Which Woods Are Used in Toy-Making?

The very first thing to know before making a wooden toy is which wood it should be made from. Here are the principal woods used in wooden toy-making.

Beech

Hard-grained, beech is durable and long-lived; it turns beautifully on the lathe, glues easily, takes colour well and accepts a fine polish. Though its uses range from furniture to musical instruments, it is most often seen in furniture and toy production. One reason beech is so widespread in wooden toys is that it is antibacterial — a real advantage for children’s health.

Birch

A cold-hardy species that grows especially in the highlands of north-eastern Anatolia. Durable and flexible, it is widely used in the furniture and toy trades, above all in plywood: wooden puzzles, models and many flat-panel toys are made from birch ply.

Poplar

Poplar is not a strong timber; light and short-lived, it is not chosen for the toys themselves. But because it cuts so easily, it is widely used in wooden-toy workshops for children’s fretsaw and sanding work.

Linden and maple

Linden’s wood is very soft; easy to work and light, it is used for models and toys. Maple is hard and tight-grained yet flexible and springy; it is preferred in carving, in fine fretsaw work, and in toy-making.

— Şennur Ülker