Wooden Toy Design Ideas

Toys play a major role in the development of a child's imagination, thinking, and language skills. Even in the age of computer games and gaming consoles, toys form an essential part of a child's development. This is the reason why parents need to be careful about the toys that they choose for their child. Careful while buying toys? But aren't toys just for fun? Yes, they are fun, but toys should also allow the child to use his/her imagination and train his/her inquisitive mind.

As parents, you are exposed to a plethora of toy options, from cheap and colorful, inexpensive plastic toys to beautiful and expensive wooden and fabric toys. Apart from the intended use of the toy, you need to consider its durability, safety, and maintenance as well. If you are wondering whether to select that expensive wooden toy or opt for a cheaper plastic alternative, here are some pros and cons of both wooden and plastic toys that can help you make the right decision.

Wooden Toys

Wooden toys are great for sparking a child's creativity and imagination. Toys made of wood have been around since ancient times and continue to fascinate us even today with their simplicity and elegance. Here are some pros and cons of buying wooden toys for your kid.

Advantages

Simplicity
One of the main reasons why wooden toys are so appealing is because they are simple and versatile. Although most parents believe that a whirring, beeping toy may appeal to a child, the truth is that most children love toys that inspire inventive and imaginative play. This is the reason why you see children stuck to the box that the toy came in rather than playing with the toy itself. Instead of the dictated play with plastic toys which make sounds and run on batteries, wooden toys are simple and help develop problem solving and fine motor skills. Instead of thinking for the child and stifling the creativity and imagination with plastic toys.

Durable and Reusable
Unlike most plastic toys, wooden toys last for ages. Some wooden toys are used for generations. Although, these days, plastic toys are heavily marketed and wooden toys are almost non-existent, most of these cheap plastic toys end up in landfills. On the other hand, the durability of wooden toys means that they can be reused for a long period of time.

Safe and Non-toxic
Made of organic material and decorated with natural dyes, wooden toys are considered safer than their plastic counterparts which have toxic chemicals, such as phthalates, that are responsible for a number of endocrine disorders, neurological, and reproductive problems. Even when you are choosing wooden toys, it is important to check and choose ones that contain non-toxic paints.

Moreover, since wooden toys are smooth, well made and less prone to damage, they do not break as easily as plastic toys. The sharp edges of a broken plastic toy can harm your child.

Good for the Environment
What do you do when your child gets tired of playing with a toy. You probably throw it away just like everyone else. Unlike plastic toys that take years to degrade, wood is a renewable, biodegradable resource, which means that by using these toys you are doing a world of good for the environment. Also, wooden toys are often made by local manufacturers, which reduces the need for fossil fuels that transport plastic toys halfway across the world.

Disadvantages

Expensive
Wooden toys are definitely quite expensive and not readily available. Having said that, it is also important to consider that although the initial investment may be more, your child will probably be playing with a wooden toy for a longer time and probably, even pass it on to someone else.

Plastic Toys

Plastic toys are extremely popular. There are countless toy manufacturers producing different types of plastic toys. Here are some advantages and disadvantages of plastic toys.

Take the great ideas of wooden toys here!

WoodenToyDesignIdeas