For centuries, toys have been an important part of a child’s life. Archaeologists have found wooden toys dating back to ancient Greece and the Roman Empire! Toys like these are fun to play with, and they can be educational too. Wooden toys in Central PA are quite popular, so we thought we would take the time to discuss a history of these toys and why they continue to be so popular.
Most of the wooden toys made during ancient times were hand-carved. But by the 18th century, German toy makers were making them in large enough quantities to sell to the general public. There were traveling salesmen who would sell them to families, and they would also take orders for custom toys or toys for special occasions. During this time, some of the most popular wooden toys were animals and life-like doll babies.
Thanks to advances in technology, as the years progressed, toy makers were able to make more elaborate toys. Doll houses, toy soldiers, wooden trains and similar toys were gaining popularity, and this is right around the time when Jack in the Boxes were becoming popular too thanks to their bright and vivid colors.
After World War 2, new materials were being used to make toys (such as plastic) and wooden toys decreased in popularity since plastic toys could be mass produced and were usually a bit cheaper for families and others to purchase. The production of wooden toys started to decline as a result.
Nowadays, while wooden toys still are not as popular as their plastic counterparts, you can still find them in most stores, like Hilsher’s General Store. Wood is generally a more durable material than plastic, so wooden toys tend to last longer. Not only that, they are a classic! Wooden doll houses and train tracks are fun for kids of just about any age to play with, and wood can be painted just about any color you can think of.
Wooden toys are beautiful because of their simplicity. They encourage kids to use their imaginations and wooden puzzles are great for developing problem-solving skills and motor skills. They make a great gift for just about any child in your life!
If you would like to browse through our selection of wooden toys in Central PA, call Hilsher’s General Store at 570-374-1550, visit us on Routes 11/15 seven miles south of Selinsgrove or you can Contact Us.