There’s something about wooden toys that are so very charming and nostalgic. From beautifully crafted wooden figures to fun garden sets, there’s a vast selection to choose from. But besides their aesthetic appeal, are wooden toys actually better for babies?
As parents, we want to give our children the absolute best start we possibly can. Whether that’s in terms of their safety or aiding their development, every decision we make is carefully considered.
Wooden toys may seem like a simple choice, but there are actually numerous benefits to opting for them.
Let’s take a closer look at this toy conundrum and explore the many advantages of opting for wooden toys, especially when considering sustainability and child development.
Are Wooden Toys Better for My Baby?
The term “better” is subjective, and it’s important to acknowledge that no toy is really “bad”.
Plastic toys have their merits. They are easy to clean and often come in bright, attractive colours and having a range of different toys is always appealing.
However, when considering the wider perspective of your little one’s development and environmental impact, wooden toys undoubtedly offer many benefits.
Wooden toys offer a sustainable choice, supporting the use of renewable resources and reducing the environmental burden of plastic waste.
Their durability ensures they can be enjoyed by multiple generations, making them a long-lasting investment in your family for years to come.
In terms of child development, wooden toys facilitate sensory play, a crucial aspect recognised by the EYFS framework. This tactile engagement contributes to the development of fine motor skills, cognitive understanding, and physical dexterity.
Are Wooden Toys Safe for Babies?
While you might first think of wooden toys feeling a bit rough or splintery compared to their plastic counterparts, the reality is that they are generally very safe for babies and children.
The models will be smoothly sanded to ensure there are no rough edges or sharp points.
They’ll also be painted with non-toxic, child-safe paints or stained with natural materials, making them safe for little ones who like to explore with their mouths.
Wooden toys are less likely to break or shatter, too, reducing the risk of small pieces becoming choking hazards. This is especially important during the teething phase, when babies tend to put everything in their mouths.
So long as you’re buying baby-specific wooden toys and not just any old wooden trinket, they’re perfectly safe for your little one.
What Are the Advantages of Wooden Toys for Children?
The toys you choose for your little one have a lot more power than you might think. They can shape your child’s development, imagination, and overall well-being.
We’ve already touched on this briefly, but let’s dig a little deeper into the advantages of wooden toys for children…
#1 Environmentally Friendly
Wooden toys are inherently eco-friendly. Wood is a natural, sustainable resource, which means that opting for wooden toys supports the utilisation of renewable materials.
Unlike plastic, wood is biodegradable and does not contribute to the growing problem of plastic waste in landfills.
When a wooden toy reaches the end of its useful life, it can be recycled, reducing its environmental impact even further.
#2 Durable & Reusable
Wooden toys are also known for their durability, often outlasting their plastic counterparts.
It’s easy to think of toys made from wood as smaller items; however, there is such a wide selection of wooden toy options for little ones. Trybikes and rocking horses can all be made from wood and last multiple children – even generations!
Cheap or poor-quality plastic children’s toys can be prone to easy breakage, particularly if you have a little one who loves to play rough.
Wooden toys, on the other hand, can withstand more wear and tear and are less likely to break.
#3 Sensory Play
Sensory play is an essential aspect of a child’s development. The tactile nature of wooden toys makes them ideal for sensory exploration, a critical part of the Government’s new Early Years Foundation Stage EYFS framework.
Engaging with wooden toys like the Classic World Caterpillar or the Rocking Pounding Bench can help babies and toddlers develop their fine motor skills.
The diverse textures and natural feel of wood provide a multi-sensory experience that aids in the child’s cognitive and physical development as little hands discover, create, touch and play.
#4 Open-Ended, Imaginative Play
Wooden toys are often praised for their simpler functionality and timeless designs. This simplicity promotes imaginative, open-ended play for babies and toddlers, allowing children to explore and create their own narratives.
For instance, a set of wooden building blocks can be used in a myriad of ways: stacking to build structures, counting, knocking down, and even constructing small worlds.
Wooden toys do not prescribe how they should be used, leaving room for hours of creativity and imaginative exploration.
The possibilities are limited only by the child’s imagination, fostering a sense of autonomy and creativity.
#5 Encourage Relaxation
It might be a surprising one to hear, but wooden toys can also promote relaxation and a sense of calm for children.
Research has shown that “touching wood with the palm calms prefrontal cortex activity and induces parasympathetic nervous activity more than other materials”. In less scientific terms, playing with wooden toys can have a soothing effect on children, helping them to unwind and destress, which can be especially beneficial for children who struggle with anxiety. |
The natural, warm texture of wood can have a calming effect on the senses and provide a grounding sensation for children. The soft colours you often find painted onto wooden toys can also aid in creating a sense of tranquillity and promote a peaceful environment for play.
Much like the toys created by Classic World, gentle pastels or muted tones can have a calming effect on children, helping them to focus and engage in imaginative play.
Classic World Mara Shape Sorter
Classic World Honeybee Activity Cube
Classic World Rainbow Balance Bike
Are Wooden Toys Better Than Plastic Toys?
We don’t think wooden toys are better than plastic toys, and we don’t think plastic toys are better than wooden toys. For their own reasons, they both have their place in a child’s toy collection.
Having a combination of both wooden and plastic toys can provide a well-rounded and diverse play experience for children.
For example, you might want to keep wooden toys for indoor playtime only, while plastic toys can be great for outdoor play (as they’re easier to clean).
Additionally, certain plastic toys may have electronic components that can enhance a child’s learning and development. So, don’t discount plastic toys!
Which Wooden Toys Are Best for Which Ages?
Wooden toys come in such a wide variety, each lovingly designed to cater to the specific developmental needs and interests of children at different stages of their early years. There are toys suitable for every age, from newborns to pre-schoolers.
6 Months
For young babies up to around 6 months, we love this Classic World Elephant Rattle. Its simple yet lovely design features 3 wooden rattle beads that make a gentle sound when shaken.
The elephant is made from beautiful beechwood and stained with a non-toxic water-based dye, so you don’t need to worry if your little one decides to give it a chew!
Classic World Elephant Rattle
12+ Months
For children aged around 1 year, shape sorters are fantastic, and this unusual Night And Day Shape Sorter from Vilac is full of surprises and designed to stimulate curiosity and inspire play.
It’s made from sustainable wood, and carved into lots of different shapes, including a cloud, rainbow, and space rocket. It also features some little surprises like rattle beads and a kaleidoscope.
But one of our favourite brands for wooden toys has to be Classic World, especially for children over the age of 12 months. Their wood toys are adorably painted in pastel colours and carefully carved with soft edges, making them perfect for little hands to grab and play with.
The Pull Jungle and Pull Ocean toys are both great options for developing fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination. They also come with a string attached, allowing children to pull them along and engage in imaginative play.
The wooden toy trains carry along themed characters, such as animals or sea creatures, adding an extra element of fun to playtime.
Classic World Pull Ocean
Vilac Night And Day Shape Sorter
Classic World Pull Jungle
Toddlers
For toddlers, the Evolution Wooden Farm Puzzles from Vilac are not only beautifully designed but also teach little ones about the processes that occur on a farm.
We also love the Vilac race cars, which provide endless fun and help develop both fine motor skills and gross motor skills.
Vilac Vilacity Big Race
The Verdict: Wooden Toys vs Plastic Toys for Babies
While the choice between wooden and plastic toys ultimately depends on personal preferences, it’s clear that wooden toys offer substantial advantages for both your child’s development and the environment.
They are a sustainable, long-lasting option that supports a child’s growth through sensory play and encourages creative exploration.
When seeking the best start for your child, wooden toys undoubtedly deserve a place in their toy box or selection, contributing very positively to their childhood.
Find Beautiful Wooden Toys for Babies at Hippychick
Here at Hippychick, we have selected a special collection of wooden toys for babies, all chosen with the intention of aiding your child’s development and providing hours of fun.
From building blocks to puzzles, stacking toys to shape sorters, these simple yet effective toys provide endless opportunities for learning.
You can explore our full collection below and discover more from some of our favourite brands, such as Classic World, BS Toys, Moover, and Vilac.
FAQs
Are Wooden Toys Safer Than Plastic Toys?
This all depends on the quality and materials used in the production of the toy, but wooden baby toys tend to be safer. They’re painted or stained with non-toxic, water-based paint or dye, and the wood is usually smooth with rounded corners.
They’re also more solid than plastic toys, so the risk of them breaking is lower. That being said, quality plastic toys are also safe for children and can provide just as many learning and development opportunities.
Are There Disadvantages of Wooden Children’s Toys?
We’d say you should be careful if letting your child play with wooden toys outdoors as they may get damaged by water or stained by mud or grass.
What Age Are Wooden Toys Recommended For?
Any age! Wooden toys are great for children of all ages because they are safe, durable, and promote imaginative play.
For babies, wooden rattles and teethers can provide sensory stimulation and help with motor skills development.
For toddlers, wooden building blocks and puzzles can aid in hand-eye coordination and problem-solving skills.
What Makes a Good Wooden Toy?
First and foremost, it should be made from non-toxic, high-quality materials to ensure the safety of your child. Additionally, a good wooden toy should be durable and able to withstand rough play without breaking easily.
Solid softwoods like beach, maple, and pine are ideal for wooden toys as they are strong yet lightweight. The toy should also be designed in a way that encourages creativity and imagination.
