Happy 30th Birthday Le Toy Van!
Classic wooden toys for babies, toddler and children
When Georges Le Van created his first toy in 1995Â – a wooden dolls house – we suspect he didn’t envision it going on to become the iconic toy is is today.
For 30 years this family-run business – now led by his son Steven and wife Marie – has stuck to it roots. That is, bringing ‘the magic of play’ to children of all ages with its sustainable, timeless, wooden toys that last well beyond the first years.
From the FSC certified wood and the solar powered renewable energy used, to the plastic-free packaging and cloth storage bags for play on the go, Le Toy Van practises what they preach. Junior got a inside tour of their HQ to see up close why Le Toy Van holds such a special place in so many hearts. To mark this 30th year, we have chosen 30 iconic and timeless toys from its vast – and we really do mean vast – selection.
Here’s to the next 30 years!
The original Le Toy Van dolls house, made by founder Georges Le van in 1995
We couldn’t start this edit without including a dolls house. New for 2025 is this ‘au natural’ wooden dolls house based on the bestselling Cherry Tree Hall design. An heirloom in the making.
Ideal for ages 3+
The Grand Natural Wooden Dolls house, Le Toy Van (coming soon)
Also new for 2025 is this stunning castle. Children can live out their knights, dragons and princesses fantasies with a functioning drawbridge, pull-up gate and there’s even a prisoner’s cell.
Ideal for ages 3+
These happy stacking veggies will delight young children with their interchangeable parts and hand sewn fabric leaves. These are also Junior Design Award winners to boot.
Ideal for ages 18+ months
Stacking Wooden Vegetables, £24.95, Le Toy Van & Hamleys
For budding builders this starter bench has all the tools and accessories for hours of endless role play.
Ideal for ages 3+
We’re certain this iconic telephone is in your child’s toy box, or sitting proudly on a shelf – it’s a firm favourite! This retro-phone has a spinning dial and has been upgraded for the anniversary year with a more muted red paint job.
Ideal for ages 3 +
A classic first walker with beautiful water-based rainbow colour puzzle blocks. We think this makes the perfect first birthday gift.
Ideal for age 12+ mths
Rainbow Baby Walker & Puzzles, £99.95, Le Toy Van & Rachel Riley
Another Junior Design Award winning toy. Who wouldn’t have loved this growing up? Complete with wooden perfume bottle, compact, and hair dryer all in a take-anyway drawstring pouch – this is every little kid’s starter glam-kit. Also check out the Hairdresser & Barber Kit.
Ideal for ages 3+
This nostalgic popcorn machine will be centre stage on those pretend home movie nights – we love the ‘pop handle’ that on release pops the fabric kernels.
Ideal for ages 3+
The perfect introduction to wooden trains, this 40-piece set contains everything little ones will need to set up a realistic play area. The wooden carriages are magnetic and easily attached together to make a longer train.
Ideal for ages 2+
Be still our beating heart! How gorgeous is this generous play kitchen? The rattan details, the butlers sink, the retro tiles, the embroidered tea-towel… we could go on! Ideal for multi-child play with all the family getting stuck in.
Ideal for ages 3+
Rattan Family Wooden Play Kitchen, £249.95, Le Toy Van & Harrods
We cannot compile 30 classic Le Toy Van toys and not mention the Honeybee market stall! A firm favourite since its launch, it comes with one crate of fruit and a reusable shopping tote. The other food crates make ideal gifts to add to those Christmas/Birthday wish-lists for family and friends.
Ideal for ages 3+
Wooden Market Stall & Fruit Play Food Crate, £89.95, Le Toy Van
Lights, camera, action! This wooden camera has spinning cogs and a kaleidoscopic lens for extra layers of discovery.
Ideal for ages 3+
Vintage Style Film Camera, £19.95, Le Toy Van
Le Toy Van offers a selection of wooden stacking toys, all kept together in a handy cotton drawstring bag making them ideal for travel or while out and about. Choose from zoo animals, African safari theme, dinosaurs and sea life creatures. We couldn’t resist that little flamingo!
Ideal for ages 18+ mths
Zoo and Sea Life Wooden Animals, £29.90, Le Toy Van or Andres Stacking Animals, £14.95, Small Kins
This impressive toy is jam packed with interactive features like a crow’s nest, ‘walk-the-plank’ element, rigging, a spring loaded firing cannon with cannonballs, wind-up anchor, trap-door and a rear opening stern for access. Definitely a toy to take pride of place in any kids’ bedroom.
Ideal for ages 3+
Barbarossa Pirate Ship & Characters, £69.95, Le Toy Van & John Lewis
It was love at first sight when we spotted this delightful pastel hued sweet trolley at Le Toy Van HQ. In a new cotton candy pink colour way for summer 2025 – we’re not sure who will have more fun styling this up with the additional ice-cream and candy play sets (sold individually).
Ideal for ages 3+
A nostalgic gift full of charm and ready to take centre stage in any nursery or playroom. There is also a white unicorn version.
Ideal for ages 12+ mths
No cardboard box here for any potential puppet masters. This tabletop theatre is the ideal alternative for smaller spaces than the full size puppet theatre without losing any of its retro charm. Hours of fun for all ages.
Ideal for ages 3+
Tabletop Puppet Wooden Theatre, £49.95, Le Toy Van & Liberty
These delicious cakes can be sliced into 6 generous portions with their clever velcro fastenings and cake slice – a touch of realism for that teddy bears’ picnic. We also love the vanilla birthday cake (coming soon) that has some chunky candles to last every birthday.
Ideal for ages 2+
Chocolate Gateau Sliceable Cake, £14.95, Le Toy Van & Blue Almonds
A tabletop cafe set that will delight little ones. Who wouldn’t be impressed by the bean-to-cup machine, milk frother, removable coffee filter, pods and chalkbaord? Oh, and did we mention the stamp-style loyalty card? Just as well, as we think this is one cafe you will be visiting a lot!
Ideal for ages 3+
This delightful collection of pastel hued automobiles will add a touch of retro charm to those car garages, road mats and that Instagram-worthy toy shelf.
Ideal for ages 3+
If you don’t already own this classic doctors and nurses set, chances are you have spotted a pre-loved version at your local play group or nursery. This timeless loaded fabric bag is beloved by little ones – and us!
Ideal for ages 3+
Vintage Doctor Roleplay Wooden Kit, £29.95, Le Toy Van & Amazon
A perfect toy to help develop dexterity and improve hand eye co-ordination. We love the cute mushroom heads giving them an eye-catching twist on a trad toddler toy.
Ideal for ages 18+ mths
Woodland Mushroom Hammer Game, £24.95, Le Toy Van & Luna & Curious
We have already mentioned the Honeybake market above – so we couldn’t skip over the crates to fill up said market. Honestly, could they be any cuter? There’s fruit, eggs, fish and pastries. You can buy each crate individually (from £19.95) or splash out and get the complete set for instant market trading.
Ideal for ages 2+
Part of Le Toy Van’s new collection, we just adore these new ethically made, pared back toys. What a wonderful and memorable gift this little lone sailor in his boat would make!
Ideal for ages 3+
A grand piano that will fit into the smallest of nurseries or playrooms. Inspire a love of music at an early age with this striking piece that comes with two double-sided music sheets, featuring eight popular nursery rhymes. The stand securely holds the sheets in place, making it easy for little hands to explore the joy of making a noise, we mean making sweet music! A keepsake that will be treasured for years.
Ideal for ages 3+
A trip down memory lane for parents with these nostalgic pick ‘n’ mix sweets and candy stripe bag. Ideal for adding to any of the Le Toy Van markets, trolleys and kitchens – we love how everything mixes ‘n matches. Each item features a splash of sparkly gold paint for added ‘eye-candy’.
Ideal for ages 3+
This new and very special red bus deserves a place in any toy collection. As Steven Le Van told us at the 30th anniversary event “We are proud to announce our first Le Toy Van UK production. We have chosen our iconic London Bus to start this exciting journey.”
Ideal for ages 2+
Heading to the market or shops? You’re going to need a trolley to carry all those wooden delights. This new white version of their classic cart will keep kids busy for hours – and will make great storage for said groceries. We also love the new matching Groceries Basket Set & Scanner, £39.95 (coming soon)– for a completely coordinated store of course.
Ideal for ages 3+
Shopping Grocery Trolley & Bag, £69.95, Le Toy Van & SelfridgesÂ
From the working bell, wind up car lift, wood composite ramps, opening and closing emergency door, helipad and parking bays this Fire & Rescue Garage offers hours of fun.
Ideal for ages 3+
What we love about Le Toy Van is that all its ranges are designed to complement one other. The tea sets and food mix and match seamlessly with the kitchens and cafe set. Much more pleasing to the eye in the toyroom or bedroom.
Ideal for ages 3+
Vintage Wooden Kettle, £14.95 Le Toy Van (also sold as part of an afternoon tea set)Â
