February 2010 Notable Toys — Wooden Toys

This realistic-looking barbecue set features a hood that opens and a collapsible side table. It includes red knobs to pretend adjusting the heat during play, and wheels to roll it around to different locations. Primary materials are plywood, MDF and non-toxic paint. It measures 47 cm x 37.5 cm x 60 cm.
— This BBQ set was one of the top-two products mentioned by specialty retailers during ASTRA's Share the Fair event at Toy Fair 2010.

These beechwood blocks in a pastel palette are made in Germany and come in a 10-piece set.
— Two of 38 specialty retailers named HABA blocks as a best-selling wooden toy in February 2010.

This bright block set features 28 pieces colored with water-based, non-toxic stains.
— Two of 38 specialty retailers referenced HABA blocks when discussing best-selling wooden toys in February 2010.

This colorful collection of 36 wooden blocks comes in a red-wheeled wagon with a rope for transport. It measures 13" x 11" x 3."
— Five of 38 specialty retailers named Melissa & Doug's blocks as a best-selling wooden toy in February 2010.

These wooden, magnetic dolls come in a box with multiple clothing options and include stands for playtime.
— Five of 38 retailers told TDmonthly in February 2010 that Melissa & Doug magnetic dress-up items are a best-selling wooden toy in their stores.

This 24-piece wooden jigsaw puzzle features an attractive palette of dinosaurs and scenery. It measures 0.4" x 11.75" x 15.75".
— Eight of 38 retailers named puzzles by Melissa & Doug as a best-selling wooden toy in early 2010. Jamie Burdette, owner of LB Toys in Media, Pa., told TDmonthly his store sells about 36 a month of assorted styles.

This small purple engine boasting red wheels and gold trim is labeled with the No. 14 and prides himself on mischief and adventure. It measures 3.5" x 1.5" x 2".
— Ten of 38 specialty retailers named Thomas & Friends as one of their best-selling wooden lines in February 2010.
— Mike Lane, manager of Hobbytown in Cumming, Ga., told TDmonthly in early 2010 that his store sells about 3 dozen Thomas trains per month.

Complete with interchangeable parts like the rest of the Automoblox collection, the T900 features a chrome grill and bumpers, all-terrain tires on chrome wheels, and an overall sleek, sporty design.
— Four of 38 specialty retailers named Automoblox as a top-selling wooden toy in February 2010. "Automoblox do really well," said Stacy Solie of Leapin' Lizards Toy Co. in Bend, Ore., citing sales of about 2 dozen per month.

This kit gives some structure to free-form building with planks, including an idea book with instructions for building ball-track structures, ramps, funnels and more. It allows for scientific experimentation as kids test rolling the two included lightweight balls to see if they move as anticipated.
— "A new concept kit will help kids build bigger and better — simple, open-ended and smart," said John MacDougall, owner of Golden Apple Learning Store in Pleasanton, Calif., at Toy Fair 2010.
— It was also a top-two favorite at ASTRA's Share the Fair event during Toy Fair 2010.
— In an April 2012 survey, Elmer Carranza, manager of Doodlehopper 4 Kids in Springfield, Va., told TDmonthly that KEVA blocks are their best selling construction toy.

Pages will never rip from this delicious book made of wood! Each page features the colorful items discovered by one very hungry caterpillar from watermelons to apples. Launch date: Spring 2010

Kids will want to pull caterpillar into the kitchen when he gets very hungry, just like in the storybook. But don’t feed him -- he’s already stuffed with wood! The rich colors inspired by Eric Carle shine brightly on this wooden pull toy. Launch date: Spring 2010

In this medieval-themed game for two to four players, oppenents must work to protect their castles as they try to knock the other players' wrecking balls off track. It's a sturdy wooden game with several movable elements. Launch date: 2010.

Crocodile Chris’s large, grinning face makes for some great fun. Add his jingly bell, offset wooden wheels and non-removable, twistable head and he’s not the only one who will be smiling.

Cow Caro makes every baby a moo-ver and a shaker. Push her around on her offset, wooden wheels, shake her to hear the bells, or twist her non-removable head so she can smile in every direction.

This bear, rhino and crocodile stacking toy is not only fun but it’s a great developmental toy. Children can stack the blocks on one of three wooden rods in any order; do it like a puzzle, or mix up the animals. When it’s all done, pull the Zoolino stacking toy around and have your own zoo parade.
Awards: Creative Child Magazine Toy of the Year 2010

Bear Ben’s pushing himself into every baby’s heart. This adorable, blue bear has a bell, a non-removable, twistable head and offset wooden wheels.

Paulina’s bells, offset wheels and non-removable, twistable head is sure to roll its way into any pony-loving baby’s favorite toy stable.

Brightly colored with water-based stain (no lacquer) rattles are sure to keep baby happy and busy. Whether babies want to shake it or spin it they’re going to enjoy it.
Awards: Creative Child Magazine Toy Award 2010
— Three of 38 specialty retailers cited rattles by HABA as a best-selling wooden toy in their stores in February 2010.

An apple a day keeps the dolly doctor away! Especially a wooden apple, made in Germany.  Load that cart with fresh wooden fruit.

Live healthy and fill your cart with yummy wooden veggies grown in GERMANY. Set includes 2 carrots, 1 radish, 2 tomatoes, 2 mushrooms and 2 peppers.

This wooden car has a sleek design and measures 20 cm long.

Suitable for ages 3 months and up, this spinning top toy features a wooden base covered with a bright, fabric octopus.

Cubebots's powerful hardwood frame can hold many poses, and his elastic-band muscles and durable wood limbs make him impervious to breakage. When it’s time for him to rest, he folds into a perfect cube. Designed by David Weeks. Made of sustainably harvested cherry wood. Watch Cubebot: Top-5 Video, Toy Fair 2010

This large drum comes with an adjustable lanyard and toddler hand size's drumsticks that are perfect for beating on the big drum.
— "We are all occasionally guilty of under rating the value of simpler toys, but you can't do better for gross motor planning, grasping, or cause and effect for your toddler than a drum like the natural wood Big Drum from Plan Toys. The drum sticks are the right size for toddlers and the drum has a really nice woody sort of sound. Another great product from Plan Toys," Jennifer Shuman, owner of 1SmartNoodle, told TDmonthly at Toy Fair 2010.
— Plan Toys is one of Owner Donna Fredericks’ best-selling wooden lines at The Play House Toy Store in Durham, N.C.
— Gary Green, owner of The Toy Box of Asheville in Asheville, N.C., told TDmonthly in a January 2012 survey about musical products that they sold 30 of this item each month during the holiday shopping season.