Melissa & Doug Wooden Train Set

The M&D set is the entry-level option — around $30 for 17 pieces of track and a magnetic train. It’s not as well-built as Brio or Bigjigs (the track is slightly thinner, the train less hefty) but it’s Brio-compatible and at this price it’s a perfectly defensible first set. We’d buy it as a gift for a child who isn’t sure they’ll love trains, and upgrade to Brio when they prove they will.