Wooden toys are a particularly good choice for classical toys that you are likely to keep and possibly even pass down through the generations.Toddler toys like blocks, pull toys, figurines for the circus or Noah's Arc, pirate ships and ride ons are excellent candidates for wood. For slightly older children, think of the abacus, puppets, trophies, chess, checkers, trains and planes. It is worth investing a little more in classic pieces and passing them through the family.While there are many excellent wooden toys available, they are generally not seen on the shelves of traditional toy shops and department stores. You will have to go to specialist stores or check out our toy sellers for classic wooden toys or check out Eco Children Shop.
One rule of thumb when you are choosing a wooden toy is that if it is cheap, there is probably a reason. The things to consider apart from how robustly a toy is built are: glues, paint or sealants, wood components and other chemicals that may have been added in order to preserve, strengthen or make the toy functional. Avoid toys made from manufactured wood as they are usually glued together with glues that contain VOCs and formaldehyde. Paints may also contain VOCs. There are hundreds of different VOCs, but a typical paint might contain a cocktail of benzene, toluene, methylene chloride, methyl chloroform, ethylene glycol, vinyl chloride and mercury. Be careful to select toys made from sustainable timber. Choose toys made from sustainable woods such as bamboo, cane and maple. Avoid unsustainable woods such as mahogany and teak.
There are two main problems with VOCs - human health, and the health of the planet. For most people, the worst they will suffer from the outgassing of VOCs are headaches and perhaps some dizziness or drowsiness. But it's not uncommon for VOCs also to irritate the eyes, nose and sinuses. Other more serious side-effects can be shortness of breath, nausea and depression.