Why Should I Choose Wooden Toys Over Plastic Ones?

When choosing toys for your children, there are many questions that might pop into your head. What will he like? Does it have educational value? Will it be durable enough to last her a long time? Is it safe?

Parents and caregivers are faced with endless choices! One of those choices when choosing playthings is wooden vs. plastic. The material your child’s toys are made of can help answer a lot of those questions.

Have you heard the expression, “They don’t make them like they used to?” Plastic toys tend to be made overseas of cheap materials in order to remain cost effective for the manufacturer. Many times these items break or fall apart and end up in a landfill. Wooden toys, on the other hand, are durable and built to last- not just through one childhood but many!

Many plastic toys also contain harmful chemicals that you certainly don’t want in your child’s mouth! The manufacturing process uses such things as phthalates that can leach out of the plastic. Natural, wooden toys will not have such issues.

Wooden toys are also better for the environment in many ways. The plastic manufacturing process produces chemical waste that has to go somewhere. In addition, since plastic toys are not as durable, they end up as non-recyclable trash that doesn’t break down.

Lastly, wooden toys are more stimulating to the mind. Plastic toys that light up, play music, and generally do all the “work” of play for your child are not engaging their brains. Wooden toys require a child to use their imagination! They are also less distracting than their plastic counterparts, since they don’t stimulate the senses without input from the child.