Wooden Toys Stimulate Local Economies
March 6, 2009 by Mary Price
Filed under Wooden Toys
Classic wood abacus by Melissa and Doug
Wooden toys have always been a favorite of mine. There is something about the solid, lasting, made-of-the-earth quality of wood that satisfies a need I have as a toy-searching parent.
Classic Building Toys Still Entertain
February 26, 2009 by Mary Price
Filed under Building Toys
When I think about traditional toys I usually conjure up some vision of grandparents and grandchildren and constructing something either in the yard or in the living room. Sometimes my brain comes up with a big item and other times it’s something little.
Over the Christmas holidays we were able to spend some time with family and I got to witness some of the grandparent/grandchild interaction with traditional toys that I had previously imagined.
Why Wood Toys Are Still The Best
July 21, 2008 by toy-tma
Filed under Wooden Toys
It’s often tough to resist giving in to your children’s demands for the latest, flashiest toy advertised on TV, there are plenty of alternatives out there. Wood toys are a great way to provide your children with entertainment and education without shelling out a fortune on the newest talking, light-up plastic toys.
Wooden toys have been around for millennia, and some of the first toys in history were probably made from wood. But there are plenty of reasons why they’re just as popular today as they were back then. Kids still love to play with toys made of wood. Because they rely on imagination and creativity, their appeal lasts much longer than plastic toys. Parents often tell me that their kids lose interest in those big fancy toys within a few days, but that they’ll play with toys like blocks and construction sets for years. I think this is because when kids play with wooden toys, they’re really playing, as opposed to just being entertained or distracted. Wood toys also play well with others—with a little imagination, they’re easily combined with other toys.
Wood toys: The Safest Toys Around
April 28, 2008 by dungan
Filed under Wooden Toys
Wood toys are more popular than ever. Why? We think it is because of the recent backlash against plastic toys due to the dozens of toys recalls last year. Many of these recalls are about lead paints, which continue to be pumped into the American marketplace from China and Indonesia.
It’s too bad that it takes a tragedy such as a child lead poisoning case for consumers to notice the trend of cheap, disposable, and unsafe toys in our homes and schools.
Wood toys , on the other hand, are always safe for children. Wood is naturally bacteria-resistant (in other words – practically germ free). Wood toys are perfect for infants who are teething so parents can relax about their baby’s safety. And guess what – no hidden lead, guaranteed.
HABA Toys Information and Buying Guide
HABA is one of the oldest toymakers from Germany. Founded in 1938, HABA has continued to “stand up for the little guy” by making high quality toys and games for babies and young children. In a world where infant safety is more important than ever before, HABA toys are a great choice that will stand the test of time. These are the kinds of toys that are passed down for generations.
Are traditional toys still worthwhile?
December 9, 2007 by toy-tma
Filed under Vintage & Classic Toys
What are the best kinds of toys – electronic or traditional? Last time we discussed toy experts who argue that electronic toys are the most effective for learning.
The other strong-minded camp of toy experts are the toy traditionalists. These experts argue that the best toys are the ones that stimulate a child’s creativity and imagination. Traditional toys are more flexible than electronic toys; they can be used in a variety of contexts for a variety of purposes. They also can be used in the bathtub!
Blocks are great for educational development
Let’s talk more about how building blocks can hasten your child’s development.
Alphabet blocks, in addition to being fun to chew on, also aid in intellectual development. Toddlers and twosies will naturally begin to sort their blocks based on the characters. This piques their interest in letters, numbers, and colors, providing easy and ample opportunities for parents to teach them what everything is called.
This same natural learning method is great for introducing math, too. Numbered blocks can help with counting, and eventually impromptu lessons on addition and subtraction are possible.
The best toys: building blocks
When parents and babysitters want to know what are the best toys in the world, the discussion should start with building blocks. There are no more basic toys than blocks. These wooden and plastic cubes, rectangles and triangles may seem boring to adults. However, to children they are, quite literally, the basic building blocks to children’s imaginations.
Kids of all ages are entranced by blocks. Babies gaze at them with perplexed and almost mystical looks, and toddlers delight in crashing through a simple wall of delicately balanced walls. When kids get older, they really get going with elaborate towers, fanciful creatures, and mini cars to drive around in.
