Best wooden pull toy for those important first steps
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Every toddler needs a pull toy when they start walking. The first steps that are taken can only become more fun as something bumps along behind you.
Take for example this Plan Toys Alligator which looks like it dances when you pull it. So cute! And very good for development because they want to keep walking with it and practice.
In this guide I discuss the 5 best pull toys and what you should pay attention to when purchasing.
Let's take a quick look at the top picks. Then I'll take a closer look at each of these options.
Overall best wooden pull toy
When you pull this alligator it dances and makes a click clack sound. All parts come together a bit so that it looks like dancing.
Best wooden pull train
A nice train that you can pull along with the rope, but the best part is of course that you can build it the way you want.
Best interactive wooden pull toy
Your little one can easily teach tricks to the pup by making him sit, stand, roll and of course take him for a walk.
Best move
This duck is made of solid wood and nods its head and flaps its wings when you pull it.
Cutest wooden pull toy
These are so cute because of their dancing heads and the flaps that go around the wheels as you walk. A nice chattering sound.
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Wooden pull toy buying guide
I often talk about age when buying toys. But every set on this list is for the same age range.
Nice to give just before they learn to walk, say at 12 months, to discover quietly and to push back and forth.
And then a boyfriend who follows them on all their adventures :)
Instead, pay attention to how long it will last and its durability.
Replayability
How long will the toys stay fun every time? Stretching alone is fun for a while, but the extra features it has make them want to practice with it over and over again.
For example, the clicking sounds of the Plan Toys Alligator are perfect as a reward for every step. Janod's bunnies also do this very well.
In addition, extra functions are nice to take into account, such as stacking the Janod train or the various functions of the Hape Puppy.
Sustainability
Each set on this list will last you a long time. But some are more solid than others. For example, the Brio duck has a pocket point at the neck attachment.
It hasn't broken in my tests yet, but if your kid pushes it hard, it could cost him his life :)
I rated each set from 1 to 5 points for replayability and features as well as durability.
Best wooden pull toy reviewed
Plan Toys Alligator
- Cheerful design
- Sturdy rubber wood
- Click sound and dancing motion encourage more walking
- Not solid wood
When you pull this alligator it dances and makes a click clack sound. All parts come together a bit so that it looks like dancing.
Then it's a good thing it's sturdy wood is. This is one to last, no matter how rough your child is with it.
Made from durable rubber wood. This also protects the environment. And your child too because it is colored with safe organic paint.
It is not solid wood, but a mixture of rubberwood remnants. A lot better for nature and also very sturdy, but not massive.
The rope is 24 inches (60cm) and it itself measures 3,9 x 9,7 x 3,7 inches (10 x 24,5 x 9,5 cm).
It's also nice and low to the ground so it doesn't topple over when you pull it. Many pull toys sometimes want to fall over, and that leads to frustration.
Lees meer: this is the best wooden toy for your baby
Janod Sophie the Giraffe Train
- solid wood
- Very cute theme
- Small pieces can be dangerous
A nice train that you can pull along with the rope, but the best part is of course that you can build it the way you want.
With 17 parts you can make a new creation every time. Each wagon has its own shape when they get the pieces from the train they have to put them back in the right place.
It is recommended from 18 months, but there are also very small pieces that fit in mouths, such as the red chimney pieces.
With these toys you should definitely stick with them, or put the smaller pieces aside until they are a little older.
Hape Puppy Pull
- More than just a pull toy
- Very sturdy wood
- Falls over easily
This is more than just a pull toy. The way the puppy is built means you can do anything with it.
Your little one can easily teach tricks to the pup by making him sit, stand, roll and of course take him for a walk.
This extra challenge gives your child extra practice in their dexterity and hand-eye coordination. It has therefore won the Parents' Magazine Best Toys Award.
When you pull it, it wags its tail happily, but you can also let it sit on two wheels.
It measures 8,67 x 6,38 x 3,62 inches or 22 x 16,2 x 9,2 cm. It is therefore slightly shorter, but a lot higher than the Alligator from Plan Toys.
This is fun to play with, but also causes it to fall over regularly.
The rubber around the wheels ensures that your floor does not break.
Verve Flapping Duck
- Very nice head and flap movement
- Sturdy solid wood body
- Cord is a bit small
- Head is stuck with plastic which could break faster
This duck is made of solid wood and not of a sawdust mixture like those from Plan Toys. It's also very sturdy.
The duck nods its head and flaps its wings when you pull it.
It measures 6.75 x 3.5 x 5.5 inches or 17 x 8.9 x 14 cm. A lot smaller than the others on this list. But it's also a lot lower, so it doesn't fall over as quickly as Hape's dog.
The cord is also a bit too small, which makes pulling difficult at times, but I tied an extra piece to it so that this is no longer a problem.
Janod Zigolos Rabbits
- Different materials are also good for sensory experience
- Funny flapping feet and moving heads
- Fall over easily
These are so cute because of their dancing heads and the flaps that go around the wheels as you walk.
A nice chattering sound. Not as loud as the clicks of the Plan Toys Alligator, but certainly a nice stimulation for learning to walk.
Janod wants to bring as much sensory stimulation into the game as possible, which is why different materials have been used. Like the fake leather flaps on the wheels.
The ears are made of felt and nice and soft to fiddle with. Of course they can discover the solid wood of the bodies, but also the metal of the necks.
They are a lot higher than wide so they fall over easily.
Conclusion
Again a lot of nice sets on this list. I think there will definitely be one for your little child to help them learn to walk.
Also read: these toy brands know how to work wood
Always something to do for the holidays or rainy day?
Play Choice now has the ultimate activity book collection, with over 60 pages of fun coloring pages and educational puzzles.
Joost Nusselder, the founder of Speelkeuze.nl is a content marketer, father and loves trying out new toys. As a child he came into contact with everything related to games when his mother started the Tinnen Soldaat in Ede. Now he and his team create helpful blog articles to help loyal readers with fun play ideas.