Benefits of Wooden Toys for Kids: Safer, Smarter, and More Sustainable Play
More parents are asking: what are the benefits of wooden toys for kids? From reducing microplastic exposure to boosting development, wood offers safer play.
For us at Avenlur, wood is our alternative. In today’s world, we have the technologies and knowledge to make wooden toys for kids as fun and useful as ever.
Why Choose Wooden Toys Over Plastic?
The Risks of Micro-Plastics
Society has somewhat sleepwalked into a microplastic disaster. Particles of less than 5mm in size are being found all over our homes and, sadly, in our bodies too.
These can pose a significant risk to a child’s health, and while we still don’t fully understand the full long-term effects, reports say exposure can lead to reproductive, growth, and cognitive impairments.
So, step up, wood!
Trusted for hundreds (if not thousands) of years, wood toys (when constructed correctly) are free from nasty chemicals. At Avenlur, our toys and climbing sets are all BPA-free. Even our varnish is non-toxic, making it lick-safe.
Wooden Toys Support Sensory Development and Motor Skills
We believe that wood is still the best way to develop motor skills, engage in sensory experience, and encourage open-ended play via Montessori-inspired designs.
The Montessori method strongly prefers wooden toys, believing their tactile feel, weight, and warmth help aid the sensory experience. As a result, stronger brain connections are made, and the child enjoys a more relaxed experience.
Many wooden toys, such as our Pikler Triangles and indoor wooden climbing frames, are also far stronger than plastic toys - allowing kiddos to climb all over them and develop their motor skills and hand-eye coordination.
Wooden Toys Encourage Imagination and Open-Ended Play
Wooden toys also encourage a deeper, focused play. Unlike flashy plastics or electronic toys, they encourage open-ended, imaginative play without overstimulating the senses. That’s something we could all benefit from these days. Your children will develop concentration and patience as a result.
And I don’t know about you, but my fondest memories of playing as a kid are those that involved imagination. I don’t remember much about my plastic toys, but I certainly remember building a fort and a spaceship with my sisters.
Cognitive Benefits of Wooden Toys
Wooden toys for kids can also prove very useful in logic and mathematical thinking. Their simplicity allows for arranging, stacking, and balancing wooden pieces.
And in the more physical types of toys (such as climbing frames), there’s an increased understanding of what the body is capable of, what risks can be taken, and, as a result, a sense of self-confidence. Nurturing this from a young age can be super important in the real world later on, as a sense of independent self-worth can make a brave child become a brave adult.
Wooden Toys are Durable and Safe
There’s this idea that plastic toys are somehow better long-term purchases because they don’t erode. Yeah, ok, they’ll sit in a landfill forever. But their parts are prone to breaking, they get all-icky from child use, and tend to go out of trend pretty quickly.
Of course, wooden toys age too. However, with a nice BPA-free finish (like the one Avenlur uses), they can age gracefully and be passed down through generations. And there are no small parts that are going to break off, making them useless, like with plastics.
Plus, they have natural antibacterial properties; something that ol’ oily plastic simply doesn’t.
Wood is More Sustainable
And hey, it’s far better for the planet too. We’ve already touched on microplastics and landfills (stats show that, as they break so easily, they account for 6% of landfill plastics worldwide!)
Wooden toys have a far smaller carbon footprint, as they require less energy and produce fewer harmful emissions during manufacturing. There’s no injection molder or other energy-intensive processes. And, you can fix them very easily in case something does get damaged.
Disadvantages of Wooden Toys and How Avenlur Solves Them
We can’t pretend you won’t have any concerns about wooden toys for kids. Plastic molds suggest a more child-friendly design, on paper, right?
But at Avenlur, we put heart and soul into ensuring our products are incredibly safe. We get full certification. There are no sharp edges, finger traps, or nasty BPAs. So, your kid can lick it all day if they want!
And, we believe that for climbing frames and Pikler Triangles, wood is far safer. It’s sturdy, looks great, and can hold the weight of a child far better than any cheap plastic can.
Choosing the Best Wooden Toys for Toddlers and Kids
Here’s a quick checklist on choosing the best wooden toys for your child:
✅ Find toys that are designed to support their weight as they grow, such as an indoor climbing frame. Think forward, not backwards.
✅ Only trust brands that create wooden kids toys that have ASTM and CPSIA certification for safety (our products do)!
✅ Buy toys with FSC-certified wood and BPA-free varnish finishes.
✅ Think about practicality when it comes to space. For example, if an indoor playset is too big, then consider a Swedish wooden ladder wall.
✅ Accessorize! Ideally, your toy of choice can be multi-functional, such as taking your child to space, acting as a fort, race car, or safe private space - all of which can be helped if the toy is able to have additional accessories added on.
Explore Avenlur’s Wooden Toy Collection Today
Ready to combine developmental learning with fun, imaginative play? Feel free to browse our store today for a wooden kids toy that can transform how your child feels and enjoys the world.
