We love
wooden toys and children do too. In general, they are healthier, safer and more
environmentally friendly than plastic toys. Now we’re not saying that plastic
toys don’t have their place. You only have to look at lego to realize that some
plastic toys last for generations and are timeless.
However
there are plenty of reasons why you might not want to fill your child’s toy box
with all the latest shiny toys.
Wooden toys are timeless
Wooden toys, in general, have far better longevity than plastic toys. Not only in the
fact that they are made of wood, which lasts well and can be mended. But also
in that, they are generally simpler and less ‘faddy’.
Almost
everybody will have played with a set of wooden blocks at some point in their
lives. They are superbly simple and yet can be used in so many ways, they are
fun for years, and they help develop loads of vital skills.
Your
child may be desperate for the latest paw patrol fire engine, but the
likelihood is it will get put to one side pretty quickly when their favorite
shows changes. However, a wooden fire engine could belong to Marshall, Fireman
Sam or anyone else. And it can be passed onto friends or future generations.
Wooden Q toys are better for the planet
Wood,
unlike plastic, is a sustainable resource. It grows fairly quickly and can be
replaced. Plus at the end of its life it’s biodegradable and so can be disposed
of in a far safer and easier way.
We’ve
carefully chosen toys made from sustainable woods such as rubber wood. Rubber
trees are only cut down when they stop producing rubber to make way for new
trees. The wood is essentially a waste product of the rubber industry, and what
better way to use it than to make educational, stimulating toys that will be
cherished and enjoyed.
Plastic
toys, on the other hand, are made from oil. A non-renewable resource that
cannot be replaced. Plastic toys often also contain electronic components that
break easily and make the toys far harder to recycle.
However
there are some amazing plastic toys such as green toys that are made entirely
from recycled milk cartons, they are great in the bath and for outdoor play, so
as we say it doesn’t have to be all or nothing.
Wooden toys are better for your Children
As well
as having obvious environmental benefits wooden toys are also better for your
child in several ways.
Firstly
plastic toys can contain BPA known to be a hormone disruptor and PVC which can
contain known carcinogens. So it’s vital to check what plastic toys are made
from before buying them. Especially as we all know how often toys end up in
little mouths.
It’s
worth noting here that not all wooden toys are completely safe either. Many
cheap wooden toys are made of ply which can contain all sorts of chemicals, and
not all paints and stains are safe either so it’s always worth checking.
Secondly
wooden toys tend to be simpler and more open-ended in design. This encourages
children to be more creative and imaginative in their play. An electronic
plastic toy very obviously does one thing, whereas toys without an obvious
single-use can become anything your child desires.
Flashy
plastic toys can also risk over-stimulating little minds which can cause
developmental delay.
If you
are looking to put a few more wooden or q toys in the toy box we’ve taken a look at
some of the best wooden toy brands here.