Why Simple Wooden Toys Are the Best for Your Child And Why You Should Buy Them
While we want the best for our children, what if there aren’t enough toys to choose from? There will be many options and you’ll end up overwhelmed in an aisle. You may find your child attracted to the most flashy, expensive item first glance. However, the more basic wooden toys at either end of the aisle are often overlooked. You should consider buying simple wooden toys in basic packaging if you aren’t sure what to get. Here’s why:
Wooden toys are timeless. Wooden toys are timeless and still loved by generations. There is rarely much commercial hype about them.
Contrary to plastic digital fads which get buried under new tech every year (remember Tamagotchi and Bop It? Wooden toys are just as timeless as they are healthy.
Wooden toys are better for children and the environment in many ways. They are more durable than plastic toys, less likely to be thrown away and can even be made from sustainable wood. Wooden toys that are high quality and eco-friendly don’t contain PVC or phthalates. Low-quality, cheap wood is something to be aware of. Many are made of plywood that is full of toxic glues, and leach formaldehyde. These cheaper materials are not subject to quality control, so it’s possible that paints tainted by lead may have been used.
Low cost, high quality
Solid wooden toys can be recycled and still be eco-friendly, even if you are on a tight budget. You can find a wide range of wooden toys that will not break the bank and that are more complicated than you might think. According to the TIMPANI annual toy study, a simple wooden cash register was loved equally by boys and girls from all socioeconomic classes in 2015.
Play-Food for Thought
Children who play with toys are not only keeping them busy, but also learning. Research points to unstructured playtime–open-ended, simple wooden toys, for example–as both valuable and favored over classroom time. Playing with toys that have multiple uses is a great way to spark children’s imaginations. Imagine a toddler building with wooden blocks. They can be stacked to make a house, a building, or any other design he or she may imagine.
Flashy can drain the brain
It’s often the most popular toys or those that appeal to children and adults that don’t make a good addition for the toy box. These toys are made of plastic and have an electronic component that can interfere with development. The basics are always better. Toys don’t have to be complicated. Over-stimulation can cause a negative neural effect, making it harder for the brain’s to think critically.
Plastic: The Good, Bad, and Terrible
There are many reasons to avoid plastic, even if you don’t buy flashy toys for your child. Plastic toys can cause harm to children and the environment.
Recent reports linking hormone disruption to the chemical bisephenolA (BPA), found in plastics may have been well-known. This chemical is only one of many found in plastic toys. Vinyl (also known as PVC) is another dangerous chemical that you should avoid when shopping for toys. It can also contain known carcinogens such as phthalates.
How can you tell if the plastic in your playroom is safe? Good news is that packaging usually has labels such as “PVC-free” and “eco-friendly”. Also, be sure to check for the recycling number of the plastic you used. Here is a breakdown of the packaging:
#3 and #6: These indicators indicate PVC and styrofoam respectively. Stay away from these worst offenders.
#1 and #7: These indicate PETE/polyster or possible BPA.
#2, #4 and #5 are the safest. These numbers are recyclable and have a green color. These are often made from recycled milk containers, which is one of the most safest plastics. They are not biodegradable but they are safer and more reusable.
Do you have a favorite eco-friendly wooden toy for your child? Comment below with your favorite one!
It’s good for you
It doesn’t have to be a one-size-fits-all decision. It’s important to be moderate with any type of toys. You can have some fun with plastic toys, but not all toys should be used to stifle imaginations. Items made of quality wood and natural materials are healthier for children, and encourage creativity.
