When starting a wooden toy business, your choice of material can make or break your product—and your brand. Choosing the right wood is not just a matter of durability or appearance. It’s about safety, sustainability, workability, and overall quality. At Woddlon Toy, we believe that a great wooden toy begins with great wood. This guide gives you 8 essential tips to help you confidently source high-quality wood for your wooden toys—whether you’re just starting out or scaling your production.
1. Understand the Role of Wood in Toy Design
Sourcing wood isn’t just about picking the most accessible or cheapest option. Every toy has different functional and aesthetic requirements, so the properties of the wood—like grain structure, hardness, and moisture content—must match the intended use.
Ask yourself:
- Will the toy experience heavy use or rough handling?
- Does it need to be lightweight or structurally strong?
- Will it be painted or left natural?
The wood you choose will influence:
- Durability
- Workability
- Visual appeal
- Child safety
At Woddlon Toy, our design and engineering team is trained in wood science to make informed decisions that align with toy function and safety.
2. Choose the Right Type of Wood: Softwood vs. Hardwood
Not all woods are created equal. Choosing between softwoods and hardwoods depends on the type of toy you’re making:
🔹 Softwoods
- Examples: Pine, Spruce, Fir
- Lightweight and easy to shape
- Cost-effective and ideal for toys like puzzles or large blocks
- Often used for toys with rounded or less detailed designs
🔹 Hardwoods
- Examples: Beech, Maple, Oak
- Dense, strong, and highly durable
- Better for toys subjected to rough use (e.g., building blocks, stacking toys)
- Typically more expensive but offer greater longevity and polish
Pro Tip: Use Beechwood or Maple for heirloom-quality toys. These woods are smooth, durable, and naturally resistant to splinters.
3. Prioritize FSC-Certified Wood
Sustainability is not just a trend—it’s a responsibility. FSC-certified wood (Forest Stewardship Council) guarantees that your wood was harvested from responsibly managed forests with ethical labor practices and environmental care.
Why It Matters:
- Builds customer trust
- Adds eco-conscious value to your brand
- Avoids legal issues in markets that regulate sustainable sourcing
At Woddlon Toy, we only use FSC-certified wood and have a dedicated compliance officer managing our certification process.
4. Ensure Compliance with Global Safety Standards
When it comes to children’s products, safety isn’t negotiable. The wood must be free from toxins like formaldehyde or heavy metal residues.
Look for compliance with these key certifications:
- EN71 (European Standard)
- ASTM F963 (U.S. Safety Standard)
- AS/NZS 8124 (Australian/New Zealand Standard)
What to Check:
- No chemical preservatives or toxic glues
- Proper kiln-drying to avoid mold and cracking
- Non-toxic paints, finishes, or stains
Pro Tip: Always ask for material safety data sheets (MSDS) and testing reports from your suppliers.
Woddlon Toy offers free CE, EN71, and ASTM test reports with every order and partners with top testing labs like SGS, Bureau Veritas, and Eurofins.
5. Where to Find Trustworthy Wood Suppliers
Sourcing reliable wood means finding partners who can consistently deliver quality and compliance. Here are three proven ways to find good wood suppliers:
① International Trade Shows
- Nuremberg Toy Fair (Germany)
- Hong Kong Toys & Games Fair
- Meet verified suppliers and inspect material quality face-to-face
- Build long-term relationships
② Online B2B Platforms
- Alibaba, Made-in-China, Global Sources
- Filter suppliers by certification and request compliance documents
- Look for manufacturers with ISO and FSC credentials
③ Direct Search & Vetting
- Use Google to find local suppliers
- Visit production sites or request samples
- Compare multiple vendors to evaluate consistency
Woddlon Toy attends major toy expos annually and has vetted supply chains in Asia, Europe, and North America.
6. Test the Wood Before Use
Even if your supplier is certified, never skip testing—either in-house or via third parties.
What to Test:
- Moisture content: Too high = mold; too low = cracking
- Splinter resistance: Especially for toys used by toddlers
- Strength: Can the wood withstand force or pressure?
- Paint/stain absorption: Essential for final finishing
At Woddlon Toy, our 7-person QA team performs mechanical and chemical testing on every batch of wood, and 3 QEs perform spot checks during production.
7. Cost Control Without Sacrificing Quality
While top-tier wood can be pricey, smart sourcing strategies can help reduce costs while maintaining quality.
How to Save:
- Bulk Ordering: Lower unit price and shipping cost per item
- Long-Term Contracts: Reliable pricing and priority treatment
- Smart Substitution: Use lower-cost softwoods for non-load-bearing parts
- Localized Sourcing: Reduce freight and customs duties
At Woddlon Toy, we help clients select wood types that meet function and budget. For example, a hardwood/softwood hybrid model may reduce cost without compromising durability.
8. What Should You Expect to Pay?
Wood prices vary widely based on species, certification, and region. Here’s a ballpark guide:
| Wood Type | Estimated Cost per m² |
|---|---|
| Pine (softwood) | $3 – $5 |
| Beech (hardwood) | $6 – $9 |
| Maple / Oak (premium hardwood) | $10 – $15 |
Additional costs include:
- FSC Certification
- Custom treatments or finishes
- Shipping & import taxes
Final Tip: Always get at least three quotes and factor in the cost of rework or product recalls if low-quality wood is used.
Final Checklist: Sourcing Wood Like a Pro
- 🔲 Match wood type to toy function
- 🔲 Always use FSC-certified wood
- 🔲 Confirm EN71, ASTM, or equivalent safety standards
- 🔲 Vet your suppliers (visit, sample, or third-party inspect)
- 🔲 Test the wood’s moisture, strength, and finish compatibility
- 🔲 Negotiate for better pricing with volume or long-term contracts
- 🔲 Know your market’s regulatory requirements
Conclusion: Good Wood Is Good Business
Sourcing high-quality wood is not just about raw material—it’s about investing in your product’s safety, your brand’s reputation, and your customers’ trust. With the right approach, wooden toys by Woddlon Toy can become cherished keepsakes that last generations.
Ready to build your wooden toy empire? Start by choosing wood you believe in. If you need sourcing advice or want to explore Woddlon’s FSC-certified toy materials, we’re just a click away.
📩 Contact Woddlon Toy Today for Expert Sourcing Help
