Wood Toys for Babies and Toddlers

Lots of parents are looking for wood toys this year, thanks to the number of plastic toy recalls. The good news is that there are several companies that make great wood toys with nice, lead-free finishes that are fun for your little one without the safety concerns. These companies all have high-quality wood toys are appropriate for babies and toddlers

1. HABA
This German company is known for its high-quality wood toys. The majority of their toys are actually made in Germany. A few items are made in China, but HABA maintains strict quality control over the Chinese-made items. Not only are HABA's wood toys fun, they're attractive, durable and environmentally friendly. The whole company focuses on making their manufacturing processes as environmentally friendly as possible. HABA has wood stacking blocks, teething toys, play food and stringing beads, just to name a few of their wood toys.

2. Maple Landmark
Not only are Maple Landmark's wood toys beautiful and safe, they're also made in the United States, which is a big deal this holiday season. Some of their wood toys are unfinished, some are finished with whey- or beeswax-based coatings and some have more traditional urethanes. From natural building block sets to hobby horses and wooden trains, there is a great variety of wood toys for various ages at Maple Landmark.

3. Melissa & Doug
Melissa & Doug is one of the better known wood toy companies. You can often find this brand in major retail stores as well as online. This company has a wide variety of wood toys for babies and toddlers. You can choose from simple wood block sets or musical instrument sets, or surprise a toddler with an elaborate wood doll house, puzzle or shape sorter sets. Melissa & Doug's classic ABC/123 blocks are a very popular gift for toddlers.

4. Pastel Toys
These pretty wood toys are made in Israel at a facility for adults with special needs. Not only will your child love the simplicity and fun of Pastel Toys, you can enjoy helping the residents of that facility with their work and rehabilitation programs. These toys are made by hand and finished by hand, and the personal attention shows. The wheeled toys are the right size for little hands to zoom around the floor, or they make a gorgeous addition to a nursery shelf. Push toys, doll houses and wood trucks are also available.

5. Guidecraft
Guidecraft has a nice selection of large wood toys, such as play kitchens, child-size doll houses and castles, and play lofts. The colors are pleasing to the eye, and the toys are sturdy enough to last many years. Guidecraft also has some smaller wood toys like block sets that are fun for all ages