form? It's a great decorative gift to add to your babies nursery or play area, that they can then learn from and play with as they get older.

Each 4x4 block features classic Beatrix Potter illustrations from the much loved books, as well as assorted letters, numbers and colours to develop important motor and cognitive skills.

Whether it's learning how to spell or learning how to build, these blocks will provide endless fun at play time.

Price: £19.99, John Lewis - buy here now

5. Mamimami Home Wooden Foldable Activity Play Gym

Mamimami Home Wooden Foldable Activity Play Gym (Amazon)

Another great option, particularly for small babies mostly laying on their backs or in moses baskets.

Made from all organic materials including wood and food grade silicone, this handy gym combines hanging toys (which double up as safe teethers), so it's a pretty good investment all around.

It helps to develop basic sensory skills, as well as activating fine motor skills and colour recognition

The baby play gym easily folds flat when it's not in use and can be slotted under cots, beds and anywhere else at home.

Price: £62.90, Amazon - buy here now

6. Sophie's Wooden Dolls House

Sophie's Wooden Dolls House (Le toy van)

Because if your little one doesn't want it, it's nice enough to buy for the adults; even if it is marketed for three year olds.

This wooden dolls house is the accent the playroom has been missing, featuring fresh white and rose pink paint, a scalloped roof and three stories of house to get creative in. Sophie's Doll House includes a wooden staircase which plays the role of room divider.

They'll enjoy hours of endless home play with this chic design.

Price: £119.95, Le Toy Van - buy here now

7. Zigolos Balancing Flamingo Game

Zigolos Balancing Flamingo Game (Kidly)

Made from certified wood and water-based paint, Zigolos Balancing Flamingo Game has a modern and quirky design, that's fun and educational at the same time.

Helping to develop children's concentration and fine motor skills. Featuring a flamingo on a curved base, you'll try to place all 10 chicks along its wings, too many or not enough could cause it topple and whoever makes it fall loses the game.

Price: £20, Kidly - buy here now

8. Baby Einstein Hape Magic Touch Piano

Baby Einstein Hape Magic Touch Piano (Jojo maman bebe)

If you don't quite fancy hearing your child free-styling on a flute someone dared to buy them, Baby Einstein's Magic Touch Piano is the happy medium you'll wish you knew about it sooner.

With no keys to tune or press, the piano features magic touch technology so will play a softer tune with a delicate touch. They can also practice their colour co-ordination by matching the colour-coded notes on included music sheets to the coloured keys.

There's two modes of play, one is essentially free-style, which we know we promised you wouldn't have to deal with - but at least there's no key smashing involved. You can play along to music sheets in the other mode.

Price: £24.99, JoJo Maman Bebe - buy here now

9. Manhattan Toy Safari Zebra Wooden Activity Toy

Manhattan Toy Safari Zebra Wooden Activity Toy (John Lewis)

Introduce your little one to it's first wild animal, whilst nurturing fine motor skills and other aspects of their early development.

The wooden zebra is compromised of three pieces that slot together with different moving parts to follow and bold colours to engage with, including springing flowers, spinning gears, and a little birdy on the it's tail.

It's finished in water-based and non toxic agents to ensure your babies safety.

Price: £29.99, John Lewis - buy here now

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