Why Simple Wooden Toys Are the Best for Your Child

We all want the best for our children, but what if you're not sure which toys are the finest? You'll find yourself on a specific aisle, surrounded by options. At first glance, your child may be drawn to the flashiest, most expensive item, while the classic wooden toys at the end of the aisle may be neglected. Nonetheless, simple wooden toys with basic packaging should be considered over the fresh and new on occasion. Here’s why:

Why Wooden Toys?

Wooden toys are always in style. The latest wooden pieces are rarely the subject of great commercial hoopla, yet they've been cherished for years and are still going strong. Wooden toys, unlike plastic digital fads that are buried under new technology every year (remember Bop It and Tamagotchi? ), are both healthful and timeless.

There are numerous reasons why wooden toys are preferable, not just for your child but also for the environment. They're more durable (producing less waste than plastic versions), biodegradable, and could even be manufactured from sustainable wood. PVC, phthalates, and other toxins found in plastic toys are not found in good quality, eco-friendly wooden toys. However, be wary of low-cost, low-quality timber. Some are built of poisonous plywood that leaches formaldehyde and contains harmful glues. Because of the lack of quality control on these lower-cost materials, it's likely that lead-tainted paints were also utilised.

Low Cost, High Quality

Even on a tight budget, solid wooden toys allow you to be environmentally conscious. There are many of high-quality wooden toys available that won't break the bank and are considerably more intricate than you may imagine. A basic wooden cash register scored well in the originality area in the annual TIMPANI toy research in 2015, and was enjoyed equally by boys and girls from all socioeconomic groups.

Play-Food for Thought

Children aren't only keeping themselves occupied when they play with toys; they're also learning. Unstructured playtime, such as with open-ended, simple wooden toys, is valued and preferred over classroom time, according to research. Children's imaginations fly when they play with items that don't have a clear, singular purpose. Imagine a toddler stacking wooden blocks into the shape of a house, a building, a zoo, or anything else he or she can imagine.

Flashy Can Drain the Brain

Popular toys, or those that appear to be the most engaging to children and adults, are frequently not appropriate additions to the toy box. These are the showy, plastic toys with an electronic component that offer nothing in the way of creative play and, despite the manufacturer's claims, may even interfere with growth. Finally, basic is preferable. All of the bells and whistles are unnecessary for a toy. Besides, over-stimulation can lead to negative neural impact, making it more difficult for the brain to think critically. 

An Introduction to Maileg

Why do children love to play with Maileg?

Is it because the mice in matchboxes are so cute? Is there something going on in terms of development?

Maileg's characters have a vast universe. From dancing bunnies to cuddling hippos to dollhouses and race cars, the emphasis is on delicate, small-world play with evocative detail and soft, natural materials that children like playing with.

But it's not the characters' charm that makes them so enjoyable to play with: it's the fact that they're divided into families. There are unspoken connections between the toys. You can probably guess what the back story is. Perhaps the younger brother never cleans his room, Grandpa is always sleeping in the armchair, and the baby is always hungry. Their lifestyles are almost certainly similar to yours.

Table of contents:

What is Maileg?

How do you play with Maileg?

What is Maileg?

Maileg creates fanciful dolls and dollhouses with painstaking attention to detail in their clothing and accessories (such as mice that live in matchboxes and dancing bunnies who lay on daybeds in gold tutus). Buttons, bows, blankets, and other products are all hand-sewn in delicate, muted colours and textures. As a result, a selection of toys for girls and boys that feels both homey and traditional, while also containing plenty of comedy and fairytale charm, has emerged.

How do you play with Maileg?

Almost single Maileg figure has a theme of nurturing and caring. This, combined with their fantastical accessories and props like matchbox beds, camping tents, and motorcycles, makes them ideal small-world play toys. Small world play is a smaller, more enclosed cousin of imaginative play, where children are free to imagine and narrate their own stories and dramas on a child-size scale. It allows children to explore events in their own lives, assisting them in making sense of the world.

Playing with Maileg can also be collaboration. All children love peaceful time alone with their toys, although collaboration can be beneficial at times. It is, in fact, one of the most critical ways in which we learn. Children learn through interactions with a more informed 'other,' according to social constructivists. It could be an older child or an adult, as well as a peer. Soon, there will be a blog entry on this subject.

3 Unique Places To Use Your Connetix Tiles

 Recently, we've been having a lot of fun taking our magnetic tile game to a whole new level. Here are three different ways we've used our Connetix Tiles that the kids enjoyed.

Table Frame

@mamapapabubba gave me the idea to build with a table as a framework. I removed the insert from our Edx Education water and sand table and let the kids experiment with tiling it.

The task of determining which tiles to use on the various parts of structure appealed to this group of kids. They put the Connetix Tile magnets to the test, and they passed with flying colours!

Another advantage of using a table frame was that they could get inside of it! This sparked a lot of imaginative play, and at one point, baby sis was piloting the spaceship while big bro worked on the engine.

Oven Sheet

So this one isn't quite as impressive, but the great thing about building on an oven sheet is that you can take it with you! I enjoy setting up reading and numeracy activities on an oven sheet in our porch for Big Bro; it's such a fun way to learn.

We recently completed a simple sight word assignment in which he had to read, build, and write the sight word.

For him, using magnetic tiles made it so much more fun! He enjoyed writing on the tiles and oven sheet with our Wonder Stix and then wiping them clean with a baby wipe.

Railings

Baby sis had a blast using our Connetix Tiles to decorate the rails on our outside staircase. It was such a thrill for her to be able to construct on a unique vertical surface, and the fact that it was outside added to the excitement! All of the details can be found in this separate blog.

She experimented with various tile shapes and locations with great attention. She was fascinated by how they managed to stay awake.

Her favourite part of the room was the window tiles, where we spent hours playing peek-a-boo and pretending to be an ice cream shop. 

Why should you consider buying wooden toys for children?

Early childhood, the ages from zero to six years, is the most sensitive & important developmental period in an individual's life. The brain of a human develops more during these few years than at any other stage in an individual’s life. Thus, during this brief stage of development it is significant to know the activities, games and toys that children play. 

Choosing the right toy can be quite a dilemma for parents and relatives. It becomes difficult for a new parent to enter a store or browse toys online and deciding which toys would fit their child because they do not know the advantages and disadvantages of these toys. Well! just like we as humans have changed over time, the concept of toys has also changed. When you walk into a toy store or an online store the racks and the portal is filled with battery operated toys, talking dolls, glowing characters and more. Do you think the appeal would last forever in the minds of children? 

No, according to educationists in early years and numerous researches done over the last few years, some of the best toys that we can buy for our little ones are wooden toys. There are ample of reasons to prove that it is important to play with wooden toys in early years rather than toys made of plastic or man-made materials. Some of these reasons are listed below: 

Toy Safety with respect to Plastic Toys: In comparison to wooden toys, plastic toys can break easily leaving sharpened ends that can harm a child. Wooden toys are more durable and safer in general and can be a good option with respect to safety of the child. 

Long lasting: Wood being a strong and durable material, it generally has a long life and can be passed on to younger siblings, sometimes even the next generation. That’s the reason wooden toys are normally called generational toys as they are passed on from generation to generation.

Eco-friendly toys: Wood is a renewable resource whereas plastic is not. Plastic is not biodegradable and all of us know the harmful effects of plastic on the environment.q toys made from renewable forests or planned cultivation are far more environmentally friendly.  

Problem solving and reasoning: Most of the wooden toys do not have electronic commands that tell children what needs to be done, thus allowing children to use their reasoning skills to decide on what particular activities they wish to undertake using that particular toy. 

Physical benefits of wooden toys: Wooden toys are generally weightier than plastic toys which enable the children to have awareness on what their hands are doing. The sensory feel of a wooden toy is far superior to toys made from other materials. Research has proven that children are attracted far more to wooden toys than toys made of man-made materials. 

Educational purposes- Most of the wooden toys are educational and can aid children in developing fine motor skills, cognitive abilities, language development and more while ensuring they are having loads of fun.

Are Wooden Toys Safe For Your Child?

Wooden toys encourage innovative and imaginative play in children, whilst growing cognitive and problem-solving skills. The herbal textures of wood toys stimulate the toddler’s senses as they invite them to touch sense and explore.

The open-ended nature of wooden toys way your baby will be capable of use the identical object in multiple exclusive ways. Because of their extra primary shapes, wooden toys also help children build hand-eye coordination.

Wooden toys will not pollute your own home with unwanted chemicals – as opposed to plastic toys that incorporate chemical compounds and toxins that you don’t want anywhere near your toddler. Be specifically cautious of older toys that have been handed down through the circle of relatives or picked up second hand – they'll come from a time with less rigorous safety testing. Wooden toys from safe resources do not convey the identical risks at all and are safe for your child to gum of their teeth.

Cam Cam Wooden toys also won’t pollute your home with a variety of noise, assisting to hold your youngsters from becoming so without difficulty distracted. In a room with herbal toys, you will find it's far quieter, more peaceful, and inviting, and you'll probably find your child is calmer because of this. We are very lots a fabricated from our environment, so presenting the great environment for your toddler will encourage their thoughts to be wholesome and calm.

Environmentally Friendly 

Do you want to play your component in saving our environment? Generally speaking, wooden toys are environmentally more pleasant than plastic due to its biodegradable nature and its potential to be recycled. Instead of filling the landfills with man-made products, you could purchase toys for your toddler with a view to deliver lower back to the surroundings. Each time you deliver your baby a timber toy, you are gambling your part in saving our planet and as a result,passing down these values to your infant. As an organic, renewable, and sustainable sourced product , of course, timber toys are a far greater environmentally pleasant option than plastic.

Cam Cam wooden toys will no longer effortlessly break, that means no broken, small pieces or sharp edges – perfect for babies who like to put everything within reach of their mouth!

How to Pick the Right Gift for Your Kid?

Most guardians will reveal to you that their child has too many toys – so with regards to birthday and Christmas presents, how would you pick the correct one without only adding to the messiness? For a blessing that sticks out – and will stand the trial of time – follow our recommendation.

Think about their age and level of advancement. In the first place, check the mark – most toys accompany exhortation on age fleetingness. Second, utilize your judgment. Since your little one is four doesn't mean he's prepared for an equilibrium bicycle – consider the individual and go from that point. Furthermore, third, consider what materials the toys are made with. We've additionally assembled a convenient piece on proper.

Toys By Age Gathering.

Consider the youngster. What do they love to do? Is it true that they are into the recreation center, the pool, or heading outside by and large? Do they love going to the exhibition hall or library? Is it true that they are fixated on dinosaurs or superheroes? Consider a blessing that could take care of their advantage. Wooden toys are most liked by small children in the age group of 3 to 5 years.

Consider blessings kids can share. Not in a real sense, however, endowments that child can use to play with different children (or even their families) like prepackaged games or riddles. Once more, these will be valuable for quite a long time and can help encourage a solid, fun feeling of sound rivalry for more established kids.

Recall that Q toys help kids learn. What's more, frequently, toys are an essential way that children learn. Pick toys that cultivate imagination and free play, just as ones that show more "formal" abilities like numeracy and education.

Check with the guardians. If the blessing is for another person's child, check with the guardians before purchasing. The kid may effectively claim the thing, or the guardians may have complaints.

Pick blessings with a long life expectancy. In our generally inefficient world, a toy that can be utilized for quite a long time is exceptionally valued. Things like Lego, bicycles and slates can be utilized for quite a long time and gave over to different kids.

Recall security. However much as could reasonably be expected, pick non-plastic toys made of feasible materials, liberated from BPAs, phthalates, PVC or poisonous synthetic substances and colors.

If all else fails, purchase a book. This is a standard we return to over and over. Books occupy almost no room, have a boundless time frame of realistic usability (joke expected) and can be given over.

Wooden Toy Gift Ideas

Wooden toys offer excellent gifts for parents who wish to give their children a high-quality toy. Wooden toys are worth the price as traditional toys available to internet customers, especially because they last longer than most plastic toys on the market today. After a youngster has done playing with a wooden toy, it can be recycled. This article discusses eight wooden toy gift suggestions that may be found online.

1. Wooden Train Sets - A train, track components, and beautiful buildings, trees, and objects are all included in an old-fashioned train set. These components, when put together, allow a youngster to simulate the activities that occur in and around a train station.

2. Wooden Dollhouses - If you give a little girl a dollhouse, she will be overjoyed. Dollhouses provide children with endless hours of fantastic, imaginative play, whether they are playing alone or with siblings or friends, and the memories will last a lifetime.

3. Alphabet Blocks - Children can acquire print awareness by using high-quality wooden blocks with painted or printed lettering. School-aged children can use a block set with more than one block for each letter of the alphabet to spell words and play word games.

4. Wooden Xylophone - Bright colors are frequently used to paint this wooden instrument. The wooden xylophone can be used by a child to learn about the differences in sound produced by other musical instruments.

5. Wooden Rocking Horse - Rocking horses are a favorite of all youngsters, and they look excellent in any home. This toy has a bad rep for being hazardous. A lovely hand-crafted rocking horse, on the other hand, is perfectly safe for little children when supervised by an adult.

6. Wooden Cars and Trucks - Wooden vehicles and trucks, like the railroad station, are entertaining for children of all ages, particularly young boys. They can spend hours on the floor pushing cars and trucks around.

7. Wooden Puzzles - Colors, forms, numerical patterns, and sizes should all be practised by preschoolers when it comes to arranging objects according to patterns. A wooden puzzle gives a tiny child a hands-on exercise that is both entertaining and educational. Wooden puzzles are sometimes sold in sets by toy manufacturers.

8. Wooden Kitchen Items - Wooden toy makers sell high-quality fruits and vegetables, as well as kitchen equipment. Children can play in a pretend play kitchen for hours with wooden spoons, cutting boards, spatulas, bowls, canisters, and baking pans, for example.

Purchasing wooden toys only necessitates a little web investigation. Consumers can learn whether toys are painted with non-toxic paint by looking at pictures and reading descriptions from the manufacturer. Wooden toys last so long that children can pass them down to their own children.

The Perfect Choice: Wooden Toys

Toys can be simply carved and moulded out of wood. There are numerous wooden toys available for children of all ages. Small children have a lot of energy and frequently throw and bang their toys. Toys are a favorite pastime for children, and the best option is wooden toys. The advantages of wooden toys are numerous.

• They are inexpensive and accessible, as well as environmentally friendly.

• They are less likely to be destroyed if children hurl them with great power.

• They are not dangerous to them because they are composed of non-toxic materials and do not include any chemical layers. So don't be concerned if the child licks the item.

• Some are beneficial in terms of educating the child while having fun.

Some of the wooden toys are:

• Play sets: For girls, wooden kitchen sets are a terrific example and a fantastic social toy.

• Wooden vehicle toys: the most popular and fun among youngsters are wooden automobiles and trucks. They are extremely popular among children. Wooden cars are the ideal toy for both boys and girls to receive.

• Small games and puzzles: the enjoyable games and puzzles are constructed of wood. These kind of activities are not only fun for youngsters, but they also help them to improve their IQ.

• There are many different building and house construction kits available, most of them are made of wood.

All of the wooden pieces are constructed from FSC-certified wood and are painted with non-toxic paint. Certain types, such as the running beetle vehicle, toddler bed, and squeaky turn out to be favorites among kids among the attractive designs of handmade toy vehicles manufactured from wood. Toy cars made of birch wood are available in models that resemble well-known brand autos and airplanes. These are built with simple operation in mind, making them suitable for use by children of all ages.

Wooden toys for children aid in the development of creativity, and they like playing with them. The two most intriguing and in high demand items are building blocks and wood automobiles. These offer a lot of advantages when it comes to plastic:

• Budget-friendly: wood is both budget-friendly and cost-effective. These are less expensive than similar items made of other materials.

•  These toys are not dangerous in any way. Because wood is natural and biodegradable, it does not harm the environment. Furthermore, wood is natural and does not impair children's health in the same way as plastic toys do, as they are prone to licking and squeezing the toy with their teeth.

•   Durability: hardwood children's toys last a long time, but plastic toys can mould, deform, and break.

Why We Love Our Connetix Magnetic Tiles!

When people ask me what my favorite children's toys are, I always mention our magnetic tiles. They're still a favorite of all three of our children, who are 1, 3, and 5 years old. It's not often that we come across toys that appeal to all of our kids, so it's no surprise that our magnetic tiles are at the top of our list of must-haves!

Today, I'd want to talk about why we adore Connetix magnetic tiles and why they're one of our favorite toys for our little ones! I'll also compare PlayMags with Connetix to assist you in making your choices!

So why are magnetic tiles worth the investment?

I wanted to talk about why magnetic tiles are such a good buy before we get into the reviews.

In the past, I've been quick to buy the newest and best toys, and though they're all of excellent quality, they haven't all been a hit with our kids. Now, when I go out to buy a toy, I choose extremely carefully. I want our toys to inspire independent, imaginative play. I want them to be useful to people of all ages and stages of growth. I want them to be of high quality and last a long time.

There is no right or wrong way to play with magnetic tiles because they are open-ended. Your imagination is the only limit! An open-ended toy allows the child to take command while playing — the toy or resource can be transformed into whatever the youngster desires! Our three children adore our magnetics and use them in a variety of ways.

They're great for developing SO MANY Abilities, including fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination, cause and effect, and problem-solving skills, in addition to fostering plenty of creative play. And the best part? While our children are having fun, they are also learning about early measurement concepts and understandings.

This type of toy has stood the test of time. While they can be costly up front, they are often well-liked for a long time and outlive any other toy. If it isn't the perfect combo for a toy, I don't know what is!

How do you play with magnetic tiles?

We usually just put our Connetix tiles in a big basket and let our students utilise them whatever they choose. They frequently construct large towers, structures, and buildings. Elliot builds ramps for his Monster Trucks and tunnels for his automobiles to travel through on occasion. Their preferred method of play is to use them as a building material.

Audrey, who is one year old, enjoys stacking square tiles on top of one other. This is an excellent approach for her to improve her hand-eye coordination, visual discrimination, and problem-solving abilities. It's fascinating to watch her compare tiles to figure out which ones will fit precisely on top of one another. It's her preferred method of using our magnetic tiles!

Beautiful Cam Cam Copenhagen Essentials For Your Baby

There are so many amazing children's designers and businesses out there these days, and one that you should be aware of is Cam Cam Copenhagen. This brand has been creating timeless, beautifully designed essentials since its inception in 2012. Cam Cam Copenhagen stands out among many other businesses since their overall design focus is sustainability, and when you buy their products, you're also supporting the environment. You may rest assured that they will be constructed of high-quality materials that will last for generations.

Cam Cam Copenhagen believes that newborns only deserve the finest, and their products reflect this belief. With so many options, you'll be able to quickly outfit your young one's entire nursery with this one brand, and they've got all of your needs covered. If you've never heard of Cam Cam Copenhagen, Nubie's team has put together a list of some of their favourite products so you can get a sense of what they provide.

Nursery Set

This brand is especially well-known for its lovely nursery sets. These sets include a cot, a changing table, and a wardrobe, as well as everything else you'll need for your baby's first bedroom.

You can also add to the furniture as your child grows older by purchasing other items that go well with these sets, such as shelving and toddler beds. They even make dolls' beds, so their toys can be coordinated. 

Changing Mats

Cam Cam changing mats are a must-have, and they offer such a large assortment. Many people choose their cold-pressed foam changing pads for support and comfort, but they also have folding changing mats that are great for when you're on the go.

You won't have to worry about this because all of the Cam Cam changing mats are water resistant and easy to clean. Wet wipe covers are also available in matching prints to the changing pads; they're the essential you didn't know you needed.

Baby Bags

This brand offers a wide range of flexible baby bags that are all really useful. There is a bag for every occasion and item, from their huge Cam Cam weekend bag to their compact beauty purse.

Cam Cam Copenhagen baby bags are both attractive and functional, and you'll find yourself using them all the time. Their bags are designed to complement their other things, so you may have everything in the same pattern if you want to.

 

What are the Educational Benefits of Connetix Magnetic Tiles?

My kids love playing with connetix magnetic tiles. They're a kind of open-ended construction toy that gets kids thinking. Today, I'd like to discuss the educational advantages of connetix Magnetic Tiles. Is it possible that they're the ultimate educational toy?

Connetix Magnetic Tiles are available in a variety of colours and shapes, including squares and triangles. They have magnets on both sides and attract each other. Our transparent Magnetic Tiles look fantastic on the light table. They're also easy to store on the kids' shelves in a basket or tray. They are perfectly sized for a child's hands (recommended for ages 3 and up) and provide opportunities for hands-on learning.

Children can use and build a wide range of skills with Connetix Magnetic Tiles, including but not limited to:

·      Ability to build two and three-dimensional shapes, allows the child to visualize three-dimensional creations

·         Shape recognition

·         Building and construction skills

·         Patterning skills

·         Sorting and stacking

·         Learning about symmetry 

·         Learning about mathematical and spatial relationships

·         Persistence

·         Problem solving

·         Creativity

·         Hand-eye coordination

·         Concentration

·         Teaches magnetic principals

·         Challenges the child's creative building, enhances cognitive processes

Children may use the Magnetic Tiles to create something from their imagination, recreate an image, or copy an object created by someone else. Children can design and construct in ways they can't with normal building blocks because of the colours, translucency, and magnets.

What I like most about the Connetix Magnetic Tiles is how they are used by my children. There is a lot of constructing, focus, and play involved. There is innovation and ingenuity!

The Importance of Baby Wooden Toys

There are a lot of advantages that come with wooden child toys that aren't immediately apparent. Despite the fact that they don't make noises of their own and don't provide the same kinds of adventures as electronic devices, they still have a lot to teach kids, and they don't even need batteries to run or work.

Rather than being a disadvantage, the things that wooden toys do not do for your child are precisely what make them so valuable to their growth. Devices do have a place in the lives of children, but think about it: where were all the electronics when our parents and grandparents were growing up? Despite the fact that they lacked the "blessings" of technology that today's youth enjoy, they seemed to have done very well; they were a generation that proved to be very self-sufficient and resourceful.

Long-Lasting

Toys made of wood are a great addition to a toddler's toy range. They are pleasant to the touch and can withstand the rigors of hard play without disintegrating, as most plastic toys can. If the toy is made of good wood, it will be durable and able to handle the weight of a baby as well as the usual playtime violence.

Imagination is Essential.

Q toys would also enable a baby's imagination to grow and flourish. Since they aren't "spoon-fed" images and ideas, the child has the opportunity to expand their personal stories with the use of toys as loyal companions on their merry adventures. Wooden toys aren't necessarily an experts or media figure, which ensures that a child's imagination isn't always restricted to what they've seen on television or in film. This allows them to develop and enhance their individual creative abilities.

Many child development experts and parents believe that the more a toddler uses their imagination, the more powerful it will become in contributing to a child having higher creative schools later in life, the practical aspect of which means they have a greater chance of growing up to be extremely imaginative adults. There are several benefits to developing a strong imagination. A child's imagination can transport them to any location on the planet simply by using their thought processes.

The finest inventions of all time have come from the creativeness of those who were in all likelihood allowed to expand their creative faculties in childhood.

Education is quite important.

Both wooden toys have their own educational value and aid in the development of a child's mind and body. Wooden toy puzzles are one example. These aid in the development of hand-eye coordination and problem-solving abilities in children. Although a variety of puzzles will provide the same advantage, passing down wooden puzzles and wooden toy storage containers from one generation to the next also has the added benefit of being a lovely heirloom over time.

Read Also: -

Wooden Vs Plastic Toys: Which is best?

Wooden Vs Plastic Toys: Which is best?

Wood

With such a huge array of forever changing toys on the market today, many parents ask, "Which is better for my kids, wooden or plastic toys?" Let's look at some of the advantages and disadvantages of each material.

Pros: As opposed to their plastic counterparts, wooden toys are more sturdy, last a long time, and are generally better for the environment. Have you ever had a family heirloom toy that was passed down through the generations? Was it constructed of wood? At the end of the day, when a wooden toy breaks or becomes unusable, it is discarded in a landfill. As compared to plastic-based products, it will degrade quickly (or also become recycled wood, or used as firewood in the home). Wooden toys, particularly in our increasingly tech-savvy world, can be lovely, traditional alternatives to other toys. A child's creativity will flourish if they are given a collection of wooden blocks.

Cons: Wooden toys are more expensive than plastic toys, so careful consideration should be given when choosing the wooden toys to buy. Often check to see if your toy maker uses sustainably harvested wood and if their products meet all safety requirements. Nobody wants their child to get splinters while playing!

Plastics

Pros: Plastic toys are simple to make, acquire, and are typically inexpensive. Another advantage of plastic toys is how easy they are to clean and sterilise. Most plastic toys are now thoroughly tested for protection and are available at almost all toy stores.

Cons: Plastic toys, which can be very sharp, can be extremely dangerous if they break. It's also crucial to look at the type of plastics used in the product. Unfortunately, some plastics take over 1000 years to decompose, something we don't want to leave for future generations to contend with.

The Verdict:

While plastic toys are less expensive and easier to manufacture, when they are no longer in use, they cause much more environmental damage than their wooden counterparts. Wooden toys are more durable, last longer, and can be passed down through the generations as family heirlooms. But, at the end of the day, the most important thing is that whatever toys you buy for your kids are enjoyable, educational, enable their imaginations to run wild, and provide hours of interaction so you get your money's worth. Most of the time, the ambiguity of plain, traditional wooden toys offers so much more than the gimmicky "new plastic thing" on the market, but of course, there are exceptions. The most important factor to remember is that children excel when they are challenged and learning.