I can’t tell you how many times this exact scenario has happened… I am scrolling through Instagram and come across a photo of breathtaking play room stocked with gorgeous wooden toys. It looks so colorful and consistent and I instantly get the urge to add some of these beautiful toys to my girls play room. Then I see the price tag and I spit out my coffee and quickly decide that maybe they don’t need them after all. 

It’s no secret that wooden toys can come with a hefty price tag. Should I really spend an entire weeks grocery budget on a wooden rainbow? My personal opinion…it’s a hard no. 

Yet there are so many benefits to these style of toys. They provide hours of open-ended play for little ones. They are more durable and pretty much guaranteed to outlive any plastic version. Then there’s that…the plastic. Wood toys are generally more sustainable sourced and therefore a much more environmentally friendly option. 

I’ve spent hours searching the internet for great quality wooden toys with a reasonable price tag. If you are more on the craft side, you could always purchase unfinished wooden toys and paint them yourself. I’ve done this many times and have an entire blog post dedicated on how to do this. Read it here. 

Rainbow Stackers

Splurge: Grimm’s 12-Piece Rainbow Stacker

Save: Lewo Rainbow Stacker

Double Save: Gupgi Rainbow Stacker + Set of 6 Peg People

When it comes to wood toys, Grimm’s is the cream of the crop. Their beautifully crafted toys are pricey. But there’s a ton of other options out there. Lewo comes in with the lowest cost on Amazon and with excellent reviews to match the excellent price. 

Peg People 

 Splurge: Grimms Set of 12 Rainbow Friends  

Save: Lewo 12 Piece Rainbow Friends 

Super Saver: A pack of 40 unpainted peg people

When I first saw these little Peg People I wondered if my kids would even be entertained by them. I was shocked at how long they would keep them entertained. Nora likes to line them up, put them into little “houses” she makes, pretend one is a mama and one is a baby… her imagination really blooms with these! Lewo once again has a great budget find compared to Grimm’s $80+ peg people. 

Wooden Blocks

Splurge: Grimms Blocks with Trays 

Save: Melissa and Doug 100-Piece Wooden Blocks

Wooden Block are a staple in any playroom. The Melissa and Doug set is comparable in size to the Grimms, but at a small fraction of the cost.

Wooden Stacking Blocks

Splurge: Grimms Rainbow Stacking Block

Save: Guidecraft Rainbow Pyramid

I’m still trying to work out how 6 wooden blocks could have a cost in the triple digits. Luckily there is a budget friendly find from Guidecraft that will be just as much fun for your little one!

Wooden Gems

 Splurge: Grimm’s 4-Piece Wooden Gems 

Save: Star Top 5-Piece Wooden Gem Set 

Wooden Gems are all the rage in our home at the moment. Plus our girls love that they are playing with what we all call “gems”. The Grimm’s version runs about $30 for a set of 4. You can get a set of 5 for less than $10 on Amazon or a set of 15 for less than half the cost of the Grimm’s. 

Shape Sorting Game

Splurge:   Grimms Shape Sorting Game

Save: Flyingseed Wooden Shape Sorting Game

Shape sorting games are yet another play room essential. Luckily this budget friendly find runs about $60 cheaper than the splurge version. 

Cars

Splurge: Grimm’s Slimline Cars

Save: Melissa and Doug Car Carrier and Cars Wooden Set

I thought I was a fan of Melissa and Doug toys before writing this post, but after seeing how many great toys they have at reasonable price, I’d say it’s now one of my favorite brands. You can get 4 wooden cars PLUS a carrier for less than half the cost of the Grimm’s cars. 

Magnet Tiles

Splurge: MagnaTiles

Save: Picasso Tiles

Yes, I know these are not wood toys, but they are so popular that I just had to find a budget friendly version for you guys! Magnet Tiles provide hours of fun for kiddos of all ages (my husband has even been known to sit and build his own creations with the girls). I have seen both the Magna Tiles and Picasso tiles in person and can tell you there is VERY little difference between the two. You can find both here on Amazon. 

Play Kitchen

Splurge: Milton and Goose Essential Play Kitchen

Save: KidKraft Vintage Play Kitchen

I cannot even bring myself to mention the price of the splurge kitchen… but I can say WONDERFUL things about the budget friendly Kid Kraft Vintage kitchen. We have had it for about 2 years now and it is still played with on a weekly basis. It’s held up well considering all the love it has received over the years. You can see the different color options here (we have the pink!)