Safari Train Set

Whether you’ve got a train-obsessed preschooler in your midst or are on the hunt for the perfect first set of rails and cars, the Safari Train Set from Bigjigs is a great addition your toy collection—and it’s durable enough to be passed on to other children. Suitable for kids over age three, the wooden tracks are easy for small hands to put together, while the three train cars attach to each other magnetically. The waterfall bridge needs to be assembled by an adult, but once it’s screwed together, most children will be able to play independently. Kids can either follow the black-and-white picture-based instructions or get creative by designing their own route, all while developing their dexterity, imagination, coordination and problem-solving, and learning about cause and effect. The set comes with signs and wild animals, including a giraffe, zebra and monkey—a nice change from the usual urban options. The best feature of this toy is that you can purchase other train cars and tracks to add to the fun, and it’s compatible with other wooden train set brands. The only thing standing between your young engineer and an epic journey is having enough floor space!