4 Facts You Didn’t Know About Handmade Wooden Toys

Find the answers to all of your handmade wooden toy questions right here.

Chances are, if you’re reading this, you’ve got some questions about handmade wooden toys! You’re here because you care about your family — you want to make sure you’re making the best decisions for them. 

You care about the little things, and toy-buying is no different. 

Have you stood in the toy aisle at the store comparing toys? You’ve noticed the obvious price gap between a generic plastic toy and a quality wooden toy. You went to the store intending to buy a wooden toy, but in the end, the price convinced you to put it back.

Have you been researching wooden toys, trying to make the best decision? You hear all these great things about wooden toys, but there’s got to be some disadvantages, right? You want to know all about that, too. 

Whether you’re new to buying handmade wooden toys or have been purchasing them for some time, these are probably questions you’ve had at one time or another. 

Do handmade wooden toys make up most of your child’s toy collection? Even so, you’ve always wondered why they’re so expensive. Or maybe you’re thinking about making the switch to wooden toys, but you want the lowdown before you take that leap.

I get it! Buying handmade wooden toys can definitely feel like an investment (because it is!). And before we make any worthwhile investments, we like to do our research, right? In this case, the investment is going toward the future of our children — the overall benefits they receive from handcrafted wooden toys. 

Because we only want the best for our children, we need all the info. Even on something so simple as toys.

Why are wooden toys so expensive?

A common objection to handmade wooden toys is that they’re expensive. And while this is true, there’s usually a reason for it. Now, I want to clarify something up front: some wooden toys are expensive due to the brand or advertising. 

For example, wooden toys labeled Montessori are often marked up. This is because Montessori toys are trendy and desirable, and many people don’t actually understand what makes a toy Montessori.

In this same vein, many well-known wooden toy companies upcharge considerably, simply because they can. I’m not referring to any of these reasons when talking about the expense of handmade wooden toys. 

Actually, I’m not talking about large companies at all, so keep that in mind. I’m specifically talking about small, independent wooden toy companies, like PoppyBabyCo.

The materials used for quality wooden toys cost more. Real wood is more expensive than materials used for other toys, such as plastic or plywood (used for cheap wooden toys). The cost of wood has to be factored into the price of the toy. 

You may end up paying more if you’re purchasing handmade wooden toys from a sustainable, eco-friendly company. More effort (time and money) goes into sustainably sourcing wood, following ethical practices, and using eco-friendly products. Non-toxic paints and oils also impact the price of high-quality wooden toys.

Instead of mass-producing, handcrafted wooden toys are made in small batches by skilled artisans. Each toy is carefully and painstakingly carved, sanded, painted, or finished to create the high-quality wooden toys you purchase for your children. This process takes quite a bit of time, and these talented workers are generally paid a fair wage. 

All of this adds up. A handmade wooden toy may seem outrageously priced on your end. Try to keep in mind the materials, labor, and time that goes into each hand-carved wooden toy — the price is necessary for small companies to make a profit.

What are the disadvantages of wooden toys?

In recent years, handmade wooden toys have become increasingly popular due to their many benefits and attractive displays. There’s no denying that wooden toys have many advantages, but are there any disadvantages? And what are they?

Here are a few disadvantages of wooden toys. 

Wooden toys are expensive.

First, the cost can absolutely be seen as a disadvantage. We’ve already explained the reason for high price tags on wooden toys, but that doesn’t necessarily make people any more willing to open their wallets. 

But, the flipside to this is that handcrafted wooden toys are an investment. And, when purchased from a reputable company, they have the capability to last for years to come. So buying handmade wooden toys up front may cost more, but will often save you money down the line.

Wooden toys may show more wear.

Over time, handmade wooden toys may show more wear than a plastic toy would. Wooden toys will have nicks, dents, scratches, and scuffs as a testament to the love children have shown them through play. 

Wooden toys may break or splinter.

Yes, handmade wooden toys have the propensity to break or splinter at some point, especially if they’re thrown around a lot. This is less common in high-quality wooden toys, but there is still the possibility of a toy breaking. 

High-quality wooden toys are tested and sanded to ensure a smooth surface. And wooden toys that do break can often be glued back together.

Regardless of the quality of your handmade wooden toys, you should often inspect them to make sure no pieces have broken or splintered, as that could cause injury to your little one.

Are wooden toys better for development?

The short answer is yes! Wooden toys are great for development. Wooden toys provide the opportunity for so much cognitive growth, such as:

Handmade wooden toys encourage children to use their imagination much more than most plastic toys do. This, in turn, stimulates cognitive development.

Are wooden toys safe?

Handcrafted wooden toys are completely safe as long as they are purchased from a reputable brand. They are made from natural materials and are much safer than plastic toys, which contain quite a few toxic chemicals. 

Overall, we believe the pros of handmade wooden toys far outweigh the cons. But the important question is: what do you think? Let us know in the comments!

And when you’re ready, shop PoppyBabyCo’s expansive collection of handmade wooden toys!