"People used to play with toys. Now the toys play with them."

Wooden Toys

Simplicity One of the main reasons why wooden toys are so appealing is because they are simple and versatile. Although most parents believe that a whirring, beeping toy may appeal to a child, the truth is that most children love toys that inspire inventive and imaginative play. This is the reason why you see children stuck to the box that the toy came in rather than playing with the toy itself. Instead of the dictated play with plastic toys which make sounds and run on batteries, wooden toys are simple and help develop problem solving and fine motor skills. Instead of thinking for the child and stifling the creativity and imagination with plastic toys. Durable and Reusable Unlike most plastic toys, wooden toys last for ages. Some wooden toys are used for generations. Although, these days, plastic toys are heavily marketed and wooden toys are almost non-existent, most of these cheap plastic toys end up in landfills. On the other hand, the durability of wooden toys means that they can be reused for a long period of time. Safe and Non-toxic Made of organic material and decorated with natural dyes, wooden toys are considered safer than their plastic counterparts which have toxic chemicals, such as phthalates, that are responsible for a number of endocrine disorders, neurological, and reproductive problems. Even when you are choosing wooden toys, it is important to check and choose ones that contain non-toxic paints. Moreover, since wooden toys are smooth, well made and less prone to damage, they do not break as easily as plastic toys. The sharp edges of a broken plastic toy can harm your child. Good for the Environment What do you do when your child gets tired of playing with a toy. You probably throw it away just like everyone else. Unlike plastic toys that take years to degrade, wood is a renewable, biodegradable resource, which means that by using these toys you are doing a world of good for the environment. Also, wooden toys are often made by local manufacturers, which reduces the need for fossil fuels that transport plastic toys halfway across the world. Expensive Wooden toys are definitely quite expensive and not readily available. Having said that, it is also important to consider that although the initial investment may be more, your child will probably be playing with a wooden toy for a longer time and probably, even pass it on to someone else.

Plastic Toys

Cheaper The fact that they are much cheaper than wooden toys is what makes plastic toys popular among parents. Since children tend to get bored of the same toys, parents prefer not to spend a whole lot of money in getting expensive ones. So, instead of spending more money for buying wooden blocks, a parent might choose to buy simple plastic blocks. They are also very easily available in almost all toy shops. Washable Plastic toys are easy to maintain as they are easily washable and can be easily wiped down. So, if your child decides to drop it in a bowl of soup, you can pick it up, wash it, and hand it over to your child. Colorful and Attractive One of the best things about plastic toys is that they are bright and colorful, which appeals visually to the child. There are many wonderful designs of plastic toys that make them fun and entertaining for a kid. On the other hand, wooden toys may appear boring and dull. Toxic and Unsafe for Kids A common ingredient in plastic called Bisphenol A (commonly called BPA) that causes endocrine disorders can leach into your child's system when they chew on their plastic toys. There are also concerns about the PVC phthalates from vinyl found in some toys, which are known to cause lung, kidney, liver, and reproductive organ damage. Risk to the Environment Plastic toys, especially the cheap ones, pose a great risk to the environment. Since they are not recyclable, they go into landfills and may take years to degrade.

Plastic Vs. Wooden: What to Buy