11 best kids’ wooden and plastic-free toys that will inspire their imagination

Parents rejoice… the plastic toy pandemonium seems to be waning with more and more wooden toys filling our nurseries and playrooms.

And sales seem to be on the rise too, with John Lewis & Partners’ annual nursery trends report from 2019 stating that sustainability is a key trend, with sales of its wooden toy range up 15 per cent compared to 2018.

Without the flashing lights and grating sound effects, wooden toys really allow children to engage their imagination.

But just because there’s no need for batteries doesn’t necessarily mean they’re planet-friendly play.

Look for toys made from wood from FSC-certified forests, or other sustainable materials (here’s looking at you Plan Toys) and choose items free from chemicals, especially if you’re buying a toy for a baby.

With the help of our two-year-old and four-year-old testers, we put a range of toys through their paces looking closely at the materials used, the design quality and aesthetics and cost but giving most points for those that truly held their attention and allowing imaginations to run free.

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