Love toys but hate plastic? Any of your toys look cheap and flimsy? You probably know from the looks of a toy if it is going to last long or not. But there are some toys we don’t really know what to look for when judging if they are worth the money and how long they are going to last. I am talking about of wooden toys.
Wooden toys are not just eco-friendly but also keeps your child away from the cheap plastic. This is our collective effort to build a cleaner planet.
In this article we highlight some aspects of wooden toys from maintenance, educational and durability perspective. The opinion might be biased as we are one of the small wooden toy manufacturer.
a) Most important is Toy Safety
All the toys need to be tested with one of the U.S. CPSC (Consumer Product Safety Commission) accredited labs. The toy safety standard refers to ASTM F 963-16. All children’s toys manufactured on or after April 30, 2017, must be tested and certified to ASTM F963-16. If a toy is not ASTM certified, do not buy.
All Explearn Toys meet or exceed all U.S. Toy Testing standards. Conforms to the safety requirements of ASTM F963.
b) Wooden Toys for Skills Development - Early Learning Toys
Are toys just for fun? Is that is what you thought? Knowingly or unknowingly each toy provides some learning to the child in one way or the other. All Explearn toys are designed for children to:
- learn by trying things, comparing results, ask questions and meet challenges.
- develop their knowledge, enhance experience, curiosity and confidence level.
- develop the skills of language, think, plan, organize and make decision.
Explearn Toys stimulate children through every stage of development cycle and help develop their natural abilities. They nurture creativity and imagination of child.
From classic wooden toys to creative crafts, building blocks, puzzle boards, Stack and Sort, and games, Explearn Toys inspire exploration and provide a launch pad to ignite imagination and creative thinking.
c) Wooden Toys must be of good quality wood that is sturdy
The wood used in toys could vary a lot. Popular woods for making toys are maple, walnut, poplar, ash, beech and birch, just to name a few. Each one has some advantages over the other for a certain type of toys. The glue joints must be very fine and if the toy is made with good craftmanship the glue should be inaccessible.
Explearn Toys are made with organic wood sourced from naturally sustainable forests. Durable child-safe (water based) paint finish and solid wood construction make these a toy your child will love for years to come.
d) How to Clean Wooden Toys
Simple cleaning with a mild solution of soap and water or a vinegar solution will keep your wooden toys safe and germ-free. Vinegar has mild disinfectant properties. Be sure to avoid bleach, detergents or abrasive cleansers, which will dry out the wood, leading to cracks and breakage, and will also lighten the surface. Use a damp cloth, soft brush or a sponge to wipe clean. It is best not to submerge wood in water (and never put it in the dishwasher).
Wooden toys can be affected by external environmental changes. Be careful not to leave them outside overnight or for extended periods of time. Heat, sun and humidity can all affect the appearance and shape of wooden toys, and worse, lead to cracking, swelling or breakage.
All Explearn Toys are easy clean. Just wipe with a damp cloth and dry with a clean soft cloth. Occasionally you may want to use mild solution of soap and water or a vinegar solution
With proper care and feeding, the wooden toys you purchase for your child today will be enjoyed for generations, delighting other children and families for decades.
What are your favorite wooden toys? Leave a comment and let us know!
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