"If I'm going to buy building blocks, is wood really the best material?"
I sometimes get asked this question.
These days, there are many colorful plastic toys, so there are more choices, aren't there?
It's not a matter of one being good or bad, but wooden building blocks have a charm unique to wood.
This time, I'll explain "why wooden building blocks have been loved for so long," while also touching on the differences with plastic toys.
① The pleasant feel is different
One of the appeals of wooden building blocks is the **"sensation of touch"**.
Wood has a warmth and a gentle feel when held in the hand.
On the other hand, while plastic toys are light and easy to handle, they have a characteristic coldness.
Especially for young children, this is a time when they learn through senses like "touching," "grasping," and "licking" while playing.
That's why the sensation of the material itself becomes part of the play.
② Gentle sounds
There is also a difference between wood and plastic in the sound building blocks make when they collide.
Wooden building blocks make a gentle sound like **"kot" or "katan"** when stacked.
Many people probably find these natural sounds somewhat comforting.
Since the sounds aren't too loud, they are suitable for playing at home.
It's often overlooked, but "sound" is also a part of the play experience.
③ Precisely because they are simple, imagination is nurtured
Wooden building blocks are simple.
There are no characters, no flashing lights, and no music.
But precisely because of this "blank space,"
- a house
- a car
- an animal
- a shop
children can expand their play based on their own ideas.
Since there are no fixed ways to play, it's also appealing that the way they play changes with age.
At 1 year old, they "break" and "knock down"; at 3 years old, they "stack high" and engage in "imaginative play"; at 5 years old, they "think and create" and "make masterpieces with several people."
It can be said that it's a toy whose way of playing changes with a child's growth.
④ Good cost performance because it lasts long
"Wooden building blocks are a bit expensive..."
Some people might feel that way.
But actually, building blocks are a toy that can be played with for a very long time.
Since the way of playing changes with age, they can be used from around 0-1 year old up to elementary school age.
Also, because they have fewer delicate parts, they are less likely to break, so they can be used by siblings or passed down to the next generation.
From the perspective of "a toy that can be enjoyed for a long time," they might unexpectedly offer good cost performance.
⑤ Choose by "purpose," not by which is better
I've shared the appeal of wooden building blocks so far, but of course, plastic toys also have their merits.
For example, plastic toys are light and easy to carry, making them convenient to take out.
They are also resistant to water and dirt and easy to clean, making them suitable for outdoor play in places like parks or gardens.
Their vibrant colors and features like sounds and movements also make them appealing for attracting children's interest.
On the other hand, wooden building blocks are toys that excel at fostering "free thinking" and "focused play."
Because they are simple and have no fixed way of playing, children can enjoy them for a long time by using their imagination.
In other words, rather than one being superior to the other, it's recommended to "use them differently depending on the play scene and purpose."
"Plastic for outdoors, wooden building blocks for indoors"
"Change play depending on the mood"
Incorporating the good aspects of each in such a way might also be wonderful.
Conclusion
Wooden building blocks possess the unique feel, sound, weight, and "blank space for free play" that only wood can offer.
They may not be flashy.
But precisely because of that, they can be played with for a long time, accompanying a child's growth.
That is the charm of wooden building blocks.
"Tsumikies' Building Blocks" also prioritize "free play," with a focus on a size that children can easily handle and a design that allows them to feel the warmth of wood.
Please check out the lineup here!