Wooden Toy Patrol

I've been scoping out wooden toy companies. Researching into their standards, beliefs, and practices. And I want to tell you about my top three favs. and why they really float my boat!

Why GTR Loves it: Nothing melts my heart like reusing, reducing, and recycling for new product use! PlanToys reuses materials or uses materials that can be recycled in all of their toys. All of the wooden toys are made from organic Rubberwood from Rubber trees that no longer produce latex. They are dyed using water-based dyes, always non-toxic! Any printed materials are printed using water-based inks, making them easier to recycle or biodegrade. Their glues are non-toxic unlike common wood glues. The toys are high quality and very durable. The toys are fun, educational, and stimulating.

Not Our Fav: They aren't available in mass stores (like Walmart, Target, etc.) at least not in our area. To find these great toys you need to use a boutique or specialty toy store.

GTR's Recommendation: PlanToys Wooden Activity Clock- a great parent teaching tool and a fun toy too! My 3 year old twins love their clock and try to guess what times we do things. They don't quite understand how to tell time but this play clock has them on their way to learning!

Why GTR loves it: Super educational, loads of fun, and you can find them EVERYWHERE! Melissa & Doug sell products other than wooden toys but their wooden toys are one of my favorite types of product that they sell. They are very affordable, especially if you buy them at A.C. Moore craft store, where you can find 40% off coupons online, print and save even more! Melissa & Doug has a giant assortment of toys and they are all educational, which for me is icing on the cake.

Not Our Fav: Melissa & Doug products aren't nearly as environmentally friendly as other companies that are solely dedicated to wooden toys. The paints are lead and metal-material tested and compliant, BUT they aren't water-based dyes which we'd prefer.

GTR's Recommendation: The chunky puzzles! My boys love, love, love these fun chunky puzzles. Our one year old can do them with help and our 3 year olds will pass by the other puzzles for our M&D, chunky puzzles.

ImagiPLAY

Why GTR Loves It: ImagiPLAY, is another amazing company that is unusually environmentally friendly! ImagiPLAY uses all renewable and sustainable materials for their products. Most of their toys are manufactured in small family owned factories around Asia with high work standards. This helps support developing countries. They are also super durable and great quality.

Not Our Fav: Again, not the easiest to find in stores and not sold in large chain stores. This causes them to be a little pricier than other wooden toy brands that are less eco-friendly.

GTR's Recommendation: ImagiPlay's Number Snail puzzle, bright colorful and educational. This is another great parent teaching tool, helps children learn colors and numbers.