Wooden Toy Information

Although children are bombarded with commercials for plastic toys, wooden toys have longer lasting value and are open to creativity. A wooden toy, like a wooden block set or a wooden kitchen set, can allow children to develop and use their imaginations and will not over stimulate a child with excessive sounds. The types of mental stimulation wooden toys allow for, aside from imagination, are problem solving and reasoning skills and hand-eye coordination.

When looking for wooden toys for your children, see what type of wood the toys are made of. Generally, wooden toys are made from either hard wood or pine. Hard wood, although more expensive, is longer lasting than pine. If a child, particularly a toddler, is past the stage of visual stimulation – such as primary colored or black and white toys – wooden toys do not need a finish or a stain. If the wood is unfinished, the parent and child can paint or stain it and finish it. For rocking or moving wooden toys, check to see that the toy has sturdy seats and handles and aids your child with balance.

Wooden blocks seem to be the most popular wooden toy for boys but also for girls. Building blocks come in many shapes but the favorite activity of children is to build towers or long lines with the blocks. Another activity is trying to fit as many blocks as possible into a wagon or box. In addition to creativity, the wooden blocks allow children to begin developing problem solving skills and reasoning.

Some plastic toys come in wooden versions. Many stacking toys, although usually known as those brightly colored plastic rings in different sizes, are available as wood toys. Recently, one wooden stacking toy actually comes in the shape of a hamburger and the child needs to stack the toy so that the “sandwich” is made correctly. Similarly, many toy sets, like a table and chairs or kitchen sets, are commonly made from plastic but wooden versions of these and similar play sets can be found. A wooden kitchen set often consists of a cupboard, stove, and refrigerator, although some more modern versions include a wooden microwave and dishwasher. The table and chairs set can be included in play with this type of set and can also be used separately as a desk for drawing and puzzles or to play school.

Aside from lasting longer than plastic toys and not appearing dated, as many musical or talking toys do, wooden toys often have no sharp parts and are easily handled, as long as the wood is in simple shapes. For parents, wooden toys are easily cleaned and will never need a constant supply of batteries to operate.

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