There are so many more benefits of  choosing wooden toys over plastic ones that I could write so much on this topic. As parents are we becoming more aware of the safety issues and impact of plastic toys on our our environment? It would be nice to think so but a recent visit to our local toy shop confirmed that the plastic toy industry is huge. Unfortunately there was only a few small shelves (in a large toy store)  of wooden toys.  So what’s so great about wooden toys? Why should you be choosing eco friendly, handcrafted wooden toys over plastic ones?

Wooden toys are a much safer and all-natural alternative to plastic toys as they do not contain toxic chemicals such as PVC (phthalates). This is particularly important for babies who put everything into their mouths when they are teething. Our nature rattles and cherry rattle are a perfect teething toy to give your baby as the wood is naturally antibacterial and is so much more appealing with its lovely textures, smell and of course taste! Our nature and cherry wooden rattles are handmade from fruit trees and other reminant woods and are finished with beeswax which is completely natural and safe.

Wooden toys encourage children to use their imagination and be creative as they build and create endless structures. From simple wooden blocks to arches and more complex play blocks children love creating things.

Wooden toys are durable and biodegradable so they are much better for our environment. Unfortunately plastic toys end up in landfills and do not break down. Wooden toys can be mended if they break and passed down from generation to generation. They are made by craftspeople not toxic, chemical factories that exploit people in third world countries.

Most plastic toys are loud and over stimulating and require children to press a button to hear a sound. This is merely entertaining a child and teaching the child cause and effect. When a child plays with wooden toys they engage in meaningful play, developing cognitive and problem-solving skills. Their environment is calm and they are busy creating, talking and inventing play. I have watched my daughter many times with such delight as she immerses herself in such play.

Educational wooden toys such as puzzles, games or toys that involve stacking, sorting, counting all have huge educational benefits for children as they are learning through play. A toy like the stack & sort Montessori board is not only a lot of fun, it also teaches children about colours, shapes, counting and sorting as well as developing their fine motor and problem solving skills.

And lastly wooden toys are recyclable and environmentally friendly so by giving a child a wooden toy you helping protecting the child’s future.