The best wooden trains for toddlers to inspire creative play

Suitable for children aged three and over, this Chad Valley Wooden Train Set is ideal for developing motor skills. We love that it features 21 wooden track pieces, a plastic bridge, four vehicles, four buildings, four people, six bushes and trees, two traffic lights and 12 roadblocks and signs. WOW!

One reviewer said: "Really lovely train set. Easy to set up, doesn't take up loads of space. My little boy loves it!"

Another reviewer said: "I bought this for my 3 year old son and he’s never stopped playing with the tracks and trains!"

Brio is the ultimate wooden train set for toddlers, and it’s been around for years. You might even have one in your loft from your own childhood that you can pass on to your little one. This starter kit is great for toddlers to begin their train set obsession; there are loads of add-ons and accessories to keep building up, and to give the family Christmas present ideas for years to come.

One reviewer said: "Purchased as a starter railway pack for our Grandson's second birthday. Brio has always been a well-made and good value long-lasting product. We originally purchased a Brio for our son thirty years ago. The railway is still in his possession for use by visiting nieces and nephews to play with and it still looks good as new."

Perfect for a first set, this Bigjigs Rail My First Wooden Train Set is definitely ideal for little fingers. It's a safe and sustainable choice that will encourage their creativity and that your little one will love playing with. We like the nostalgic design and quality feel of this little railway set.

One reviewer said: "Well made and good for the price bought this for my sons first train set. Not too many parts as he likes to break things, so thought it best to get a wooden one. It’s a nice set, and for the price, it is great. I will see how he gets on but really can’t fault this."

One for the serious train fan in your family, why not go all out and get your little one a table to set up a whole town? The first step to model railway building! The KidKraft Waterfall Mountain Wooden Train Track Set & Table is detailed and high-quality, making it a long-lasting and fun choice.

One reviewer said: "The product is perfect. It's as described, our 'road' came with a damaged corner, but nothing big and we glued. For the money, we are astonished by the quality, everything is wood except the plain and the mountain. Super, super good!"

Your child will love having their very own wooden train with their name on it. They can use the magnetic design like they would any other train toy, but the added name detail makes it a special choice that's ideal for gifting. We love how bright and vibrant The Letteroom Wooden Name Train is.

One reviewer said: "Really pleased with the wooden name train. I have purchased three previously & have been delighted with all four of them. They all arrived quickly and were well packaged. Lovely product."

This beautiful John Lewis & Partners Wooden Train Set, comes with 50 pieces, including trees, sheep, a shed, and a drawbridge. It's very similar to Brio (and the trains will probably work on both types of track). We love that it's designed to improve their fine motor skills and hand-to-eye coordination.

One reviewer said: "Added to another John Lewis train set, great for imaginative play, well-made item."

Another reviewer said: "2 year old recipient loves it. Easy to put together, stimulates imagination and language. Nice sized pieces for a child to manipulate."

Sprinkle a little bit of magic into playtime thanks to the Bigjigs Rail Wooden Fairy Figure of Eight Train Play Set, designed with some adorable details. It features 35 pieces including fairy figurines, a pastel train and much more. It's one that has a universal design that can be connected to other train sets.

One reviewer said: "It's hard to find toys for a child transitioning into toddlerhood, but this is perfect. It is really well made, and is super easy to put together. It came with an instruction sheet which I read through. The little train which comes with it is magnetized, so very easy for a toddler. The favourite activity was placing one car at top of the hill, and let it go down and stop then the next, then the next."

If you're looking to get a wooden train as a gift for your little one, the personalised option is a truly special choice. We love the colourful and sweet design that your little one can play with in a plethora of ways. The parts are easy for them to grab, so they can just focus on enjoying playtime.

Your little one can enjoy the buzz of the town and the peace of the countryside with a selection of wooden houses, figures, trees, cars and more. It also includes a level crossing and boat which will keep your little train driver entertained for hours.

One reviewer said: "The Town and Country Train Set from Bigjigs is a good starter pack for a wooden railway collection. It is perfectly compatible with other wooden railway sets and is of a perfectly usable quality. Two years of hands-on testing have so far not caused any of the set to fail. This set includes enough track to form a figure of eight plus a large loop. It makes for an interesting combination and enough for small users to enjoy over time. The set includes a level crossing which seems to inspire additional play options. "

For added realism, this train set uses magnets to couple some parts of the train which your little one will love to pair the train cars, plus the play figures have been designed to fit in the wagons. They include passenger with travel bag and railway worker. There is also a realistic crane with a magnetic winch and the railway crossing can be opened and closed.

One reviewer, Ingrid, said: "My daughter loved it and the pieces are of very good quality. The fact that it has magnetic parts and several transport carts makes it more entertaining. I highly recommend it."