Grow Baby Hammering Toy

The Grow Baby Hammering Toy is a classic wooden hammering bench, reworked in soft, modern colours so it looks at home on a nursery shelf as much as it does in the toy box. Your toddler grips the little hammer and taps the wooden pegs down through the holes in the bench — a simple, repeatable action that keeps small hands busy and invites them to try again and again. It's part of Grow Baby's Little Greyton collection and carries an age guidance of 12 months and up.

Because the bench, hammer and pegs are shaped for little hands, this is one of those early wooden toys a toddler can pick up and start using with only a bit of guidance. The pieces are easy to grasp, the play pattern is clear, and the satisfying "tap" of hammer on peg gives immediate feedback that keeps them coming back to it.

What your toddler can practise

A hammering toy like this one is a lovely way to bring together several kinds of play in one activity. Rather than promising outcomes, it simply gives your little one lots of chances to explore and repeat:

• Fine motor skills: Grasping a peg and lining it up with the right hole builds towards hand-eye coordination.
• Language skills: The sound of the hammer hitting the pegs opens up little conversations — when does it make a big noise, and when a small one?
• Cognitive skills: Working out where the pegs should go invites early planning and problem-solving.
• Perception skills: Judging where each peg sits gives practice with visual figure-ground and visual-spatial orientation.
• Gross motor skills: Holding the bench with one hand while hammering with the other encourages bilateral coordination.
• Socio-emotional skills: Playing alongside a caregiver or sibling makes room for sharing, taking turns and cooperation.

Thoughtfully made in Cape Town

This is a sturdy wooden toy made in Cape Town, South Africa, using sustainably sourced wood and finished with non-toxic paint. Even the packaging is recycled — small touches that reflect the calm, home-friendly spirit of the Grow Baby range. It measures 150 x 215 x 100 mm (H x L x W), a compact size that suits floor play and shelf storage alike.

Caring for it

To keep the wood in good condition, don't immerse it in water, as it will expand. A wipe with a damp cloth followed by a dry-off is all it needs.

Best For

The Grow Baby Hammering Toy is a great option for parents who:

• Want a simple, hands-on wooden toy from around 12 months that a toddler can return to again and again
• Prefer sustainably sourced, non-toxic wooden toys made locally
• Are looking for a piece that doubles as understated nursery décor

It may not be the best fit if you:

• Have a baby under 12 months, as the age guidance starts at 12 months and up
• Would prefer a lights-and-sounds electronic activity toy