Kids enjoy rocking horses because they are fun and educational toys that improve their mobility and promote exercise. Probably no other children’s toy is as iconic as a rocking horse. Playthings like these have been around for hundreds of years, and they do not appear to be going out of style anytime soon.
In an age of high-tech toys and gadgets for children and adults alike, rocking horses stand out from the crowd as a toy that (for all of its simplicity) fulfills a wide range of developmental functions. You can easily see how rocking horses can be great fun for your kids, and there are many reasons to see how they can benefit them physically and mentally as well.
Balancing Fun With Function
Rocking horses for babies are timeless. The history of these toys has shown that they are unique and provide some kind of aesthetic quality and experience that sets them apart from those that have faded into obscurity. A classic addition to any nursery, they are often quite beautiful.
Their continued relevance may be due to the fact that they are not a gender-specific toy, so they appeal to girls and boys alike. Horses (and horse riding) also transcend cultural boundaries, which makes rocking horses especially relatable. You can still find antique examples that have been around for centuries, which proves that they are an investment that can greatly benefit your child’s life, and perhaps even the lives of their children, or even their children’s children.
Safe Play Option for Children
Rocking horses are also beneficial because they do not have a lot of small, complex parts that can be lost, broken, or (worst of all) endanger your child’s health. There are still many toys that can be disassembled by an inquisitive child and pose a tripping or choking hazard. Today’s toy manufacturers take a great deal of care to ensure your children have the safest toys possible.
Furthermore, many children’s toys today are battery-powered, which does not promote the kinds of skills you want your child to learn. Rocking horses do not require batteries, and they require little assembly. Because they are so durable, they require little or no maintenance, and can certainly withstand even the most strenuous of uses. As a result, it is much easier to regularly sterilize your child’s playthings since they are easy to clean.
Promote Stimulation of the Senses
Wooden rocking horses are especially good for small children because of the exercise they promote and the senses that they stimulate. Rocking movements stimulate the vestibular system (inner ear), which can help build your child’s sense of balance. The sooner your child learns proper balance, the sooner they will be able to move about correctly and not cause harm to themselves.
A baby rocking horse can help a restless child release excess energy, making them more willing to learn new activities and skills as a result. The rocking horse also teaches your child’s muscles how to stay upright and how to perform regular motions. In addition, a baby rocking horse in the nursery can also encourage your child to exercise, helping to instill the discipline of regular physical activity into their lives, which will prove invaluable throughout their lives.
It can also create a bond between you and your child when you help them rock. Eventually, of course, they will be able to rock on their own, but a rocking horse can give you a safe, easy tool to use to teach them how to move independently, and to show them that you can trust them. In a child’s formative years, contact is extremely important, as it can encourage them to maintain a positive relationship with you as well as make them feel loved and cared for. By playing with a wooden horse with your child, you can foster an emotional bond that will benefit both of you, and that will set a meaningful precedent for future interactions.
Special Needs Considerations
If you have a child with special needs, finding the right toys is especially important. You’ll want to get them a toy that they will enjoy, but that also allows them to connect with others and find refuge from overstimulation or stress. Special needs children face different challenges than their peers, and they will benefit greatly from toys that help them to learn appropriate and effective coping mechanisms.
Some autistic children may benefit from wooden rocking horses, because they may have an innate tendency to rock back and forth. Rocking is a calming activity that can calm even the most agitated child since infancy. Some special needs children will continue to rock throughout their lives. They can use a wooden horse to fulfill that need while at the same time providing a specific, appropriate place where they can perform that comforting motion.
Delight Your Child With a Rocking Horse
Wooden rocking horses are neither boring, nor outdated. Their longevity and relevance can be attested to by the fact that they have been desired by generations of people. The rocking horse is a simple toy that appeals to many children and can help them develop their motor skills and learn important senses. In particular, children with special needs can benefit from them due to their intuitive and soothing nature.
If you want to buy your child a toy that they can use and enjoy together and that can be passed on to their children in the future, then a kids’ rocking horse could just be the next thing you surprise and delight them with.
