The Best Wood Construction Kits for Kids

Lincoln Logs – 100th Anniversary Tin (111 Pieces)

Your child can build important STEM skills with this Lincoln Log set. It comes with 111 pieces, including chimneys, fences, bonfires, and more. Most of the pieces are log-colored brown, but the rooftop planks are green and the roof pieces are red. Each piece is made from wood, so there’s no plastic in this set. Instead of having a one-piece roof to set on top, your child can create a roof piece by piece. This makes the builds more customizable.

Cleanup is simple thanks to the old-fashioned tin. It’s large enough to easily hold the entire set, so when your child is done building, they can simply toss the pieces inside and put on the lid.

Pros

  • Tin for storage which also makes cleanup simple
  • All pieces are wood, even the roof, so there’s no plastic
  • Individual pieces for the roof, which encourages creativity and problem solving

Cons

  • There’s not a ton of variety in this set

Lincoln Logs – Collector’s Edition Village (327 Pieces)

Your child can build an entire town with this fun Lincoln Log set. It contains over 300 pieces that will keep your child busy for hours. The booklet that comes with the logs has three different building ideas. Trying to build from a picture is a skill that’ll help your child analyze and plan. However, these ideas are just suggestions. Your child is not limited to them, so they can play creatively as well.

The wooden pieces are made from maple wood. The company is committed to stewardship, and 70% of the wood comes from Forest Stewardship Council-certified forests. This wood is very durable and can be used over and over again. There aren’t any plastic pieces in this set – the roofs and everything else are made from wood.

Pros

  • Large amount of pieces so multiple kids can play at the same time
  • Comes with three building ideas to help your child get started
  • Majority of wood comes from certified forests that are committed to stewardship so it’s more sustainable

Cons

  • There aren’t a lot of long pieces, so your child will have to think creatively to make larger builds

Wondertoys 170-Piece Wood Logs Set

If you prefer your kids to play with all-natural toys, you’ll appreciate this set. The natural wood pieces tout a non-toxic finish, and the paint is non-toxic, too. Since the edges are round, there aren’t any sharp edges, making these toys very safe. You won’t have to worry about your kids playing with them.

There are 170 pieces. The roofs are green or red. There’s a sign to hang on a store, fences, three cute animals, and more. To help your child get started building, there are some colorful step-by-step directions included. Once they learn how to fit the pieces together, they can build anything they can imagine.

Pros

  • Non-toxic finish and paint for a safe playtime
  • No sharp edges so you don’t have to worry about them turning into swords or knives
  • Colorful, step-by-step directions to get your kids started with building

Cons

  • These logs don’t come with a tin to store them in, so you’ll need a container for them

Brain Blox Wooden Building Blocks for Kids

If you’re looking for a different type of wood construction set for your kids to try, my kids enjoy these. Unlike Lincoln Logs, they don’t have grooves for connecting. Instead, each piece is flat like a plank. Though they don’t connect, they can be stacked up in so many different ways. However, the stacking takes some skill since it relies on friction and balance. Young kids might get frustrated with these at first, but it’ll be a fun challenge for slightly older builders.

You can select between a few different sized sets. Each has an idea book to give your kids some different ways to use the planks. They also come with a drawstring bag for storage, which helps keep all the pieces together. The planks are made from New Zealand pine and are non-toxic.

Pros

  • Encourages creative play since there are so many different ways to build with them
  • Comes with a bag for storage so you don’t have planks all over your house
  • Non-toxic toy so you don’t have to worry about your child using it

Cons

  • The pieces don’t connect, so it takes a bit of practice. This may be frustrating for young builders

Freedom Logs Building Blocks Set (75 Pieces)

You don’t have to spend a ton of money to get your child started with wood construction sets. For one low price, you get 75 interlocking pieces. There are several different sizes, so your child can make a variety of builds.

These pieces are all-natural and no chemical sealer has been used. You can paint or stain the pieces if you want. It’d be a fun side project for your kids – if you don’t mind a bit of a mess, that is. The pieces are flat, instead of rounded. This means they stay stacked up well, and they’re a bit easier to build with.

Pros

  • Budget-friendly so your kids can have fun without requiring a huge investment
  • Flat design that is easy to stack up
  • Pieces stick together well, which is a good feature for younger builders

Cons

  • These are not compatible with Lincoln Logs, so if you already have those, you can’t use this set to add to the collection

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you clean Lincoln Logs?

As your child uses Lincoln Logs or other wood construction sets, the pieces may get a bit grimy. By cleaning them regularly, you can help keep playtime more sanitary. Unlike plastic toys, you do not want to soak wooden toys in water. This can cause the wood to warp so the building pieces won’t fit together anymore. Instead, spray the pieces with your favorite wood cleaner. Then use a damp washcloth to wipe them down. This will take time, but it’s an important step. Finally, let the toys air dry completely before you store them. You don’t want the water to stay on the wood while they’re in a container.

How big of a wood construction set should I buy?

Kids will have fun with a large or a small set, so here are a few factors to consider before you purchase. First, think about how many kids will be playing. If you have multiple kids, a larger set will give each of them more pieces to use. They can also work together to build something bigger. Next, consider how much space you have for storage. You don’t want to cram too many toys into a small space. If you don’t have a lot of storage, it might be wise to buy a set that comes in a tin. That way you have a place to contain all of the logs. Finally, think about your budget. Large sets cost more than smaller ones. No matter what size you start with, remember that you can always buy more later. I’m pretty sure your kids won’t mind.