Wooden & Open-Ended Toys

Open-ended toys do not tell a child what to do with them. The wooden alphabet set from Gladfolk is a spelling game one week and a pile of building blocks the next, which is why it stays in the rotation long after a single-purpose toy has been put away.

Most of what is here comes from small makers rather than a wholesale catalog. Living Refinery makes the magnetic alphabet and number play sets and the wooden tool set. Commiskids makes play dough kits built around pasta and dim sum. There is also a knit triceratops from Global Goods Partners, a baby doll with a knitted carrying cot from Tikiri Toys, and a bath toy from Honu Play.

For a first birthday, the magnetic sets and the alphabet set get the most years of use. For pretend play, start with the play dough kits or the wooden tool set.