Wooden Toys For 1 and 2 Year Olds

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.

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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

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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. 

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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.