ToyDirectory
April 19, 2024

TDmonthly Magazine

July 2009 | Vol. VIII - No. 7


Holiday Preview - Wooden Toys

Blocks, Beads and Barns Say It All

By Julie L. Jones
July 2009

Rubberwood beads, designer-caliber baby gifts and maple construction sets will keep kids young and old busy with fun projects this year.

Modern Baby Beads by MANHATTAN TOY

Modern Baby Beads by MANHATTAN TOYDesigned for tiny hands to handle, this vibrant bunch makes clickey-clop sounds when jumbled together. It is made from renewable rubberwood. Launch date: July 2009. 6/29/2009 (MSRP: $12; Age: 0 to 1)


Childhood (Baby Strollers) by PLAYSAM

Childhood (Baby Strollers) by PLAYSAMPlaysam's Strollers are packaged in a white box with silver lettering. "These are touted to be the 'Best Baby Shower Gift Ever' under $70," Deepa Dadlani, president of VICI Enterprises (exclusive North American Distributor of Playsam), told TDmonthly. Launch date: 2009. 6/29/2009 (MSRP: $32.50; Age: 3 and Up)


Elephant eco-friendly wooden push toy by MANNY AND SIMON

Elephant eco-friendly wooden push toy by MANNY AND SIMONMade of 100% post-industrial recycled wood residuals, this push toy takes the shape of an elephant with wheels at the legs for children to push the toy around. Covered in non-toxic, ultra low odor paint, this wooden elephant push toy measures 11.5" x 11". 6/10/2009 (MSRP: $32.00; Age: 2 and Up)


Bugs Blocks by UNCLE GOOSE TOYS

Bugs Blocks by UNCLE GOOSE TOYSThese Uncle Goose multi-color alphabet blocks have bug pictures and names, and are made in the USA. This set includes four complete alphabets, two upper case and two lower case, and numbers from 0 to 10 and math symbols. Uncle Goose blocks are 1-3/4" and are handcrafted from sustainable Michigan basswood with child-safe inks. 6/29/2009 (MSRP: $40.00; Age: 2 and Up)


Wood Grain Series Qee Collection by Toy2R

Wood Grain Series Qee Collection by Toy2RThe Wood Grain Style Qee Collection features figurines in a variety of sizes in both light wood and dark wood designs, each created with a unique pattern like real wood. The collectibles are available in 2.5" with keychain attachment, 8", 9" and 16". Launch date: 2009. 6/19/2009 (Age: 15 and Up)


Automoblox Mini's: Silver S9-R by AUTOMOBLOX

Automoblox MiniWith deck and chin spoilers, rear diffusers, side skirts, large blue wheels, silver top  and other high performance styling cues, this Silver S9-R of the Automoblox R-Line speaks the language of serious driving fun. Fully interchangeable with other models, R-Line owners can mix-and-match parts to build unique performance models or just add a little horse power to the current Automoblox styles. 6/16/2009 (MSRP: $12.00)


EverEarth™ Junior Ramp Racer by MAXIM ENTERPRISE INC.

EverEarth™ Junior Ramp Racer by MAXIM ENTERPRISE INC.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. 4/27/2009 (MSRP: $19.99; Age: 3 and Up)


Santa Train Car Set by MAPLE LANDMARK WOODCRAFT CO.

Santa Train Car Set by MAPLE LANDMARK WOODCRAFT CO.An addition to the NameTrain Wooden Railway System created by Maple Landmark, the four-car Santa Train Car Set is crafted from locally harvested maple with whimsical images of Santa, Mrs. Claus, reindeer and elves. The finishes and inks are all non-toxic. The car pieces are not sold separately. Launch date: June 15, 2009. 6/29/2009 (MSRP: $22.00; Age: 3 to 6)


Wild Side Collection by LEVELS OF DISCOVERY

Wild Side Collection by LEVELS OF DISCOVERYThe Wild West Rocker features a "Good Guy" photo frame in the rocker seat back, where the consumer can place a 4" x 6" photo of any little dude. The top of the seat back has spinning beads, two cowboys on a horse, and a bag of money that spins. Underneath the seat is the company's signature understamp that can be used to personalize the rocker for the child. A photo greeting card is included so the child can say thank you. "Our rockers are designed as a rocker, and with fun things for children to play with and discover as they rock," Cheryl Batzing, PR director for Levels of Discovery, told TDmonthly. Launch date: June 2009. 6/3/2009 (MSRP: $119.95; Age: 3 to 7)


Oozora Kendama - Cherry Red by Kendama, Inc.

Oozora Kendama - Cherry Red by Kendama, Inc.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. 4/24/2009 (MSRP: $19.95)


Rocket by PLAYSAM

Rocket by PLAYSAMFrom Scandinavian design company Playsam, this rocket is created to be both classic and contemporary, fanciful and functional, simple and sophisticated. "The products are beautifully packaged — ideal for gift giving," Deepa Dadlani, president of VICI Enterprises (exclusive North American Distributor of Playsam), told TDmonthly. Launch date: 2009. 6/29/2009 (MSRP: $55; Age: All Ages)


Scalino by GERMAN ENTRY LLC

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. 4/9/2009


Block Mates™ - Safari by GUIDECRAFT INC.

Block Mates™ - Safari by GUIDECRAFT INC.Block Mates build upon the foundation of unit blocks by providing children with a themed exploration set. All Block Mates are designed to fit standard unit blocks and can be built in their natural form or mixed and matched with others in the set to create new, imaginative creatures. The patented gasket design is created for a snug fit. There are five characters per set. The Safari set includes Gorilla, Rhinoceros, Elephant, Alligator and Lion. Blocks not included. There is not a toy in any market like Block Mates™. "They bring new life to a store's unit block sales and they are not marketed in big-box stores. They can be sold as an educational toy or a creative toy," Dave Ruddock, digital imaging and design for Guidecraft, told TDmonthly. This product received a Best of 2008 Instructor Teacher's Pick award and a 2008 and 2009 Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Gold Seal Award. Launch date: October 20, 2008. 6/29/2009 (MSRP: $25.00; Age: 3 to 6)


Multicultural Dolls by SOOPSORI CO. LTD.

Multicultural Dolls by SOOPSORI CO. LTD.These multicultural, wooden dolls feature a child-safe design using organic materials and are finished with linseed oil. 4/3/2009 (Age: 2 and Up)


Earthentree Dumbell Rattle by EARTHENTREE

Earthentree Dumbell Rattle by EARTHENTREEThe Dumbell Rattle is handcrafted in wood and colored with natural, vegetable-based dyes. It makes gentle sounds, is safe for babies, and is made by Channapatna artisans in India. The craft is over two centuries old and is made in locally available, sustainable (Hale) wood. The toy is in compliance with the ASTM F963 Safety Standard. Earthentree Toys has been awarded the Baby Planners' Seal of approval and featured as one of Mothering Magazine's "Best Natural Toys of 2008." "The shiny gloss comes from natural 'Shellac' resin. The Shellac used is allnatural and hypoallergenic; it is an excellent product for use around children [or] chemically-sensitive or allergic individuals," Deepti Shankar, president of Earthentree Toys, told TDmonthly. Launch date: 2008. 3/31/2009 (MSRP: $16; Age: 0 to 2)


Take-along-Friend Alligator by MANHATTAN TOY

Take-along-Friend Alligator by MANHATTAN TOYThis take-a-long friend, with its moving wheels and chomping mouth, is designed to inspire kids to touch, grasp, explore and grow. It has bright colors and zig-zag stripes and is made from renewable rubberwood. Launch date: July 2009. 6/29/2009 (MSRP: $22; Age: 1 to 2)


Roy Toy Earth-Friendly Log Building Sets by ROY TOY

Roy Toy Earth-Friendly Log Building Sets by ROY TOYThese natural wood construction sets are made using wood from sustainable forest management practices and are packaged in a cotton duck canvas bag. There are also sets in canisters and tubs to make cabins, forts and treehouses. The interlocking pieces require no tools and provide hours of safe and educational fun. The sets are made in the USA. Launch date: 2008. 3/31/2009 (MSRP: $19.50; Age: 3 and Up)


Wooden Blocks - 50 pcs by BOIKIDO

Building blocks are classics. These colorful and high-quality building blocks will attrack kids to them like honey to bears. Develop motor and problem solving skills. Learn shapes. Great value for 50 pcs. Use your imagination - the sky is the limit. Includes a storage bag for easy storage. Tested to meet European and U.S. safety standards. 3/25/2009 (MSRP: $44.99; Age: 2 and Up)


Little Auto by HAPE

Little Auto by HAPELittle Autos are child-sized vehicles made of maple with natural wood wheels painted with a vibrant burst of color and sweet graphics. They are available in four colors: lime green, blue, red and yellow, and accented with one of two whimsical patterns: checkers or blossoms. Little Autos are an "exceptional value for a modern, wood vehicle. This is available in a display with 8 autos in 4 colors," Robin Lehnert, marketing manager for Hape Intl., told TDmonthly. Launch date: 2009. 6/29/2009 (MSRP: $4.99; Age: 0 to 3)


111-Piece Barn Set by LUMBERJACK LOGS LLC

111-Piece Barn Set by LUMBERJACK LOGS LLCThis set of oversized building pieces is made of all-natural, finish-free hardwood maple with an interlocking design that facilitates construction of a classic barn measuring 18" W x 24" L x 20" H. It has sizeable windows and doors, plus a removable roof so that kids can play with their dolls and toys on the interior. Launch date: 2009. 6/30/2009 (MSRP: $189.99; Age: 3 and Up)


Automoblox Mini's: White C9-R by AUTOMOBLOX

Automoblox MiniWith deck and chin spoilers, rear diffusers, side skirts, large red wheels, silver top and side accents plus other high performance styling cues, this White C9-R of the Automoblox R-Line speaks the language of serious driving fun. Fully interchangeable with other models, R-Line owners can mix-and-match parts to build unique performance models or just add a little horse power to the current Automoblox styles. 6/16/2009 (MSRP: $12.00)








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