Five Reasons Why We Love Autumn…and So Should You!

The nights are getting darker and you’re just starting to feel that slight chill in the air that hints that things are changing. The scenery changes in a blast of colour, animals get back to work and you know in your gut that autumn is here.

Autumn is a time for fun, excitement and keeping warm and we love it! Here are our top 5 reasons why you should love autumn too…

Changing Scenery

The most spectacular thing about this season is the change in colours, shifting from green, the true colour palette is revealed in a beautiful mixture of red, gold and orange hues.

What’s better than sitting beneath a canopy of falling golden leaves on a crisp, autumn morning?

Top Tip: Choose areas full of chestnut, oak and beech trees for your viewing pleasure. If you’re planning a day out with the children, get them to collect as many different ‘shades’ as possible or you could see who can match the correct leaves to the trees.

Misty Mornings

After a cold, damp autumn evening one of the greatest things to do is take a morning walk in your local country park.

The mysterious atmosphere is stunning to behold. Be prepared for an early morning though as once the sun is high enough the lovely mist will burn away. Trust us, it’s worth it.

Pumpkin Madness

Autumn is a great time to get your hands on this fantastic vegetable. Autumn is all about the pumpkin. Try your hand at making pumpkin soup, lattes, pies and waffles. Everything could use a little pumpkin!

Halloween

Old or young, Halloween is a fantastic holiday for everyone. Have fun at home making costumes with the kids…I wonder how many Elsa’s we’ll see this year? And don’t forget to join in yourself, there’s always room for an Olaf or two.

Make a costume for yourself, decorate your house. Heck, maybe even your pets would like to join in.

Go trick or treating and enjoy those yummy sweets.

Top Tip: Throw a Halloween party. After you’ve finished trick or treating come back to your spooky home for a ghastly party. Add green and red food colouring to make food more terrifying and have a scary movie viewing (The Nightmare Before Christmas and Hotel Transylvania are great for kids!)

Conkers

Conker games have travelled through the generations and have always been a schoolyard favourite in autumn. Whoever can collect the biggest and hardest conker shall be the autumn conker champion. On your marks, get set, go!

If conkers aren’t your thing but you do have a sweet tooth, autumn is the perfect time to forage for a variety of tasty nuts and berries like blackberries and rosehips, add them to recipes for a fresh autumn twist or just wash and eat for a tasty treat.

There’s so much more about autumn to fall in love with, it’s time for you to explore. Share your favourite autumn photos with us on Twitter @OrganicToys

Turn off the telly and go play outside!

As a child, this is all I ever remember my mum saying during the summer, and occasionally over the colder seasons when she’d had enough of three kids under her feet all day.

Today, statistics show that most children spend less than 30 minutes playing outside each week! It’s hard to believe. I grew up building forts and climbing trees…and so it comes as a shock to realise that children these days spend so little time outside.

Naturally, it comes with the easy access to technology that children have in the home. I didn’t have a computer in the house until I was around 11 and even then because of the lack of children’s games and with the joys of dial-up internet it wasn’t worth staying indoors for.

Now, children have access to hundreds of television shows, not just the basic 4 or 5 that we grew up with. They have mobile phones, tablets, X-boxes, Playstations etc…you can see where I’m going.

As a parent, it can be easy to ‘forget’ about the importance of playing outdoors. As long as your kids are quiet and you can get things done it’s easy to fall out of the habit of encouraging outside play, so here are our quick tips to getting the whole family outdoors and having fun.

1.       Go on a picnic

Pack a basket, take plenty of blankets and go for a walk. Burn off energy whilst finding the perfect spot for your picnic.

2.       Create a water park

It’s not as crazy as it sounds. Break out the paddling pool and swimming toys. There are lots of other great and affordable water toys you can buy like sprinklers and slip ‘n slides etc or you could try making your own.

3.       Take a hike/Bike ride

Plan a scenic hike or bike ride around your local nature reserve or park and have fun spotting different creatures and plants. Take a nature diary (a blank notepad will do) and ask your children to draw the interesting things that they see.

4.       Feed the ducks

Who doesn’t remember going to the local pond to feed the ducks at the weekend. All you need is a left-over loaf of bread and some hungry ducksJ

5.       Play at the park

A great way to get kids outside and playing with others is to take a trip to your local park. Your children will love trying all of the different activities and equipment.

6.       Chalk paintings

We’ve all seen Mary Poppins – how great are the chalk paintings that they make? Give your children some chalk and a spare space of concrete or slabbing and encourage them to unleash their creativity and don’t worry, a water hose will clear things off afterwards. Why not try chalking out a hopscotch game or a huge board game like snakes and ladders? Then each child can be a playing piece.

7.       Car Wash

It’s not always a chore that you enjoy but most kids love washing cars. So load up on the sponges, rags and soapy water and let your children wash your car for you. You could also give them toy cars to wash. They’ll spend hours dirtying and cleaning their cars.

8.       Forget the BBQ…Have a campfire

If you have one, set up and light a fire pit and allow your children to roast anything they want on sticks from marshmallows to sausages. Tell stories, sing songs and if you’re feeling really adventurous you could always camp out in tents.

9.       Have an epic water fight

Arm yourselves with water soakers, balloons, buckets, bottles, and hoses…whatever you want and divide into teams. The least wet team or person (if there is one) is the winner. It’s a perfect way to stay cool on a hot day, just remember the waterproof sun cream and have plenty of towels to hand.

10.   It’s time for a treasure hunt

Make maps, leave clues and hide the buried treasure. Dress up your little pirates and let them look. For best results and equal fun give each pirate/team a different map, leading to different treasure so that no one feels left out. Great looking treasure maps are easy to make, just stain the map with a teabag and either tear or burn the edges for an authentic, fun look.

There are so many benefits to outdoor play with just two of them being fitness and creativity so get creative and go outside to play.

Go green this summer and avoid those toxic toys!

How many times a day do you find yourself running towards your baby or child who’s about to put something dangerous or gross in their mouth? Whether it’s dog food, the TV remote or a crayons, I’m sure you know the feeling….I bet it feels like all of the time.

Here’s another question for you? How often do you replace that dangerous thing with a toy and how many of those toys are just as dangerous?

No, I’m not talking about choking hazards. I’m talking about Toxic toys. They are everywhere and it’s surprising how little is known about them.

We’ve got the lowdown to help you avoid those toxic toys and tips to help you choose safe toys for your children.

What are the benefits of non-toxic toys?

Non-toxic toys can greatly improve and remove risks from your child’s health, giving you piece of mind whilst your child plays. They can also help to save you money as wooden toys in particular are extremely hard-wearing allowing you to pass them down through generations.

As natural toys are biodegradable you’ll also be making a huge impact on the planet and helping to preserve it for your children and theirs.

When you go shopping it’s important to avoid the following:

·         Toys made from toxic materials – check your labels and packaging and steer clear of ALL toys that do not declare themselves as being free from lead, which can seriously damage a child’s nervous system. It’s also important to avoid vinyl and plywood which can leak fumes and contain harmful chemicals. Also be on the lookout for toys finished with toxic paints.

·         Imported toys – help keep your planet clean and reduce your carbon footprint by buying toys from the UK.

Instead you want to look for:

·         Toys made from high-quality wood – choose toys made from sustainable sources and coated with non-toxic paints such as vegetable or water-based finishes.

·         Toys made from natural fibres – things like dress up costumes made from natural cotton and silk are fantastic choices and always great fun.

·         Recycling – if you want to be super green, you can always find toys that are made from clean, recycled materials.

Have you considered making your own toys?

D.I.Y toys are fun to make and to play with. Break out those old baby outfits and make a dress-up dolly or bear and if you’re not afraid of a bit of elbow grease. Try making your own wooden toy or block, being sure to sand it down thoroughly.

Alternatively, you can find a wide selection of high-quality wooden toys in our online store and if you have any questions about natural toys feel free to get in touch.

x

TODDLER RULES - HAVE A LOUGH :)

If I like it - IT'S MINE
If it's in my hand - IT'S MINE
If it looks like mine - IT'S MINE
If I think it's mine - IT'S MINE
Everything else is MINE too

Consider the environment, opt for wooden toys

Forget, for now, the time and effort that goes into creating wooden toys. Disregard the fact that wooden toys like a toy rocking horse or toy car can last for generations and become part of a family’s family. Nevermind even, the ability of wooden toys when it comes to sparking imagination and creativity among children that are lucky enough to play with them.

Instead consider this: Plastic material can, according to the anti-plastic bag campaigner Future Bags, stay in our environment for as long as 100 years. This is because they don’t breakdown and degrade, in fact they break into smaller toxic pieces which can and do contaminate our soil and water.

In truth, all the things we talk about at the start of this blog are nice add-ons, we know that wooden toys are durable and help with children’s motor skills, which both are key selling points. However, the environmental aspect is something so important, that it just can’t be ignored.

Ec-Ethical.co.uk says: “When we use plastic, we are indirectly using oil. Some may argue that because it is a by-product of oil refining, it will be there any way, whether or not we convert it into plastic bags or something else.

“The truth is when we think 'oil' it's not only the science and technology involved. It's also the politics and economics. How many wars have been fought — are being fought — over oil? Our insatiable demand for oil — to fuel cars and our plastic habits — has an impact on international relations. Believe it or not.”

This Christmas the Wooden Toy Gallery is showcasing toys ranging from wooden swings to wooden building blocks and musical toys. Whatever plastic gifts are on the market, there is an environmentally-friendly wooden toy alternative – and it’s crucial that you explore this.

Wooden toys are the past, the present, and the future. Unlike plastic toys they are made with material that can be put back into the earth, helping to continue the green cycle that, at the moment, is desperate need of a hefty spin.

Amazing 40% Discount on our Beautiful Wooden Rocking Horse

The WoodenToyGallery.co.uk, specialists in hand-crafted and organic wooden toys that encourage children's creativity and free-spirit, has now reduced the price of its famous ‘classic rocking horse’ by 40% - just in time for Christmas gift buying.

The built-to-last classic Wooden Rocking Horse is made with a sturdy seat and handles to hold. Rocking toys are perfect for youngsters learning to build coordination, strength and balance, so take advantage of this offer and help to stimulate your child’s senses and keep them closer to nature, with this classic wooden toy.

This amazing 40% discount is only available online at woodentoygallery.co.uk from 8^th Nov until 28^th Nov, so make sure you go online to buy this classic toy at this limited time offer right now.

To claim this discount all you need to do is go to our website here:

   

Wooden Rocking Horse

and add the voucher code: rhorse10  into the specified area at the checkout, press add and the discount will be applied upon completing your order.

             

       

Top of the Wooden Toy hit list for 2010 is...

Whether you like it or not, the festive season is now fast-approaching and once bonfire night is out the way, Christmas is all anyone will be able to talk about.

Here at Wooden Toy Gallery we thought you might like know a little bit more about the beautiful handcrafted toys that we create. Christmas is a busy period for us, so to help you make an informed decision when it comes to buying presents for the smaller members of the family, take a look at why the below gifts have stood up and resisted time and change – they are still popular today.

Click through on the toy to see more pictures and prices.

In at number one is the trusty and classic rocking horse. It’s one of those toys that makes a house a home, and no-one should be denied one in their infant years.

Second up is the wooden car, a firm favourite with the boys and the adventurous girls, this is a toy that will never go out of fashion – so is one to pass down from generation to generation.

Or go for the classic car jigsaw to take it one step further and really drive up (get it?) imagination!

For the even younger, the natural wooden teething ring is the ideal gift this Christmas. The perfect answer to the critics of teething rings with toxic chemicals and finishes, this one is absolutely natural.
 
At the halfway point is the wooden train, which will satisfy any child’s fascination for things that move. Clear the floor, because this one will be moving around the living room for years to come
 

Develop balance and motor skills with the traditional but updated wooden blocks.

The Handcrafted Wooden Turning Rattle is another one for the younger ones this Christmas. It is said that the rattle has the power to help a child develop its natural sense of rhythm…

Wooden handcrafted swings for the daring children out there this year.

Fuel a child’s fascination with aviation with the classic Children's Wooden Aeroplane.

Last but by no means least, the toy that allows every child into out of the front room and into a Western – the hobby horse. Wooden toy making at its best, this is one that will be passed around and enjoyed by the younger members of your family for years to come.

Tick the all-important ‘green’ box with wooden toys

Unless you’ve been living under a rock for the past ten years, words and phrases like ‘bio-degradable’, ‘eco-friendly’, and simply ‘green’, have come to be as common in everyday conversation as ‘hello’ and ‘goodbye’. The mighty alliance of the media and certain governments around the world have flexed their muscles, they have made clear their intent on creating an environmentally-conscious culture, and frankly, it seems to be working.

But for those who believe in the ‘green’ focus but can’t get the time off work to tie themselves to a tree in the New Forest, fear not, because there are changes you can make to your everyday life to take a step closer to being eco-friendly. While there are plenty of good reasons to invest in wooden toys (they prompt imagination, are durable, and are handcrafted, to name a few), one that is often skirted around is the environmental one.

Put very simply, wooden toys are biodegradable, and so they are much better for our environment than their plastic cousins. Plastic is sent to populate landfills, many of which are bursting at the seems already.

Plus, the durability of wooden toys means that they are not prone to breaking or damage, often in fact they are passed down through the generations of a family. And their often generic nature means that they do not come in and out with fashion and film, they simply exist in the same way that they have for hundreds of years, which for many families, is a comfort.

Though further, buying wooden toys that are uniquely handcrafted means buying into a significant tradition. The likes of wooden rocking horses, dolls, rattles and building blocks, are all puzzle pieces of toy history. These are the toys that have survived the test of time, and no amount of battery-powered tat will knock them from their perch. So, consider the green agenda, consider the history of the toy-making industry, and with your help, wooden toys will be entertaining children for the rest of this century, and the next ones after that.

Why Wooden Construction Toys Have a Bright Future

When British media entrepreneur Peter Orton dreamt up the idea of a cartoon character dressed up in a bright yellow helmet, blue dungarees and a hammer-in-hand, very few would have predicted a global hit worth more than £32.5 million per year for, effectively, a few construction toys.

But the figures never lie, and Bob the Builder, along with his construction toy friends, became a huge success in a very short period of time, primarily because of the merchandise, such as wooden toys, that the character created.

And while the success of Bob the Builder must partly be attributed to a clever catchphrase and some bright costumes, for many the real attraction for their children was quite simply in the wooden constructor toys that came along for the ride.

Unlike plastic toys, wooden constructor toys appeal to children who enjoy meaningful playtime. And, for parents who are keen to develop young creative minds in a fun and safe environment, wooden construction toys tick all the boxes.

Further, these toys hold valuable lessons in organisation, tidiness and have the power to boost logical thinking in young but very capable minds. Well-designed constructor wooden toys can be the perfect size for youngsters, and could help them find one of their first experience of ‘success’, because re-shaping the toys, adding parts and adapting pieces, takes time and effort for a young child.

Again, unlike other toys, constructor toys are not exclusive to young children, by their very design they attract older play partners too, such as parents and grandparents, and so play the role of communicator as well. Just another positive by-product of these hand-crafted toys.

Bob the Builder may have given the constructor toy the profile boost it needed, but the value of the toy has always been evident. With the potential to catapult creativity, communication, feelings of success, organisation skills and tidiness among children, this timeless toy should occupy a spot in the cupboard or drawer of any young child.

For fantastic wooden construction toys then just click here: Wooden Construction Toys

I want to share 'Logorama' with you

This is a wonderful comment on society and the insane abundance of corporate institutions.

Are there any you don't recognise?

Please enjoy the video: http://vimeo.com/10149605

For childrens wooden toys that are natural, safe for the environment and wonderfully fun, go to http://woodentoygallery.co.uk

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.

Make Your Own Green Cleaning Products

We love wooden toys that are fun and good for the environment and we also love other ways to be good to the world like these home made cleaning products!

http://www.non-toxickids.net/2010/09/make-your-own-green-cleaning-products.html

"Do not wait for extraordinary circumstances to do good action; try to use ordinary situations."

— Jean Paul Richter, German Romantic novelist and humorist

Designer Annina Diston’s Down to Earth, Miniature Brighton Sharehouse

This really is a stunning dolls house with incredible attention to detail, along with our childrens wooden toys it's a lovely example of a childrens' toy that is more then just a toy.

"With intricate attention to the details of a real-life, lived-in home, and expert execution of tiny household nuances, from crumbs on the kitchen table and soap scum on the shower tiles, to an overflowing recycling bin, crammed closets, shoes and grocery bags peppering the entryway and a Mac computer screen with several windows open, Diston’s down to earth dollhouse is a refreshingly realistic portrayal of daily life on a scale that is tiny in size but but teeming with craftsmanship"

The fantastic photos really do show it off to it's best!

http://www.inhabitots.com/2010/09/14/designer-annina-distons-down-to-earth-miniature-brighton-sharehouse/

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Brace yourself for festive fairs and wooden toys

Simon Cox

For many people it’s business as usual now that September is well and truly under way. The holiday is a distant memory, the kids are back at school, and it’s heads down time right up until…Christmas.

Without wanting to be someone that buys into Christmas ‘spirit’ in September, there are a few things that spring to mind once October is in sight.

The Christmas fairs kick off earlier and earlier each year (some are starting in around a month), and they’re ideal opportunities to pick up presents or just ideas for presents. But, more importantly, they offer up the chance to browse some of the finest, most unique handcrafted children’s wooden toys from across the globe.

Fairs are littered around the major cities, and it’s not hard to find out details via the internet of your nearest event. Producers of wooden toys will be scrambling to present to you the many reasons why you should invest into wooden toys this year for your children, grandchildren, nephews and nieces, but the one reason that keeps pulling me back in, is their unique style.

The Christmas fairs showcase all different producers of wooden toys, and if you head down you’ll have plenty of choice. So my advice would be to flick through a few magazines and websites to get an idea of what it is you want to buy, and then browse the stalls until you see what you want. Bear in mind that the beauty of wooden toys is that they are durable and will last.

You are buying something that will be handed down through the generations of your family, so pick up a unique handcrafted gift that can be enjoyed for years and years to come.

MP3 Timepieces - The iPod Nano Watch Fits Perfectly on Your Wrist

Ok, so we obviously live, breath and live some more all childrens wooden toys but this is so cool! 

Check out the new iPod Nano and what they're saying on the blogs a out it...

"At first, I thought that the new iPod Nano was way too small, but after seeing this iPod Nano Watch, my perspectives have changed towards this Apple piece. An absolute perfect fit for wrists of all shapes"

http://www.trendhunter.com/trends/ipod-nano-watch

This is hilarious, but maybe don't buy an iPod Nano from Letterman!

wooden toys

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Do Children Need Wooden Toys to Save their Imagination?

Did you know that amount of time children and teens spend on the computer has tripled in the last 10 years?

 Source

This actually comes as no surprise to me as the internet has become ubiquitous and is available to most children whether it’s in school, home or the local library.

So, like Baroness Susan Greenfield asked in a recent article:

Are [children] at risk of losing [their] imagination, that mysterious and special cognitive gift that until now has always made the book so much better than the film?

What a sad state of affairs it would be for children to become mindless droids, just looking up anything they may have a question about on Google or Wikipedia, then taking that as fact without actually experiencing what it is to research, understand and learn.

Do kids still have the skills to go out and discover for themselves through trial and error and in this cotton wool society, are they even allowed to by over protecting parents and a nanny state?

As little as 20 years ago, it was common place for kids to be out playing in the streets enjoying themselves, sometimes getting into sticky situations and even, yes, falling over and hurting themselves. 

But it seems more and more children are allowed to just while away their time in front of a screen, whether it's the TV or a computer. 

But what we seem to be forgetting is that humans and children in particular are incredibly resilient. But that resilience, although inherent in every child, must be nurtured and encouraged.

This is just like the ability to make mistakes, discover new things and solve problems which are becoming less and less with the advent of the all powerful, all knowing internet. 

So, why can't we let our children out to play like they used to and why are they spending so much time indoors in front of the computer? 

One reason is that there are now incredibly sophisticated computer games that can have kids hooked from as young as 6 years or sometimes younger, it’s a worrying situation we are in, which parents are letting their kids play. 

This has been attributed to parents working longer hours and not having time to  play with their children but even so, there's just more to do inside now.

So, is there any hope for our over fed, under-thinking, over pampered kids?

Well, of course, and despite these statistics, they certainly don’t tell the whole story. 

 

There are of course many wonderful children that still play outside and are allowed to make mistakes and grow up naturally. And this is partly why I have created the Wooden Toy Gallery, because it allows children to be children, to discover, explore, be boisterous, challenge themselves and enjoy nature in all it’s glorious beauty.

I mean, childrens wooden toys can have a profound affect on children and I recently read this wonderful comment in a blog post which asked if children still played with wooden toys:

Little girl, Real people stock photo by www.pixmac.com

 I use my scrap cut-offs to make wooden cars, trains, trucks, etc. for my small grandchildren. They loved them! They loved them so much I tried an experiment and just made different shaped and sized pieces from the scrap, not even fashioning them into anything recognizable. Same reaction - delight! Kids will use their imaginations to turn anything into something that amuses, challenges and intrigues them.

What a wonderful experience to read about. Just imagine how incredible it would be to get that reaction from your kids every time you bought them something new!

It’s an exciting world that we live in with more possibilities and opportunities for our children then ever before but what we must be careful of is overexposing them to the wrong things that stifle their natural creative abilities and actually let them be at one with nature and discover things for themselves.

What a wonder that would be. 

Saks Street Sweets Truck Delivers Sweets Ahead of Fashion's Night Out

Saks is the new Father Christmas! Delivering sweets to excitable kids all over the city, lucky kids! Wouldn't it be even more amazing if they were even giving away childrens wooden toys too!

"Saks has been announcing the locations daily on its Twitter, @saks. What a fun idea."

Saks Street Sweets Truck Delivers Sweets Ahead of Fashion's Night Out

via ShoppingBlog.com on 9/9/10

Saks Fifth Avenue has its Saks Street Sweets Truck out on missions delivering sweets as a countdown to Fashion's Night Out on Friday, September 10th. Saks has been announcing the locations daily on its Twitter, @saks. What a fun idea.

Photo: Saks Fifth Avenue

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The Fjällräven Kanken Rucksack, a Swedish Eco-Design Classic and great for carrying Childrens wooden toys

"Check out these great Fjällräven Kanken rucksacks! I have to tell you about them as they are a classic amongst the eco-designs nowadays. I first spotted these slightly odd-looking bags in London"

http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/treehuggersite/~3/nJWanYllISM/the-fjallraven-kanken-rucksack-a-swedish-eco-design-classic.php

Don't forget, these are great for carrying your childrens wooden toys.

GIVEAWAY Child Locator with Alert

"Losing your child in a crowded place must be one of the most terrifying moments in any parent's life.  Even if your child is only gone for a few seconds."

This article has a free child alert giveaway, it's worth a look:

http://www.mommylivingthelifeofriley.com/2010/09/giveaway-child-locator-alert-feature-precious-kid-arv-40/

And when they've been really good you can always give them some beautiful Childrens wooden toys.

The History Of Wooden Toys | Toddler | Toys For Children

Childrens wooden toys have been around for a very long time and they will be around even longer. This lovely article gives a wonderful Account of the history of wooden toys.

http://toys.for-children.info/the-history-of-wooden-toys

Kids: they dance before they learn there is anything that isn't music.  ~William Stafford

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