Vintage (wooden) toys are making a comeback as parents become more conscious about the environment. Wooden toys are functional, durable, safe to use, elegant and also provide educational value.
For quite some time now, wooden toys were considered a bit old-school compared to the more modern and savvy looking plastic/metal toys.
However, wooden toys are making a comeback due to growing awareness about the need to protect the environment and also due to safety concerns of children.
Wooden toys fulfill children’s basic need for happy and boundless play, these toys offer children space for their own world of ideas and help develop imagination and creativity, these toys encourage children to dive deep into their play and discover new things. From playing to learning, these toys offer playing and learning experiences that will stay with your kids for life.
Related: Many of the earliest toys were made of wood.
Why wooden toys are better than plastic?
Here are top reasons why wooden toys are better than plastic ones:
Safer for your child
Small parts on plastic toys are a choking hazard and once they break, pointed edges can cause injuries/bruises. Wooden toys, on the other hand, do not come with many smaller pieces, and they are difficult to break, even by adults. So, wooden toys are generally much safer to use, especially for kids aged under five years old.
Better for the environment
This is the main reason why many parents have been considering using wooden toys; they are environment-friendly and easy to reuse and recycle. Countries around the world are producing millions of tonnes of plastic waste every year, and a significant percentage of it comes from broken and wasted plastic materials from things such as toys.
Using wooden toys, on the other hand, means doing your bit for the environment.
Wooden toys do not go out of style
Wooden toys are timeless and never go out of style. Most plastic toys on the other hand are fad driven and are backed by a lot of commercial hype; but the hype eventually fades away and then there will be some other fad which will take over. The charm of wooden toys, on the other hand, remain for ages and these can be enjoyed for generations.
They last longer
Compared to wooden toys, plastic toys are breakable, even if they are made from durable material; plastic toys are also more likely to malfunction within a short span of time.
Wooden toys on the other hand have a much longer life. They are better able to withstand your child’s energetic playing, as they are made from stronger materials.
Cheaper in the long run
Because wooden toys last much longer, it turns out to be cheaper in the long run, even though you might pay more for it upfront (compared to plastic toys).
Wooden toys don’t break easily, do not require batteries, so you do end up saving money on those over the years.
Plastic toys also can be notoriously expensive, especially if it’s a popular one, something that is much sought-after.
Educational Value
Lot of wooden toys come in the form of puzzles and building blocks that encourages creative thinking, makes kids think outside the box, improves motor skills and also promotes teamwork abilities.
Studies show that wooden toys can improve children’s numerical, literary, spatial awareness and problem-solving abilities, as the little ones are encouraged to create something new or have to build patterns.
Lack of sound effects and movements in Wooden toys (which is common in plastic toys) helps children develop their own listening, verbal and other sensory skills as they create their own sounds to go with their playing.
Wooden toys also promote teamwork skills as the kids, along with their parents or carers, work together to create building block-masterpieces or fit the pieces into their puzzle.
More Benefits
Wooden Toys look much better and usually come with aesthetically pleasing designs. They are pleasing to look at compared to plastic toys.
Wooden toys are also easy to adapt; they can be repainted and can be tweaked to give it a new look.
Lot of people get their furniture made at home; in case you also do that, make sure you use the waste wood to create some toys for your kids; it could be as simple as making a few blocks of wood.
Top Makers of Wooden Toys
Wooden toys are more popular in Europe compared to other continents (in the US, the premium toys continue to be focused on plastic toys).
The top wooden toy makers make wooden toys that focus more on safety, classic styling and premium quality. The best wooden toys have exceptional design (many of them are made in Germany and Europe).
While plastic toys require more machinery, most wooden toys are handcrafted and require good workmanship.
Top makers of wooden toys:
- Brio (Sweden): Makes the best Wooden trains
- Holztiger (Germany): Makes the best Wooden animals
- Hape (Germany): Best Wooden push toys and musical toys
- Grimms (Germany): Makes the best Wooden stacking toys
- Manhattan Toy Company (US): Makes some of the best wooden infant toys
- Tegu (Honduras): Best wooden magnetic blocks
- Areaware (US): Best Wooden balancing blocks
- Bajo (Poland): Best Wooden vehicles
- Petit Collage (US): Best Wooden pull and stacking toys
- Bauspiel Toys: Popular maker of wooden construction and building blocks
- IKEA: IKEA is best known for its unique furniture; the company however makes wooden toys as well. Some of IKEA’s unique wooden toys include train sets, play kitchen and more.
Related: Toy village of Seiffen is famous for its wooden toys and Christmas decorations
Best Wooden Toys
Best Montessori Wooden Toys
Wooden Toys are commonly used for Montessori learning because they are safe to play with, are durable, and encourages imaginative play.
They are also a lot quieter and helps create a more sustained play environment, which is the need of the hour.
Related: Froebel Gifts (Spielgaben): Toys for preschoolers
Wooden Ride-on Bikes & Trikes
You will find a range of wooden bikes, trikes, rocking horses and roller riders.
These wooden ride-on toys are perfect for riding inside the house or in the courtyard; you can even take it along for trips to the park. Many of these ride-on bikes are perfect for children learning to ride a bike.
Related: Wooden ride-on bikes & trikes for kids
Wooden/Stuffed Rocker Toys
Wooden rocking toys have been around for ages and now you get these in attractive designs – in the form of various animals such as horses, elephants, and more.
You get rocking horses that are carved entirely out of wood. You also get a range of stuffed animals that are mounted on a wooden base that enables children to rock them.
- Plush Ride On Zebra and Sheep (Rocker) for Ages 18months+
- Wooden Rocking Horse (by Labebe) for ages 1-3 year old
IKEA Wooden Toys
IKEA makes nostalgic and durable wooden toys that provides a good break from tech gadgets and helps kids develop their motor skills as well as logical thinking.
- Ikea Duktig Wooden Mini-kitchen (Birch Plywood): Encourage your little one to become a master chef.
- LILLABO 3-piece Train Set by IKEA for ages 3+ years: Ikea train sets are great for imaginative play.
- LILLABO 20-Piece Basic Train Set by Ikea for ages 3+ years
- LUSTIGT Spinning wheel-game by Ikea: You decide what the numbers and colors symbolize and then spin the wheel to see who gets what.
- IKEA MULA Abacus with wooden parts: Helps kids learn math and colors.
Wooden Stacking Blocks
One of the most popular toys made of wood are the wooden blocks that kids use to play stacking games.
Related: Jenga Toys
Small foot Wooden Baby Walker and Playcenter
This is a wooden baby walker and a 5-in-1 play center for toddlers aged 1+ year. The top board can be raised up offering a lot of storage inside to keep other toys. Rounded edges and non-toxic water paint makes it safe for small kids.
The best wooden toy makers offer quality products and safety so that children can play carefree; many of these toys are also affordable and enable playtime fun for everyone. Plastic toys are now making use of lights, sounds, and electronics. So even wooden toys may have to innovate to some extent (while maintaining their uniqueness).
External Links
European standard EN71 is a toy safety standard formulated for toys.
Funtoyworld is a family-managed website with me (Ben), and my wife doing most of the work. We are proud parents of two wonderful kids and love reviewing toys. We have a firm but friendly “democratic parenting” style and offer several practical suggestions backed by extensive research. Our own experience with raising two children prompted us to share our knowledge. Read more.
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