Wooden Toys Blog Posts

These days it seems that every toy manufacturer is making their own version of a classic wooden toy. Because of this, we often get asked what the difference is between a $5 wooden toy and a $15 wooden toy? Or, is there any real difference? Good question! The answer is yes, there is a difference.

There are several components to consider when selecting wooden toys – the wood itself, the glue used to connect pieces together, the sealant and/or paint and any other pieces/components of the toy such as metal pins, cotton cords, etc.

Wood

For the wood, we always look for toys that are made from solid wood, as opposed to pressed wood, plywood or MDF, which are much cheaper materials but require the use of toxic glue during production. This type of glue contains formaldehyde, a volatile organic chemical (VOC) which will off-gas (emit this chemical as a vapor for a long time) and is ultimately linked to several health issues including leukemia and cancer.

Glue Read more...

“I do it!”  This is a phrase that every parent of a toddler is quite familiar with.  It’s between 18 and 36 months that children begin to develop their sense of independence.  Toddlers have a mind of their own.  They know what they want and their personalities are beginning to emerge.  It’s also a booming time for language development as well as for gross and fine motor skills.  

The two’s are a terrific time to engage with your child through interactive play.  Important developmental milestones for this age group include stacking, sorting and emerging pretend play.  But, in order for toddlers to develop these skills, they need developmentally appropriate toys.  Here are six of our favorite non-toxic toddler toys that kids and parents will love. Read more...

Kids love rainbows. They're fun to draw, fun to see after a rainstorm and just one of the many systems of order that kids love to learn. My daughter used to correct me when I'd say purple was the last color of the rainbow. "Mom (drawn out as Mahhhm), it's violet!" I understand her love of rainbows....I proudly sported a rainbowed-out winter coat as a kid.

At MightyNest, we're also drawn to rainbows, especially in our natural toy selection. We certainly love a set of natural-finish wooden blocks but we also appreciate companies who make safe, water-based dyes and stains for gorgeously colored toys. In fact, most of the toys we carry at MightyNest use stains for color so there isn't the worry of chipped paint making its way into a baby's mouth.  These lead-free stains are also certified as non-toxic and conform to European standards of safety. Read more...

The feel of a wooden toy is magnificent. The simplicity and tradition of the crafting ties generations of people together. We are thrilled to have some new and timeless toys from Maple Landmark here at MightyNest.

Mancala, shown below, is a beautiful and fun game to have at home. Leave out on the coffee table and you'll be sure to have impromptu games happening in your house. Beyond the aesthetic bonus of the object, playing also allows your kids to practice their counting, while they scoop up and deposit the smooth, colorful glass stones into the hand carved wooden wells.

The word mancala means "to move" in Arabic. The game of mancala consists of moving your stones around the game board and capturing your opponent's stones. The player that ends up with the most stones at the end of the game wins the game. Read more...

Kids love stacking toys!  Especially curious toddlers.  I was so happy to get my Melissa and Doug stacker, a few years back, when my oldest was a toddler.  

Then I noticed it chipping.  My daughter mouthed everything.  

Then I heard that Melissa and Doug toys are made in China, and I thought of all that red paint.  Ugh! 

Next I read that some of their stacking toys had been recalled in Canada, for containing barium.  Here's a post I wrote about it over at Non-Toxic Kids.   Read more...

Wow, things are getting exciting (and a little crazy) here at MightyNest World Headquarters! We’re busy getting ready for the holidays – working to add the option for gift wrapping, ordering lots of new inventory and coming up with some pretty cool marketing ideas (you’ll hear more about that next week).

Speaking of inventory, MightyNest reached a new milestone last week – our very first semi-truck delivery! Imagine my surprise when this guy showed up at the door to tell me I had a delivery, only he didn't have any boxes with him. After a moment of confusion passed between us he pointed behind him (outside) where I saw it - a big, bright orange semi-truck! Seven trips later I found myself surrounded by seven piles of boxes (almost as tall as me) - it turns out we ordered so many cool toys from Plan Toys for the holidays that it was too much to send by UPS, USPS and even FedEx! Not quite as cool as Santa’s sleigh but I’ll take it! Now I just have to figure out how to unload it all and get these products up on the site for everyone to see! Read more...

We love this little drum by Plan Toys. I’d been wanting to get a few non-plastic instruments for my girls. Sure, there are lots of cheap plastic instruments to be had out there at any Toys R Us, but that isn’t what I was looking for.

I wanted an eco-friendly and safe instrument and Plan Toys are known for this. They are made from non-toxic, natural materials and the company is trustworthy and green. I’ve never heard of a recall or problem with the safety of their toys. According to their website: PlanToys practices the "Three R's" of green living: Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle. Our manufacturing processes are designed to reduce waste and save energy. We reuse materials, and have introduced innovative methods to recycle paper and other products. We are always looking for new ways to improve and preserve our environment.

The drum itself is lovely. The perfect size for a toddler, it has three areas that provide different sound when they are hit. The drum can also be played by hand. My girls have enjoyed playing this drum from ages 1- 4, and still do. Read more...

I can’t say enough about the lasting quality of wooden toys.  At least once a year my kids and I clean out their toy box and throw away all of the tiny pieces that have long since lost their way back to the “ Mother Ship. “

As we root through this giant mess, the few wooden toys my children own are always in good shape and my kids are always sentimental about them. They have long since outgrown them but are in no mood to share them with another child.  Back in the box they go - perhaps for grandkids one day.

Studies show that kids who are allowed to express themselves without rules and participate in open-ended projects, develop free expression and problem solving skills as well as valuable mental and social development

They can make a tugboat, tractor or truck, or a little of all three and decorate it with colorful non-toxic paint, crayons or stickers. Or perhaps they’ll leave it plain. Read more...