Uncle Goose Herb Chips Review: A Unique Wooden Kitchen Toy for Creative Pretend Play

If you’re looking for a wooden toy that stands out in the crowded world of pretend play, the Uncle Goose Herb Chips set is a delightful surprise. Unlike standard play food sets that feature plastic fruits or wooden sandwiches, this set focuses on herbs—basil, oregano, rosemary, and more—turning everyday kitchen play into a sensory and educational experience. Crafted from sustainable basswood and printed with non-toxic, child-safe inks, these chips are 100% made in the USA, just like every other Uncle Goose product. In this review, we’ll explore the features, educational benefits, and play possibilities of this unique wooden kitchen toy.

The Herb Chips set is part of Uncle Goose’s expanding line of specialty blocks and chips, which includes everything from alphabet blocks to planet-themed rollers. But the Herb Chips stand out for their niche appeal: they invite children to learn about cooking ingredients, practice sorting and matching, and engage in open-ended kitchen scenarios. Whether your child is a budding chef or simply loves to mimic your kitchen routines, these chips offer a fresh twist on pretend play. Let’s dive into what makes them special.

What’s in the Uncle Goose Herb Chips Set?

The Uncle Goose Herb Chips set includes 28 wooden chips, each featuring a different herb or spice illustration. The herbs are printed in lifelike colors on both sides, making them easy to identify and fun to handle. The chips are about the size of a large poker chip—perfectly sized for small hands to grasp, stack, and sort. The set comes in a sturdy, reusable cotton drawstring bag for storage, which is a nice touch for keeping the chips organized between play sessions.

Each chip is laser-engraved with the herb’s name and a corresponding illustration, so children can begin associating words with images. The set includes familiar herbs like basil, cilantro, and mint, as well as more exotic ones like tarragon and chervil. This variety makes the set suitable for both everyday play and more advanced learning activities, such as matching herbs to recipes or creating herb-themed stories.

• 28 wooden chips with herb illustrations on both sides
• Comes with a cotton drawstring bag for easy storage
• Chips measure approximately 2 inches in diameter
• Made from sustainable basswood with non-toxic inks

Educational Value: More Than Just Play Food

While the Herb Chips are marketed as a kitchen toy, their educational potential goes far beyond pretend cooking. For younger children, the chips are a fantastic tool for developing fine motor skills. Picking up, stacking, and sorting the chips helps strengthen hand muscles and improve hand-eye coordination. Older children can use the chips to practice reading and spelling, as each chip clearly displays the herb’s name. The set also encourages memory and matching games—try spreading out all the chips and asking your child to find two herbs that start with the same letter.

The Herb Chips also tie into real-world learning about food and nutrition. Parents can use them to introduce the concept of herbs as flavorings, discuss where herbs come from (gardens, markets, or even windowsill pots), and even plan simple cooking activities. For instance, you might pair the chips with a real herb garden or use them to label ingredients during a family cooking session. This kind of hands-on, cross-curricular learning makes the set a valuable addition to any playroom or classroom.

• Supports fine motor skills through grasping and sorting
• Encourages early literacy with herb names and illustrations
• Promotes memory and matching games
• Connects to real-world cooking and gardening activities

How the Herb Chips Compare to Other Uncle Goose Sets

Uncle Goose is best known for its classic alphabet blocks and themed sets like the Creature Features 9-Block Set or the Environments Swamp Blocks. The Herb Chips are a departure from the block format, but they share the same commitment to quality, safety, and educational design. Unlike the blocks, which are three-dimensional and stackable, the chips are flat and more suited for sorting, counting, and pattern-making. This makes them a great complement to other Uncle Goose products, especially for families who already own a set of blocks and want to expand their child’s play options.

Another unique aspect of the Herb Chips is their portability. The drawstring bag makes them easy to take on trips, to restaurants, or to grandma’s house. They’re also quieter than blocks, which is a bonus for parents who appreciate a calmer play experience. If you’re looking for a toy that encourages focus and fine motor play without the noise of stacking or knocking down towers, the Herb Chips are an excellent choice.

• Flat chips vs. three-dimensional blocks—different play style
• Portable drawstring bag for travel and on-the-go fun
• Quieter than traditional blocks, ideal for calm play
• Complements other Uncle Goose sets for expanded learning

Play Ideas to Get the Most Out of Your Herb Chips

The Herb Chips are incredibly versatile, and a little creativity can unlock hours of engaging play. Here are a few ideas to try at home. First, create a pretend herb garden by spreading the chips on a green play mat or towel. Add a few toy pots or planters, and let your child “plant” the herbs by placing each chip in its own pot. This activity combines imaginative play with learning about gardening. Second, use the chips for a simple matching game: print out pictures of the herbs and have your child match each chip to the correct image.

For older children, try a “recipe challenge.” Write down simple recipes (like tomato sauce or herbal tea) and have your child gather the correct herb chips to “cook” the dish. This builds sequencing and problem-solving skills. You can also combine the Herb Chips with other Uncle Goose products, such as the Shape Roller, to create patterns or use the chips as counting tokens. The possibilities are endless, and the open-ended nature of the chips means they’ll stay interesting for years.

• Create a pretend herb garden with a green mat and toy pots
• Play matching games with printed herb images
• Try a recipe challenge to build sequencing skills
• Combine with other Uncle Goose sets for pattern and counting activities

Durability and Safety: Built to Last

Like all Uncle Goose products, the Herb Chips are made from sustainable basswood and finished with non-toxic, child-safe inks. The wood is smooth and splinter-free, and the chips are thick enough to withstand rough play. I’ve had my set for several months, and the colors are still vibrant with no signs of chipping or fading. The drawstring bag is also well-made, with a sturdy cord that hasn’t frayed despite daily use. This is a toy that can be passed down to younger siblings or even used as a decorative kitchen accessory when not in play.

Safety is a top priority for Uncle Goose. The chips are large enough to pose no choking hazard for children over three, and the inks are tested to meet or exceed ASTM and CPSIA standards. If you’re looking for a wooden kitchen toy that is both educational and safe, the Herb Chips are a reliable choice.

• Made from sustainable basswood with non-toxic inks
• Smooth, splinter-free surface for safe play
• Colors remain vibrant after months of use
• Meets ASTM and CPSIA safety standards

The Uncle Goose Herb Chips set is a refreshing addition to the world of wooden toys. It offers a unique blend of pretend play, early learning, and sensory exploration, all wrapped in the high-quality craftsmanship that Uncle Goose is known for. Whether you’re a parent looking for a screen-free activity, a teacher seeking a classroom resource, or a grandparent searching for a meaningful gift, these herb chips deliver. To see the full set and explore more creative play possibilities, check out the Uncle Goose Herb Chips on our site—they might just become your child’s new favorite kitchen companion.