October 2009 Notable Toys — Wooden Toys

With a future-retro design, and connectable, interchangeable parts, this sleek toy vehicle can fit in the palm of a hand. Automoblox Minis received a TDmonthly Top Toy Award 2007.
— Automoblox has been a best-selling line, according to retailers surveyed by TDmonthly, since 2007.
— "That little three-piece Automoblox set sold extremely well. I've sold about 40 of them in two months," Janet Gregory, owner of Over the Rainbow in Anchorage, Alaska, told TDmonthly leading up to Christmas 2009. Two of 44 specialty retailers named Automoblox as an overall best seller in late 2009.
— In a February 2012 survey about wooden toys, two out of 14 retailers said that Automoblox were their bestseller in the category. Pam Byrd, manager and buyer at The Little Cottage Toy Shop in Franklin, Tenn., told TDmonthly that "Automoblox is still strong."

Where to Buy: Blue Turtle Toys; Camelot Kids; The Satin Button

This performance design of the S9 sedan features a deep blue shade with two color emblems and fully branded center capsg. It rides lower to the ground on bigger wheels with low-profile tires, and has been reduced to three blocks. The front and rear blocks accept a front splitter and a rear diffuser.

Part play theater and part brainteaser, this forest exercises imagination and depth perception. Children can make up their own stories or use the cards; the challenge is to determine which animal is standing deeper in the forest. The "unique gift item inspires imaginative play as well as developing depth perception," Brooke Sherman, wholesale manager of Kid O Products, told TDmonthly.

A bright spot in memorization games, the natural wooden board (made from sustainably grown wood from German beechwood forests) holds 4 different double sided cards for 8 different games. Lift the red dots to match numbers, animals, patterns and more.

Bright and pastel colors comprise this set of wooden letters by Tatutina. The letters are made of durable wood, painted with non-toxic paints and have an easy key hole on the back for easy hanging on the wall.  The letters are bright, colorful and measure approximately 7" in height.  These large letters make a great display of any child's name or a family's favorite phrase or room.  Available in bulk or by custom name.

The Climbers is an all-wooden, 3-D strategy game for two to five players. The object is to move your climber pawn to the top of a stack of colored blocks first. On your turn, you move one of the blocks and then climb up if you can, using your ladders for the larger steps in your climb. You must stay on surfaces that are your color or gray. You can also use your blocking stone to keep a block from being moved or occupied. Most games last 30 to 45 minutes. "If you have an open box, customers will be drawn immediately to the colorful blocks, the delicately crafted ladders, the simple rules, and the high replay value," Mark Salzwedel, president and CEO of Strategic Space, Inc., told TDmonthly. Launch date: October 15, 2009.

This medal can be given to a new "big sister" that is welcoming a little baby to the family. All medals are made of wood, painted with non-toxic paints and can be personalized on the back. Velcro on top of the ribbon make it easy to put on and take off. Measures 3.5" in diameter.

Themed like an oven with a painted stovetop on the top of the lid, cooking mits on the side, and oven timer and oven screen on the front, this 7.5" x 5" x 5" box holds recipes inside. The inside of the box features the phrase "What's cooking?" on the lid.

A newer model to the original wooden flying copter. Aero-Props are high flying, hand propelled plastic copters. Available in Primary, Glitter, Glow-in-the Dark, and Neon colors.

Yes, come and play with our Nativity Scene. Please Touch this 18 piece wooden set made in Germany by HABA. Includes a building with the golden star, sheep, donkey, cow, three kings, shepherd, angel and Joseph, Mary and the baby in a manger. This set is a perfect gift for grandparents to have out for the visits from the grandchildren.

Who wants to raise the bucket? A simple pulley based system will enable your child to learn physics! Equipped with 2 loose and 2 fixed reels make it possible to quadruple the energy savings required to lift something. Attach the supplied tension rope to a ceiling, a tree or even a staircase rail. Includes ropes, hook and wheels.

These frogs, fish and turtles are handmade in Vietnam using the ecologically harvested woods of the tropical jackfruit tree, and only when the tree is no longer able to bear fruit. The company calls them "bop-animals," as "bop" is the Vietnamese word for the "ribbit" you hear when you run a wooden stick (included) along their spine. These fair-trade items are made by artisans. Launch date: April 22, 2006.

ROLLORS is a yard game that can be played at a park, in the front or back yard of a house, or just about anywhere where a relatively flat ground surface can be found. This game of skill requires a modest level of physical activity and can be quickly varied depending on the age and skill level of the players. It can be played in teams or individual competition. Launch date: May 2009.
Awards: Dr. Toy 100 Best Children's Products - 2010
As of 6/16/2011, this product is now licensed to and manufactured by MARANDA ENTERPRISES LLC.

This Limited Edition Air Force One features a silk screen portrait of President Elect Barack Obama. Made in the USA from High Quality Pennsylvania Hardwood, it is constructed to last a lifetime. It measures  7-7/8" long x 5-1/2" wide x 4" high.

This hippo is handcrafted out of hardwood and features non-toxic, watercolor paints and a clear watercolor sealant.

Suitable for babies ages 3 months and up, the smooth handle of this rattle holds three colorful, wooden leaves that make a clacking sound when shaken, as well as colorful velour and fleece fabrics.

Cheekeyes are a series of wooden play sets with distinctive pink cheeks and dreamy eyes. These toys are handmade from eco-friendly rubberwood and are partially painted. There are more than seven playsets: Arctic, Africa, Dino, Forest, Farm, Rainforest and Sea. The average size of an animals is between 6 and 14 cm wide and 8 and 12 cm high. "Brought to you from The Netherlands (Europe) by STUDIO SPOON ... there are no bells or whistles, no batteries or flashing lights. All you need is just a little imagination and magic begins to happen. The Cheekeyes will definitely spark your kid's imagination and will encourage open-ended, educational play," Rogier van Zijp, designer for STUDIO SPOON B.V., told TDmonthly. Cheekeyes received a 2009 Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Platinum Award. Launch date: 2009.

Designed by David Weeks and made from sustainably harvested beech wood, Hanno features a sturdy hardwood frame and measures 12" x 6.5" x 3.5". He has elastic-band "muscles" and is named after the Greek voyager who found gorillas 2,500 years ago.

This wooden pull toy measures approximately 6" x 7" and comes packaged with a gingham bow.

MOOV is a full-size construction toy designed so that children can construct MOOV by themselves without the use of any tools or help from their parents. The wooden parts, rings, shafts and frames are multifunctional. The spare parts in the wood are specially designed so it's easy to remove the rings from the shafts. MOOV has received the following awards: TDmonthly Top Toy 2009; Toy of the Year, 2008, The Netherlands; Honorable mention, Reddot Design Award, 2008 (International Design Award); Toy of the Year, 2008, Germany; and Right Start Award, Toy Awards, 2008, United Kingdom. Launch date: June 2009.

Where to Buy: Escapade Direct

Kids can learn about healthy food choices by running their own market stall filled with wooden fruits and vegetables. Produce sold separately.

The Parking Garage has three floors of parking space, a working elevator tower, attendant's booth and helipad. The set also includes a figure, car, gas station and car wash. It measures 19.3" x 13.8" x 13".

This collection of little animals on wheels includes the following designs constructed from various American hardwoods: anaconda, alligator, bear, chimpanzee, cow, elephant, giraffe, horse, kangaroo and rabbit. They are finished with non-toxic mineral oil. Each measures approximately 3" x 2" x 1.5".

Handmade in Toronto, Canada, RiNGLEY is a natural teething toy constructed with Canadian Maple wood and 100-percent organic terrycloth. RiNGLEY is designed to provide babies and toddlers with two safe and efficient textures that enable children to satisfy their teething needs.