Wooden toys aren't just aesthetically pleasing — although they are that, too. They are also durable and better for the environment, and they foster imagination through open-ended play. And while some wooden toys are quite particular in design, their ability to be far more than what they appear means your little one will find limitless ways in which to play with the same object. Regardless of their intended purpose, wooden toys are often far more durable than plastic, are made with greener materials, and will stand the test of time, making them nearly instant family heirlooms to be passed along from one generation to the next. While some are far pricier than others, there are certainly many wooden toys that fit virtually any budget. We've gathered a list of a few of our very favorite wooden toys here for you below. Gemem Wooden Rainbow Stacking Rings Rainbow delightThis darling rainbow stacker lets your little one's imagination run wild.Best Stacking ToyFind on Amazon At first glance, this delightfully colored rainbow stacker might look like nothing more than a few simple wooden rings on a large peg. While this is certainly true when on display, to a child it becomes so much more. Early math is all about what is tangible to a toddler. This might mean sorting, stacking, and noticing shapes, colors, and sizes. This little rainbow stacker provides all of that in spades. This fine-motor stacking ring helps toddlers grasp both logical and creative thinking skills, and it’ll also aid in honing hand-eye coordination. Plus, the ring can become so much more with the freedom that a youngster’s imagination can provide. Pros: Smooth, rounded edges that wipe clean and resist chipping Non-toxic paint, safe for toddler’s mouths Encourages critical thinking skills Cons: The dowel’s glue isn’t the most durable Best for seated play Melissa & Doug 100-Piece Wood Blocks Set Block it upThis colorful block set from Melissa & Doug is everything your kiddo could want in a first block set.Best BlocksFind on Amazon Any child who has a few wooden toys likely has at least one set of wooden blocks and at least one item that’s from Melissa & Doug. By combining the two, this wooden block set offers you a high-quality, durable, open-ended educational toy that’ll withstand countless hours of play. Made of solid wood and non-toxic, brightly-colored paints, these blocks come in nine different shapes for creating unique masterpieces. With these open-ended toys, your child can create their own castle, road, houses, or literally anything else their smart little brains can come up with. It’s a toy that spans a wide age range, too, so it’ll last for years of creative play. Pros: 100 individual blocks in 4 vibrant colors Set includes cubes, prisms, cylinders, semi-circles, arches, rectangles, and triangles Smooth finish won’t splinter and chip Cons: The blocks are a tad small These are lighter in weight than other comparative blocks Hape Walk-a-Long Wooden Pull Toy Durable wooden pupThis adorable wooden pull toy encourages gross motor development and so much more.Best Pull ToyFind on Amazon Encouraging active play right from the start is best for developing active habits throughout childhood. What better way to do that than with this adorable pull toy? Featuring rubber-rimmed wheels that’ll leave no mark and won’t make a sound, each part of the puppy moves independently as your little one pulls it along after them. This means it has a wagging tail and cute little floppy ears, as well a head that moves up and down. The result is a toy that’s more than just a pull toy, but rather a new adorable pet that’ll run along behind your happy tot as they develop their gross motor skills. Pros: Vibrant, non-toxic paints Durable wooden construction Great for hand-eye coordination, cause and effect, and imaginative play, as well as gross motor development Cons: The pull string is short When sitting, the puppy falls over easily Gentle Monster Wooden Wobble Balance Board The wooden wobblerThis wobbly wooden board encourages gross motor development and creative play.Best Gross MotorFind on Amazon Part of the beauty of wooden toys is that they’re often much more open-ended than plastic toys. This is important, as this type of play fosters creativity, active and engaged play, risk-taking, problem-solving, and so much more. So while this may look like little more than a piece of curved wood, this wooden wobble board is more than meets the eye. Excellent for developing balance, gross motor coordination, and core strength, this board can easily become a bridge, slide, boat, mountain, or anything else your little one can imagine. Durable enough to bring into the outdoors, it’s a multi-function wooden toy that’ll get many years of creative use. Pros: Stimulates the vestibular system, which aids in better posture and strength Can hold up to 480 pounds Smooth, splinter-free construction made of pure basswood Cons: Use only with shoes or barefoot A bit pricey, but is a high-quality toy that’ll last through years of daily play Melissa & Doug Primary Lacing Beads Colorful manipulatives These bright and colorful wooden manipulatives help to develop fine motor skills.Best Fine MotorFind on Amazon Developing fine motor skills is vital — these are, after all, the muscles that control the entire hand during feeding, dressing, writing, and other everyday tasks. Because many children enjoy gross motor play, it can be tricky to fit in engaging fine motor activities that aid in the development of these specific skills. Turn it into a fun game or task, though, and suddenly you’ll have their attention. These colorful lacing beads do the trick. Made from various shapes with a rainbow of color, these beads allow your tot to work on their grasping skills and other fine motor functions. Shapes, sorting colors, and counting beads also help to develop math skills, making these a multi-functional wooden toy that’s invaluable to their fine motor development. Pros: Includes 30 wooden beads and 2 laces Non-toxic, child-safe paints Aids in the development of visual perception skills, hand-eye coordination, cognitive development, and more Cons: We wish this came with a few variations in lace size The storage box doesn’t have a lid for easier transportation Frequently Asked Questions What are some basic wooden toys to start with? If you’re looking to gather specific types of toys in your child’s life and love the concept behind wooden toys, you might want to start with what could be referred to as a starter set. A quality set of wooden blocks, a few wooden animals, a wooden wobble board, and wooden puzzles, beads, or games would be an excellent start. What’s the importance of open-ended toys? You might hear that wooden toys are often considered open-ended toys. But what does this mean, and what is the significance? Open-ended toys are simply toys that can be used in a variety of ways. For example, plastic food can really only be plastic food. But present wooden beads, and suddenly they can be soup, vegetables, animals, mathematical objects, towers … you get the picture. This type of play helps to foster independence, critical thinking, imaginative development, and so much more. Related posts: The Best Sensory Toys for Toddlers The Best Baby Dolls for Toddlers The Best Guitars for Toddlers