After years of hoarding everything under the sun, I think I’ve finally arrived at a point in my life where I appreciate minimalism. Today, I can proudly say that every item in this house is either functional or sparks pleasant emotions – otherwise, it goes in the trash (or the basement, in the best case scenario). And when it comes to childrens toys – the same principle applies as well.
At first, it was a challenge to learn how to say no. But after a while, you get used to that 10 second frown, especially when you remember saying no is for your kids’ own good. In fact, parenting experts say that too many toys tend to overwhelm children, which can later lead to short attention spans and even addiction to stuff. On the other hand, when there are fewer toys in the environment, toddlers can focus their attention better and use more creativity by thinking of alternative ways to play with them.
Without a doubt, learning to value quality over quantity early on, can lead to developing better habits in adult life. But the truth is, your children can’t be taught to appreciate minimalism, if you as a family don’t share the same beliefs as well and refrain from buying stuff excessively. Adopting a simplistic and orderly design scheme like Scandinavian can sure help a lot. Plus, I’ve also found that decorating my home in Scandinavian minimalism has helped me become better at choosing and organizing childrens toys.
Needless to say, I got Scandinavian designed toys for my kids too, after researching and finding out how to choose ones that are healthy and educational, that is. The great thing about Scandinavian toys is that they are meticulously crafted, which means you don’t have to worry about the toy breaking in small parts that can pose a chocking risk. Moreover, Scandinavian design toys are the perfect example of how healthy wooden toys can be for children, as they are free of BPA, VOCs and other toxic chemicals associated with plastic toys.
Besides being safe and made of healthy materials, in order for me to buy a toy it has to fulfil at least one of these three factors. First of all, social value – a board game or a doll house teaches children to play together. Second, versatility – toy blocks can be made into every imaginable thing. And last but not least, durability – a wooden train can will last for years and be passed down to younger siblings. It’s this selection process that helped me reduce clutter and ensure my precious angels get valuable playtime with quality toys.
