When people picture the furniture in a child’s playroom, many of those visualizations likely include some type of a toy box. Toy boxes are a quintessential part of nurseries and playrooms, and deciding what kind of toy box is best for your child can sometimes feel overwhelming.
A wooden toy box is a valuable purchase for a child’s playroom. It provides a sturdy place to store larger toys and often can double as a seat. It is particularly important to choose an appropriate toy box to store the wooden toys that are part of a Montessori home, to ensure the longevity of your child’s toys.
In this article, we will take a closer look at our favorite wooden toy boxes and what they offer parents and kids.
Are toy boxes dangerous?
All of the toy boxes I have reviewed below are safe for any child’s playroom. But it is understandable to be worried about safety with any type of storage furniture, especially when it is a product for children.
Any toy box you are considering for your child should be sturdily made, with a design and materials that prevent tipping. Many toy boxes today have safety lids with soft-close hinges, which do not allow the lid to suddenly close and slam down on little fingers.
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) suggests that if parents choose toy chests with vertical-opening lids, they should be equipped with lid supports that keep the lid from closing regardless of the position of the lid when opened.
Toy chests intended for playrooms often feature rounded corners and are manufactured in such a way that the wood will not splinter, even with normal wear and tear.
There is always the chance that a child may climb or fall into an empty toy box if left unattended. A quality toy box, especially one intended for the storage of wooden toys, should have ventilation to allow for airflow.
While parents will want to teach young children that such storage boxes are for playthings, not people, the inclusion of ventilation provides a little reassurance that a child will be okay if he does happen to climb or fall inside.
What kind of toy box do I need for wooden toys?
Many of the toys found in a Montessori family’s playroom are made of wood, and these toys require care when storing in an enclosed space like a toy box. It doesn’t really matter what style of toy box is used to store wooden toys or what material the toy box is made from. Plastic, fabric, or wooden toy boxes are all appropriate.
One key thing to remember for long-term storage of wooden toys is that they do best in toy boxes with lots of ventilation. Wet wooden toys can mold or decay if stored improperly. If your family needs to store wooden toys that have gotten wet, your best bet is to ensure that the toys are completely dry.
As an option, you can wrap wooden toys in soft cotton before storing in a dry place. Many people also choose to include a bag of silica when storing wooden toy to help absorb excess moisture.
How I selected the best wooden toy boxes
I researched dozens of the best-selling and highest ranking toy boxes to help parents like you decide on the best wooden toy box for your family. There are several important aspects I take into consideration in recommending these toy chests.
- Safety – Does the toy box have soft-closing hinges and/or lid supports that will prevent pinched fingers or other injuries, and of a weight and design that prevents tipping?
- Size – Is the toy box a size that will allow ample storage space inside while not creating too cumbersome of a footprint in a playroom?
- Ease of use – Will children be able to access toys independently?
- Style – Is the toy box made of a wooden material and design that is durable and attractive?
- Ventilation – Does the toy box have slats or holes for ventilation, or a gap between the lid and the side of the box when closed?
- Assembly – Does the toy box come preassembled, or is assembly by the consumer easy and straightforward?
The best wooden toy boxes
Let’s take a look at ten of the best wooden toy boxes available on the market. Each of these toy boxes meet safety standards and would make an excellent storage option for your family.
Melissa & Doug Wooden Toy Chest – White wooden toy box
Why I Love It
This wooden toy box from Melissa & Doug is spacious, with 4.5 cubic feet of interior storage space.
Vigorous safety and weight testing proves its sturdiness, with a weight rating of 81 pounds.
Assembly is required, but all you need to put it together is a Phillips-head screwdriver.
Features
Featuring soft-close hinges and a lid design that leaves a gap for ventilation and also turns the toy box into a bench when closed, the Melissa & Doug Wooden Toy Chest is a safe choice for families with small children.
Specifications
| Dimensions (L” x W” x H”) | 24” x 19” x 33” |
| Weight | 21 pounds |
| Color | White |
| Wood type | N/A |
| Age range | 36 months – 7 years |
KidKraft Austin Toy Box – Grey wooden toy box
Why I Love It
The KidKraft Austin Toy box has an attractive, simple design that will match just about any playroom’s décor.
It’s roomy, with about 4 cubic feet of interior storage, and has sturdy wood construction that will hold up to wear and tear.
When the lid is closed, the toy box becomes a bench, perfect for reading, and the company also offers small removable cushions that snugly fit on top.
Features
This toy box features safety hinges that prevent the lid from suddenly dropping closed, and a gap between the lid and the front of the toy box allows for ventilation. Additionally, notches on the sides of the toy box provide additional ventilation as well as convenient handles that make moving the furniture easy to do.
Specifications
| Dimensions (L” x W” x H”) | 30″ x 18″ x 21.25″ |
| Weight | 33.9 pounds |
| Color | White |
| Wood type | MDF Composite Wood |
| Age range | 12 months – 12 years |
Delta Children MySize Deluxe Toy Box – Dark chocolate wooden toy box
Why I love it
This beautiful option from Delta Children is made from sturdy wood construction and is an ideal size for a child’s playroom.
The front side of this toy box is just under 15 inches high, so even toddlers can access the inside without much difficulty. The back of the toy box rises much higher above the lid, creating a bench for additional seating when the lid is closed.
The roomy interior provides lots of storage for toys, and even extra pillows or blankets for extra storage in a bedroom as your child grows. The MySize Deluxe Toy Box also boasts an affordable price, making it a good investment for families on a budget.
Features
The lid on this toy box has slow-close hinges, keeping little fingers and heads safe from sudden closures. Cut-outs on the sides allow for both additional ventilation as well as handles to easily move the toy box from one place to another.
Specifications
| Dimensions (L” x W” x H”) | 23.5” x 14.25” x 21” |
| Weight | 22.6 pounds |
| Color | Dark Chocolate Brown |
| Wood type | Engineered Wood |
| Age range | 3-6 years |
HOOBRO Storage Bench – Affordable wooden toy box
Why I love it
The HOOBRO Storage Bench is an attractive and affordable option in a minimalist design that matches just about any home’s décor.
Made of strong materials and quality construction, the frame can hold up to 220 pounds without any issues.
The slightly compact dimensions allow this storage chest to fit into narrow spaces if needed, while still providing lots of interior space for toys, books, blankets, and other items that need to be kept out of the way. Plus, after your child has outgrown the need for a toy box, this storage chest doubles as a bench or coffee table that your whole family can use.
Features
This toy box has safety hinges that prevent sudden lid closures. Great ventilation comes from the gap between the lid and the front side of the box, as well as the handles cut in the sides that allow you to easily move the box from room to room.
Specifications
| Dimensions (L” x W” x H”) | 31.5″ x 15.6″ x 19.3″ |
| Weight | 32.6 pounds |
| Color | Rustic Brown |
| Material | Particleboard & Metal |
| Age range | Not indicated |
Milliard Wooden Toy Box and Storage Chest with Seating Bench – Wooden toy box with sitting bench and cushion
Why I love it
This quality wooden toy box from Milliard provides both storage and seating for your child’s playroom. As is typical for Milliard products, this toy chest has gone through rigorous testing and certification to ensure it complies with all U.S. safety regulations.
A cushion is included to help turn this toy box into a comfortable bench perfect for a reading nook, and a bonus sticker pack allows you to personalize the toy box with your child’s name.
The finish is scratch resistant and easy to clean, ensuring it will last through much wear and tear.
Features
The Milliard Wooden Toy Box and Storage Chest has built-in safety hinges to prevent sudden lid closures, and handhold cutouts and a gap in between the lid and side of the chest allows for plenty of ventilation.
Specifications
| Dimensions (L” x W” x H”) | 30” x 18” x 20.5” |
| Weight | 38.4 pounds |
| Color | White |
| Wood type | Pressed Wood |
| Age range | Not indicated |
KidKraft Austin Toy Box – Brown wooden toy box
Why I love it
This simple but attractive toy box comes in several colors, with lots of interior space for storage.
When the lid is closed and with a weight capacity of 100 pounds, the toy box can double as a bench and can be useful for children all the way up through 12 years of age.
Features
Safety hinges keep the lid from closing suddenly, preventing injuries like pinched fingers or bumped heads. A generous gap between the lid and the front provides good ventilation, and cutouts on the sides provide more airflow and make it easy to move the toy box from room to room.
Specifications
| Dimensions (L” x W” x H”) | 30” x 18” x 19” |
| Weight | 35.8 pounds |
| Color | Espresso |
| Wood type | Pressed Wood |
| Age range | 36 months – 12 years |
HOOBRO Storage Chest – Retro wooden toy box
Why I love it
A unique addition to our list of favorite wooden toy boxes, this option from HOOBRO boasts a rustic appearance and a retro design that makes it both functional and decorative.
A slightly narrower depth allows for use even in tight spaces, while the interior still provides lots of room for storage.
Features
This storage chest includes special safety hinges designed to prevent sudden closures, no matter what angle the lid is opened to. The sturdy construction still has a small footprint and at a lighter weight is easy to move without being a tipping hazard.
Specifications
| Dimensions (L” x W” x H”) | 29.9” x 15.7” x 18.9” |
| Weight | 13.5 pounds |
| Color | Rustic Brown |
| Wood type | Particleboard |
| Age range | Not indicated |
Hope Woodworking Wooden Toy Chest – Amish wooden toy box (natural)
Why I love it
This beautiful toy chest is made from solid oak hardwood and is sure to be a piece of furniture that will last for years.
Handcrafted and hand-stained, there is plenty of room for storage and is sturdy enough to both prevent tipping and double as a bench if desired.
Features
Hope Woodworking uses anti-slam safety hinges that protect the life and durability of the toy box itself as well as your child’s fingers.
Gaps on the sides and front of the box where it meets the lid provide ventilation, and additional handholds are cut into the sides for more airflow and to aid in moving the toy chest.
Specifications
| Dimensions (L” x W” x H”) | 24” x 18” x 17” |
| Weight | N/A |
| Color | Oak (Natural Stain) |
| Wood type | Solid Oak |
| Age range | N/A[JR4] |
Humble Crew, Natural Toy Box with Wheels – Open wooden toy box (natural)
Why I love it
A great open-topped option, this toy box from Humble Crew is low enough in height that children as young as three years old can easily access the interior storage, but doesn’t include a lid that could present a challenge to smaller children.
With a price tag around $50, this is also a great budget-friendly option.
Features
The wheels and handhold cutouts make it easy to move this toy chest from place to place. The interior has three cubic feet of storage space, able to hold plenty of your child’s favorite toys.
Specifications
| Dimensions (L” x W” x H”) | 27.17″ x 15.75″ x 16.14″ |
| Weight | 22.4 pounds |
| Color | Natural |
| Wood type | Engineered Wood |
| Age range | 3 years and up |
Little Colorado Toy Storage Chest Toy – Custom wooden toy boxes
Why I love it
This beautiful handcrafted all-wood toy box can be personalized with a variety of stains and finishes, with your child’s name laser-engraved in the front.
The extra-large dimensions provide lots of room for storage, while the slightly narrower depth allows the toy chest to fit in small spaces.
Features
The lid is equipped with safety hinges that keep the lid propped open at any angle without a risk of it dropping suddenly on little fingers. The finishes used are safe for children, and an optional cedar base can be added for better protection when storing toys and soft items.
Specifications
| Dimensions (L” x W” x H”) | 30″ x 16″ x 17″ |
| Weight | 34 pounds |
| Color | Multiple finishes available |
| Wood type | Solid hardwood body |
| Age range | Not indicated |
Vikki is the creator of Totsgo and the mother of two children. She is a passionate mother who enjoys assisting other parents.