Wooden toys have endless appeal as
Christmas presents. A nostalgic throwback to the toys of your childhood, they’re hard-wearing and timeless.
Not to mention, an environmentally-friendly alternative to the plastic toys that dominate the toy department. Anything that cuts down our plastic consumption gets a thumbs up from us.
We’ve already sorted out your shopping list of wooden toys for babies and toddlers, but if you’re buying for an older child, here’s some inspiration. John Lewis & Partners Wooden Ramps Racer, John Lewis, £12.50For an eco-friendly alternative to car games, this wooden ramp is minimal, brightly-coloured and will help develop motor skills and hand-eye coordination. It’s an easy one to keep tidy too, with few tiny pieces to gather once they’re done playing.
Buy it now. Le Toy Van Tool Box, Kidly, £35This durable tool set is a fun and colourful, not to mention easy to transport, so if you want to keep the occupied when you’re on-the-go it’s no bother. Ther eare 11 accessories for them to discover from tools, nails and screws, and a storage compartment at the bottom too.
Buy it now. Ambulance Doctor’s Set, GLTC, £45This is guaranteed to keep them occupied for hours. Not only do you get a vehicle that can be driven around for ages, but 12 tools inside, ranging from a stethoscope, digital thermometer, syringe, reflex hammer, box of plasters and a doctors note pad. Expect lots of role play and be prepared to play patient.
Buy it now. Hape Park & Go Garage, Scandiborn, £54.95For children under six, this interactive garage is a fun one for imaginary play and is the perfect gift for a budding car enthusiast. We’re most impressed by the helicopter tbh.
Buy it now.Bex Ladder Game Pro, John Lewis, £55.99This is great for older children and something adults can appreciate, too. The game involves throwing the balls and trying to get the string to wrap around on the ladder. It’s great for the outdoors and will keep everyone happy after dinnertime.
Buy it now. Play BBQ, JoJo Maman Bebe, £35A playful way to inspire culinary interest, this BBQ set suitable for three years and up, we have to admit, is making us peckish. Have you seen that burger? Delish. All the pieces velcro together too so it can be compact if need be.
Buy it now.Train Set Table, George at Asda, £62.50 This 50-piece train set resembling the golden gate bridge is not only impressive, but also comes with a fabric storage bin to encourage tidying away after play. While assembly is required once you’ve got your hands on it, it’s one that will provide hours of fun.
Buy it now. Melissa & Doug Wooden Cupcake Set, Argos, £17If you’ve got a child who’s really into their baking, this is the perfect compromise to avoid mess. They can get in on the action by decorating four cupcakes, with decorative cake pens to match.
Buy it now. Wooden Drum, HEMA, £7.50To be honest, this will be noisy but a long shot from the full drum set they might ask for when they’re older. Suitable from one year, it’s an affordable way to bring a smile to your child’s face. Buy it now. Janod Magnet Rocket Toy, John Lewis, £19.99Who doesn’t love a bit of space? It comes with six magnetic pieces that when stacked form the rockets with the cutest little
astronaut poking out. Made from non-toxic paint on cherry wood pieces, it could inspire an out-of-this-world career.
Buy it now. MORE FROM HUFFPOST FINDS... The Top 10 Toys For Christmas 2019 The Best Wooden Toys To Buy Babies And Toddlers This Christmas The Top 10 Toys Your Kids Will Want This Christmas, According To John Lewis We all work hard to earn our money – so it shouldn’t feel like hard work to spend it well. At HuffPost Finds we’ll help you find the best stuff that deserves your cash, from the ultimate lipstick to a durable iron to replace the one that broke (RIP). All our choices are completely independent but we may earn a small commission if you click a link and make a purchase.