Good Questions: Wooden Train Sets

Miranda sent us an email: "Can you recommend a nice, sturdy train set for a young child that's two? I would love to find something that is easy for them to work with, but not too plain and boring."

Great question, Miranda. Wooden train sets are a big item in our home and it's no wonder why. They allow children to build and rebuild tracks over and over again, encouraging problem-solving. Plus, they are just so much fun!

For the young child, about one-and-a-half to two, we love BRIO's Darling set. The set comes with wooden tracks, a red bridge, three trains and a sweet horse which can double as a tunnel. Also by BRIO is My First Train Set. This set comes with wooden tracks (compatible with most wooden train systems), four trains, two ramps and a cool tunnel.

Which wooden train sets can you recommend to Miranda? Are there any you think she should avoid?

Comments (8)

We were handed down a Thomas the Train set from my nephew for my 2 year old son. It has become his absolute favorite toy. He knows all the trains by name and color and plays with them on the tracks and off. We have bought a few pieces to add to the set-you don't need a whole lot. The pieces are well made and work with the wooden Brio train system as well. We now have a few books and a movie and a beloved pair of slippers-all Thomas.

posted by pelicolina on July 16th 2007 at 6:23am
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Our two-year-old nephew adores his Thomas the Tank Engine set with the same passion as Pelicolina's son.

Ordinarily, I'd be the kind of person who buys Brio and turns up my nose at anything with commercial tie-ins... but Thomas does have the merit of being very widely available (shops at train museums tend to sell that but not much Brio), and if you have relatives who ask for gift hints, you can name the desired engine or rolling stock, rather than trying to describe it.

posted by wende in the twin cities on July 16th 2007 at 6:34am
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brio makes awesome sets. we also saw some at ikea this weekend that were the same style!

posted by sarajensen on July 16th 2007 at 6:56am
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I love that the Thomas, Ikea and Brio sets all work together. It makes for interesting train combinations.

posted by Alex on July 16th 2007 at 7:03am
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For a non-wood option, the Playmobile 123 line has a nice, easy-to-work train set and the tracks actually stay together. The train is battery operated, too, which teachs alot about cause and effect...take the track apart, the train drives across the carpet. All the little people and suitcases that go along with it are great for imaginative play, too.

http://store.playmobilusa.com/on/demandware.store/Sites-US-Site/en_US/ViewStandardCatalog-Browse?CatalogCategoryID=TQIKAANpnQ4AAAEOlRwUFTeM

posted by avimom on July 16th 2007 at 7:56am
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Where can I find the adorable horse toy in this picture? Is it a Brio product? I can't seem to find it on their website. Plus most of their toys are wood, this seems like it's either leather or plush. Either way, I'm in love with it!

posted by JAC73 on July 16th 2007 at 9:35am
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Hi JAC73! The little horse comes with the train set. Here is the link.

It's too cute! No wonder they call it "darling" :D

posted by Alex on July 16th 2007 at 9:53am
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Well, we don't own it personally, but our cousins bought a large set from Costco last Christmas. It was actually a table top set, with the table and pull out storage drawers. There were quite a few pieces (ie: tons) and it worked with the Thomas pieces they already had as well. Lots of bang for the buck.

posted by hs on July 17th 2007 at 6:46pm
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