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With the holidays right around the corner, you might be asking yourself, why buy wooden toys for your kids? Some may say they are outdated, but we think wooden toys and gifts are a timeless choice! Whether you are looking for wooden baby toys or something for kids a bit older, there are many wonderful benefits to offering wooden toys to your children. Here are some of the top reasons why we love wooden toys.

Wooden Toys Are Long-Lasting and Safer

We all know wood is an excellent material that rarely breaks, making it one of the safest materials to make toys from. As a parent, you don't have to worry about pieces breaking off and injuring your child. Babies will stick everything in their mouth, so safety is a significant factor when choosing toys for your small children. An added benefit of wooden toys being durable and long-lasting is that they can be passed through the generations from child to child. This feature also means you can buy wooden toys second hand and save a few pounds if you are on a budget.

You may think that children will outgrow more basic wooden toys , but in reality, they grow with the child. Take wooden blocks and shapes, for instance. Kids can build and design more elaborate structures, combine them with other non-wood toys like dolls or action figures, or even paint the blocks as they develop their art skills, creating fantastical scenes that unleash their imaginations.

Wooden Toys Improve Fine Motor Skills and Hand-Eye Coordination

From an early age, toys help babies develop fine motor skills like squeezing, grasping, stacking, moving their wrists, reaching, etc. Simple wooden toys help kids with their hand-eye coordination - like when they are building towers, placing shapes inside different shaped holes, creating patterns and connecting puzzle pieces or pushing a toy on wheels . One of our favourite designers, Melissa and Doug, make wooden toys that grow with your child as they develop logical and spatial skills.

Wooden Toys Are Better for the Environment

Most companies that make wooden toys are using sustainable practices for their manufacturing. Since we know wooden toys are long-lasting, they are by default better for the environment than their plastic and electronic alternatives. The pollution that comes from producing toys made from plastic or electronics is far greater, so when you buy wooden toys, you are showing your commitment to the planet.

Not to mention the amount of plastic included in the packaging of toys. Both the packaging and the toys themselves end up in oceans and never break down in landfills . Polls show parents admit to throwing away perfectly good toys or overbuying toys their kids never touch. If you want to be environmentally-friendly, then use the holiday season to buy wooden toys for your children that will last. And as a side bonus, they will be able to connect with nature a bit with the touch and feel of the wood.

Wooden Toys Help Develop Real-Life Skills

It's common for wooden toys to be in various shapes like squares, circles, and triangles. But they also come in the form of everyday things like people, food, animals, cars, houses, etc. You can buy more elaborate wooden toys that mimic kitchens , the grocery store or a doctor's office. Children can use such toys to act out scenes with their parents and friends. This kind of play can do wonders for the development of real-life skills and self-esteem. Since wooden toys don't have audio recordings, buzzers, bells and other noises that direct the child, they will develop problem-solving skills and expands their decision-making smarts.

Wooden Toys Decrease Screen Time

The children of the last couple of decades don't realize that not long ago, wooden toys were the only choice! Children are exposed to phones and electronics at such a young age, offering wooden toys earlier can help limit the desire for screen time. Simple toys encourage the imagination of your children to go wild while helping keep them calm because noises from electronics can be overstimulating. Modern toys and gadgets can be a distraction and offer very little in the way of learning or education. So give your kids simpler toys to continue stimulating their brains - with the bonus of keeping the noise down for everyone around.

These are just a few of the many benefits your children receive when you choose wooden toys. We like to think wooden toys will never go out of fashion - no matter what age your children are. So consider buying wooden toys this holiday season.
BrightMinds has a world-class range of educational toys, games, gifts & wooden toys that inspire and entertain your children. Each purchase is backed by our extraordinary customer service. Check out our selection of wooden toys for all ages today.

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Why Wooden Toys Matter: Benefits of Wooden Toys | BrightMinds

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With the holidays right around the corner, you might be asking yourself, why buy wooden toys for your kids? Some may say they are outdated, but we think wooden toys and gifts are a timeless choice! Whether you are looking for wooden baby toys or something for kids a bit older, there are many wonderful benefits to offering wooden toys to your children.

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Wooden toys have been a beloved part of children's playtime for thousands of years, providing hours of fun and entertainment for generations. The earliest known date back to ancient Egypt, where children played with dolls, animals, and small chariots made from wood. Over time, evolved and spread throughout the world, becoming a staple of childhood play in cultures around the globe. In this article, we'll take a closer look at the history of wooden toys, from their earliest beginnings to the present day.

Ancient Times: The Birth of Wooden Toys

As mentioned earlier, wooden toys have a long and rich history, dating back to ancient times. Some of the earliest examples of wooden toys come from ancient Egypt, where children played with dolls, animals, and small chariots made from wood. These toys were often simple in design, but they provided children with a way to use their imaginations and explore the world around them.

In other parts of the world, wooden toys also played an important role in childhood play. For example, in ancient Greece, children played with wooden horses and chariots, while in China, wooden toys like tops and yo-yos were popular.

The Middle Ages: Wooden Toys as Status Symbols

During the Middle Ages, wooden toys continued to be an important part of childhood play. However, they also began to take on new meanings and functions. In Europe, for example, wooden toys became a symbol of wealth and status, with nobility and royalty commissioning elaborate and ornate toys for their children.

At the same time, wooden toys were also being used for educational purposes. In the 14th century, for example, a German monk named Johannes de Garlandia wrote a book called "De Mensurabili Musica," which included instructions for making a wooden toy called a "monochord." This toy was used to teach children about music and sound.

The Industrial Revolution: Mass-Produced Wooden Toys

The Industrial Revolution had a profound impact on the production of wooden toys. With the invention of new machines and manufacturing techniques, it became possible to mass-produce wooden toys, making them more affordable and accessible to a wider range of people.

During this time, wooden toys became increasingly popular, with manufacturers producing everything from dolls and trains to building blocks and puzzles. These toys were often brightly colored and highly detailed, making them even more appealing to children.

The 20th Century: Wooden Toys in a Changing World

The 20th century brought many changes to the world of wooden toys. With the rise of plastics and other synthetic materials, wooden toys began to lose some of their popularity. However, they continued to be cherished by many families, who appreciated their durability and timeless appeal.

In recent years, there has been a renewed interest in wooden toys, as parents and caregivers seek out more natural and sustainable options for children's playthings. Wooden toys are often made from renewable resources and are biodegradable, making them a more eco-friendly choice than plastic toys.

Today, wooden toys come in a wide variety of shapes and sizes, from classic toys like building blocks and puzzles to more modern creations like balance boards and wooden cameras. Many wooden toys are designed with educational or developmental goals in mind, helping children learn and grow while they play.

The Benefits of Wooden Toys

So why choose wooden toys over other types of toys? There are many benefits to wooden toys, including:

Durability: Wooden toys are often sturdier and more durable than plastic toys, which can break or wear out more easily.

Sensory stimulation: Wooden toys can provide children with a range of sensory experiences, from the smooth feel of polished wood to the sound of wooden blocks tumbling together.

Imagination and creativity: Wooden toys encourage children to use their imaginations and create

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The History of Wooden Toys: From Ancient Times to Today

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Wooden toys have been a beloved part of children's playtime for thousands of years, providing hours of fun and entertainment for generations. The earliest known wooden toys date back to ancient Egypt, where children played with dolls, animals, and small chariots made from wood.

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The Jaques of London wooden toys collection boasts beautifully made toys for toddlers and kids to enjoy for years to come. Get your toys made with love....