26 DIY wooden toys you can make for your kid or toddler (2024)

FAQs

What wood to make kids toys out of? ›

Maple – One of the most highly-recommended woods for toy making. It's super heavy and durable with fine grains that won't easily splinter. It's a hypoallergenic and food-safe wood — meaning it won't harm your baby when it comes in contact with his or her mouth.

Hardwood is the safest wood for baby toys. Beechwood is a common choice for toy makers because it is durable, easy to shape, fine-grained, and beautifully textured.

Wooden toys are safer, more durable, and better for child development, but they can be more expensive. Plastic toys are cheaper and readily available, but they are not as safe and are not eco-friendly. Ultimately, the choice between wooden toys and plastic toys comes down to personal preference and budget.

Craft wooden toys, puzzles, and games for children. These can be sold online or at local craft fairs. High-quality, handcrafted toys often have a niche market.

Hardwoods like maple and oak are durable, but some are better for kids' toys than others. The type of wood you should avoid is pine, which is a soft hardwood. Pine can splinter and warp and is not safe for children who have a nut allergy. Maple is a durable, inexpensive option that's also safe for kids.

Use a soft cloth or brush dampened with the cleaner, and never soak or immerse wood toys in water, as this can cause the wood to warp or crack and potentially weaken it. Be sure to dry the wood right away with an absorptive cloth and/or fresh air (avoiding too much sunlight).

BABY TOYS: FROM 6 MONTHS TO 2 YEARS

Therefore choose solid wooden toys. Stacking wooden blocks or making puzzles will help your child develop fine motor skills.

The materials used for quality wooden toys cost more. Real wood is more expensive than materials used for other toys, such as plastic or plywood (used for cheap wooden toys). The cost of wood has to be factored into the price of the toy.

What are wooden Montessori toys? ›

Montessori toys are designed with specific intent. They're created to help a child with many things, including cognitive development, hand-eye coordination, creative thinking, and fine motor skills. Unlike generic toys sold in big box stores, wooden Montessori toys are simple in design with no sharp edges.

Wooden toys are not only beautiful and eco-friendly but also durable and safe for children of all ages. With proper care and maintenance, they can last for generations and become cherished family heirlooms.

For children 3+ - getting started with woodwork…

The best option by far is Balsa wood. So soft and so easy!

Ipe lumber is the perfect example of weather-resistant wood. It doesn't scratch or splinter easily, does not heat up in the sun, and has a high coefficient of friction, making it perfect for outdoor and coastal construction.

A lot of toys are made of maple and other tight grained woods such as cherry and so forth. Most of the commercial made wooden toys are maple since it is a wood that is as child safe as you can get and is easy to work with.

Pick toys made of natural materials, like cotton, wool and uncoated wood. Avoid old wooden toys with chipped paint. The paint may contain lead. Check that toys made of fabric can be washed.