Image: MomJunction Design Team
The best wooden toys for 1-year-olds have come about with many features because of the wide range of innovations in design and aesthetics. Made of natural materials, including real wood and non-toxic paints for ensuring child safety, these toys for one-year-olds are durable and sturdy. These wooden baby toys work on a simple mechanism and are great to enhance the creativity and imagination of children at a young age. Since they do not have electrical functions or batteries, they demand the use of mental and physical capabilities that help in your child’s motor and sensory function development. Along with play, these toddler toys are for learning too.
Top Picks
15 Best Wooden Toys For 1 Year Olds
1. Best Multifunctional: Hape Pound And Tap Bench With Slide Out Xylophone – Yellow
Give your toddler a musical adventure with the Hape Pound and Tap Bench. The award-winning multifunctional instrument can be played in various ways; tapping over the keyboard using the ball or pulling out the xylophone and playing solo. This toddler toy helps improve your child’s motor and cognitive skills. The wooden musical instrument is made of non-toxic, child-safe paint finishes, water-based paint, and has rounded edges, making it child-friendly. This product testing video will help you make an informed decision about the wooden baby toy.
Pros
- Made of child-safe material
- Helps audio recognition
- Promotes dexterity
- Develops problem-solving skills
- Develops grasping and hand-eye coordination
Cons
- Doesn’t come with a handle for carrying the toy
- Sound quality could have been better
Why We Think It's Worth Buying
More than 15,208 independent reviewers on Amazon have acknowledged the product's durability and functionality.
2. Best Strategically-Designed:Top Bright Wooden Car Ramp Racer
A bright and colorful car race track is all you need to bring that excitement to your child’s face and sparkle in their eyes. The strategically-designed wooden baby toys help develop your child’s thinking skills, observation skills, self-recognition skills, and physical movement. The fast-paced cars slide smoothly from one track to the other making for an exciting play. The safety-tested wooden toy car ramp racer is made of high-quality BPA-free wood and non-toxic water-based paint.
Pros
- Meets the ASTM F 963 and European EN71 safety standards
- Wheels are secured, buckled with axle
- Stimulates visual senses
- Wheels maneuver smoothly
- No assembly required
Cons
- Parking lot may look tiny
- Tiny cars may pose a choking hazard
Why We Think It's Worth Buying
The 10,670 positive customer reviews on Amazon are a testament to its quality and reliability.
Do remember3. Best For Hand-Eye Coordination:Battat Wooden Activity Cube
Battat Wooden Activity Cube offers your little one five ways of having fun while learning—playing with the beads, opening tiny doors to find a new wooden animal figurine, spinning animal letters, rotating tiny cubes, and zig-zagging tiny circles. The 18-inch tall toy for toddlers is made of heirloom-quality wood frame and is durable. This one is crafted to introduce your little ones to farm animals. Watch this video review showcasing a tester’s experience to know more about the wooden baby toy.
Pros
- Stimulates hand-eye coordination
- Teaches count
- Boosts color recognition
- Encourages sorting
- Doesn’t require any assembly
- Makes for a good baby shower or birthday gift
Cons
- Paint may chip off
- Base may be a bit fragile
Why We Think It's Worth Buying
Over 8,633 satisfied customers on Amazon have said good things about the product.
4. Best Safety:Play22 Wooden Train Set
Bring home this 12-piece wooden toy train set that exhibits tiny and thrilling wooden engines, coaches, cargo cars, tanker cars, and more. This toy for toddlers is a bright and colorful wooden train set that features rounded edges and is put together by magnets. The wooden vehicle set meets the ASTM F963 safety standards, making it one of the safest and best toys for color recognition and motor skill development.
Pros
- Compatible with wooden train sets of major brands
- Lead-free toddler toy
- Smooth wheels
- Easy to grasp
- Includes a storage box
Cons
- Some train parts may be flimsy
- Magnets could have been stronger
"My kids love this magnetic train set. The vibrant colors hold their attention, and I appreciate the strong magnets and handy storage box. It is also compatible with my kids' standard tracks, so it's been a worthwhile buy."
5. Best With Wheels: Radio Flyer Classic Walker Wagon
The Classic Walker wagon is your toddler’s very own push walker and carriage puller. Made of original wood and natural paint, this wagon is safe for children. The 10.41lb wagon with flexible wheels helps encourage babies to crawl or walk. Moreover, the carriage area with removable stake sides is big enough to fit up to 35lb of weight and can carry your baby from one place to another. Here’s a video to help you learn about this wooden balance toy.
Pros
- Has resistance clickers, which prevents wagon from moving quickly
- Comes with furniture-friendly bumper
- Smooth handle for convenient holding
- Doubles as a toy storage
Cons
- Paint on the toddler toy may not be chip-resistant
- Turning the wagon may not be easy for the little one
Quick fact6. Best For Fine Motor Skills: JCREN Wooden Apple Threading Toy
There is more to this toy for babies than what meets the eyes. Simple yet intricately made of sustainable wood, JCREN’s safety-tested wooden apple threading toy helps children develop their hand-eye coordination. The bright red apple filled with pores and holes and the green caterpillar with a thread are the two elements of the toy. Entangling the thread keeps children engaged while developing their fine motor skills.
Pros
- Designed as per EN71 safety standards
- Develops problem-solving skills
- Non-toxic paint
- Comes in a gift-ready box
Cons
- May be a bit heavy for some
- Thread may fray
7. Best Interactive: Melissa & Doug Stacking Train
The Stacking Train by the trusted brand Melissa & Doug is nothing but a combination of a few geometrical shapes that can be formed into a complete structure. This toddler toy comes with 15 different pieces in primary colors and promotes interaction and engagement in children around the age of one. The wooden building block made of a strong wooden construction is specifically built for babies to explore. Sit with your baby and build three types of train structures using these multi-shaped wooden blocks.
Pros
- Improves dexterity
- Wheels move smoothly
- Helps your child with stacking
- Develops problem-solving
Cons
- Internal sides of the cube may be slightly rough
- May contain tiny parts
"This has been a delightful toy train for my daughter, who loves to interchange the blocks. It is sturdy and bright and makes for a thoughtful gift that kids enjoy."
8. Best Compact:Toyventive Wooden Kids Activity Cube
The multi-functional activity cube comes with the goodness of five toys combined in one. This lightweight and compact toy is one of the best wooden baby toys for one-year-old babies as it has a learning clock, a classic shape sorter, abacus, and spinning gears on all four sides of the cube. The bonus is the top of the cube that has maze-like spirals with beads that make playing fun and interactive. This toy for toddlers has passed all the safety standard tests.
Pros
- BPA-, lead-, and phthalate-free
- Promotes color and pattern recognition
- Teaches counting
- Develops problem-solving skills
Cons
- Small wooden blocks may pose a choking hazard
- Tiny fingers may get stuck in the curves
9. Best Pet-Themed:Melissa And Doug House Pets Jumbo Knob Puzzle
Get your little one this house pet jumbo knob puzzle that has colorful illustrations of house pets. Matching these simple wooden puzzle pieces can help improve hand-eye coordination, develop thinking skills, and encourage physical movements. Let your child explore their full potential with this funky, colorful, and insightful puzzle game. The activity board toy for babies has matching pictures underneath, with each extra-thick puzzle piece featuring a jumbo knob so that the toddler has a better grip over it.
Pros
- Easy-to-grab toddler toy
- Encourages pattern recognition
- Ideal for beginners
- Helps identify animals
Cons
- Edges might be slightly rough
- Paint may peel
"This puzzle does a fine job of keeping my little one occupied while helping boost her fine motor and problem-solving skills. It is sturdy enough for her spirited play, and I like that it can grow with her for a few more years."
Point to consider10. Best For Auditory Reception:PlanToys Wooden Solid Drum
How can a child’s play routine be complete without some drum rolls? This wooden drum set by PlanToys is your child’s melodic friend that helps them relate to music, understand rhythm, and improve their auditory reception. The drumming and musical tones of this toddler toy can bring a smile upon the little one’s face.
Pros
- Combines fun and learning
- Soothing sound
- Easy-to-hold drum sticks
- Smooth finish
- Chip-resistant paint
- Makes for a good baby shower or birthday gift
Cons
- Has no loop or strap to wear the drum
- Stick may not be durable enough
"The cute little drum has found its way into the hearts and hands of various family members. It has multiple tones and is durable enough for enthusiastic toddler play. I like that the instrument grows with my children, fostering their love for music."
11. Best For Two-Handed Play:Manhattan Toy Skwish Natural Rattle Toy
The Skwish Natural Rattle Toy is made of sustainable high-quality rubberwood, and the smooth stick ends with beads form a flexible puzzle-like structure to excite the baby. Squishing, pressing, and playing with the rattle toy can help develop hand-eye coordination and fine motor skills. So, let them hold the toddler toy and rattle and shake it to their heart’s content with that smile and excitement over their face.
Pros
- Made from real wood
- Lightweight design
- Well-crafted finish
- Pleasant sound
- Encourages two-handed play
- Splinter- and chip-resistant
Cons
- May not be easy to clean
- May be smaller than you expect
"This toy's a delightful addition to my baby's teethers. It is ideal for his tiny hands, and he seems to like it just as much as some of the more colorful ones. Remember to clean it after each use to ensure your baby's safety."
12. Best Open-Ended:Grimm’s 6-Piece Wooden Rainbow Stacker
Brightly colored unvarnished blocks that can be combined to form a rainbow, or used separately as an open-ended toddler toy— that’s what you get from this six-piece Wooden Rainbow Stacker. The pieces of this wooden stacking toy form a colorful rainbow that brightens up your child’s world. The wooden blocks are designed as per the US and European safety standards and protect the child from any choking hazards. The arches can also be used to build bridges, tunnels, fences, or flowers, making your little one’s imaginations run wild.
Pros
- Suitable for open-ended play
- Child-friendly material
- Easy to hold
- No sharp corners
Cons
- Size may be small
- Colors have no protective coating
"Compact and colorful, this toy has become a favorite with my little ones. I wish the finish were waterproof for long-lasting use, but still, it is a cute addition to their playroom and serves both as a toy and a decor. I am happy with my purchase."
13. Best Simple:Elite Montessori Object Permanence Box
If you are looking for an intriguing yet simple toy with Montessori learning benefits, get the Elite Montessori’s object permanence box. The child has to drop one of the two colored balls in the Montessori toy box from one hole and watch it come out from the other. Repeated attempts leading to the same outcome teach the child about object permanence while refining their fine motor skills.
Pros
- Smooth finish wood material
- Has coating to protect the wood
- Doesn’t have any sharp corners
- Available only in two colors – original and red
Cons
- May not hold the baby’s interest for prolonged hours
- May need adult supervision
14. Best Attractive Design:Hzone Wooden Jigsaw Puzzles
The high-quality puzzle blocks in attractive designs and colors are specifically made for children aged below one year. These puzzles, made of certified wood and ASTM- and CPSIA-approved, are safe to use and help stimulate sensory and brain development, improve patience levels, and develop hand-eye coordination. Mix them all up and get excited seeing your child solve the puzzle.
Pros
- Helps little one learn shapes and colors
- Non-toxic material and eco-friendly water paint
- Smooth edges
- Easy-to-grab blocks
- Sensory toy
- Boosts fine motor skills
Cons
- May be smaller than expected
15. Best For Teaching Alphabet:Maxim Deluxe Wooden ABC Blocks
With Maxim Deluxe’s Wooden ABC Blocks, learning the alphabet has become more fun. The set of 40 blocks including the letters of the alphabet, numbers, and pictures helps your child start their preliminary studies right from home. The high-quality and brightly colored blocks are made of 100% solid, safe, and non-toxic wood and stained with water-based eco-friendly paint, making them safe play toys for children.
Pros
- Meets ASTM safety standards
- Includes mesh storage bag
- Letters and numbers are embossed
- Easy-to-hold toddler toy
Cons
- Some blocks may have sharp edges
- Blocks may be tiny
"These wooden blocks offer my kids a hands-on learning experience with the letters, numbers, and images. Though I wish the colors were a bit brighter, it is still a safe and nicely sized choice that is great for various learning stages."
How To Choose The Best Wooden Toys For 1 Year Olds?
Product Size:
The size of the toy matters the most as smaller sizes can cause choking. Look for a toy that doesn’t fit your kid’s mouth to save them from the hazard.
Pointy Ends:
Wooden baby toys with sharp and pointy ends are a huge risk to kids below the age of 3 as it can badly injure their eyes, mouth, and other sensitive body parts. Always look for a toy that is sturdy with rounded edges for better protection from unnecessary accidents.
Product Quality:
Toys that are tested and labeled phthalate, PVC, and BPS-free are the safest for your 1-year-olds or younger kids. The paint applied over the wooden baby toy must also be organic and it should be made of safe and non-toxic wood as kids often put their toys into their mouths.
Natural and Child-Safe Material:
Toys that are made of plastic and other synthetic materials are harmful to toddlers. High-risk toys with magnets and other electrical chords and strings must also be avoided to keep the kids safe. Wooden baby toys made of child-safe material and organic substances such as non-toxic wood, like the Melissa and Doug Stacking Train or Battat Wooden Activity Cube are a few of the best wooden toys for 1-year-olds.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Are wooden toys safe for babies?
Wooden baby toys made of natural wood are safe when crafted with no sharp edges, are free of burrs, and are painted with non-toxic paint. Besides, they should also be age-appropriate.
2. Do babies actually like wooden toys?
Yes, babies do like wooden toys not because they are made of wood, but because they are simple. Most of these sensory toys promote open-ended play. While durable wooden baby toys are more appealing to babies’ senses than plastic toys.
3. Can babies put wooden toys in their mouths?
Wooden teethers that are made of natural hardwood are safe, hard to chew, and can soothe babies’ gums. Yet choose a wooden teether that has a smooth finish and is free of harmful paints.
4. How do I sanitize wooden toys?
The best way to sanitize wooden toys is to either use a vinegar solution or baby dishwashing liquid. Just wipe and clean these toys with lukewarm water if they are not too dirty. Soaking or dipping the wooden baby toys in water and drying them in the sun will lead to expansion and contraction, which might damage the structure of the toy.
5. Are wood toys naturally antibacterial?
Natural wood has antimicrobial properties and natural wooden baby toys are less prone to mold, mildew, or bacteria, when compared to plastic and plush toys.
6. Are old wooden toys safe?
Yes, old wooden baby toys that are in good condition with no splinters are safe to play with.
Why Trust MomJunction?
Priti Bose specializes in creating content on children’s toys and games. Here, she has conducted extensive research and gone through various user reviews to pick the best wooden toys for one-year-olds that are of high quality, durable, safe, and lightweight. These toddler toys support your baby’s development besides being entertaining and engaging for your little one. In addition, the writer has provided a gift guide to help you purchase the one you like the most from the list.
The Bottom Line
Wooden toys have a nostalgic feel as they connect us to the old days when toys were mostly made of woodblocks. So, if you wish to invest in the best wooden toys for your one-year-old, this list could greatly help you select. Wood, an organic material, is believed to be safe for babies and toddlers. Furthermore, wooden baby toys may not be equipped with any battery-operated source, inspiring thought-provoking and creative play in kids. Our top recommendations are the Hape Pound And Tap Bench With Slide Out Xylophone for cognitive and auditory stimulation and the Battat Wooden Activity Cube for engaging activities. The Play22 Wooden Train Set is also popular for helping with motor skill development. Choose an age-appropriate wooden baby toy for your little one and watch them have fun and evolve mentally and physically.
Infographic: What Should You Do If The Wooden Toy Is Not Burr-Free?
Upon arrival, always diligently check the surfaces of the wooden toy before handing them to your toddler. The edges and surfaces should be smooth to avoid splinter injuries and scratches. So, if you come across a rough wooden piece, check out the following infographic to learn how to make it child-friendly. Illustration: Momjunction Design Team
References
- Smart Toys for Every Age.
https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/smart-toys.html
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