June 2011 Notable Toys — Wooden Toys

To play, players take turns placing their wooden "wall" pieces on the board, attempting to complete squares while preventing their opponent from doing the same. The player with the most completed squares at the end of the game wins. TRAPPEX is simple enough to be played by children, strategic enough to engage a true gamer. The rules have been drafted so that there is always a winner, no ties, stalemates, or cat's games. Hand crafted from high quality hardwoods. Playing time is 10-15 minutes. Includes game board, 60 wooden wall pieces, 25 two-sided game discs, and instructions.
Awards: 2012 Dr. Toy Best Classic Toys

Maple Landmark Woodcraft has had animal and vehicle dominoes for years, and now they have developed a colorful set of standard dominoes. This 28-piece, double six set is made from locally harvested hardwood maple. Each domino measures about 1 1/4" wide X 2 1/2" long and about 3/8" thick. The colorful dots are done in a very durable non-toxic ink. Each number is in a different color. The set comes with a drawstring cloth bag and a playing instructions and suggestions. "The dominoes are made in the USA," Barbara Rainville, marketing manager at Maple Landmark Woodcraft, told TDmonthly. Launch date: February 2011.

The Wheely Pig is the latest addition to the Prince Lionheart award-winning, ride-on toy line. The Wheely Pig teaches children balance and motor skills with castor wheels which will allow children free movement. Easy to clean and durable. Launch date: June 2011 Awards: Mother & Baby, Top Gear, 2005 Baby Gear Gold, 2005 Practical Pre-School, 2010 Fat Brain Best of the Best

With it's innovative flipping mechanism, Wishbone Flip transforms from rocker to ride-on in seconds. Eye-catching and super-functional, Wishbone Flip is the perfect first birthday present. It’s an heirloom quality, transformable toy, packed with personality. Made from plantation birch for ages 1 to 5. "Wishbone Flip has an impressively simple flipping mechanism making it easy to transform Flip from rocking to ride-on toy and back again in seconds," Jennifer McIver, managing director at Wishbone Design Studio, told TDmonthly. Launch date: June 2011.

Woody Rocking Horse is made from 100% birch, harvested from an FSC Approved (ethically harvested) forest. It is produced to last as an heirloom toy. Helps Children develop balance, muscle strength and coordination. Over-sized rockers prevent tipping forwards or backwards, and footrests help children balance and position themselves properly. Weight limit is 100 lbs. Launch date: June 2011.

Inspired by modern architecture pioneers Le Corbusier and Gropius, Dylan House features a concrete and glass feel, but with the breezy openness of a beach-front home.  Floor-to-ceiling windows open to allow natural light into the house and play from many angles.  Dylan House is created in ¾” scale.  Furniture is sold separately. Doug Rollins, founder and ceo of Brinca Dada, told TDmonthly that this toy's "Modern design" sets it apart from similar products. Launch date: July 2011.

Strike up the band with this toddler-safe set of wooden rhythm instruments for kids 18 months and older. Four friendly, easy-to-grasp instruments jingle, shake and clack. The instruments promote fine motor, auditory and creative expression skills while instilling appreciation of music and movement.
— In a January 2012 survey, Jen Fairclough, assistant manager of Magic Box LTD in New Orleans, La., told TDmonthly that they sell six of this item each month, making it one of their top-two best selling musical products.

First Jigsaw Puzzle is a 4-piece solid hardwood puzzle perfect for 1-3 year olds. The pieces are interchangeable and reversible, allowing any two pieces to be connected. However, only if all pieces are connected correctly, will a square be built. Two different pattern solutions are possible: a checkerboard pattern and a striped pattern. This puzzle is designed to provide multiple levels of challenges. Younger toddlers will find it challenging to just physically connect two pieces. By having the pieces interchangeable and reversible, they find success without being frustrated. Once that skill is mastered, older toddlers will be challenged to build a square. Finally, toddlers will be fascinated that they can make two different patterns and will be challenged to discover how that is possible. They will do the puzzle over and over to find the answer. Made of sturdy, solid maple and cherry, it will not bend or warp like cardboard puzzles. At over 3/4" thick, toddlers can easily sense when a successful connection has been made - something that can be difficult with thin cardboard puzzles. Other puzzles have pictures painted or glued onto them. Our puzzle is simply finished with a safe, food-grade beeswax and oil finish. Instead of concentrating on a picture, our puzzle focuses on the natural pattern the two contrasting wood tones make.
Awards: A Dr. Toy Best Green Product for 2011

These miniature cars come in 8 different styles which have a bamboo chassis. The styles include a beach buggy, hot rod, and twin turbo. The cars are made completely out of bamboo, aside from the contrast-painted wheels, which include some rubber and plastic.

This pull-along wooden crocodile flaps his mouth as he rolls along. The wheels are coated in rubber to help eliminate the sound of the toy being rolled around the house. Made with water-based paint and wood from sustainable forests.

These wooden vehicles can be pushed around. The elements of the truck are moveable. Comes in dump truck, tow truck, and helicopter. Made in the USA of 100% post-industrial recycled wood residuals; non-toxic with ultra low odor paint, zero VOC.

These pushcarts are great for kids who are just learning how to walk. Kids can also use them to store and tote around their toys. Comes in blue or pink. Made in the USA of 100% post-industrial recycled wood residuals; non-toxic with ultra low odor paint, zero VOC.

This horse and carriage push toy features a built in handle in the horse. The horse and carriage can be separated so they can be played with separately. Made in the USA of 100% post-industrial recycled wood residuals; non-toxic with ultra low odor paint, zero VOC.

This wooden train from European company GoKids features a train car that holds a set of colorful wooden blocks. The train doubles as a pull toy, with a string in front for kids to tug along.

This set of wooden figures are bendable and poseable. The line also includes wooden furniture for the figures. Set of six figures.

The Elephant Table is built on a inter-locking frame and will not tip over. The seats are part of the table so they don't get moved or lost. Strong enough for the kids to stand on — even when they are not supposed to.

Fastrack is an all-new kind of sports game. It consists of a wooden tray with an elastic band across each end and a bridge in the middle with a slot opening. Each side starts with 5 wooden disks. Using the elastic cord, players must be quick and aim well to be the first to send all of the disks zooming across to the other side. The first to successfully clear all 10 disks to the opponent's side wins the round. "Fastrack is high quality, eco-friendly, durable and made of wood," Nicole Britton from Blue Orange Games told TDmonthly. Launch date: June 2011.
Awards: 2011 Dr. Toy's Best Green Product; 2011 ASTRA Best Toys for Kids
— In a July 2014 survey, one out of 14 retailers told TDmonthly that Fastrack was their store's best-selling toy.

Topozoo Dragon, new for 2011, features a shimmering black finish and red felt wings.  Felt 'flames' complete this fire-breathing animal. Compatible with all other Topozoo playsets.

New Topozoo unicorn features a sparkly surface and felt wings made from recycled bottles. The unicorn's wings can be reversed to be either pink or purple. Can be mixed and matched with all other Topozoo figures.

The Topozoo Spring Set, new for 2011, contains one Duck and one Bunny.  Both include felt parts made from recycled plastic bottles, and both are reversible.

Contemporary design, solid construction, quality workmanship, interactivity, and
100% sustainably harvested wood are features of Areaware's David Weeks Animal collection. The David Weeks Animal collection is comprised gorillas, bears, wild boars, rhinos, and elephants. Each is made from sustainably harvested beech wood and can hold as many poses as one’s imagination allows. They are heirloom quality but strong enough to sustain any mischief that comes their way. Prices start at $65.

Whether serving lemonade in the yard on a hot summer day or selling cookies at a local fair, this easy-to-assemble, mobile solid wood stand will help kids learn about business. Kids can use the included Design Idea Book and decorating accessories to give their stand a unique, personal touch. Extra inventory or other items can be stored on the sturdy shelf underneath. When finished, simply fold the stand up and slide it into a closet, store it in the garage, or put it in the trunk of your car. Easy to assemble, store and move; made of solid wood.

The game consists of a board approximately 30 inches long, 16 inches wide and having surrounding sides that are 4 inches high. The game also has several small rooms laid out on the board. The pins (Skittles) are positioned amongst the rooms and a top is launched and sent spinning from one end of the table in an effort to topple as many of the skittles as possible. Each skittle, knocked down, scores a differing number of points. This game probably dates back to, at least, the late 1700s and most likely originated in France Table A Toupie) or England.
Awards— Dr. Toy’s Best Classic Toys for 2011

Build-A-Robot features four interchangeable, geometric-shaped heads featuring the emotions of happiness, sadness, anger and surprise as well as a range of textures to address sensory issues. To strengthen fine motor skills, the heads are attached with snap connectors. The legs are attached with screw connectors allowing the robot to sit or stand. Designed specifically to address the needs of children with ASD, the robot appeals to children of all ages. Launch date: February 2011.