Wooden toys - Page 2

[dogretro]

Originally Posted by boatbaby

Can I play devil's advocate? I think on of the things that rubs me the wrong way about the lists of "must have" Waldorf toys are the brand names that go along with them. Why do the wooden animals have to be Holztiger? Why do the stackers have to be Speil & Holz? And why do people feel compelled to always mention the brand name of their wooden toys? To me, it's just as bad as saying "My Nike shoes." or "My son's Ralph Lauren jacket." Wooden open ended toys are wooden open ended toys. And it shouldn't matter if your grandpa made them, if you got them at the thrift store, if they are from etsy, or if you paid full price for the most popular brand.

Am I alone on this?

I'm also going to disagree. I found this out when I inquired on MDC about Melissa & Doug toys and learned that they are inferior wooden toys. Inferior meaning that the paint chips off like crazy and some wood has broken & splintered. We have also received the odd M&D toy as a gift & they have always been junky. So, no, just like everything else, all wooden toys are not the same. I do not purchase M&D toys b/c I see it as a waste of money. A lot of non-European wooden toys are made in China by companies who also manufacture cheap plastic crap, so how can I be sure they are safe, too? A stick is a fine plaything until it has been dipped in arsenic.

[stellimamo]

[QUOTE=JudiAU;15822016]

Originally Posted by boatbaby

Can I play devil's advocate? QUOTE]


Spiel and Holz is another good example. Those elemental stackers are unusual, hold up to tons of play, veggie dyed, and although I've seen a couple versions on etsy they aren't as well designed.

While the Spiel and Holz are dyed with non-toxic, water based dyes the dye they use is not a vegetable based dye.

[lyrebird]

Ok, let's just say we all probably have a little materialistic streak, but I think it can be a positive one - putting an emphasis on aesthetics is not the same as evil materialism. So starting out slowly would be advisable - I love some of the suggestions like using a cardboard box for a stove/oven etc., though if the resources are there it would be difficult to resist getting a whole load of lovely toys. I have found it useful finding out about one brand over another - I was thinking of getting something by Fagus for DS1's 5th birthday in October, but I'll hunt around a bit more now. I see your point, Boatbaby, but don't let this comment put anyone off mentioning brands or where they got things if they think it's going to be helpful to others, but perhaps think about your motivation before you post

[boatbaby]

Originally Posted by lyrebird

I see your point, Boatbaby, but don't let this comment put anyone off mentioning brands or where they got things if they think it's going to be helpful to others, but perhaps think about your motivation before you post

Absolutely! I am not trying to point fingers. We have many brand name Waldorf toys as well. It was an honest question meant to start an open discussion, not a mean spirited debate.

I agree that melissa and doug wooden toys can't even begin to compare to Ostheimer. Wooden toys are NOT created equal. But there is quality out there that is not the more popular Waldorf brand names too. For example, we LOVE our stackers from Jalu Toys in Canada and I think they are far superior to the Spiel & Holz ones we have. In a comparison like that, it makes all sorts of sense to name drop. Other times it seems gratuitous.

Just something to think about. There are so many people who are "Waldorf curious" and want to make a transition into a Waldorf lifestyle at home, and I worry that the brand names with the high price attached could scare people off. Sometimes it makes sense to compare brands, like with anything. But I think the emphasis needs to be on the spirit of the toy (open ended natural play) and seeking quality where you can find and afford it.

Does that make any sense?

[lyrebird]

Originally Posted by boatbaby

Absolutely! I am not trying to point fingers. We have many brand name Waldorf toys as well. It was an honest question meant to start an open discussion, not a mean spirited debate.

Sorry I'm not suggesting you have started a mean spirited debate at all and I was trying to add to the discussion. I think it has perfect relevance to the topic of acquiring toys for our children. I do think the point is valid and that before people name drop brands they should first question their motivation (is this my materialistic/competitive streak coming out or am I treely ruly trying to be helpful and build a true picture of the possibilities). I'm sure a lot of the times it is the latter, but at times it might be the former. Sorry, this is a bit off topic, but one of the things I have learnt recently is to try to be my own observer/critic a bit more. Before I behave in a certain way - ask myself why I'm about to do something? Being conscious of one's behaviour first. It's a bit new for me and I'm trying to find ways of practising it. That's why I mentioned this.
I always think it's good for people to remember that materialism can be a negative force in the world and accumulating toys CAN be part of that (whether plastic, bad quality wooden OR good quality natural), and CAN set our children up for that in the future too. Might be murky waters here for some...
It would probably pay for all of us to think of play material vs toys first too.

[ourdayourjourney]

i went back to an older posting in which someone wrote in regards to what makes a "waldorf toy" ...

"My DH works at a company that sells "waldorf" toys, and the joke around there is that if they only sold toys they believed are important for childhood, they'd be selling dirt, water, sticks and stones. And maybe a bit of wool.

Really, toys for young children should be beautiful (inherently) and should be warming. So, plastics rob warmth and are often ugly, that points to no plastic. Not all "natural" dolls are made with simple beauty. And so on... Some of it is subjective. The toys are not nearly as important as the spiritual climate of your home."

[jbailey313]

my children are 2 and 4 and we have very little toys but we mostly do have all wood toys I just love the beauty and the durability of wood. Not to mention I try to always buy wood that is processed naturally and non toxic

We have 2 waldorf dolls, a heavy baby (joy's waldorf) and another handmade doll with all limbs (heavy is bunted) This SAHM is an amazing dollmaker 18" Custom Waldorf Doll (a pic of the doll is listed beside the 18" Custom Waldorf Doll) http://hyenacart.com/HillcountryDollmaker/ both dolls are weighted.
We have a haba stroller, the natural color that is used as a stroller, a wagon, a shopping cart, many different things! http://www.amazon.com/Haba-Doll-Pram.../dp/B0002HYDP4
We love our play kitchen here http://www.flickr.com/photos/33798342@N06/3145899401/ from imagine that woodshop on etsy. He is excellent and a wonderful, talented woodworker!!! http://www.etsy.com/shop/imaginethatwoodshop
some food items haba and hand knit plan plates/bowls/utensils, palumba colander, cups and stainless steal food grade cooking small pots and pans.
We have wooden blocks very cheap on Craigslist
a bajo wooden truck with colorful stacker http://www.kaboodle.com/reviews/larg...-red-from-bajo and a few other selecta toys (shape sorter, ball/hammer)
Nesting blocks
music instruments http://www.amazon.com/Sounds-Like-Fu...5294323&sr=8-1
silk scarfs (they use these a lot!) got from a SAHM on diaperswappers.com
learning tower with easel use this a lot and we had a detachable slide made for it!! http://www.amazon.com/Little-Partner...5294380&sr=8-2
train table free on side of the road with all trains/tracks and accessories!
Some ostheimer animals (4 or 5)
plan toys stacker (very open toy!) http://www.amazon.com/Plan-Toys-5313...d_bxgy_t_img_b
And this bus from a toy garden played with a lot, especially the people! http://www.atoygarden.com/index.cfm?...Product_ID=906

Some natural art supplies stockmar blocks, crayons, wax, watercolors, paper. Then natural glue, paper, 4 markers, stamps, coloring books, stickers.

That is it!

All of the toys get played with everyday!!!

Have fun on your journey with wood toys!!

[jbailey313]

Originally Posted by ourdayourjourney

i went back to an older posting in which someone wrote in regards to what makes a "waldorf toy" ...

"My DH works at a company that sells "waldorf" toys, and the joke around there is that if they only sold toys they believed are important for childhood, they'd be selling dirt, water, sticks and stones. And maybe a bit of wool.

Really, toys for young children should be beautiful (inherently) and should be warming. So, plastics rob warmth and are often ugly, that points to no plastic. Not all "natural" dolls are made with simple beauty. And so on... Some of it is subjective. The toys are not nearly as important as the spiritual climate of your home."

Sooo true, my kids can play with rocks, sticks, mud, sand and shells for hours!!!