We'll admit it: these remote control vehicles look pretty cool in wood. We also like the nod to the aesthetic of old woodcraft kits. But we're wondering: does wooden construction in an electronic toy add big value?
Pottery Barn Kids, who offers these toys, promotes them as "retro-inspired wood vehicles." And indeed, they might recall a certain nostalgia for the days of sturdy, handcrafted toys. But the wooden construction might also appeal to families who prefer toys made from natural materials.
The marriage of electronic toy with natural materials left us pondering. Is it desirable to bring together high-tech and components from nature? Could these vehicles be considered "Waldorf toys"? Will these cars appeal to parenting philosophies, or simply to an aesthetic?
Let us know what you think in the comments.
Available for $59 at Pottery Barn Kids.
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I worry that by the fifth time the car banged into the wall, those slotted pieces would start to fall off...
I'd have to agree with therinrins. It looks pretty fragile. As for the mariage of natural materials and high-tech: I'm not a stickler for those kinds of details but it somehow seems "wrong" but I am not sure why. The substance in a battery is far from safe for the environment and I thought that was one of the perks of all natural wood toys. Adding a motorized part of a wood toy also allows for less development of imagination. Cool idea, however fragile and I doubt it will appeal to those parents who love the all natural material toys.
Weird, I was JUST looking at these. It's like you read my mind. By the way, they've got them at Uncommon Goods (dot com) for $40.
Our daughter got a dinosaur version of this kit for her birthday. Putting it together with her grandfather was a big part of the fun. We've encouraged her to put it somewhere safe when she's done playing with it (i.e., out of the reach of her little brother), and it seems to be holding up pretty well. Like Spacesha said, you'll almost certainly be able to find it cheaper somewhere other than PBK.
It appeals to me--mostly for aesthetic reasons. I know I can't keep the remote controlled cars away from my husband and son forever, but I am trying :) so if we have to get one I'd rather have these than something that is unattractive and plastic. And I do agree with Tanya-Dolly I am sure the batteries are far from environmentally friendly--but if I do HAVE to get one I'd rather the exterior be wood--again I mostly like it for the aesthetic presence.
Waldorf does not equal any toy made out of wood. Yes, Waldorf toys are made of wood or other natural mater but the process and play count more. They are usually handmade or ethically produced toys that reinforce imaginative play.
The PB verion is assembled and finished; the Uncommon Good version is a kit to build. I actually think the UG version is more interesting as a project to build with a child similar to a science or art kid.
The PB version is sort of pointless. It is probably fragile with poor manuevability. I doubt it would last long so who cares what it is made of? I don't buy toys without long term play value so even though I think it is kind of cute, I wouldn't want it for our family.