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A lot of moms now prefer wooden toys to supplement their child’s learning and development. Apart from being staples of educational systems like Montessori and Waldorf, these also promote sensory exploration and open-ended play, which help kids develop their cognitive and problem-solving skills.
But while there are a lot of options in the market, quality wooden toys can get expensive. Luckily, Dimple Tan Ng, a mother of 3 and a member of our Smart Parenting Village stumbled upon a mom hack: you can find inexpensive but well-made wooden toys and furniture at Japan surplus shops!
In a quick chat with SmartParenting.com.ph through Facebook Messenger, Dimple shares that there are no major malls in Tabuk City, Kalinga Province, where they live. She’s lucky that she discovered a Japan surplus shop near their home. “It’s along the highway kaya lahat ng tao doon ang punta (para mag-shopping),” the mom explains.
Dimple says that the wooden toys she found are mostly branded toys that are sold at a higher price in malls. The prices go as low as Php50 and the most expensive ones are sold at around Php500.
All the toys and furniture she’s found are in excellent condition. “Konting linis, mukhang bago na,” the mom adds.
She makes sure to disinfect the items before taking them inside their home. “’Yung mga wooden toys pinupunasan naming ng water with Lysol, tapos ‘yung mga pwedeng malabhan like carpets, nilalabhan namin then steam ‘pag nag-dry na. After all ng punas at laba, dinidisinfect namin gamit ang ‘bac to zero’ machine,” Dimple explains.
If there is a Japan surplus shop near your home, the moms says it’s worth taking a look. “Timing at tiyaga lang sa paghalungkat,” Dimple says, and you’re bound to find treasures.
“Ang gaganda ng quality at mura pa. Ang laking tipid, especially sa katulad ko na gusto ang Montessori approach sa mga kids,” she adds.
Take a look at all her good finds below:
Looking for more mom hacks? Click here for a list!