Parents want the best for their children, especially when it comes to playtime. Toys are more than just entertainment, as they shape a child’s early learning experiences. While plastic and electronic toys dominate store shelves, these days, many parents are rediscovering the benefits of wooden toys.
Unlike mass-produced plastic alternatives, wooden toys offer a natural, durable, and more engaging play experience. They enhance sensory development, encourage creativity, and provide a much safer option for infants and toddlers.
Here are five reasons why wooden toys are a better option for your kids than plastic:
Table of Contents
Safe & Non-Toxic
For any parent, safety becomes utmost priority when choosing toys for their young ones. Many if not most plastic toys contain chemicals like BPA, phthalates, or even lead-based paint, which could pose health risks.
This study by a Swedish non-profit, which looked at 31 different toys purchased from 10 different countries, found that many toys made of plastic contain highly hazardous chemicals.
Since it is in the nature of infants and toddlers to put toys in their mouth while playing, exposure to these substances can be a major concern. This is where wooden toys come as a very safe alternative, as they are naturally antibacterial and considerably reduce the spread of germs.
Additionally, wooden toys are far less likely to break into small and/or sharp pieces that could cause injury. While wood can splinter sometimes, high-quality wooden toys are carefully crafted and sanded with utmost precision to ensure highly smooth edges.
If you’re a parent looking for non-toxic yet sturdy options, wooden toys provide you peace of mind when your child is busy with playtime. And you know best what that means to you as a parent! Isn’t it?
Sensory Experience
Infants and toddlers, are always busy exploring the world through touch, smell, and taste. The texture of a toy, therefore, plays a key role in their sensory development. Wooden toys provide a warm, smooth, and most of all – a natural feel, while plastic can feel cold and slippery.
A distinct characteristic of wooden toys is that the weight, density, and grain of their wood offer a richer tactile experience, helping children develop better fine-motor skills and hand-eye coordination.
Talking about sensory experience, plastic toys can invariably carry a very unnatural or a repulsive chemical smell, while wooden toys have a mild, pleasant and natural scent. Just this one characteristic of a wooden toy, by itself, can keep the child engaged with it longer than otherwise.
Quality & Durability
Just like safety, most if not all parents consider durability as a key factor when selecting toys. Since plastic toys break easily, they can lead to pieces that are lost, have sharp edges, or malfunctioning parts. In sharp contrast, wooden toys are built, fundamentally, to last long, since they’re made from naturally solid materials. Not only can they withstand rough play, they can also maintain their shape – over time.
The craftsmanship you find in traditional wooden toys is what makes them special and simply stand out from the rest. Since they don’t have batteries or electronic components, they encourage your child to involve in imaginative play (also called fantasy play), which is one among the 16 different types of play during early childhood.
Their sturdy construction means they can be passed down through generations, therefore making them a long-term investment rather than a short-lived purchase. If you’re looking for well-made and longer-lasting toys, you just can’t ignore wooden toys.
Aesthetic Appeal
One of the profound benefits of wooden toys, is that they possess a timeless charm that enhances any playroom, something that toys made of plastic or other materials just can’t. Their natural tones and smooth finish make them not only visually, but also aesthetically appealing alternative to those glaringly bright and overwhelmingly flashy plastic toys.
The simplicity in their design allows your child to focus on imaginative play, rather than getting distracted by the flashing lights or glaring sound effects from those made of plastic. Beyond playtime, wooden toys can also serve as beautiful keepsakes and treasured as a sweet and pleasant memory – for life.
Their classic look makes them easy to display on shelves, therefore blending seamlessly with your home décor. Many parents find that wooden toys not only enrich their child’s play experience, but also bring a sense of warmth and an appreciation to their space.
Eco-Friendly
Think for a moment: More than 75% of plastic toys bought around the world, on a given day, are discarded within a year from purchase! Since wood is natural, biodegradable, recyclable and renewable; going for wooden toys is by far the most responsible choice you can make as a parent. In the process, you also nurture them to love nature, and grow into environmentally conscious adults.
According to a study by Indiana University, plastic toys create large quantities of greenhouse gases during production, and land up either in landfills or oceans at the time of their disposal.
In sharp contrast, wooden toys are designed for longevity, as their sturdy construction ensures they can be reused, repurposed, or even passed down generations. Even in the unlikely event they’re discarded, they will only remain as any piece of wood and will have no adverse impact on the environment whatsoever!
By choosing wooden toys, you give your child high-quality play experiences, and contribute to a cleaner planet. The benefits of wooden toys therefore go beyond childhood, supporting sustainability for future generations. They are, hands down, the best and the most sustainable alternative to the ones made of plastic.
Conclusion
The benefits of wooden toys go far beyond play. They offer a safer, more engaging, and long-lasting alternative to plastic – all while enriching a child’s development and aligning with eco-friendly values. Their smooth texture, durable construction, and timeless aesthetic make them a meaningful addition to any toy collection.
If you’re a parent looking to provide high-quality play experiences, wooden toys stand out as a smart, thoughtful and a wise choice. They support sensory development, encourage creativity, and contribute to a healthier environment – all while bringing warmth and beauty to a child’s world during their wonder years.