| One would think with all the bright gadgets | | | | |
| and gimmicks overloading children's senses in | | | | If you don't think alphabet blocks then you |
| today's toy market, they wouldn't have any | | | | definitely think wooden trains when you hear |
| time for the simpler things in life. This is | | | | about vintage toys. It was in the nineteenth |
| not the case, as wooden toys are still as | | | | century that a lot more thought was put into |
| popular as they ever were. Toys made from | | | | creating children's toys. Craftsmen |
| wood have a certain straightforwardness about | | | | developed revolutionary items like the jack |
| them that encourages a child to use their | | | | in the box, wooden army men, complex houses |
| imagination. It doesn't matter whether they | | | | for girls dolls and wind up toys with moving |
| are painted bright colors or natural, kids | | | | parts. They made trucks and trains with |
| love to play with them. | | | | tracks and just about anything appropriate |
| | | | they could to make children feel like |
| A Brief History of Wooden Toys | | | | miniature versions of their parents. |
| | | | |
| Archaeologists have reported finding spinning | | | | Wooden Building Toys |
| tops made from wood as evidence that wooden | | | | |
| toys have been around since ancient times. | | | | The twentieth century saw a boom in the |
| Hand crafted dolls and animals have been | | | | building industry, both commercial and |
| found which were made for children in dating | | | | domestic. It seemed relevant, with so many |
| back as far as 1100BC. Wood for toy making | | | | father's going to work, that a range of toys |
| would have been their first choice since it | | | | be bought out for children who wanted to be |
| is so readily available and not hard to work | | | | like their dads. Interlocking and |
| with. Wooden building sets, dolls houses, | | | | interchangeable pieces that came in sets so |
| jack-in-the-boxes and jig saw puzzles are all | | | | children could build things is what they |
| wooden toys designed in the 1800's which are | | | | released. Lincoln Logs and Tinker Toys are |
| still very popular today. | | | | two companies who produced these wooden toys, |
| | | | and they are still around today. |
| Toy Peddlers | | | | |
| | | | There are so many flashing, plastic, battery |
| It was in the sixteenth century that Germany | | | | operated toys in stores that it comes to the |
| started producing toys for trade. The men | | | | point where they all seem to blend into one. |
| who made them would travel around the country | | | | It is so lovely to see a child surrounded |
| selling them as they went. They were time | | | | with hi tech toys and their eyes still light |
| consuming to make, and were considered a | | | | up when a wooden train is introduced. They |
| treat or gift for unforgettable events. Some | | | | may be more expensive because they aren't |
| craftsmen were lucky to be enlisted to make | | | | mass produced in Asia, but they pass the test |
| toys for the royals, and were paid well for | | | | of time and have great benefits in |
| their work. | | | | stimulating a child's individuality and |
| | | | creativity. They are also classic |
| Educational Wooden Toys | | | | decorations as well. |
| | | | |
| Whenever we think of wooden toys we think of | | | | Summary: |
| the little blocks with the alphabet painted | | | | |
| on them or engraved into the wood. Toys that | | | | Still nowadays wooden toys are the favorite |
| children could learn from date back as far as | | | | for many children. They are great for |
| the eighteenth century in the UK. When | | | | developing creativity and many are designed |
| adults saw how much a child could develop | | | | to educate them as well. Don't fall for the |
| their imagination playing with the blocks, | | | | hype of cheap five minute wonder toys, but |
| they sought out more miniature friends for | | | | instead invest in quality that will last |
| them. Small hand crafted animals and dolls | | | | lifetimes. |
| then became more common. | | | | |