We played with them, so did our parents and grandparents—wooden toys.  Recently displaced by low-quality plastic models, wooden toys have been largely forgotten, but all that is changing now.   Several companies have held fast to their high standards for toy quality and safety, and are producing some of the best educational toys around.  Parents who are tired of recalled plastic toys and toys with dubious safety credentials have been looking for an alternative, and companies like Plan, Haba, and Automoblox are providing great options.

Forget about Hot Wheels—if your little one has a need for speed, then you’ve got to see Automoblox’ line of wooden cars.  Perfect for the curious child, all Automoblox cars are made to be taken apart, put back together, and the parts are interchangeable with other Automoblox cars of the same size.   Made of high-quality hardwood and coated with an all-natural lacquer, these cars are a safe way to play.  We love the  Mini 3-pack because it allows your kid to deconstruct, rebuild,  and mix and match these versatile toys.

Here at Lou Lou’s Corner, we also carry Haba, a well-respected German toy company that specializes in educational wooden toys.  Natural beech wood and water-based vegetable dyes are a big draw for parents who are looking for safe and eco-friendly toys.  For babies who are developing their cognitive and motor skills, the  Trix Clutching Toy is perfect. The bright colors and simple design make this clutching toy ideal for little hands.

Plan Toys’ line of wooden baby and children’s toys are another one of our favorites.  Innovative, and always full of surprises, Plan Toys makes all-natural recycled rubber-wood toys and guarantees that all of their products are made in an environmentally responsible manner.  One of our favorites is the Click Clack Tree, a toy that includes a bold green frame that allows wooden ladybugs to roll down its course from top to bottom.  Great for encouraging concentration and establishing cause and effect relationships, this engaging toy keeps kids interested for hours.

Tags: baby toys, infant toys, toys, wooden toys

This entry was posted on Wednesday, July 1st, 2009 at 9:36 pm and is filed under toys + books. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.