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| INCENSED AND SENSIBILITY EMBRACE OLD SCHOOL WOODEN TOYS— AND THEIR LACK OF MODERN-DAY BELLS AND WHISTLES Are your kids' blinking, buzzing, brightly-hued plastic toys driving you bananas? If you're ready to give your child's toy box an overhaul and replace its contents with items that are completely, refreshingly devoid of advanced technology, you've come to the right place. The following toys are decidedly old-school in their craftsmanship, yet as modern as their fancy, mass-produced peers when it comes to the amount of enjoyment they'll provide your children. Serenity now! |
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Melissa and Doug’s Deluxe Standing Easel will encourage your child to express his or her boundless creativity through drawings, sketches, doodles and paintings. Generously sized, it offers a dry erase board on one side, a chalkboard on the other, and an easy-loading holder for easel board paper and a paper cutter. For all those essential artist supplies, you'll find two extra large plastic trays ideal for holding chalk, crayons, markers, brushes, paint and other artist tools. It also includes four colorful clips for posting artwork. ($59.95, www.fatbraintoys.com) |
| A non-blinking, non-ringing cash register? Believe it or not, this version from Haba Toys is not only noise-free, but made of solid beech or maple wood and finished with non-toxic, water-based paint. It features an arithmetical strip and an opening lid so your little shop keepers will work on their addition and subtraction while hard at play. ($36.95, www.apricotandivy.com) |  |
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Hide your plastic rattles and introduce baby to this wooden Baby Car from Plan Toys. The perfect first car for baby, this sturdy wooden vehicle features open sides for easy grasping, easy rolling wheels and a movable driver. No need to worry about lead paint—this little vehicle is colored with non-toxic, child-safe dyes. ($11.98, www.finewoodentoys.com) |
| Thoughthey fail the no-noise test, these bongos from little wonderland create an authentic—and dare we say melodic—sound that plastic drums just don’t. Their bright red color and the enticing “come play me” bongo shape will put this instrument into use often. Perfect for both novices and child prodigies, they're a great introduction to the world of music for any child. ($26, www.littlewonderland.com) |  |
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Plastic pretend food is so…unappetizing. This Parents Choice award-wining wooden kitchen toaster set is perfect for your favorite junior chef’s kitchen pretend-play. A great addition for the kitchen playset and refrigerator, all items are made from hardwood and finished with non-toxic pastel colors. Good—and good for you. ($39.95, www.woodentoys.com) |
| Help your little one learn about the way water moves with these Water Blocks, a fun, fresh take on traditional building blocks. We love the natural wood that surrounds the primary colors of the water. Your child will love looking through the blocks to see the world in another color. Each set includes six blocks. ($24.99, www.oompa.com) |  |
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For little ones just learning to walk or even bigger ones who want to give a friend, a doll or a toy a tow, this walker wagon offers a classic twist on a toy almost always made of brightly-colored plastic. This version, made of extra-sturdy solid wood, offers an adjustable angled handle to accommodate different heights. ($124.95, www.rosiehippo.com) |
| If your child loves horses, he or she will adore the Country Barn, which is made from solid, chemical-free, preservative-free rubberwood. Included in the set: a horse with movable head and legs, a foal with movable neck, a hay box, water bucket and broom. The stable features a movable partition, allowing your child to trot the horse and foal around to his or her heart’s content. ($35, www.apricotandivy.com) |  |
