A wooden train set is a classic toy most adults can remember from their childhood. You probably had hours of fun pushing small wooden trains around a track, pretending you were the conductor and a landslide had blocked the line.
That’s the great thing about a classic wooden train set – it fires up the imagination and kids can have lots of fun making up all kinds of interesting stories for their trains. The simplest sets come with a figure of eight track and one or two trains, but if you go for one of the larger sets, your child can mix and match the pieces to create any number of complex track configurations.
A wooden train set typically comes with a series of interlocking pieces of track, plus some trains. Look for sets that mix and match with each other, so different brands can be used interchangeably. Luckily, the main brands are all compatible, so this shouldn’t be a problem.
Wooden train sets are a timeless toy and we have no hesitation recommending them for kids of all ages (and parents!). Here are eleven of the best wooden train sets for your kids.
Best Wooden Train Set Toys
 | 100-Piece Orbrium Toys Triple-Loop Wooden Train Set | Check price at |
 | Melissa & Doug Deluxe Wooden Train Set | Check price at |
 | Kidcraft Figure 8 Train Set Lowest Price | Check price at |
 | Thomas the Train Wooden Railway Coal Hopper Figure 8 Set | Check price at |
 | Kidcraft Farm Train Set | Check price at |
 | Kidcraft Waterfall Mountain Train Set and Table | Check price at |
 | Brio Deluxe Railway Set | Check price at |
1. 100-Piece Orbrium Toys Triple-Loop Wooden Train Set
The 100-piece Orbrium Toys triple-loop wooden train set is a beautifully crafted toy for children of all ages. The set is compatible with Thomas, Chuggington and Brio sets and there are further expansion sets available. It includes an engine, coaches, buildings, bridges, city vehicles, and everything your child needs to create an imaginary town.
2. Melissa & Doug Deluxe Wooden Train Set
The Melissa & Doug wooden train set contains 100 separate pieces, including track and supports, a six-piece freight train, a passenger train and a flatbed truck with cargo. Kids can make four separate track configurations and there are easy-to-follow instructions included.
3. Kidcraft Figure 8 Train Set
The Kidcraft figure 8 wooden train set is an ideal starter set for younger children. There are 38 pieces in total, including a firehouse and gas station, smiling towns people, a bulldozer, and even a fire truck. The track is compatible with Thomas and Brio sets. Kids will have lots of fun pushing their train around the long, winding track.
4. Kids Destiny Wooden Train Set for Thomas and Brio
The Kids Destiny wooden train set is made from sturdy beech and has been safety tested for the US market. This is a great quality train set. It is compatible with Thomas, Brio and all other major brands. The set contains 50 pieces, including track and accessories. It is perfect for children aged 12 months and above.
5. Conductor Carl Wooden Train Set
The Conductor Carl wooden train set is a high quality track with lots of fun accessories. Kids can push their Conductor Carl engine car around 34 pieces of track. The set also includes 12 other vehicles, people, signs, trees and houses. It is a great way toy to encourage imaginative play and problem solving. The set is compatible with Thomas railway track pieces.
6. Thomas the Train Wooden Railway Coal Hopper Figure 8 Set
Thomas the Tank Engine is recognizable brand with kids of all ages, so this Fisher-Price Thomas the Train wooden railway coal hopper set is bound to become a firm favorite with your child. It’s a great Thomas figure 8 starter set featuring a Thomas train, and a cargo car with removable coal. Children can have fun loading up the coal and pushing Thomas around the track – it’s a whole new world of adventure!
7. Kidcraft Farm Train Set
The Kidcraft farm train set contains 75 pieces, including winding track, a molded drive-through mountain, farmers, horses, a chicken, pig and cow. It’s the perfect wooden train set for children who enjoy imaginative play with a farm theme. They can have hours of fun creating endless configurations of track.
8. Wooden Train Track Deluxe Set by Kids Destiny
If you need an expansion pack for your big brand wooden train set, this train track deluxe set from Kids Destiny is an excellent choice. The set contains 110 pieces of high-quality wooden train track, which is compatible with all major brands of tracks and trains. Use the set to expand your existing set and create a whole new world of train track games.
9. Kidcraft Waterfall Mountain Train Set and Table
If you are looking for a more deluxe wooden train set, this is definitely a great choice. The Kidcraft Waterfall Mountain train set and table features a fantastic train set on a large, landscaped play table. There are red plastic storage bins for keeping wooden track and accessories tidy, plus 120 pieces of track and accessories. The tabletop can be reversed for craft and other activities.
10. Brio Deluxe Railway Set
Swedish manufacturer, Brio, is the by-word for quality. The Brio Deluxe Railway Set comes in a super solid storage box so the pieces can be kept safe and sound when not in use. There are 87 pieces, including bridges, a level crossing, tunnels, and other fun accessories. The battery powered metro train has lights and sound, so it’s great fun at night! There is also a cargo ship and a mechanical crane to lift cargo on to the train. How cool is that!
11. Maxim Enterprise Inc. Wooden Train Set
The Maxim Enterprise Inc. wooden train set contains 100 pieces. There are buildings, a bridge, a steamroller, a police car, trains, farm animals, and lots of other fun accessories. There is also a huge amount of train track, so your child will be able create many different track configurations. The set is compatible with Thomas and Friends railway sets and makes a great expansion pack. Maxim Enterprise toys are backed with a lifetime guarantee for extra peace of mind. The train track set is perfect for kids aged three and above.
Wooden railway sets are built to last and make excellent toys for kids. If you have recently found a set for your child, let us know your recommendation in the comments section.
Feature image courtesy of Flickr, protohiro.