Wooden Toy Trains That Can

“I think I can; I think I can”—the little engine that could has joined the vast array of wooden toy trains now available on the market. For decades that “little engine that could” has inspired and motivated many children. It’s no wonder they love toy trains.

Since wooden toy train sets are basically a system of small trains that run on tracks, you can buy the parts separately—the caboose, the box car and other accessories. You can do so for The Little Engine That Could as well as other toy trains that are available as sets. Some wooden toy train manufacturers make pieces that are interchangeable.

One of the more popular and imaginative toy trains is Thomas & Friends. The set bring to life fun, make-believe characters--each one an individual train car with its own name. Children use their imagination to create different stories that involve their imaginary engine friends. This fosters independent play and creativity. I confess I’ve surrendered to the magic of Thomas & Friends myself.

Larger train sets include buildings, tunnels, train tables, pretend play figures and people cars.  And some of them are even battery powered.  Children can connect the tracks themselves and create their own surroundings.

Wooden name trains are alphabet toy trains with wheels and cars that you join together to make name trains—so children can work on spelling out their names. Or with friends they can spell each other’s name and have the toy train chug along.  You can buy the letters you want in a variety of colors; but you’ll probably have to purchase the track separately. These are great for teaching the alphabet and spelling.

There are also wooden themed train sets including circus sets—with circus wagon, animals and circus tents; farm train sets—with tractors, farm animals, trees, and school train sets—with schoolhouse, school bus and people cars. Some of these sets include their own storage containers which makes putting away toy trains after play a dream.

Toy train sets are great educational toys for children. Perhaps the most traditional toy of all time, wooden toy trains will give your child hours of fun and learning.