Last updated on September 14th, 2022 at 10:39 pm
*This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
Last updated on September 14th, 2022 at 10:39 pm
Lincoln Logs are a staple children’s toy that has been around for over a hundred years. These quaint little building blocks (logs) established themselves as a wonderful outlet for children’s creativity when they were first released, and their price back in the day was quite affordable.
Nowadays, however, it seems that the price of Lincoln Logs has increased significantly. What used to be an easily obtainable toy for kids has become almost a premium item that many are a bit wary to pick up.
This rise in price may be attributed to a variety of factors which I will cover in this article.
One reason why Lincoln Logs are so expensive is that they are crafted entirely out of wood. Because of environmental concerns wood is constantly becoming more expensive thereby driving up the cost of Lincoln Logs. They are also expensive because they are made in the USA.
Lincoln Logs are pretty expensive because they are currently being manufactured in the USA since the wages and the cost of manufacturing is higher here. When wages and manufacturing costs in the USA rise then Lincoln Logs prices will rise as well.
Feel free to read on if you are interested in learning more about why Lincoln Logs are so expensive now. You can also learn some interesting facts about this historic toy throughout the article.
Why Are Lincoln Logs So Expensive?
The price of Lincoln Logs has changed drastically through the years. What used to be a very accessible toy for many families to purchase for their kids has now become a much harder item for many people to obtain due to the price point it sits at.
One of the reasons that Lincoln Logs are so expensive now is most likely because nearly every single piece in a Lincoln Logs set is crafted out of real wood. This greatly increases production costs and in turn, raises the price of a set that you can find on the market.
Crafting a toy out of wood in the current day is sure to drive up costs. Not only are trees needed to be cut down to create these toys, but the trees and wood used to make every set of Lincoln Logs also need to be replanted and replaced in order to keep a steady supply of the toys coming without harming the environment.
You may also remember the stint that Lincoln Logs had back when Hasbro had decided to change the material that the log pieces were made out of from wood over to plastic. This was most likely done to further cut costs on production, though it did not last long as consumers were upset with the choice and stopped buying them.
Many did not enjoy the fact that Lincoln Logs – a toy known for being made of wood and resembling actual logs – had become a toy that was entirely crafted out of plastic. It seemed to take a lot of the essence and enjoyment out of the toy so people didn’t want them.
After being made out of plastic for a while, the toys were reverted back to their original wooden construction but production was moved out of the country. There were no manufacturers within the United States that were able or willing to provide the small wooden parts needed for Lincoln Logs sets, so production was moved to China.
Yes, Lincoln Logs, at one point, went from being manufactured in the United States to being crafted in China. This did not last forever though, as back in 2016 the toys came back home to the United States and began production under the Pride Manufacturing Company.
Having these toys be manufactured within the United States may also be a contributing factor to why the price has risen. Because production costs are higher within the States than they are in China, retail prices may have been adjusted to account for such things.
So, being made within the country and also constructed out of wood once again are two of the biggest contributing factors for why Lincoln Logs are so expensive nowadays.
What Are Lincoln Logs Made Of?
Aside from the retired plastic Lincoln Logs sets that you may still find floating around on the secondary market, the majority of Lincoln Logs toys that you will find for sale at stores or online are made out of wood. The type of wood, however, has changed through the years.
Originally, Lincoln Logs toys were crafted out of redwood. These enormous trees are known for being very sturdy and their wood is particularly good for building things due to this property. Of course, with redwood trees being protected by many organizations nowadays, this could not last forever.
These days Lincoln Logs are still made out of wood, but the wood they are made out of are various, though the most common material used is stained pine. This wood is still resilient and great for toys because it can be easily cleaned and retain its usefulness for years.
While the logs themselves are made out of wood, the roofs and some other accessories for Lincoln Logs sets are made out of plastic. This may be done in order to cut down costs and not everyone is a fan of this change (since old sets used to be entirely crafted out of wood).
Are Lincoln Logs Worth Buying?
So, after seeing the price tag for a new set of Lincoln Logs you may ask yourself whether or not it is even worth purchasing. Well, it all comes down to preference and what you are looking to get out of the toy, but generally, it is a great choice of a toy for any young children.
The benefits that Lincoln Logs bring to the table are numerous. Just like any other type of building block toy, Lincoln Logs unlock the inner creativity within the minds of kids. These toys are great for sparking new ideas and letting your child build the things they visualize within their heads.
There is also quite a bit of research readily available which suggests that the type of structured block play which Lincoln Logs provides is linked to improving the math ability of kids who are as young as the age of three.
In general, getting Lincoln Logs for your kids is a great way to give them a fun toy that they can enjoy for hours on end but one that also stimulates their brain and helps to improve their cognitive thinking, even if they are a bit pricey nowadays.
Conclusion
Now you know why Lincoln Logs are so expensive today. It seems that the materials used, location of production, and simply the current market climate have all contributed to the rise in the price for Lincoln Logs.
While these toys are a bit expensive nowadays that does not mean that they should be overlooked. Lincoln Logs are still one of the premier toys for kids to stimulate their minds with and the toys carry quite a bit of history along with them.
There is a reason that they have been one of the staple children’s toys for over a hundred years.
Last updated on September 14th, 2022 at 10:39 pm
