| Toys have been excavated from archeological sites | | | | and teaching their younger sibling and will enjoy |
| dating back to 3000BC. Wooden toys in particular are | | | | revisiting old favorite toys. |
| said to date back to the ancient Egyptians where | | | | Regularly inspect your child's toys for signs of wear |
| dolls were made of wood and pottery. Past | | | | and tear and loose parts as even the strongest toys |
| civilisations utilised natural materials which were widely | | | | can eventually show signs of damage. I look for |
| available, wood being one of these materials. Wooden | | | | wooden toys that use water based dyes rather than |
| toys have always been available although the use of | | | | paints, they look great as you still get to see the |
| plastics and other man made materials made wooden | | | | grain of the wood rather than a thick coat of paint. |
| toys fall from favour with many parents. | | | | It is a good idea to look at the sort of adhesive used |
| Times are changing once again with environmental | | | | on the toy, there are child safe adhesives on many |
| issues in the news daily, many parents are keen to | | | | wooden toys. |
| reduce the use of plastic and are choosing wood as | | | | Wooden toys now come in all forms from simple |
| an environmentally friendly alternative. I especially like | | | | building blocks to parking garages and train stations. |
| toys made from rubberwood. Rubberwood has a | | | | The benefit of wooden toys is that they remain |
| very attractive grain and a solid feel, it is easy to | | | | simple, there are no flashing lights and music to |
| machine and shape so it is ideal for making lovely | | | | distract. Children will benefit from using their |
| shaped toys. Environmental wise the rubberwood | | | | imaginations to create their own games with or |
| was in the past a byproduct of the latex industry. | | | | without siblings, friends or parents. Role playing |
| Trees were discarded and burned once they had | | | | situations with garage or play kitchen type toys are |
| reached to end of their latex producing life. These | | | | great for cognitive development and developing fine |
| discarded trees are now used to produce toys, Plan | | | | motor skills. I would also recommend toys that are |
| toys and I'm Toy are two manufacturers that use | | | | not gender specific - boys love play kitchens as much |
| this method and the toys produced are really lovely. | | | | as girls so why paint them pink? Dollshouses are |
| Wooden toys are durable and relatively safe although | | | | another example of a traditionally girls toy which |
| as with all toys you should ensure that your child | | | | should and can be enjoyed by boys. |
| plays with age appropriate toys. Be especially aware | | | | So in summary wooden toys have a long history for |
| of toys with small parts which can be a choking | | | | a reason they are durable, safe for your child and |
| hazard for small children. If you have children of | | | | likely to be better for the environment. They will |
| different ages it is a good idea to have a play | | | | offer years of quality play value and can then be |
| session with both children using toys suitable for the | | | | passed on for another child to enjoy. I firmly believe |
| younger child, the older child will have fun interacting | | | | they represent an excellent investment. |