| "Choo Choo!" The train glides along the Amish Country | | | | included various forms (i.e. sticks, spokes, spools, and |
| Ohio tracks as it always has. After crossing a bridge, it | | | | rods) that were used to make objects ranging from |
| descends and then bends obediently with the track. A | | | | animals to vehicles to buildings. Then in 1916, the son of |
| small group of farmers watch as the train whizzes by | | | | famous architect Frank Lloyd Wright launched a new |
| them. Then suddenly, a cow standing alongside the | | | | type of wooden construction toys. These pieces |
| tracks leaps up into the air and lands squarely in one | | | | consisted of linking logs that were used to build cabins |
| of the train's cars. A little later, a tree beside the tracks | | | | and other structures. |
| does the same thing. Then suddenly the train comes to | | | | More than a toy |
| an abrupt stop. The passengers, which include a | | | | Today, if you're planning on choosing a wooden train |
| firefighter, a horse, and a road sign, disembark from | | | | set for your child, the child's age is an important factor |
| the train. The child then places his hand back on the | | | | to consider. If a train set is too difficult to assemble, |
| train, and guides it again along the winding tracks. | | | | then your little one will easily get bored and play with |
| From tops to trains | | | | another toy. On the other hand, if the train set is too |
| Many of us grew up playing with wooden toys, such | | | | simple, then the same result will occur. So try to find a |
| as wooden train sets. But have you ever wondered | | | | train set that challenges your child, but not too much. |
| about the history of such toys? | | | | The wooden train set you select can be an excellent |
| Historians are uncertain about the year that wooden | | | | tool in your child's development. Assembling and playing |
| toys were first created. However, archeologists have | | | | with the set can improve several facets of his or her |
| dug up evidence proving that ancient Greek and | | | | development. These activities can help to improve the |
| Egyptian children played with wooden toys. For | | | | child's fine motor skills, which involve small muscle |
| example, toy tops made of various materials, including | | | | groups. The toys can also be beneficial in developing |
| wood, have been discovered. | | | | the child's concentration and creativity. For example, |
| Then from the 1700s to the 1800s, several innovations | | | | many of the wooden train sets' parts are movable, |
| in the wooden toy industry were made. In the 18th | | | | allowing children to create their own town, and even |
| century, a boom of wooden toys occurred. That | | | | some wild scenarios that would be impossible in real |
| included the creation of wooden alphabet blocks, small | | | | life. Also, assembling and playing with the train can |
| carved animals and even wooden sleds. Then during | | | | improve the child's communication and socialization |
| the next century, toy wooden cars were first | | | | skills. Though one child can enjoy wooden train sets, |
| produced. These included streetcars and fire engines. | | | | they're always more fun if a parent or friend is |
| In addition, the world's largest producer of wooden | | | | present. |
| toys was producing over 3.5 million wooden cars, | | | | Today, children throughout the world, including those in |
| trucks, and trains by the 1880s! | | | | Amish Country Ohio, can enjoy wooden train sets. |
| Another boom of wooden toys took place in America | | | | These toys have remained popular even though they |
| during the early part of the 20th century. In particular, | | | | require no power sources or controllers. However, |
| wooden construction toys became very popular in | | | | wooden train sets are still effective in nurturing |
| places such as Amish Country Inn Berlin Ohio. These | | | | children's physical, mental, and social development; and |
| included the creation of a new type of toy that | | | | providing hours of fun. All aboard! |