July 2009 Notable Toys — Wooden Toys

Made from all-natural wood and watercolor-based paints, and packaged in recycled material, this activity walker includes a block puzzle, working gears, wire beads, a spinning block, a peg maze, a shape sorter and a xylophone, plus a storage space with mesh netting in the back. It's "the only wooden walker on the market that is eco-friendly," Kris Millington, VP of marketing and development for Maxim Enterprise, told TDmonthly. Launch date: June 2009.

Designed to develop hand-eye coordination, color recognition and basic number skills, the Junior Ramp Racer may entertain children even after the checkered flag is waved. "Made from all-natural wood, painted with watercolor-based paints, and packaged in recycled materials, our EverEarth line of goods is our way of trying to take care of Mother Earth," Kris Millington, VP of marketing and development for Maxim Enterprise, told TDmonthly. Launch date: 2009.

Made from all-natural wood and watercolor-based paints, and packaged in recycled material, this cute wooden dog wags his tail as he's pulled along. "No other wooden pull toy is taking the same measures with recycled packaging materials, watercolor-based paints, and the use of sustainable forestries for raw materials," Kris Millington, VP of marketing and development for Maxim Enterprise, told TDmonthly. Launch date: 2009.

The Mini Excavator is made of precut pieces of wood that are designed for easy assembly. The product is created to teach the technology of the same machines seen in the construction site. No batteries are required. It was honored in the 2008 Creative Play Awards. Launch date: 2008.

A graceful mother duck and her duckling are the perfect size for little fingers to stack together. Out of the tub, they gently rock together. A modern twist on a classic bath toy.

Five brightly colored graduated cups turn water play into a time of infinite discovery. On dry land, they stack together to form a skyscraper or nest together to resemble a box of stars.

Four double sided pages with 8 silk screened illustrations, our wooden books give children a chance to either learn about their familiar animal friends homes or identify their favorite modes of transportation.

Oozora JKA certified competition kendama. Well balanaced and solid, the Oozora is the most highly regarded kendama currently manufactured, made by Japan's oldest maker of competition kendamas.
The cherry red color is the classic kendama color.

Manufactured by German company Holz-Hoerz, this wooden balance bike is constructed of sustainably grown birch and is finished with a linseed oil treatment. It has 12" pneumatic rubber tires and supports riders up to 100 lbs. Multiple accessories, including a ski bob conversion kit, are available. Launch date: 1991 (Germany); 2003 (United States).

This set of 12 wooden, sliceable cookies offers creative play for young bakers. The realistic-looking cookies come in a durable dough tube.
— The set was listed as a best seller in spring 2009 at Green Frog Toys in Portland, Ore. “The set is good for fun, educational and creative play,” Owner Patricia Fiedler told TDmonthly.
— This cookie set has been on the top-10 best seller list at Pufferbellies in Staunton, Va., for at least a year, Co-owner Susan Blanton told TDmonthly in fall 2009.

Created in France, these well-crafted wooden car kits, designed to introduce children to the world of woodworking, give children a chance to build something fun for themselves. The kit comes with pre-cut wood, a hammer, sandpaper and glue and dowels for old-world construction, as well as acrylic paints in durable pots, plus two paintbrushes to personalize the project — one for broad painting and one for details. The set features "beech wood components, which is more durable than pine, and everything the child needs is included," Meghan Ristau, sales and marketing manager for Woodland Magic Imports, told TDmonthly. Launch date: May 2008.

A fun and simple toddler-sized wooden seat that flips over and becomes a table or with another flip becomes a chair again, fulfilling a toddler-style need to make every side of every structure into something useful. A sizeable seat for a toddler, they last up until at least age eight as seats for pulling up to the coffee table for an afternoon of coloring,  or the conductor's perch on a toddler train.  Made from FSC Certified formaldehyde free 1/2" plywood and finished with non-toxic environmentally friendly finish.  Measures 11 3/4" x 11 3/4" x 11 3/4".

Walter Toys of Germany are made of natural raw materials and are particularly sturdy and child-friendly. Suitablility for babies was a major factor during the design stage and the toys are optimized to help babies observe and grasp their environments in their first years of life. The great colors encourage babies to investigate and play.

Scalino blocks and tracks are used in many Pre- schools and Kindergartens throughout Switzerland, as they support creativity and help develop logical skills. The different base sets and extensions, made of untreated Swiss beech wood, let parents grow the collection as the abilities of their children improve.

Matador of Austria wooden construction sets are made of Austrian beechwood. Children learn through pictures how to build model planes, cranes and helicopters. Different levels available for children ranging from +3 to +5 years of age.

The Creamobil series from NIC Toys of Germany is a series of high quality trucks, cranes and tractors with plenty of accessories to build up the collection.

Suitable for ages 18 months and up, this wooden play set includes a skillet, spatula, breakfast foods, utensils and service for two. It is made with organic materials and finished with linseed oil. The toast has internal magnets that allow the two pieces of bread to be joined together.

These multicultural, wooden dolls feature a child-safe design using organic materials and are finished with linseed oil.