Parents searching for sturdy, secure, and environmentally friendly options for their kids have been buying plywood toys more and more frequently. These toys are unique not just because of their simplicity but also because of their adaptability. Plywood toys, such as puzzles and building blocks, foster imagination and creativity in ways that their plastic counterparts frequently can’t match.
The sustainability of plywood toys is yet another fantastic feature. Because they are made of natural materials, they are less dependent on plastic and a more environmentally friendly option. In addition, they are frequently handmade, which gives them a distinctive and special personal touch.
This post will discuss the advantages of plywood toys, their various varieties, and why they’re a fantastic addition to any playroom.
Benefits of Plywood Toys | Why Choose Plywood Toys? |
Eco-friendly and safe for kids | Made from natural wood, they are safer than plastic toys and better for the environment. |
Durable and long-lasting | Plywood toys are strong and can last through years of play without breaking easily. |
Encourages creativity | Many plywood toys are simple, which helps children use their imagination more. |
Non-toxic materials | Plywood toys are often made with non-toxic paints and finishes, making them safer for children. |
Easy to clean | These toys are simple to clean, needing just a quick wipe with a damp cloth. |
- Features and purpose
- Varieties
- Production in Russia
- Video on the topic
- DOMESTIC PLYWOOD TOYS
- Plywood toy Minsk from the USSR
- “They wanted to fry sunflower seeds, but now their toys are bought all over the world”: a successful business in Belarusian
- WOODLANDTOYS – a manufacturer of educational toys. Interview with the founder of the company.
- Laser plywood toys
- Decided to make a plywood toy for my son and eventually opened a production of busyboards #ЗРОБIМ
Features and purpose
- simple, but non -banal decorations of the dwelling;
- decorative figures for diversity and aesthetics in the garden;
- memorable gifts or souvenirs;
- bright Christmas decorations.
There are two primary factors that contribute to the popularity of plywood as a material.
- Firstly, The plywood sheet has strength, which allows plywood products for a long time to store a given shape, but at the same time the plywood can be processed at home without much effort.
- Secondly, Plywood is inexpensive, like jigsaws with files, burning tools and coloring.
To put it simply, making these products is each person’s hobby. Although it is pointless to wish for such success in advance, once you have the hang of things, you can eventually turn your favorite hobby into a lucrative endeavor. Many artisans sell their creations on the market or even online.
Varieties
There is an astounding variety of plywood toys available; ultimately, the manufacturer’s skill is the determining factor. Similar to nearly every other material, plywood can assume nearly any shape in the hands of an expert, and further painting can transform the finished product into a true work of artistic genius.
It should be noted right away that plywood toys can be either prefabricated structures or solid figures. First, a novice craftsman should practice on flat figures cut from sheets of plywood. The process is as simple as applying the template to the material, transferring the contours, and then cutting out the outlined piece, painting it if needed. It doesn’t require any engineering thought or spatial imagination.
Because prefabricated toys are made of multiple flat parts that are connected together, they are already orders of magnitude more complex. Any intricate plywood constructions, such as different doll houses, along with the furniture and utensils that go with them, may fall under this category. In basic examples, parts are fastened together with glue, but a tongue and groove connection is more dependable, particularly for active children’s games. Since the latter allows for disassembly, it appears that plywood can be used to create even a complete construction set.
The majority of crafts are static figures; these are typically replicas of furniture or buildings since a typical little man would not seem very realistic. However, artisans occasionally carve objects with movable parts; as a result, the character’s legs can swing to simulate walking.
But the real hit, the ones that brought plywood back to its former glory, were the mechanical toys. They evolved in response to the absurdly popular plastic mechanical toys, as kids refused to give up believable mechanics for raw materials that were better for the environment if the toy couldn’t run on its own. Subsequently, a number of businesses started manufacturing intricate plywood toys that follow the laws of physics, like an elastic band that is pre-wound and gradually straightened. This is the hardest kind of plywood craft, of course, but it’s also the ideal level to aim for.
Because there are so many different craft options available, you can create a toy that is both purely decorative and educational, similar to a child’s busy board. You can make a topic you’re proud of by using your imagination or by stealing an excellent idea.
Production in Russia
In our nation, carving wooden toys is a long-standing folk craft, so contemporary artisans are by no means trailblazers in this field. The Bogorodskaya toy, which originates from the village of Bogorodskoye, close to Sergiev Posad, is regarded as the principal component of Russian toy craft. This area has been producing figurines continuously at least since the fifteenth century!
The Bogorodsk toy, on the other hand, differs drastically from contemporary figurines in one important way: the older crafts were carved from a three-dimensional piece of wood rather than being flat at first, which makes them more appealing to authenticity enthusiasts. But nowadays, two-dimensional or assembled products made of two-dimensional parts are also quite popular thanks to plywood.
Nowadays, the Russian Federation is home to several dozen companies that cut and assemble plywood toys. Although there is intense competition among them, all of them are not very well-known, but a true gourmet has the freedom to select a craft that suits his palate. The following cities have a concentration of modern production:
- Moscow (the toy factory "Ogonyok", TROYS, "Shusha", the company "Desyatoe korolstvo", manufacturing companies "Priority" and "Umnichka", "DELAR", "Lesnushki", 123Toys and others);
- Kirov ("Green Lion", Sandlight);
- Samara ("Amusement Park", UniWood);
- Tomsk ("Timbergroup", "Tom-Service");
- Yaroslavl ("Chudevo", "Skazki Dereva", "Lukomorye");
- Novokuznetsk (wooden manufactory of Alexander Gosteev, "Derevyasher");
- Novosibirsk (ToySib, "Siberian toys");
- Saint Petersburg (PiterTransPak, BeeZeeToys).
There are tiny businesses in villages as well as the companies and cities mentioned above that make up the Russian toy industry. Though it is safe to say that plywood figures are made throughout the nation, production is generally more advanced where the necessary raw materials are available, which is in Russia’s forested northern temperate climate zone.
For families seeking play options that are safe, long-lasting, and environmentally friendly, plywood toys are an excellent option. They are an invaluable addition to any child’s toy collection because they provide countless chances for imaginative play and creative expression.
Not only are these toys reasonably priced, but they are also environmentally friendly and sustainable. Their use of natural materials and their simplicity promote hands-on learning, which aids in the development of children’s problem-solving and fine motor skills.
In general, plywood toys give kids an engaging and enjoyable way to explore, learn, and develop. They’re a classic choice that successfully combines fun and education in a way that both parents and children can enjoy.
When searching for long-lasting, safe, and environmentally friendly playthings for their kids, parents might consider plywood toys as a great choice. These toys are made of layers of natural wood, which makes them strong, lightweight, and free of dangerous chemicals that are frequently present in plastic. Toys made of plywood encourage kids to play imaginatively and ignite their creativity. They also last a long time, are simple to clean, and frequently have lovely, straightforward designs that appeal to both parents and kids.