Toys built to last – perfect for busy little hands

As a parent, it’s natural to want the best for your little one. As we all know, children learn through play. This means that the toys you choose for your little one are more than just simple objects and shapes. To your child, these are the tools that will help them explore their surroundings and interact with the world around them. Children’s toys can help build a range of skills and abilities, from strengthening their vision and eye movements to hand-eye coordination and their fine and gross motor skills. Suddenly, picking out the best kids toys for your little one seems a whole lot more complicated. 

In this post, we highlight the importance of sustainable toys, choosing wooden toys that are built to last, as well as the importance of durable toys that will challenge and retain your child’s interest as they grow. This dual focus on sustainability, both in terms of materials and manufacturing as well as longevity and durability, will help you discover the best kids toys to invest in for your little one.  

Plastic vs wooden toys

From cheap and cheerful plastic to responsibly sourced wood, with so many products on the market it can be hard to know where to begin. In 2024, it could be said that the children’s toy market remains to be dominated by plastic toys, however in recent years wooden toys have become hugely accessible, with prices to rival those of their plastic counterparts. It’s not unusual for parents-to-be to avoid plastic altogether, kitting their nursery out in a range of natural and sustainable materials. So, what is the reason driving this change? 

With the environment at the forefront of our minds, new parents are seeking out sustainable choices with minimal impact on the natural world. Bringing new life in the world is certainly one way to make consumers more conscious of the future of our planet, and the lasting impact that our short-term purchasing decisions will have in our child’s lifetime. 

Besides this, parents are conscious of the quality of materials used in the construction of their child’s toys, as well as the safety of their manufacturing processes. A majority of low-cost plastic toys available on the market are manufactured overseas, and it can be hard to gain insight into the safety standards used within these supply chains. 

Classic natural wooden dollhouse | «La Parisienne» (EXCL ACCESSORIES)

FSC and GOTS certifications

What are FSC and GOTS certifications? 

By choosing a trusted brand, parents can enjoy peace of mind that their children’s toys have been crafted using sustainable materials from responsible sources. At Petite Amélie, our entire range of products is crafted using sustainable materials such as wood and organic cotton. These materials are responsibly sourced and bear certifications such as GOTS-certified organic cotton and FSC-certified wood. 

GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard) is a global label setting standards for the production of organic fibres. It prohibits the use of chemical pesticides while requiring manufacturers to minimise their environmental impact through the use of sustainable wastewater systems and economic energy usage. Working conditions must also meet standards set by the International Labour Organisation. 

The Forestry Stewardship Council (FSC) is a global forest management certification body that confirms the forest is being managed in a way that preserves biological diversity while benefiting the lives of local communities, all while remaining economically viable. 

CE certifications

On top of this, all of our toys comply with the applicable safety standards and testing in force as well as coming with a one-year warranty. CE certification has also been gained through independent testing with a third party. The CE symbol will be visible on either the toy itself or its packaging, confirming the safety of the toy, in particular its small parts and certifying that it has not been manufactured using any harmful substances. 

Sustainable toys: do wooden toys last longer?

Besides being better for the environment, sustainable toys are also kinder to your bank balance. These wooden toys crafted using sustainable materials are usually high quality with solid construction that’s built to last. This means they can be used in a cyclical nature, being put away once your child grows out of them and brought back out at a later date for another sibling to enjoy. These long-lasting toys can also be shared and rotated among friends and family. Durable toys will stand the test of time and are unlikely to become damaged through use, unlike their plastic counterparts. 

Most popular children’s toys

At Petite Amélie, our range consists of classic wooden toys built to stand the test of time. These timeless toys never go out of style, but there’s an important reason behind their classic status. Each of these much-loved children’s toys is linked to important elements of children’s development. These styles of toys have been enjoyed universally by children around the world at different ages and stages throughout the decades. More than meets the eye, the simple act of pushing a doll’s pram or riding a hobby horse taps into key elements of children’s development, stimulating their imagination and motor skills.

Skills developed through play

Skills developed through play and the best kids toys for your little one

• Baby walkers and push along toys – coordination and balance
• Trikes, bikes and ride on toys – spatial awareness, mobility and balance
• Dolls houses and small world toys – imaginative play and classification skills
• Play kitchen and food toys – dexterity and language development
• Hobby and rocking horses – mobility and imaginative play

All of these toys contribute extensively to children’s development, benefitting both their fine and gross motor skills.

Which toys are a good investment?

We hope this post has illustrated the importance of investing in wooden toys in classic styles for your child. Sustainable toys offer a dual approach of benefiting the environment while choosing long-lasting toys that will grow alongside your child throughout their childhood. Let us know your child’s favourite by sharing a photo with our community by tagging us @petiteamelie or using the hashtag #petiteamelie.