Best Wooden Baby Toys for 1 year-olds | Eco-Friendly Baby Toys
Are you a parent or grandparent searching for the perfect gifts for your child or grandchild? As your child develops, many parents and grandparents wonder, “Ever wonder which toys will provide enjoyment and educational value for my little one?” and “Are there better alternatives to the plastic toys commonly found in big box stores?” “What are the Best Wooden Baby Toys?” Ensuring that you prioritize toys that provide lasting benefits and encourage active open-ended play is paramount. Instead of settling for temporary options, selecting toys that offer enduring value and foster imaginative engagement is crucial. While plastic toys may provide momentary entertainment, their durability, and long-term appeal are questionable. How many flashy plastic toys are still played with after a year? If you’re seeking durable and high-quality toys, consider the excellent choice of wooden toys. This article presents the best wooden baby toys for 1-year-olds, known for their sustainability and aesthetic appeal. These eco-friendly toys eliminate the need for batteries and offer longevity, making them a wise investment. By opting for sustainable toys, you contribute positively to the environment and provide your child with cherished playthings that encourage creativity, independent play, and motor skill development. Your loved ones will see the eco-conscious choices you make and appreciate them!
“To learn more about how to avoid plastic toys, check out my article where I dive more into this in my post on “3 Questions to Ask When Buying Toys.“
Instead of opting for quantity, why not choose quality toys? Many kids are overwhelmed by the sheer number of gifts they receive. Offering a solution, consider gifting them fewer but better-quality, more durable item green toys that promote open-ended play. While sustainable toys may involve a slightly higher investment, wouldn’t you prefer your child to have a few cherished toys rather than a playroom filled with costly plastic? You’ll notice a significant difference in your child’s play behavior when they engage with “kid-powered” toys rather than battery-powered ones. Below is a curated list of the best wooden toys for 1-year-olds. These sustainable options require no batteries, withstand the test of time, and make delightful gifts that your child or grandchild will thoroughly enjoy. Many of these toys also facilitate family interaction and quality time. Rest assured, all the toys included in this list are plastic-free and sustainably made. Here are my essential categories for babies and toddlers. They go from pretend play to ride-on to blocks and more! It’s time for a variety, and your baby will love it. Plus, they are all eco-friendly and safe for your little one.1. Ride-on
Ride-on toys provide entertainment and enhance a child’s independence and motor skills. Our top pick is the PlanToys Delivery Bike from the Orchard Collection. This stable bike with front-end steering features a storage container, sturdy handle grips, rubber tires for quiet indoor use, and a delightful “beep beep” button. It can support a maximum weight of 60 kg and is sustainably made in Thailand using chemical-free rubberwood and water-based dyes.Delivery Bike – Orchard | Sustainably Made
- It comes with a storage container on the front of the bike, a stable base, easy-to-grab handle grips, rubber tread on the wheels, and a button that goes “beep beep.”
- You can stylize the side of the storage container with chalk and make a sign! Sort mail and toys upon delivery of your order!
- It has a max weight capacity of 60 kg or 132 lbs—smooth sailing across all floors.
- It is sustainably made in Thailand with chemical-free rubberwood trees, formaldehyde-free glues, organic pigments, and water-based dyes.
- To learn more about PlanToys and their sustainable mission, see our Brand Spotlight HERE.
Wishbone Flip Red Ride-On & Rocker 2-in-1
- Award-winning 2-in-1 rock & roll toy for children from 1 to 5 years old.
- An innovative flipping mechanism that converts from a gentle rocker to an exciting ride-on toy in seconds, no tools required.
- Supports developmental milestones, including sitting up, balance, steering, and critical gross motor skills.
- Made from beautiful birch wood, available in red or white, and comes in a handy carry box.
2. Walker
Walking is an essential milestone for toddlers, and walkers can assist in their development. Our recommended walker is the Wooden Bird Baby Walker by PlanToys. It has two birds, ten colored blocks, and six natural wooden blocks. As children push the walker, it creates a unique sound that encourages walking and gross motor skill development. Made with chemical-free rubberwood and water-based dyes, this walker is a safe and sustainable choice.Bird Walker with Colored Blocks & Birds
- Bring the birds to life by walking and listening to the pleasant sound they make!
- Walker features 2 birds, 10 colored blocks, and 6 natural wooden blocks
- Develop gross motor skills and become more comfortable on your own two feet through play
- Sustainably made in Thailand using chemical-free rubberwood, formaldehyde-free glue, organic pigments, and water-based dyes.
- To learn more about PlanToys and their sustainable mission, see our Brand Spotlight HERE.
Baby Walker with Colored Wooden Blocks
3. Rocking Horse
Rocking horses are classic toys that provide both fun and developmental benefits. Our top two picks are the Rocking Pegasus and the Palomino Rocking Horse, both from PlanToys. The Rocking Pegasus combines the excitement of a rocking horse with the imaginative adventure of a mythical flying creature. It helps improve balance, coordination, and cognitive skills. The Palomino Rocking Horse offers a traditional rocking horse experience, promoting physical development and imaginative play. Both rocking horses are sustainably made and feature built-in safety measures.Rocking Pegasus | Ride-on | Sustainable Toy
- Built on parallel rockers for easy rocking back and forth
- Safety stops are built in to prevent children from rocking too far forward or backward.
- It comes with a built-in backrest in between the brightly colored wings
- Sustainably made in Thailand using chemical-free rubberwood, formaldehyde-free glue, organic pigments, and water-based dyes.
- To learn more about PlanToys and their sustainable mission, see our Brand Spotlight HERE.
- I included in my top Sustainable Toy Companies.
Palomino Rocking Horse | Sustainable Toy
- Built on parallel rockers for easy rocking back and forth
- Safety stops are built in to prevent children and babies from rocking too far forward or backward.
- It comes with a built-in saddle and colorful accents
- It is sustainably made in Thailand using chemical-free rubberwood, formaldehyde-free glue, organic pigments, and water-based dyes.
4. Blocks- Large size
Blocks are timeless toys that encourage creativity and problem-solving skills. Our top recommendation is the Advanced Builder Wooden Blocks Set by Maple Landmark. This set includes 78 pieces in 17 different shapes, providing endless possibilities for building and creating. Crafted from sustainably harvested maple hardwood, these blocks are durable, environmentally friendly, and perfect for little hands.Advanced Builder Wooden Blocks Set – 78 pieces | Made in the USA
Wooden Discovery Blocks for Early Perception and Musicality Development by HABA
- Foster early perception and musicality development
- 6 discovery blocks with different acoustic effects
- Each cube measures 1.75″ x 1.75″ x 1.75″
- Suitable for ages 12 months and up
- Double Award Winner – Toy of the Year 2014 and Best of Baby 2012
- Made of solid beech wood and non-toxic water-based stain
- Made at our home factory in Germany
Farm Wooden Block Set | Made in the USA
Letter Picture Natural Blocks in Tray | Made in the USA
Make learning and playing fun with the Letter Picture Natural Blocks w/Tray! This 28-piece set features one letter per block with upper case, lower case, cursive, and three related pictures. There are also two extra letters to help create even more words. Made from hard maple and colorful prints, these 1.75″ blocks have no finish, while the accompanying tray has unfinished maple sides and a plywood bottom. From USA-based Vermont, this lovely set will bring hours of entertainment for your little ones!
5. Pull and Push Toys
Pull and push toys are excellent companions for crawlers and early walkers. The Will’e Wobble Car by Maple Landmark is a delightful pull toy with unique movement and wood clapping sounds. It encourages children to explore their environment while promoting motor skills. Another great option is the My First Wooden Train by Maple Landmark. This push train is 24 inches long and has an additional pole for pulling or pushing. Its large size and easy maneuverability make it ideal for young toddlers.Will’e Wobble Car | 6m+ | Made in the USA
- Push toy designed for pre-toddlers
- Off-center wheels create a wobbling motion as it rolls
- It can be converted into a pull toy with the addition of a string
- Made in the USA from sustainable hardwood maple
- Decorated with a non-toxic ink print
- Lightweight and easy for young children to handle
- A sustainable and eco-friendly addition to any toy collection
- A perfect gift for baby showers, birthdays, or any other special occasion.
- Ages 6M+
My First Wooden Train – Made in the USA
- 2009 Creative Child Magazine Preferred Choice Award
- To learn more about Maple Landmark, see my Brand Spotlight HERE.
- Included in my top Sustainable Toy Companies.
Pull Along Musical Bear | Push & Pull
- The bear’s legs spin and “run” as he is pulled along
- The bear will play different notes as you pull the string left and right, changing the orientation of the xylophone and where the bear strikes the keys.
- Through play, improve balance, strengthen hand-eye coordination, and develop gross motor skills.
- It is sustainably made in Thailand using chemical-free rubberwood, formaldehyde-free glue, organic pigments, and water-based dyes.
- To learn more about PlanToys and their sustainable mission, see our Brand Spotlight HERE.
Wagon – Black | Push & Pull | Sustainable Wagon
- Let children collect and move their favorite objects with the PlanToys wagon.
- The handle can be easily removed and reattached to either wagon’s side. When you have multiple wagons, you can daisy chain them together using the pull handle.
- Customize your wagon with chalk on the chalk-friendly black surface. Wipe clean with a damp cloth to start fresh.
- It is sustainably made in Thailand using chemical-free rubberwood, formaldehyde-free glue, organic pigments, and water-based dyes.
- To learn more about PlanToys and their sustainable mission, see our Brand Spotlight HERE.
6. Shape Sorters & Stackers
Shape sorters provide a fun and educational way for toddlers to learn about shapes and colors while developing fine motor skills. Our top choice is the Hammer Balls by PlanToys. This wooden toy includes three colors, encouraging children to hammer the balls and develop hand-eye coordination. This shape sorter is a safe and eco-friendly option made with sustainable materials.Hammer Balls | Sustainable Toy Hammer
- Strengthen fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination using the wooden mallet to hammer the colorful balls through the structure.
- Features a wooden platform that rolls the balls out for continued play
- Designed for little hands to enjoy, manipulate and explore
- Sustainably made in Thailand using chemical-free rubberwood, formaldehyde-free glue, organic pigments, and water-based dyes.
- To learn more about PlanToys and their sustainable mission, see our Brand Spotlight HERE.
Wooden Cage Shape Sorter | Made in the USA
- Quality craftsmanship: Made in Vermont, USA, this wooden shape sorter is built to last, measuring 6.25″ long and 5.3″ in diameter.
- Colorful shapes: The set includes three of 4 colored, shaped pieces – yellow square, blue triangle, green rectangle, and red circle – to help your child learn about colors and shapes.
- Safe and non-toxic: The shaped pieces are colored using a water-based dye stain that meets federal child safety requirements and contains no lead or toxins.
- Challenging yet rewarding: The sorter has a large square hole on the bottom where the pieces can come out, but not too quickly, helping to develop your child’s motor skills and problem-solving abilities.
- Educational fun for all ages: Suitable for ages 18 months and up, this shape sorter provides hours of educational fun for your child, helping them to develop essential skills and learn about shapes, colors, and more.
- To learn more about Maple Landmark, see my Brand Spotlight HERE.
- Included in my top Sustainable Toy Companies.
Wooden Shape Sorter Bench | Made in the USA
- Quality craftsmanship: Made in Vermont, USA, this shape sorter bench is crafted from locally sourced, sustainably harvested maple hardwood with engraved details, measuring approximately 4″ high by 4″ wide by 6.7″ long.
- Educational fun: With 12 blocks in four primary shapes – circle, square, rectangle, and triangle – that match their corresponding holes, this shape sorter bench helps your child learn about shapes, colors, and hand-eye coordination in a fun and engaging way.
- Natural and unfinished: The bench and blocks are entirely natural with no finish, ensuring your child’s safe and non-toxic experience.
- Includes storage pouch: The set comes with a bag for easy storage of the blocks.
- Suitable for ages two and up. This shape sorter bench is ideal for children aged two and up, providing educational and entertaining playtime hours.
7. Stackers
Stacking toys are designed to help children develop their fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination, and spatial awareness. These toys typically consist of blocks or rings of various sizes that can be stacked on top of each other to create a tower or structure. Stacking toys often come in bright colors and may have different textures or patterns on each piece, providing additional sensory stimulation. As children experiment with stacking the pieces, they learn balance, stability, and problem-solving concepts as they try to create stable structures. Stacking toys are popular for young children as they engage their curiosity and encourage creative exploration.Natural Wooden Shape Stacker | Made in the USA
- The Natural Wooden Shape Stacker is a fun, educational toy that introduces four basic concepts: shapes, shape names, numbers, and patterning.
- The stacker includes a triangle, square, pentagon, hexagon, octagon, and circle, with the name of each shape engraved on the side.
- Each side of the shape also has a number engraved on the top, with the triangle having 1-2-3, square 1-2-3-4, and so on.
- The stacker helps children develop their gross motor skills and provides tactile experiences.
- Made from locally, sustainably harvested solid hardwood maple, each piece is sanded smooth with engraved details.
- The stacker measures just shy of 5″ tall, with each piece being 0.75″ thick, and the most prominent shape, a circle, is 5.7″ across.
- The dowel used to hold the pieces is a hefty 1″ thick.
- Made in Vermont, USA.
HABA Lighthouse Stacking Game – German-made Classic Toy
8. Sensory Toys
Sensory toys are designed to engage and stimulate a child’s senses. These toys aim to provide sensory experiences promoting exploration, learning, and integration. They are often designed with various textures, colors, sounds, and movements to engage multiple senses, such as touch, sight, hearing, and sometimes taste and smell. Sensory toys include textured balls, sensory bottles, musical instruments, play mats with different textures, squishy toys, creative books, and more. These items benefit children’s development as they help enhance sensory perception, fine motor skills, cognitive abilities, and overall sensory processing abilities. They are commonly used in sensory play activities and therapy settings to support children’s sensory development and provide a fun and interactive sensory experience.HABA Soft 12″ Doll Cassie with Blonde Ponytail | Pretend Play
Cassie is a lovable soft doll perfect for toddlers aged 18 months and up. Measuring just 12″ tall, she is the ideal size for small hands to hold and cuddle. Her slightly weighted bottom allows her to sit independently without falling over, making her a great companion for playtime adventures.
Cassie is a playful doll who loves to have fun. She wears comfy red loose-fitting overalls that are easy for little hands to take on and off, making her the perfect beauty for children who enjoy dressing up their toys. Her orange shoes are sewn on for durability, so little ones won’t have to worry about losing them during playtime. With her blonde hair tied back in a red hair tie, Cassie is ready for imaginative play. Whether children play tea parties, go on adventures, or cuddle up for a nap, Cassie is the perfect companion.
Materials: Cassie is made of high-quality materials that are safe for children to play with. Her body is soft and cuddly, and her clothes are durable materials that withstand rough play.
- 12″ tall Cassie doll is perfect for toddlers to play and cuddle with. An optional pack is available to add.
- A slightly weighted bottom allows her to sit on her own without falling
- Comfy red loose-fitting overalls that are easy for little hands to take on and off
- Orange shoes are sewn on, and blonde hair is tied back in a red hair tie
- Great companion for toddlers to grow and play with
- Recommended for Ages 18 months+
Eat-it-up Dragon Glove Puppet – HABA Fantasy Hand Puppet with Belly Bag
- Versatile hand puppet that can be a dragon or a monster
- Built-in belly bag “eats” small objects for added fun
- Eyes move independently for an engaging performance
- A favorite of educators, perfect for story-telling and learning activities
- Made of durable polyester material
- It measures 15.75″ tall and is machine washable on cold/delicate.
Rainbow-Colored Wooden Egg Shakers for Little Musicians – HABA USA
- The set includes 5 rainbow-colored wooden eggs, each with a different noise (2 rattles, 1 chirp, 1 jingle, and 1 click)
- Made of solid beech wood from sustainable forests in Germany and treated with water-based stains and a clear protective coating
- Perfectly sized for little hands to shake, twist, and bang together, each egg measures 3” tall.
- Soft acoustic sounds are perfect for tuning in little ears and fostering color recognition and auditory discovery.
- A favorite in Montessori classrooms and a must-have for little ones who love to explore with their senses
- HABA USA offers a 100% satisfaction guarantee and exceptional customer service
- Made in Germany with a commitment to quality and safety
9. Puzzles
1-year-old puzzles are specially designed for children around the age of one. These puzzles typically feature large, chunky pieces that are easy for young children to grasp and manipulate. The puzzles may consist of simple shapes or pictures that can be matched and inserted into corresponding slots or compartments. These puzzles aim to introduce basic problem-solving skills, hand-eye coordination, and fine motor skills to toddlers.
The puzzles may incorporate bright colors, familiar objects, or animals to engage the child’s attention and encourage exploration. Some 1-year-old puzzles may include additional sensory elements such as textured surfaces or sound effects to provide a multi-sensory learning experience.
Town Maze Magnetic Puzzle Game | Toddler Games | HABA USA
Best Wooden Baby Toys Final Thoughts:
Investing in high-quality wooden toys is wise for your child’s development and the environment. Our carefully curated selection of the Best Wooden Baby Toys for 1-year-olds offers diverse options that foster creativity, enhance motor skills, and encourage independent play. Crafted from sustainable materials, free from harmful chemicals, and built to withstand the test of time, these toys provide engaging play experiences while promoting a love for the environment. In conclusion, when selecting toys for your child or grandchild, it is essential to prioritize quality over quantity. Choosing the best wooden baby toys can provide enduring value, stimulate open-ended play, and contribute to a sustainable and enriching play environment. Say goodbye to temporary alternatives and embrace toys that ignite creativity, foster independent exploration, and nurture motor skill development while positively impacting the planet. Make wise choices and offer the gift of cherished and meaningful playthings that will create lasting memories for years to come. To learn more about each featured toy and make a purchase, click on the provided links. Embark on the journey of sustainable play and give your child the priceless gift of lasting memories with the Best Wooden Baby Toys.
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