Introduction
When we buy toys for children, we may consider many factors. Are these toys fun? Are the priced fairly? Are they well made? Are they suitable for gift for my niece? As important as these questions are, the most important thing to consider is safety.
At Ningbo TookyToy, we specialize in choosing the best wood for our toys. So, join us, we will explain you, how to choose safe wood for our children’s toys.
FSC-approved woods in our wooden toy designs. Let’s stay chemical-free and family-friendly, with the safest wood for kids’ toys.
What is FSC Approved Wood?
FSC stands for the Forest Stewardship Council, an international non-profit organization that promotes responsible management of the world’s forests. FSC certification is a voluntary third-party certification system that verifies that forest products, including wood, come from responsibly managed forests.
FSC-certified wood is wood that has been sourced from forests that have been certified by the Forest Stewardship Council as being managed sustainably and responsibly. This means that the wood has been harvested in a way that maintains the ecological integrity of the forest, respects the rights of workers, and provides benefits to local communities.
When you open an FSC-certified wooden toy, you can be confident that the wood comes from a forest that has been responsibly managed and that your purchase supports sustainable forestry practices.
Safest Wood for Children’s Toys
Hardwoods
Hardwood refers to wood that comes from deciduous trees, which are trees that lose their leaves each year. Hardwood is generally denser and harder than softwood, which comes from evergreen trees. Hardwoods are often used in furniture, flooring, and cabinetry because of their durability and strength. Examples of hardwoods include oak, beech, maple, mahogany, cherry, etc.
No matter what wood is in use, hardwoods are always one of the safest bets for keeping wooden warriors happy for years to come. Simply put, hardwoods are made to last. Whether chewed by toddler’s teeth or stepped on by seniors, hardwoods are dense enough to take a bite and hurt a foot, whilst remaining fit for future generations to come. Whilst softwoods are less expensive and utilized by some companies for toy production, splintering can make them a danger for smaller items. So, when it comes to knowing what wood is safe for children’s toys, the harder, the better.
Best in Beech – Beech wood is a luxury choice for making wooden toys because it is a strong, durable, and fine texture beautiful wood. It is easy to work with and is resistant to warping or splitting, making it a great choice for toys that will be handled and played with often.
Beechwood is also non-toxic, meaning it is safe for children to handle and play with. It is important to use non-toxic materials when making toys for children, as they may put them in their mouths or come into contact with their skin.
With a light color and a smooth surface that can be easily painted or stained to add color and visual interest to the toy, beech wood can be used in a variety of ways to create wooden toys. Here are some examples:
Building blocks: Beech wood is often used to create building blocks for children. The wood is cut into various sizes and shapes and sanded to create smooth surfaces. These blocks can be used to create towers, buildings, and other structures.
Dollhouses: Beechwood is a popular choice for creating dollhouses. The wood can be used to create the walls, floors, and furniture for the dollhouse. Beechwood can be painted or stained to create different colors and finishes.
Puzzles: Beechwood can be cut into various shapes to create puzzles. The wood is sanded to create smooth edges and surfaces. These puzzles can be educational and entertaining for children.
Vehicles: Beechwood can be used to create wooden vehicles such as cars, trucks, and trains. The wood can be shaped using a lathe or other woodworking tools to create the desired shape. The vehicles can be painted or left natural to showcase the wood grain.
Here are two TookyToy’s best seller beechwood-made toys for reference:
- Bear shape Tower
Originally designed by TookyToy’s designer team, this toy is suitable for 12m+ babies, made of beech wood and wood-plastic material (another eco-friendly material), it is very cute and colorful.The toy can help children learn about colors, shapes, sizes, and patterns. Assembling and stacking the different shapes on the tower can help improve hand-eye coordination, dexterity, and control of the hands and fingers. Figuring out which shape fits where and how to stack them on the tower can help develop problem-solving skills. What’s more, the toy can help children develop spatial awareness and understanding of how objects fit together.
- Wooden stacking Stone
This toy is suitable for 3y+ kids, we have both 16pcs and 32pcs versions. Made of 100% beechwood and coated with eco-friendly paint. It is natural, safe, non-toxic, and exquisitely crafted. The hand-polishing process ensures a smooth, burr-free surface for better child play. Unlike traditional building blocks, the stone blocks have many flat cut surfaces so the stones can be stacked and kids can stack different shapes of stones to the highest; it is a better way to stimulate a child’s sense of challenge and develop their hands-on skills, promote creativity, resilience, and persistence and to strengthen fine motor skills, visual-spatial skills, color recognition and thus training logical thinking.
When kids enjoy it on their own, it is a great toy to improve their patience and develop independent thinking and logical reasoning skills. When children and parents are engrossed in the game together, it becomes a great interactive game that promotes their bonding. Also, this delightful stacking toy can be used as a unique home décor item to add a touch of romance to the house.
Maple Wood
When it comes to satisfying child chewers, maple is potentially the safest wood for kids’ toys. Wooden teething toys can be a lifesaver when it comes to defeating the dummy and pacifying the pacifier. Plastic-free and finished with natural oils and bee waxes, maple toys and teethers avoid chemical catastrophes, making them ideal for growing gums to be soothed in total safety. Maple’s high density keeps it safe from splintering, whilst its naturally hypoallergenic properties will keep little ones’ mouths in perfect working order.
What about Softwoods?
On the other side of the solid wood spectrum are softwoods. Softwood is commonly used in the production of wooden toys due to its availability, affordability, and ease of working with. Softwood is typically obtained from coniferous trees such as pine, spruce, or fir.
In the manufacturing of wooden toys, softwood is first cut into desired shapes and sizes using saws and other cutting tools. The wood is then sanded to remove any rough surfaces or sharp edges that could potentially harm children during play.
Once the wooden pieces have been cut and sanded, they can be painted or stained to create the desired color and finish. Some toy makers may also add non-toxic sealants or coatings to protect the wood from moisture and wear.
Softwood is often preferred over hardwood for toy making because it is lightweight and easy to carve, which allows toy makers to create intricate designs and shapes. Additionally, softwood is less likely to splinter than hardwood, which is an important safety consideration for children’s toys.
What about MDF/Plywood?
Frankly speaking, MDF/plywood/compressed wood toys may have almost just as many chemicals as plastic toys. Often times MDF wood is touted as being “green” and sold as “wood toys.” However, MDF is an engineered wood that consists of wood fibers and wood powder material pressed and bonded together with an adhesive. MDF this adhesive is known to have formaldehyde, which is a known carcinogen. However, while the process of making MDF is said to have certain levels of toxicity which we don’t particularly want, technically the risk of exposure disappears once it is finished and sealed. Now, not all MDF products are made the same. Some MDF woods will adhere to higher standards (lower toxicity levels) than others, but it is up to the consumer to determine this from product to product.
Ultimately, while MDF is considered “safe” as long as it is finished and sealed, it is a bit concerning that MDF is not that “safe” in its longevity. MDF easily gets swollen from water damage. Toys that cannot handle any type of fluid just don’t last long, especially around babies and children. Secondly, the safety of MDF comes into question, particularly for babies who tend to mouth toys and anything within reach.
While MDF toys tend to be much cheaper than solid wood toys, the risks involved in it, particularly as they become worn, may not be worth it. Moreover, in an effort to be more eco-friendly, choosing MDF “wooden” toys may be counter-productive as damaged toys will more likely be sent to the landfill instead of the next kid – and all these seem to defeat the purpose of “going eco-friendly”.
Conclusion
When buying for the most important little people in our lives, knowing the safest wood for kids’ toys is vital. At Ningbo TookyToy, we will choose the most suitable materials for the creation of our entire range of wooden toys and games. So, the next time you find yourself asking “How to choose safe wood for Children’s Toys?”, we are here as your No.1 source for the safest and greatest wooden toy supplier!
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