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The Wonders Of Wooden Toys

Children have been enjoying playtime with wooden toys for centuries. In the 12th century, for example, archeologists can across dolls made out of wood, horses that were carved out of wood, toy chariots made of wood, and even one wooden crocodile with a jaw that actually moved. While play time in the ancient civilizations of Egypt, Greece and Rome mimicked the activity of adults of the time, the toys were all made of wood.

The first wooden toys made for sale to the public were in Germany in the 1700’s. The crafters and merchants began, at this time, to hire people as traveling salespersons, to wander around Europe showing the wooden toys and selling them to the parents of European youngsters. Royal European families were especially good customers, even ordering custom made wooden toys for their children. Many of these wooden toys made to order were to commemorate birthdays and anniversaries.

In the 19th century the wooden toy designs showed more elaboration. Some were very big, such as the dollhouses and miniature theatres of the time, which went so far as to include ornate decorations. Wooden toy soldiers and jacks in the box were brightly painted with all sorts of ornate decorations.

Wooden trains were very popular toys of that time period as well, a precursor of the ever popular Brio wooden train manufacturer. Nearly four million wooden toy trucks, trains and cars are produced by Brio for children in every part of the globe. In fact, you can find more Brio wooden toy parts in the world than you can Ford vehicles.

Overall, wooden toys aren’t nearly as popular with parents and children as they once were, and certainly not as popular as other toy materials, such as plastic. Not only is plastic more versatile and lighter weight, it’s also less expensive to make. The other advantage of plastic toys over wooden toys is that it is less dangerous. Not only is plastic less flammable but it’s less likely to cause injury when it falls or is tossed.

No matter what the reason, however, the fact is that Barbie and Lego’s have replaced wooden toys in the hearts and minds of most of today’s small youths.

Wooden toy manufacturers, cataloguers and retailers still exist, however, as do their avid customers. Small companies rather than large firms make wooden toys as a rule. They often are custom made and elaborate, sometimes purchased as multi-generation keepsakes and heirlooms. Rocking horses made by one small custom shop retail for $400 minimum. Another firm makes custom order wooden puppets and other toys.

Ask a child education expert and she or he will tell you wooden toys are great for children. She’ll say that the kids are more likely to learn how to use their sense of touch and feel when they use wooden toys. Those educators who most commonly purchase wooden toys for their wee students are Kindergarten and first grade teachers and those who teach children with special needs.

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