Why Plush Toys & Wooden Toys Are Better Than Plastic Toys

Nov 23

Besides the fact that the materials used to make plush toys and wooden toys are much safer for children to play with, they can also improve their intellectual development, spatial awareness, and problem solving abilities. In addition, these toys are better for the environment because they are made from natural materials instead of plastic. Here are a few more specific reasons:

Phthalates

Hundreds of millions of pounds of phthalates are used each year in consumer products. These chemicals are known to disrupt hormones and can also be linked to behavioural and metabolic disorders. Phthalates are chemicals that are used in toys to make them softer and more flexible. They are also used to add color to certain products. In addition, phthalates are often used to make plastics soft, such as vinyl. There are six phthalates that the government has identified as being harmful to children, including Bisphenol A (BPA), Cyclohexane-1,2-dicarboxylic acid-diisononyl ester (CHD), Diisononyl phthalate (DINP), Diisodecyl phthalate (DIDP), and Diisononyl phthalate/diisononyl chloride (DNOP/DINCH). The CPSIA, which went into effect in February 2009, banned the use of six phthalates in children's toys. The ban applies to toys, games, and other child care articles designed for play by children 12 years old or younger. A number of consumer groups have released a list of toys tested for toxic chemicals. Many products contain BPA and lead, and others contain brominated flame retardants that have been associated with human carcinogens.

wooden toys from Diddams Party & Toy Store

Wooden toys and plush toys are safer in general

Compared to plastic toys, wooden toys are a lot safer. Not only are they better for the environment, they are also safer for your little one. The most obvious reason is that wooden toys don't leak toxins. Plastic toys are known for leaching chemicals into the environment after being thrown out.

Wooden toys also last longer than their plastic counterparts. Plastic toys require resources to refine, while wooden toys are more likely to be recycled. Wooden toys also promote learning and imagination because they are often unfinished, which allows your child to explore the materials and build their own creations. Wooden toys also provide sensory input, promoting gross motor skills. While wooden toys can be more expensive than their plastic counterparts, they may be worth the little bit of additional cost. Plastic toys often have small pieces that come off easily, which could be choking hazards. You may want to consider choosing toys from a sustainable source.

wooden toy from Diddams Party & Toy Store

Wooden toys improve children's numerical, literary, spatial awareness and problem solving abilities

Whether it's a building block set, a puzzle or just a toy box, wood is friendlier to kids than plastic rivals. Both wood toys and plush toys are available at Diddams Party & Toy Store in California. It's also more environmentally friendly. Wood can be recycled. Playing with natural materials is also known to have a positive effect on children.

A wooden puzzle is a fun way for kids to learn about numbers, spatial awareness, and problem solving. It's also a fun way to develop hand-eye coordination and creative thinking.

Using a wooden toy can have a bigger impact on your child's cognitive development than you might think. This is because it provides a more natural way for your child to interact with the world. Unlike plastic toys, wooden toys are durable and don't have easily breakable pieces.

Large wooden toys in particular are also a great way to encourage teamwork in children. It's important for children to develop this skill as they'll be expected to work together in classrooms and on playgrounds.

plastic toys

Plastic toys pose a unique challenge for recycling centers

Choosing eco-friendly toys can be a challenge, but it makes sense for environmental and economic reasons. Plastic toys are a major environmental concern. The manufacturing process of plastic releases toxic chemicals into the air. Some of these chemicals include acetone, benzene, and toluene. The lack of regulation has allowed toxic additives to cycle into recycled materials. Among these are per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), a group of chemicals known for their ability to suppress the immune response of the body. In addition, decaBDE, a carcinogenic flame retardant, has been found in children's toys made from recycled plastics.

Some manufacturers have started to accept old toys for recycling. However, most municipal recycling programs don't accept rigid plastic toys. Instead, they accept soft toys, electronic toys, and game pieces.

Many parents find themselves wondering what to do with their kids' outgrown toys. Thankfully, there are ways to keep plastic waste to a minimum.