Toddlerhood is often the time when children receive their first ever train set. But it's also a time when -- between choking hazards and fine motor development -- they're too young for many of the train sets that seem to be absolutely made for them, especially wooden train sets. Fortunately, over ...
The Play Trains! Guide to the Best Wooden Train Sets 2021
Searching for the best wooden train set for your child? I've turned my expert eye on the wooden train sets that currently on the market so that you can make an informed choice. A train set can sound good on paper, but there's nothing like hands-on play to tell you whether it's going to be the right ...
55+ Creative Train Gift Ideas for Kids that Will Make You a Hero
Looking for the perfect train gift for a child? Below you'll find some of my best -- and most creative -- gift ideas for kids who love trains! The great thing about buying a present for a kid who loves trains is that you know exactly what to get: More trains! But in those two simple words -- ...
Best Train Tables — The Ultimate Wooden Train Guide
Along with wooden train sets, wooden train tables are a classic feature in the children's playroom at home and the preschool classroom. It can be hard, however, to get an idea of all the options that are out there -- after all, I consider myself a pretty expert train stuff finder at this point, and ...
Old Tracks, New Tricks by Jessica Petersen
Old Tracks, New Tricks, is a story about three little wooden train tracks who shake up an old wooden train set. But it's so much more than that. It's a way to inspire children to invent new fun with their old favorite toys, and to value and celebrate the creativity of others at the same time as ...
Train Gifts for Toddlers
When I wrote Train Gifts for Toddlers as part of the 50+ Gift Guides for Kids series last year, it was the first post in a series of train gift guides for children organized by age. Now fully updated, it contains even more amazing toy trains, train books, and other train gifts for toddlers! ...
Pink Train Sets, Toy Trains, and Gifts for Kids
Girls can play with any color of trains, and boys can play with any color of trains -- plain and simple! I consider all of the trains I recommend here on Play Trains! to be for both boys and girls. However, while one shouldn't assume that trains for girls have to be pink, if a girl likes the color, ...
Christmas Train Books for Kids
If there's one type of train books for kids I've delighted in collecting more than the others, it's been Christmas train books. I've been looking forward to sharing this list of holiday books for young railroad enthusiasts for a long time, and here it is. I've also included suggested activities for ...
Our Guide to the Best Wooden Train Sets UK Edition
Whether you're looking for a first train set or looking to add another major addition to an existing wooden train collection, I've turned my expert eye on the wooden train sets that are currently available in the UK so that you can make an informed choice. From small beginner's sets to fun themed ...
Train Advent Calendar Gifts
When the Little Engineer was three years old, I had so much fun filling his advent calendar with train-themed advent calendar gifts. If you're looking for train gifts for your child's advent calendar, here is a big list of options for tiny train treasures: small Thomas & Friends trains, little ...
Big Ticket Train Gifts for Kids
Whether you're looking for that main birthday gift or the biggest present under the Christmas tree, celebrating a milestone or just looking to add something irresistible to the play room, this list of big ticket train gifts for kids has plenty of ideas for you! You'll find ideas for toddlers, ...
Back to School: Train Backpacks and Lunch Boxes
On the first day of preschool, there's nothing quite like the pride of wearing one's very own backpack. It's even more exciting when it's decorated with one of your favorite things. Here is a collection of super cute train backpacks and train lunch boxes for kids who love trains! ...
Train Gifts for Easter Baskets
My mom always made Easter morning special for us when I was a kid, so I always enjoy planning the Little Engineer's Easter basket. I have a tendency, however, to buy gifts that are a bit too big for his baskets -- which means I have to figure out how to wedge them in! With that in mind, I've made a ...
Train Gifts for Preschoolers: Toys, Books, and More
If you're looking for a gift for a train-loving preschooler, you're in luck. I've searched far and wide for interesting train books, toys, videos, and other gifts to feed my preschool-aged son's passion for trains, and I've found a ton of cool stuff. Buying a first train set? Looking for building ...
Hi, I'm Jessica! While playing trains for the last several years, my Little Engineer and I have had a lot of fun and learned so much together. I'm excited to share our discoveries with other people who have kids who love trains in their lives.