Tuesday 12 October 2010

Safe Wooden Rocking Horses for Toddlers

ne traditional toy that is still loved today are rocking horses. Wooden rocking horses were first made approximately two hundred years ago becoming more and more popular amongst the middle classes through the 19th century. During the industrial revolution rocking horses manufactured in London, England became the most desirable with the dapple grey variety even being given royal approval by Queen Victoria herself. As the 19th century progressed so rocking horses became increasingly popular across the world as a 'must have' toy for any affluent household with children. This trend has continued through the 20th and into the 21st century. Traditional wooden rocking horses are highly desirable but would probably prove to be far too expensive for the average household and are very much the reserve of the wealth. The traditional rocking horse style makes them very heavy and somewhat like a piece of furniture that needs space around it so that it can admired for it's craftsmanship as much as it's use as a toy. The whole idea of a rocking horse has of course manifested itself into many forms and formats over the years. In newer designs there has been a move away from the bulky wooden horse to more lightweight designs that can be picked up and moved around far more easily. There are also designs of rocking horses for toddlers that are situated far closer to the ground making them safer and with a flat seat and back support much easier for a toddler to sit on. There are various manufacturers that produce rocking horses for toddlers many of the horses produced are more caricatured than actually aiming to sculpt a horse's head and body in a more realistic form. They can take on the look of other animals as well as like cows or elephants, these ride-on-toys are more fun to play with and can sometimes accommodate 2 or more children. All in all wooden rocking horses have always been loved by children the main difference now is that the principle mechanism of how they work has been evolved allowing them to be used by many other children.

Traditional Wooden Rocking Horses More Akin To Furniture

Always iconic, wooden rocking horses in some ways resemble a piece of furniture to be admired more than a toy that a child would use on a day to day basis. Having said that rocking horses have developed over the years to become much more fun and safe. Some of the designs available represent modern styled furniture - layered ply that has been curved to form undulating shapes that are smooth to the touch. Rather than the traditional style of rocking horse that more closely resembles it's living subject. Fine crafted detail that follows the lines and form of a real horse with a flowing mane and tail. Although traditional style wooden rocking horses are still made their high cost often puts them out of the range of most people. The modern variety that have utilised different materials that are cheaper can be manufactured far cheaper and are much more available to households with more modest incomes.

Wednesday 6 October 2010

Why Buy a Pull Along Toy for a Toddler

It is important to choose good toys for children to use as they develop from a baby to a toddler to child. One such toy is a pull along toy this is one of the most basic toys that can be provided to a child but also one of the most rewarding. By the age of 18 months most toddlers can walk quite well. At this age a children's pull toy can start to be used as it was intended to be and can be a lot of fun for a child. The pull along toy will help them to develop balance and coordination as they take their new friend on various trips. There are also wooden push along toys available which normally consists of the wheeled toy but instead of a string there is a wooden handle attached that allows for it to be pushed rather than pulled. Sometimes a baby that is turning into a young toddler may find a push toy easier to cope with depending on their abilities.

Browny A Pull Along Dog with Style

There are many pull along dogs available for children. Many of them are made of wood and have little clever features that make them different from each other. Pull Along Pals are large semi-realistic dogs that flex in the middle making them easy to go walking with. Browny by Djeco has to be the cutest pull along dog with a solid body, crazy flapping ears and fast wagging tail. all packaged up with a bright pink details and wheels.

Inspiring Wooden Pull Along Toys by Djeco

Djeco make some wonderful pull along toys that are quirky and fun. Each pull toy has a unique style and look that places them above many of the other pull along toys on the market. For example, Maggy, this beautifully decorated cow is made from solid wood. When she is pulled the bell rings on the tail, her head jiggles and her eyes roll, which makes for a unique pull along.

There is also Browny, who is a delightful puppy sized pull along dog made from wood. When he is pulled the tail wags, tongue swings from side to side and eyes roll. The combination of bright colours make s him a stand out dog toy.

Djeco make many more pull and push along toys for children and toddlers.

Environmentally Friendly Wooden Pull Along Toys Manufacturers

As children learn to play so the toys that they are introduced to can become fundamental in their wider understanding of the world and their development both physically and mentally. There is a myriad of toys available for children. Some are good and some are bad (literally). This means that it can prove to be a minefield for parents when choosing toys for their little ones and trying to make the right choice for them so they can benefit in an educational way. One way to choose is to look at manufacturers to see how they stand up in the market place and to see what awards and accolades they have won. Plan Toys is one such company that has high credentials in a world of toys that are often resource intensive and are produced purely for profit. Plan Toys make wooden toys that are fun, educational and environmentally friendly like wooden pull along toys for toddlers. The education wooden toys for children that they produce are incredibly well made with the timber used being sourced from sustainable rubber tree plantation that have reached the end of their usable life. Plan have won many awards through the years and in many way lead by example as to what responsible toy manufacturing is all about. There are other manufacturers such as I'm Toy who run a very similar model.

Wooden Swings, Play Centres and Climbing Frames for Smaller Gardens

Having a small garden does not mean that your outdoor space has to be small on ideas for your children. There is no need to limit your space to a small lawn or bare concrete with no wooden swings or climbing frames or no visual interest or activity for the kids. With a little thought and effort you can transform your space into something that is usable and enjoyable for your children. Wooden swings and climbing frames come in a wide range of shapes and size and some of those forms are on the smaller side. For example Plum Product have a couple of climbing frames thaat fit into smaller gardens. Firstly there is the Plum Steenbuck Play Centre which is a great wooden activity play centre and slide with play den, canopy and play decks. The frame encourages outdoor play and exercise and is great fun when friends come to play. Made from premium FSC certified timber with a manufacturers warranty against wood rot and insect damage. And there is the Plum My First Play Centre which is a great play climbing frame for younger children. As it is a low structure ground anchors are not required. The set has a generous play den, rock climbing wall and 4ft slide. This play centre will certainly encourage outdoor play and exercise. Made with FSC certified timber and a manufacturers warranty against wood rot and insect damage.