Wooden vs plastic toys. What's your preference?

[Itsychik]

Do you have a preference on plastic vs wooden toys?

We're looking to get my DS a train set for Christmas this year. DH really wants a wooden one, whereas I think a plastic one is more practical (as he already has some lego/Duplo which could fit on the tracks as well) but that got me wondering if there is any benefit to one over the other?

I don't really have a strong preference either way, so was wondering what people think of wooden vs plastic toys in general?

 

[OmarsMum]

I don't have preference, his car garage is plastic, I love the extensions & all the add ons we can buy later. His train track is wooden as he was a Thomas & friends trains collector & they have more wooden ones than the plastic, it's also easier to buy more tracks when needed as the size for wooden tracks is standard for most brands.

We have wooden & plastic blocks. But when I buy plastic I just make sure they're good quality xx

 

[meldmac]

For the trains I would say wooden as it gives you a lot of options to add on.

I generally have no real preference otherwise I just look for good quality whether it's plastic or wooden.

 

[bookreader]

Most of LO's toys are wooden. He does have some plastic blocks though.

 

[Natasha2605]

I don't have a preference. Whatever looks nicest and is worth the money!

 

[Bex84]

don't have a preference. Its all based on what lo likes. We don't buy the rubbish plastic of wood. I was fussy on her kitchen and we will be getting a wooden dolls house. She has a good mix. She will be getting other stuff which not wood though

 

[tommyg]

Are you asking duplo trains vs wooden.

I'd go wooden, so it's a different toy to the duplo and it's much cheaper with hundreds of options.
That said I love all Lego, and will consider the Lego trains when he is ready for the next stage.

I find it very hard to say I prefer one type of toy to another. They both have their place, I look around at plastic cars, wooden kitchen, plastic farm and a bundle of wooden trains.
Things I don't like are nosisy toys.

 

[Larkspur]

I agree that quality rather than material is most important to me. I like the texture of wood better but my dogs like to chew wooden toys so it's not always a great investment. I just dislike cheap, flimsy plastic toys that are really just room-filler and environmental waste. But some Chinese-made wooden toys painted with toxic paint are just as bad.

 

[MrsPMP]

I prefer wooden, pretty dislike plastic ones, but LO loves noisy, lighty up things..! And wooden toys are pretty expensive for him not to love them. Tho we do have some wooden toys.

 

[charlotte-xo]

I don't have a preference more whatever appeals more to them. He has a mix of both as my grandparents love wooden toys and I bought him a big wooden train table set for last year which he still loves. I'd say wooden train sets seem more sturdy and durable than the plastic ones.

Xx

 

[bumpy_j]

Wooden - namely for eco reasons, but I also find it looks nicer.

 

[staralfur]

I agree that quality rather than material is most important to me. I like the texture of wood better but my dogs like to chew wooden toys so it's not always a great investment. I just dislike cheap, flimsy plastic toys that are really just room-filler and environmental waste. But some Chinese-made wooden toys painted with toxic paint are just as bad.

Ha, we have the opposite problem here. I get wooden whenever possible because my little dog thinks the plastic toys are his and they get chewed to shit if I forget to put them out of reach.

I like the look of wooden toys better as well, but she's got plenty of both.

 

[Septie]

We faced the same decision last Christmas, and bought the Duplo train (I also found more rails elsewhere cheaply). Mainly because we had lots of Duplo already, and they have used the duploblocks to build bridges, train stations etc. Our second LO (just turned 2) is now also putting together the rails in different combinations. Overall, it's been a great purchase. That said, they also like to play with the wooden/Thomas rails in Toy stores (and in my LO1's case in preschool). We have not bought the wooden ones, because I think it's an indefinite money drain - there are way to many add-ons (tunnels, stations, different cars,...). Yikes! Whereas with the Duplo train, they can use their imagination and standard blocks (or other Duplo sets) to add-on...Either way, I don't think you can go wrong. FWIW - in general I prefer wooden toys to plastic ones. Duplo is a major exception.

 

[Larkspur]

We faced the same decision last Christmas, and bought the Duplo train (I also found more rails elsewhere cheaply). Mainly because we had lots of Duplo already, and they have used the duploblocks to build bridges, train stations etc. Our second LO (just turned 2) is now also putting together the rails in different combinations. Overall, it's been a great purchase. That said, they also like to play with the wooden/Thomas rails in Toy stores (and in my LO1's case in preschool). We have not bought the wooden ones, because I think it's an indefinite money drain - there are way to many add-ons (tunnels, stations, different cars,...). Yikes! Whereas with the Duplo train, they can use their imagination and standard blocks (or other Duplo sets) to add-on...Either way, I don't think you can go wrong. FWIW - in general I prefer wooden toys to plastic ones. Duplo is a major exception.

I would like to sincerely thank you for putting this level of thought into the decision so I don't have to! I really agree that the creative potential of Duplo is the way to go.

 

[Natsku]

I generally prefer wooden. Until the toy is flying through the air towards my head - then I wish I had opted for plastic.

 

[MLC20]

I prefer wooden but, a lot of Los toys are plastic due to being gifts or you just can't get certain toys in wood. There is a range of toys available made from recycled plastic called green toys. I quite like them.

 

[pa2k84]

Prefer wooden but do think there is a need for some plastic toys just not the cheap flimsy tacky looking bits you see

 

[Saphira]

My girls have a mix of both plastic and wooden toys. I like the look and old fashion feel of wooden toys but don't like them much for babies. My youngest sometimes grabs wooden blocks and whatnot and loses grip since they're heavier and bang! Gets bonked on the head. They weren't intended for her to be playing with quite yet but she gets a hold of them! For toddlers up I really am fond of wooden toys though. I like how they're sturdier, making the higher price worth it. My 21 month old will be getting a wooden train set for Christmas. I was eyeing a plastic one from Mega Bloks, which is also really cute! Plastic toys are easier to clean. Not really sure how to get the carrot stains out of one of their wooden toys. :/

 

[lozzy21]

I much prefer wooden toys but there so bloody expensive!

 

[jessicatunnel]

I don't really have a preference, Lilly has a good mix of both. I like the look of wooden toys better, more eye pleasing and I like how sturdy they are. But plastic is just as good as long as it's not the cheap plastic that cracks after the first use! We're getting her a kitchen for Christmas and we have our eye on a lovely wooden one, 1) because it looks SO much nicer than the plastic kitchens, 2) it will last a lot longer. Just depends on the toy really!