Why Choose Natural Toys?

Natural toys for children are essentially products made from natural materials, including wood and organic cotton. They tend to be sold in specialty shops and catalogs, although more and more natural and wooden toys these days are finding their way to major retailer shelves. Advocates for natural children’s toys cite many benefits these toys have over battery-operated or plastic alternatives. Here are some of the top reasons given as to why natural toys are a good choice for your children.

Avoid Potential Health Risks

In recent years, there’s been rising concern over the potential health risks posed to children due to harmful chemicals in plastics and the pesticides and fertilizers used on conventionally grown, or non-organic, cotton and other fibers. There’s been much debate over how harmful these products actually are, although recently we’ve seen companies move away from PVUs found in vinyl and BPAs and other phthalates in plastics, water bottles, and so on. The bottom line is that young children have a propensity to cuddle things and put them in their mouths. Thus, many agree that it’s better to be safe and give them chemical-free toys to play with, chew on, and love.

Stay Away from Overstimulation

Many battery-operated toys on the market today combine blinking lights, loud sounds or music, and automated movement—all of which can be difficult for a small child to process. Thus, many of these toys end up overstimulating some children. As many parents have witnessed, for many children, too much stimulation can negatively affect their behavior and even sometimes their attention span.

Spark a Child’s Imagination

Pressing a button to create a response only teaches simple cause and effect, and discourages further exploration and more creative play. When a toy is lacking batteries and therefore doesn’t “think” for the child or direct his or her response, that toy invites a more open-ended type of play. Natural toys tend to foster creativity and spark a child’s imagination. After all, when there’s not so much to distract, the child is invited to focus just on that toy, and the resulting possibilities are endless.

Since natural toys are non-toxic, parents can feel good about having them in their home and around their children. Further, wooden toys and toys made of organic cotton and other natural materials are designed to spark the imagination and encourage exploration, providing hours of fun and enjoyment for any child.