Heirloom Wooden Toys

Plan Toys vs Melissa & Doug

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Reviewed by the Heirloom Wooden Toys team
Updated June 2026 · How we choose

These two sit at different points on the wooden-toy spectrum. Plan Toys is the eco, design-led, heirloom option; Melissa & Doug is the great-value, buy-it-everywhere classic. Here is how to choose.

Materials and sustainability

Plan Toys is built from sustainable rubberwood with non-toxic finishes and is explicit about its eco standards. Melissa & Doug uses safe materials too, but sustainability is less central to the brand.

Quality, price and feel

Plan Toys feels more premium, with a cleaner, more modern look and a higher price. Melissa & Doug is sturdier-than-it-looks and far cheaper, with a much bigger range. For a keepsake gift, Plan Toys; for stocking the playroom affordably, Melissa & Doug.

Frequently asked questions

Are Plan Toys worth the extra money?

If sustainability, finish and a modern look matter to you, yes. For maximum toys per pound and the widest choice, Melissa & Doug is the value pick.