by Beth Beaney, Executive Babywearing Consultant at LTBN
At the time of originally writing this article, Halloween had just passed. It was THAT time of year again. It always feels like ‘that’ time of year again from about August, when we all go shopping and BAM! the aisles are lined with mince pies and chocolate boxes *le sigh*. There is fun to be had though, and lots of it!
So let's talk about toys. As a child, the word can fill you with a giddy joy that leaps in your heart. As a parent, it can leave you with a fearful, jelly-like feeling in the pit of your stomach.
As parents ourselves, we don't consider Grimm's Wooden Toys as just toys - they're much more than that.
They are a gift - a gift to the eye in the bold colours.
A gift in the hand, so tactile and soothing.
And a gift to the imagination.
They are shape, they are colour and they are texture.
Everything else comes from within, from the heart, from the head - dictated by mood, developmental stage and fleeting, whimsical yet profound dreams and desires. They are one thing one day, and something completely different the next. They are exactly what your child wants them to be or needs them to be at any time.
Grimm’s wooden toys are so tactile and soothing and a gift to the imagination.
We often hear parents say 'Yes, they're very colourful and they're all very pretty, but what do they actually do?!?'
The whole point is that Grimm's wooden toys don't do anything. They are colour, they are shape. It's what your child does with them that is amazing.
And with that, they are everything, and they do everything at once.
Where you see some wooden blocks, a child will see a village, a castle, a farm, a landscape, or a tool to help with counting and colour recognition, encouraging learning and imagination.
In themselves, they are stunning, hand-crafted, heirloom-quality toys. Made from sustainable European wood, they are dyed with water-based non-toxic paints, and often look just as good as ornaments as children's toys. They have been a firm favourite in our house for many years, and continue to be to this day.
The best Grimm's toys aren't necessarily the big pieces, such as the rainbows or the or the big puzzles; the smaller pieces will enchant your child's imagination just as much.
Let's answer some of the most commonly asked questions we hear.
Are Grimm's Toys Expensive?
Grimm's wooden toys may seem expensive at first, however when you consider that fact that the wood is sustainably sourced from forests in the EU, that they are made in the EU and that they are hand-finished and hand-painted with non-toxic water-based paints, you begin to see that it's the quality you're paying for. These toys are heirloom quality and will last for generations. Plus, when your child has finished playing with them, they do look great as decorative pieces.
Are Grimm's Toys Worth It?
Absolutely! When you think about how your child will play with them, Grimm's toys allow your child to explore deep, free play, that will entertain for hours. Contrast this with toys that beep or make noises, or move in a certain way - these toys tell your child what they do. Yet with Grimm's wooden toys, it's up to your child to decide how they will play with the toys, and what each individual piece will be or do. In this sense, then, they are invaluable.
Where Are Grimm's Toys Made?
They're sustainably made in the EU, which goes a long way to explaining their cost.
Where Can I Buy Grimm's Toys?
Right here of course!
I hope you found this article helpful. Please get in touch or email me - beth@lovetobenatural.co.uk - if you'd like any further info on Grimm's Wooden Toys or advice on any products at all.
Beth Beaney is the Founder of and Executive Babywearing Consultant at LTBN. She's been a qualified babywearing consultant for 12 years, and has helped hundreds of families of all needs carry their babies safely and comfortably. Find her on Twitter @lovetobenatural_LTBN