The Educational & Play Benefits of Wooden Toys
Classic Toys Made From Wood Give a Development Boost & Lots of Fun
Nov 1, 2009
Despite all the new toys that appear in the sector every year, traditional wooden toys remain high on many parental wish-lists. New toys and games may come in brightly coloured plastics and may be built using sophisticated technologies but there still seems to be a place for wood toys in the hearts of most children. These kinds of classic toys and games are often considered to have educational as well as play benefits. Why do parents and kids enjoy them so much?
Popular Types of Wooden Toys and Games
There are many different types of wooden toys and games to choose from. Some follow traditional designs and have been produced consistently for many years. Many are newer designs that incorporate elements of more recent toys and games. Popular types of toys and games include:
- Ride-ons, tricycles and small bikes.
- Jigsaw and other kinds of puzzles.
- Pull-alongs.
- Building blocks.
- Wooden train, farms, towns, doll houses, castles and people sets.
- Board games.
- Musical instruments.
These kinds of toys are often particularly popular with parents of babies and younger children.
The Educational Benefits of Wooden Toys
Many toys of this type are often designed to offer a more educational or developmental slant than other toys. They may, for example, help foster:
- Fine and gross motor skills.
- Imaginative play.
- Hand-eye co-ordination development.
- Problem solving and puzzling skills.
- Spatial awareness.
- Shape and colour recognition.
So, for example, a child playing with a simple set of wooden building bricks may learn about balance, shapes and may improve their fine motor skills as they build stuff. Put the bricks in a pull/push along cart and this may also help with their gross motor skills and help them learn balance and walk on their own.
Additional Advantages of Playing With Wooden Toys
Many parents prefer to use wood toys at home because they are often perceived to be safer, sturdier and longer-lasting than their plastic equivalents. The fact that these toys are also made from natural materials and may in some cases have been recycled often ticks a lot of environmental buttons.
The fact is that wooden toys can last for years if they are well-made and many kids visiting their grandparents will play with toys that their parents used when they were young. Some turn into heirlooms that are enjoyed from generation to generation.
Those looking to buy wooden toys will find plenty of alternatives to choose from in the toy sector for all ages. Children often get years of fun as well as a great range of educational benefits out of these classic toys. Bear in mind that the cheapest way to buy these products may well be to shop online and/or to check out cost alternatives at online shopping comparison sites.
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