Wooden toys are dangerous? Just like Nessy...it's a myth

"Sighting" of Nessy

When it comes to wooden toys, there is one myth that, just like the Loch Ness Monster, must be buried. I’ve heard a lot of people say that wooden toys are dangerous to babies and young children, but if you as a carer or parent take the right precaution, there is no reason why babies can’t enjoy owning a wooden toy just as much as their older brothers and sisters.

From my previous blogs we all know that wooden toys have the power to drive imagination and be the source of genuine excitement for youngsters, and safety concerns should not prevent babies and the very young from experiencing this as well.

Of course there is no harm in being careful, and any parent or carer would want to make sure that the toys their children are playing with are safe, but there is little point in being over-cautious – your child could miss out on one of the most important features of his or her early years.

Besides sparking the imagination of all the children that play with wooden toys, they can also become amazing family toys that are passed down through generations. Their durability and ability to stand the test of time make them far more worthwhile than ‘flash in the pan’ plastic toys.

Ok, so back to safety issues, quite simply, just consider many of the things that you would for any other toy.

Shape and size are obviously important. Avoiding pointed edges and sharp sizes when you’re buying the toy would be a good start, though that should be fairly obvious. If you’re in the children’s section, most of the wooden toys will be safe, though it is always worth checking or talking to a respected wooden toy producer.

Size is also a big factor with babies because they tend to put anything smaller than their hands into their traps. So, be sensible, make sure wooden toys are of a safe size before the youngsters are set free with them.

With this in mind it is worth considering the coating that is on the wooden toy, because things like varnishes and paint could cause harm.

In general terms, just apply some common sense to your purchases, and if you do there is every chance that young babies and toddlers can get all the excitement and enjoyment from wooden toys that older kids will.