The rediscovery of wooden toy cars: Timeless Quality and Durability

In a world increasingly dominated by digital gadgets and plastic toys, there has been a renewed interest in wooden toys. The charming toys hark back to nostalgia, as well as having numerous sustainability and development benefits. The appeal of wooden toy cars is greater than ever, and there are numerous reasons why they are a valuable choice for children and parents today.

Wooden toy cars typically have a classic look that is hard to match. The natural material and abstract design evoke a sense of simplicity and craftsmanship that is often lost in the modern toy industry. Wooden products are known for their warm and authentic look that plastic toys often lack.

The educational value of wooden toys

Toy cars made of wood also offer educational benefits for young children. They stimulate imagination and creativity through a range of play options. Children can invent their own adventures and develop their fine motor skills by pushing, pulling and steering.

Montessori and anthroposophical toys

Playing with wooden toys helps develop hand-eye coordination and problem-solving skills. Not for nothing are many anthroposophical toys and Montessori toys made of wood. Montessori toys are educational toys that encourage independent learning and experimentation. This is also known as ‘open-ended’ toys. Toys that can be played with with their own interpretation and their own rules. IKONIC's objects invite play according to this philosophy through the open-ended nature of the design.

* wooden toy cars by Floris Hovers for IKONIC

Sustainability

Another attractive aspect of wooden toy cars is their durability. Unlike many plastic toys, which can break or deform over time, wooden cars are often robust and can withstand heavy use. In addition, they are usually easy to repair or restore with simple tools. Because the toys are very robust, and because their owners often become attached to the wooden object, they are often passed on to future generations. Herein lies its true durability, and IKONIC strives to make objects that are timeless and of high aesthetic quality, and which can therefore survive generation after generation.

Wood is a renewable material, IKONIC uses European FSC wood, typically beech wood sourced from sustainable forests. This is in stark contrast to plastic toys, which often come from non-renewable fossil fuels and are difficult to biodegrade.

IKONIC's wooden toy cars are free of harmful chemicals sometimes found in plastic toys. In line with European toy safety requirements, safe paint (water-based) is used. Plastic was chosen for the wheels, as wooden wheels often break off in the grain, and are more difficult to move.

History

Today, there are still several Dutch brands developing wooden toys. However, production almost always takes place abroad. In the 20th century, the Netherlands still had many wooden toy manufacturers such as OKWA, Sliedrecht, SIO, Nooitgedagt, THEDO, WICO, ADO, among others. The factories were mainly located in the Waddinxveen area (near Rotterdam) and in the eastern part of the Netherlands. The last wooden toy manufacturers in the Netherlands stopped in the 1980s. Unlike other old toys, which are collected and traded adrift, old wooden toys are worth remarkably little these days.

An exception is the ADO toys from the 1930s, which are fanatically collected. The reason for this is the toys' special appearance. ADO designer Ko Verzuu was highly influenced and inspired by ‘De Stijl’ the art movement of which famous artists such as Gerrit Rietveld, Bart van der Leck and Piet Mondrian were members. Designer Floris Hovers is known to be a big fan of ADO toys, several references can be found in his work. The CODA museum in Apeldoorn has a large collection of ADO toys that is definitely worth a visit.

Production

We prefer to work with European suppliers for the production of items in IKONIC's range. However, it has become apparent that over time many, if not all, production facilities for wooden toys have disappeared from Europe (see also the paragraph above). For IKONIC, aesthetic quality is paramount, and high demands are made on the quality of the paint, for example. We have not (yet) found manufacturers who can deliver this quality in Europe, which is why the lacquered products are currently made in Vietnam. The unpainted products of solid oak, among others, are made in Poland.

* oak toy cars by Lex Pott for IKONIC

The production of wooden cars is still mostly done by hand, and requires a high degree of craftsmanship. Of course, woodworking machines are used, but especially for the high-quality finish, a lot is still sanded, varnished, sanded again and varnished by hand.

Design

For IKONIC, ‘design’ is an important theme. A high-quality design reflects a designer's vision of the object, giving an object personality and a unique look. With the special wooden toy cars, end users are presented with a different image from what they are familiar with.

Although IKONIC's wooden toy cars have a very unique character, there are other brands that also make toy cars and special objects in a minimalist style. Brands like Areaware, Playforever and Candylab are esteemed labels with fine collections and their own fanbase.