Best Wooden Train Sets for Toddlers in the UK

Review & Comparison, Last Update January 14, 2024
Kids learn about the outside world through play. So, what matters in selecting toys is how much knowledge and fun your child can derive. A wooden train set is the most beneficial toy in terms of child`s development that also can bring a lot of joy. Our review will help make your choice! ...Read more ...Read less
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BEST 2024
PROS
CONS
OUR VERDICT
Recommended Age
Pieces
Size
Features
Warranty
 
PROS

The table included in the kit can also be used for other purposes. Kids can use it for other games and even for study.

CONS

To assemble the train set, you will need to use additional tools.

OUR VERDICT

This multifunctional set will foster your kids' imagination and turn their fantasy into reality. Parents will definitely appreciate removable storage bins which help keep the child’s room clean.

detailed parameters
Recommended Age

3 years and up

Pieces

Playing surface and 120 parts including roads, bridges, figures, a tunnel, a station, a crane

Size

123.83 x 87.38 x 40.64 cm

Features

Table with three drawers

Colourful game surface

Compatible with a lot of train sets

Warranty

90 days

PROS

Thanks to the built-in electric motors, the trains can move independently. In addition, you can put "passengers" inside a carriage.

CONS

The engines are not that powerful. 

OUR VERDICT

The semi-automatic trains with the ability to accommodate passengers will bring a lot of joy to your young train fans. Besides, the set corresponds to European quality standards.

detailed parameters
Recommended Age

3 years and up

Pieces

19 x pieces of track, 2 x switching tracks, 4 x travel train engines, 2 x travel train carriages, 1 x station, 3 x rock supports, 1 x suspension bridge, 2 x block supports, 5 x play figures, 1 x signal post, 1 x signpost, 1 x suitcase

Size

112 x 62 cm

Features

Moving elements in trains, stations, and tracks

The train engine is powered by an AA battery

Compatible with other train sets

Warranty

Amazon's 30 days return policy

PROS

The decorative buildings and landmarks of London make the game even more interesting and, importantly, educational.

CONS

The train set should be placed only on the perfectly even surface. 

OUR VERDICT

Your children will definitely like playing in their own mini London. Let their creativity go wild by making up new adventures in the capital of the UK.

detailed parameters
Recommended Age

3 years and up

Pieces

70 parts including roads, vehicles, decorative elements, and figures

Size

n/a

Features

Features London sights

Compatible with other train sets

Warranty

Amazon's 30 days return policy

PROS

This wooden train set for kids includes a bunch of different vehicles to make the game even more fun.

CONS

Mini figures and some decor elements are lacking in quality.

OUR VERDICT

Little fans of railway will be really amazed by this huge set consisting of 100 different pieces. It will open up a lot of new options for imaginary play.

detailed parameters
Recommended Age

3 years and up

Pieces

100 parts including tracks, vehicle, decorative elements, and figures

Size

n/a

Features

Compatible with other train sets

Warranty

Amazon's 30 days return policy

PROS

Thomas the Tank Engine is supplied in the kit. Undoubtedly, this will bring much more joy to little fans of this cartoon.

CONS

Compared to other sets, this one offers fewer elements. 

OUR VERDICT

Those who need a cheap wooden train set containing a few elements may easily consider this 22-piece railway kit. Despite a rather low price, this toy is made of quality materials and looks very realistic. A great set to spur interest in your child to explore how the railways work.

detailed parameters
Recommended Age

3 years and up

Pieces

22 parts including the Thomas engine, a cargo car, a coal cargo, and a bridge

Size

n/a

Features

Moving coal station

Works great with any Thomas and Friends Wooden Railway engines and sets

Warranty

Amazon's 30 days return policy

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KidKraft Bucket Top Mountain Train Set

For Fun and Development

The desktop KidKraft Waterfall Mountain Wooden Train Set & Table is not just a simple railway. In this amazing set, trains pass through an impressive waterfall and a suspension bridge. It is a large true-to-life city with lots of playgrounds. Here, you will even find an airport with a takeoff runway and an airplane as well as a helipad with a helicopter on its roof. Just like any real city, this one has a hospital and a police station. This wooden train set also features a gas station to fuel various vehicles.

It should be mentioned that the size of this wooden train set is enough for a group of children to play together, so if you have a few kids they will certainly have a great time. Besides, playing together will make them a real friendly "team".

As a bonus, this railway comes with a table in the set. Thus, purchasing this wooden toy train set for kids, you will have an extra place for your kid`s toys or other essentials.

By the way, if your kids also like playing with car toys, you could look through our review and get them a new model. These little vehicles are not just for fun. They are rather helpful for children's development. These cars give an opportunity to develop imagination, train, and stimulate motor and cognitive activity of your little one. 

Review of KidKraft Bucket Top Mountain Train Set

Additional Info

User Manual     Manufacturer

Last updated price £184.64
Stock In stock
ASIN B000KEPCQI

 

Brio 33512

Sweden Quality

This children product from the Brio company will make your little one`s dreams come true! With two lines of trains, red and blue, this set will create a real fairy tale for your child. The blue train has a built-in battery, and... Yes, this kids' electric train moves on its own! You just need to press the proper button and it will go forward or backward, taking passengers to the modern railway station. Here, at the station, the blue one will meet with the red travel train.

Your child can switch the tracks, using the manual switches. This will give your kid an opportunity to travel through the red bridge. By the way, with all those trips, your little explorer will unconsciously remember some signals and learn the traffic lights.

The entire kit is thoughtfully designed to ensure the safety of your child. The wood the company uses to produce their toy railways has the Forest Stewardship Council certification.

Considering all this, we can confidently say that playing with this electric train set for kids will be not only exciting but also safe and developing. And, for sure, this toy will give your little one an idea of the surrounding world and teach him or her how to behave in different situations.

Review of Brio 33512 Travel Switching Set

Additional Info

    Manufacturer

Last updated price £69.95
Stock In stock
ASIN B003AVMUU4

 

Tidlo City of London

Exciting Tour

The Tidlo small train set will help your child feel the spirit of London. The kit features almost all attractions of this mysterious city among which are the London Eye, the Tower of London, the Big Ben, the Guards, the Gurkin, and the Canary Wharf buildings. In total, the set includes 13 London landmarks, 3 underground carriages, 4 beefeaters, 8 trees, a London bus, a London taxi, a fire engine, and train tracks. So, if you would like to introduce early geography to your little one, this "London railway" will be a perfect solution. So, if you want your kid to find out more about the lifestyle and sights of London, this will be the best wooden train set! Playing with this railway kit, your children will also develop their physical skills and imagination.

This wooden train set is fairly robust and solid. The size of all pieces is ideal for small hands and the development of fine motor skills. This set is extremely simple to put together, and you can even involve your kids in this exciting process. For sure, you will have great fun while assembling the set.

Those families who have just had a baby, could look at the pack and play playards. This kids` product will be a find for those who want to get some free time for their personal needs.

Review of Tidlo City of London Wooden Train Set
Last updated price £57.99
Stock In stock
ASIN B006A7AGVK

 

Point-kids 100-Piece Railway

Like Real

Looking for the best wooden train set to show your children the adventurous railway world in detail, you certainly should consider purchasing this point-kids kit. Although this is a classic wooden railway, the number of parts the set includes is much higher than that of other models in its class. Just imagine, it consists of as many as one hundred pieces. Among accessories, you will find two locomotives, railway crossings, utility poles, buildings, different automobiles and other vehicles, trees, road signs, a bridge, and various figures to play with. And all the pieces are made of high-quality wood approved by the European safety standard for children's toys. Owing to that, you will not have to worry about your children's health.

By the way, the manufacturer claims that this is a fully-handmade product that was crafted with kid`s development and education in mind. It will positively affect the development of your little one`s creative skills. Your child will be able to create a whole city around the railway using additional details and different toys. Considering its reasonable price, this children's wooden train set will not hit you in the pocket but will become a great gift for your lovely kids.

Review of Point-kids 100-Piece Railway
Last updated price $0.00
Stock May be out of stock
ASIN B005SB2OHS

 

Thomas & Friends BBD10

A Cartoon Character

The Thomas & Friends BBD10 Wooden Railway will be the best solution if you would like to buy your little engineer an introductory train set. On purchasing this model, you will get the Thomas Tank Engine, cargo car, coal cargо, bridge, stop sign, and signal crossing. For sure, playing with this toy will bring the favourite stories about Thomas and its friends to life, capture your child`s imagination, and let your kid explore a fascinating world of discovery. By the way, to stimulate imaginative thinking even more, children could act out their own stories on the Sodor island.

The Thomas & Friends BBD10 Wooden Railway will be really useful for developing a kid`s motor skills, construction skills, planning skills, hand-to-eye coordination, colour identification, and counting. And, of course, as a child develops and grows, you can add some extra tracks, destinations, vehicles, and other additional elements for more complicated and educational games. Being crafted from high-quality wood, this small wooden train set will serve you for years to come.

If your children or you are into cycling, it is essential to have a safe bike helmet and have your head reliably protected from injuries while riding. 

Review of Thomas & Friends BBD10 Wooden Railway Coal Hopper Figure
Last updated price £49.99
Stock In stock
ASIN B00A6SLOFQ

 

Infographics

Comparison of Wooden Train Sets for Toddlers

What Is a Wooden Train Set?

There are certain toys that kids can't do without and one of them is a train set, a popular and surely a must-have toy in any nursery. The market offers a great number of sets with wooden trains which differ by material, size, and a number of pieces included. You can find simple sets for smaller kids with bigger pieces and some real masterpieces for teens and adults. Commonly, children`s wooden train sets are known to be more eco-friendly and suitable for kids use, they aren't easy to break and they can easily last for several years of play. Train sets have a positive effect on child's development and can help kids improve coordination, imagination and social skills through playing together with other children. Don't hesitate any longer and pick one of the best train sets from our review.

You can also consider purchasing play dishes and dollhouses that your child will surely love playing with. In addition, they are useful for kids` development which is a big plus. They can become an indispensable assistant to enhance motor skills, speech, thinking, social and domestic skills, and emotional intelligence of the child. Role-playing games give children the opportunity to transfer the realities of our world to their inner world through imagination games.

Best Wooden Train Sets

What Features to Compare

A quality wooden train set is a great investment in your child’s development. However, when it comes to choosing an appropriate train set for your child, some important features should be taken into consideration.

Recommended Age

Today, most toys include a suggested age range. On that, a wooden train set is not an exception. Normally, the age levels for toys are determined by safety factors. In addition to being safe, toys for kids should match their stages of development and appeal to their interests. So, toys are ranked by popularity for a particular age group. In terms of safety, some toys have small parts that can be swallowed, thus they are not intended for children under 3 years old. At this age, children stop taste-testing small pieces, unlike younger kids who need to have a direct experience with the world. Thus, if you have decided to buy a toy, recommended for 3-year-olds and older, keep small items away from your child to avoid ingestion hazards.

Play Possibilities

Play possibilities and the diversity of track pieces are also important for building unique routes and creating your own busy cityscape. A wooden train set with lots of pieces like straight and curved train tracks, bridges, and level crossings allow for complex layouts by changing the track configuration with trains, freight cars, and other vehicles running on a railroad track. It's great when the wooden train set has plenty of extra pieces, such as buildings, human and animal figures to create different environments and stimulate your child’s imagination. If you are not sure that your little one will be interested in this train-themed activity, you can buy a starter set and then add extra track pieces.

Track Dimensions and Features

Surely, a train set that takes up half your room or even the entire room will fascinate children and adults alike. However, not everybody is fortunate enough to have space for a separate playroom to keep all toys organized. But there is no problem at all with a plethora of wooden train sets of different sizes on the market. Before buying a set, take a closer look at the additional features it provides. It may come in a box that could be saved as storage for the set. Also, it can be a battery-powered locomotive with moving parts, flashing headlights, smoking action, and realistic sounds. If you are planning to add more pieces to your existing set for a large expansion, you need to check if it’s compatible with popular wooden railway systems. After taking into account all the above-mentioned features, it will be easier to make an informed choice on the best wooden train set for you. 

FAQ:

Q: Are wooden railway sets compatible with other train sets?
A: Most train sets are compatible with popular wooden railway systems like, for example, Fisher-Price, Melissa & Doug, Brio Railway, yet, we'd still recommend you to check compatibility of the chosen set with other systems in advance.

Q: Are your wooden toys safe for kids?
A: Safety is one of the key parents' considerations when choosing toys for kids. The good thing is, all wooden train sets from our shortlist have been thoroughly tested by manufacturers and they all comply with legal safety requirements, so you can be sure, none of the wooden toy train sets for kids from our picks can harm your kid.

Q: What's the best layout for children?
A: Most children like layouts with tunnels to see the trains disappear and reappear. Also, they love animations, such as flashing crossing signals, operating crossing gates, and oil pumping accessories with bubbling tubes. Kids are interested in operating freight cars - animated boxcars and log dumpers. Besides, they like to hear the whistle and see the smoke of steam locomotives.

Q: How does a battery train set function?
A: Put the batteries into the tender car, then connect to the engine, and push the engine switch. Neutral, forward, or backward settings make the train move along the track. Adjust the smoke setting to control the sound of the trains.

Q: What should I use as replacement ingredients to make the train engine smoke?
A: You can use water and corn oil for making the train engine smoke. But it's better not to use vegetable oil since it can damage the train heating element.

Q: What is the best scale for beginners?
A: The larger scales are recommended for younger railroaders. Electric train set requires adult supervision. G-scale or O-scale train sets are easier to manage. Also, they are big and colourful. The larger scales are also good for adult beginners.

Q: Is it hard to set up an electric train set?
A: Most modern sets have snap-together track and colour-coded wiring that easily plugs in.

Q: What is the best way to build a layout?
A: It primarily depends on who it is for. If you plan to build a layout for children, consider the layout's playability. You may build tunnels, bridges, roads, matchbox cars, and wagons without lots of fine details. However, if you create a layout for adults, add more details and realism. Besides, you should decide what it is for. Would you like to make a detailed layout or something fun to play with? There is not much moving action in realistic layouts, whereas a fun layout is your total imagination and can be full of fun things.

Sources:

1. Bea Toome How to Choose a Child's Wooden Train Set, HubPages. March 20, 2012.

2. Steve Pak Wooden Train Set Track, Editorial Today.

3. Laureen Miles Brunelli 11 Good Toys That Entertain (and Educate) Your Child, About. April 23, 2016.

4. Ryan Kunkle Choosing the Right Train Set, About.

5. Wooden toy trainWikipedia. March 27, 2017.

6. How to Buy a Toy Train Set, wikiHow.

7. Model Trains Buying Guide, eBay. March 3, 2016.

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Publish Date: 2017-12-07 16:29:49