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The WoodenToyShop Guide to the Benefits of Creative Play

WoodenToyShop is often approached by teachers, teaching assistants, nursery nurses and childminders who are looking for wooden toys to help children develop in all sorts of ways, not least for toys which encourage children to use their imaginations and to develop their creative attributes. Our fantastic range of art and creativity toys provide a whole host of opportunities for children to learn to think and act creatively as they play.

Most of us will remember putting on aprons or one of dad’s old shirts before standing in front of an easel, paintbrush in hand and faced with a blank piece of paper. There is no denying the fun children have with paints and an easel. Drawing pictures is a huge part of childhood and this kind of creative play helps children develop vital life skills such as communication, concentration and the ability to express ideas and emotions. And as all parents know, one of the best things about easels is the fact that they are double sided, which means two children can play at once!

Take a look at our range of children’s easels, including customer reviews, here.

Melissa and Doug Deluxe Easel

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Our customers have shown us that stamp sets remain extremely popular with children. Kids love taking a rubber stamp, pressing it firmly into an ink pad and then printing whatever comes to hand with pictures of animals, letters and numbers. Our selection of wooden stamp sets is educational, imaginative and creative. They also provide plenty of scope for rainy day and wet playtime activities. From dinosaurs and horses, to teddy bears, hearts, butterflies, farmyard animals, letters and smiley faces, click here to see all of our stamping sets.

Melissa and Doug Animal Stamp Set

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Hobby kits are wonderfully creative toys which are as useful in the classroom as the playroom. They teach children the importance of patience, perseverance and concentration. They help children learn how self discipline is rewarded by the successful completion of enjoyable (and sometimes difficult) tasks. They can also provide a quiet diversion after the rough and tumble of more physical play and they also provide an outlet for children’s creative and artistic energies. Our customers have told us that their children love our decorate-your-own toys, such as the jewellery box and the treasure chest.

 

Melissa and Doug Decorate Your Own Treasure Chest

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Lacing and beading kits remain extremely popular with children, many of whom will enjoy playing with their kit while the grownups are working on their own crafting kits. These colourful and challenging sets help children to improve fine motor skills, hand/eye coordination and teach children the benefits of seeing a task or project through right to the end. Being able to create your own bracelet or necklace is a very exciting concept for a four year old and to end up with something you can wear or even give to Mummy is just brilliant!

Melissa and Doug Happy Hearts Bead Set

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Click here to view our selection of lacing and beading toys.

On a very practical level, art and creativity toys allow children to become accustomed to (playing and) working with tools in their hands – the ability to hold a pencil becomes obvious when they start school – as well as encouraging them to learn to play and work with others.

Small children can struggle to deal with and express their emotions. Creative activities, such as painting and drawing, provide an outlet for their feelings and help children develop essential emotional intelligence skills.

As well as getting used to playing and working independently, artistic and creative activities can be carried out in groups, thus helping children to learn social skills, improve communication and understand the importance of collaboration.

So we can see just how important artistic and creative play is for children. It helps children develop a sense of purpose, increases confidence and self respect and shows children what can be achieved when imagination and creativity are mixed with hard work and concentration. Who could argue with that life lesson?

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