The Encounter Centre Inc. gained Government Grant funding back in 2001 which helped establish the “Wooden Toy Factory” where it still manufactures quality wooden toys for children of all ages.

Why buy Wooden Toys?

The increasing demand for eco-friendly and sustainable toys, coupled with the rising awareness about the adverse effects of plastic toys on the environment, has been a significant driver for the growth of the wooden toy industry. Parents and consumers are actively seeking alternatives to plastic toys, leading to a surge in the popularity of wooden toys.

The market growth is further fueled by the growing preference for educational and developmental toys that stimulate a child's creativity, imagination, and cognitive skills. Wooden toys are known for their durability, safety, and ability to promote sensory and motor development in children. These factors have contributed to the increased demand for wooden toys across various age groups.

The target market for a wooden toy manufacturer is typically parents or caregivers of young children. This includes a wide range of individuals, including:

1. Parents: Parents are often the primary purchasers of toys for their children. They are looking for safe and high-quality toys that will engage and entertain their kids while also promoting learning and development.

2. Grandparents: Grandparents often enjoy spoiling their grandchildren with toys. They may prefer traditional toys, such as wooden toys, that they remember playing with during their own childhood.

3. Educators: Teachers, daycare providers, and other educators also make up a portion of the target market. They often seek toys that can be used in educational settings to enhance learning and stimulate creativity.

4. Toy Retailers: Toy retailers are an important target market for a wooden toy manufacturer. These businesses are constantly looking for unique and high-quality products to stock on their shelves.

Traditional wooden toys offer countless developmental benefits for children. Unlike plastic toys, they are free from harmful chemicals and toxins, making them a safer choice for young children. Their natural textures provide sensory stimulation, helping to develop fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination. Whether it’s stacking blocks or fitting puzzle pieces together, these toys encourage problem-solving and logical thinking.

Wooden toys are at the heart of what we do. Why? 

Because wood is a renewable and biodegradable resource. 

It’s one of the most eco-friendly materials out there, and when sourced responsibly, it can help reduce waste and pollution. At the Toy Factory, we source our wood direct from Fennel Forestry in Monarto, South Australia. 

1. Why Wooden Toys are a Better Choice

Plastic toys often end up in landfills or pollute our oceans, and many contain harmful chemicals. That’s why we believe in the power of wooden toys. 

They’re a sustainable choice because they are:

• Durable: Wooden toys can last for years, even generations, if cared for properly.

• Non-toxic: No exposure to harmful chemicals like BPA or phthalates.

• Beautiful: With their natural look and feel, wooden toys have a timeless charm that plastic toys just can’t match.

In fact, choosing wooden toys over plastic toys helps reduce your family's environmental impact. It’s a small step toward a greener future.

2. Educational wooden toys are useful to aid in developing children's cognitive skills.

Cognitive skills are important for learning and problem-solving. Educational wooden toys can help children develop these skills by encouraging them to think critically and solve problems. Educational Resources play a significant role in a child's development, and educational wooden toys are a great way to promote cognitive skills.

3. Educational wooden toys can help children develop fine motor skills.

Fine motor skills are important for tasks such as writing, drawing, and using scissors. Educational wooden toys can help children develop these skills by encouraging them to use their small muscles. Many different types of educational wooden toys can help children develop fine motor skills, such as puzzles, building blocks, and manipulative toys.

4. Educational wooden toys can be useful for children to develop their gross motor skills.

Gross motor skills are important for tasks such as running, jumping, and climbing. Educational wooden toys can help children develop these skills by encouraging them to use their large muscles. Examples of educational wooden toys that can help children develop gross motor skills include ride-on toys, wagons, and pull along toys.

5. Educational wooden toys are one of the best ways to help children develop language skills.

Language skills are important for communicating with others. Educational wooden toys can help children develop these skills by encouraging them to name objects and describe actions. If you want your child to develop language skills, look for educational wooden toys that have moving parts, such as puzzles, blocks, and stacking toys.

6. Educational wooden toys can help children develop social skills.

Social skills are important for interacting with others. Educational wooden toys can help children develop these skills by encouraging them to share, take turns, and cooperate. While social skills can be developed through any type of play, cooperative games are a great way to start. Educational resources work a bit differently in this category. The child can learn to develop social skills by him or herself with the help of Educational Wooden Toys.

7. Educational wooden toys are useful to aid in developing children's problem-solving skills.

Problem-solving skills are important for dealing with challenges. Educational wooden toys can help children develop these skills by encouraging them to think creatively and figure out how to make the toy work. Some examples of problem-solving skills include:

• sequencing

• pattern recognition

• matching

• spatial relationships

8. Educational wooden toys can be useful for children to develop their own self-esteem.

Self-esteem is important for feeling good about oneself. Educational wooden toys can help children develop self-esteem by providing a sense of accomplishment when they can use the toy correctly. While playing with the toy, children can feel a sense of pride and satisfaction that comes from knowing they are doing something right.

Some benefits of having high self-esteem include:

• improved academic performance

• better social skills

• higher levels of happiness

9. Specialised support products for children with Autism 

Specialized wooden toy manufacturers for autism focus on creating sensory-friendly toys that can help individuals with autism regulate their senses and develop fine motor skills. These toys often include options like chew toys, calming weighted toys, and building blocks designed with sensory needs in mind.

Children with autism often have unique sensory needs and may experience the world differently from other children. This makes it essential to choose toys that are not overly stimulating and allow for sensory exploration at the child’s pace. 

The Toy Factory toys are typically made from natural materials like wood, and they emphasize simplicity and tactile engagement. These features help create a soothing play environment that reduces sensory overload and promotes concentration. The open-ended nature of toys also allows children with autism to explore the toys in ways that suit their individual learning styles and preferences.