July 2010 Notable Toys — Wooden Toys

These sporty wooden toy cars feature streamlined shapes and realistic brightly colored "windows" and "tires."

This sporty wooden toy car features a streamlined shape and realistic bubblegum-pink "windows" and "tires."

A die-cast model of Sodor's cheerful green engine, Learning Curve's Battery-Powered Percy brings life to a child's wooden railway. With an easy start button and glowing headlights, the four-wheel-drive engine powers itself around the track and can even pull other cars. It requires one AA battery (not included).
― “There's quite a bit [of growth] in the battery powered engine category with … the Learning Curve items,” said Keith Schumacker, manager of Talbot's Toyland in San Mateo, Calif., when asked about his best-selling battery-operated toys during a summer 2010 survey.

This double-sided modern children's kitchen is made in Germany from high-quality beechwood. "Children can play on both sides of the kitchen," Detlef Schülingkamp, Sales Manager, Fagus Wooden Toys, told TDmonthly.

This fishbowl features three happy residents for puzzle play. The extra-thick, three-piece wooden puzzle includes a fish, a turtle and a crab, each with jumbo wooden knobs for easy grasping. Full-color, matching pictures appear underneath each piece.
— In a Summer 2011 survey, 5 out of 12 retailers told TDmonthly that wooden peg puzzles from Melissa & Doug were their best-sellers in the category.
— As of 7/12/2011 this product had 4.5 out of 5 stars from 32 reviews on Amazon.com. Pros: Durable; age-appropriate; puzzle pieces fit well. Cons: One reviewer said the veneer on the puzzle pieces began peeling a month after purchasing it.
— In a June 2010 survey of 40 specialty retailers, 15 percent named Melissa & Doug as an overall top-selling brand. Two retailers told TDmonthly that the brand’s puzzles sell especially well.

These 2"-high trains can be customized with a child's name and are compatible with Maple Landmark trains and other wooden track systems, including Thomas the Tank Engine and Brio wooden trains. Name Trains letter cars connect with simple and safe magnets and are made from New England rock maple.
— Tye Steinbach from Thinker Toys in Portland, Ore., told TDmonthly in a November 2014 survey that Name Trains from Maple Landmark are one of their store's best-selling toys. They sell a few dozen each month.

Swing Up is a unisex transformable wooden toy that follows kids from the moment they start to walk until the age of 3. The toy can be adapted in shape and function to the requirements of children in different stages of their growth. At the first stage Swing Up is used as a baby-walker, then it can be easily transformed into a ride-on.

Lift Up is a unisex transformable wooden toy that follows kids from the moment they start to walk until the age of 6. The toy can be adapted in shape and function to the requirements of children in different stages of their growth. At the first stage Lift-Up is used as a baby-walker, then it can be easily transformed into a wheelbarrow.

Surf Up is a unisex transformable wooden toy that follows kids from ages 18 months to 6 years. The toy can be adapted in shape and function to the requirements of children in different stages of their growth. At the first stage Surf Up is used as a ride-on, then it can be easily transformed into a scooter.

Grow Up is a unisex transformable wooden toy that follows kids from the moment they start walking until the age of 6. The toy can be adapted in shape and function to the requirements of children in different stages of their growth. At the first stage Grow Up is used as a baby-walker, then it can be easily transformed into a ride-on and then a trolley.

Goodwood is a system of innovative wooden blocks, designed to invite imaginative and creative play. The precisely crafted blocks allow for building in every dimension, creating structures that are architecturally interesting and visually pleasing. The system includes seven intercompatible sets, each intended to be fun and interesting on its own, and to combine in fascinating ways with the others. These colored blocks are made from forest-friendly wood and are CPSIA tested. "The abstract, innovative shapes of the Goodwood blocks, which fit together in surprising and interesting ways, cultivate truly open-ended explorative play," Around Square President Matthew Hiebert told TDmonthly.
Awards: Dr. Toy Best Vacation Children’s Products Award

This wooden set features Chicago's own Metra Passenger Train. All Whittle Train toys are designed for use on Brio and Thomas track systems.

George Luck's classic wooden puzzle features various dinosaurs.

These pens are carved from wood and painted in vibrant colors to depict a wide variety of fun animals.
— “We carry a ton of different animals to choose from. It’s not your typical ink pen!” said Manager Katie Harris of Key West Toy Factory in Key West, Fla., of these best sellers in May 2010.

These 4” German Bavarian Bouncies come in many varieties of painted wooden animals and characters. They have a spring attached so that they continually bounce.
— Bavarian Bouncies were listed as a best seller at the Key West Toy Factory in Key West, Fla., in spring 2010 by Manager Katie Harris. “We carry over 20 different varieties,” she told TDmonthly. “Our favorites include the Pirate, Surfing Frog and Gator. They’re cute and unique items that you can’t find anywhere else, flown in from Germany.”

These hardwood classic yo-yos are assembled by Maple Landmark from domestic parts.
— Yo-yos with the Key West Toy Factory logo were top-10 best sellers at the store in May 2010, according to Manager Katie Harris. “These are classic items that everybody loves no matter their age,” she told TDmonthly. “Learning new tricks or practicing old ones with kids is perfect with the indestructible natural wood yo-yo we sell.”

From Ruffin Flag Company, these wooden painted slingshots come in several varieties, including a wolf, eagle and pirate.
— These slingshots were top sellers at Key West Toy Factory in Key West, Fla., in the late spring 2010, reported Manager Katie Harris. “These are the perfect gifts,” she told TDmonthly. “Pirates are loved here, and the unique wooden painted shot is fun for kids! Marshmallows make it safe at home, too.”

George Luck's classic wooden puzzle features various African animals.

The classic children's holiday story is told in a multi-layer wooden puzzle.

This wooden traditional-cut 98-piece puzzle is contained in a wooden frame and is suitable for display.

This wooden set contains the Amtrak F-40 engine and two Superliner cars. All Whittle Train toys are designed for use on Brio and Thomas track systems. "Our products are crafted with the highest quality of artwork and components. Attention to detail and safety are hallmarks of the Whittle Toy Company and these principles are incorporated into everything we make, right here in the USA," Owner Mike Whitworth told TDmonthly.

In the game of Cornerstone, players build and climb towers in a race to reach the top. Each turn, players build by strategically placing blocks, gaining a better vantage point for their climber, or blocking an opponent as the towers grow taller and more unstable. Matt Mette, Co-Founder of Good Company Games, told TDmonthly, "This game is universally appealing." Awards: 2009 Mensa Select; Parents' Choice Silver Honor. Launch date: October 2008.

The nic CombiCar is a basic vehicle with four different set-ups. It's now also availabe with a trailer. The set-ups are very easily interchangeable. The system is suited for use inside and outside, but should be kept dry. Made of beech wood.
— “In our view, it’s the best scooter toy that's ever been made," said Dean Ruggierio Smith, co-owner of JaZams in Princeton, NJ.

From the My Little Scoot collection, Train Engine Scoot is the perfect size for play mats, crafted from pine and approximately 4" long. This Scoot Train is modeled after the great locomotives of years past. Non-toxic clear finish and inks are used. Barbara Rainville, Marketing Manager at Maple Landmark Woodcraft, told TDmonthly, "The Scoot Train is made in the USA." Launch date: March 2010.