TDmonthly's ToyFair 2006 Preview--Wooden Toys Product Category

Zither Heaven 8-Note Thumb Piano by ZITHER HEAVEN

To play the thumb piano (kalimba), the musician pushes down on a key with a thumb. When the key is released, the vibration resonates in the wooden body. A thumb piano is sturdy and easy to carry, making it an easy choice for children. The 8-note thumb piano forms a diatonic scale (middle C to C, no sharps or flats). Made in the U.S.A. from sustainable native North American solid cherry, maple, or black walnut. 12/17/2010 (Price: $24.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Zither Heaven 8 Note Dished Thumb Piano by ZITHER HEAVEN

To play the thumb piano (kalimba), the musician pushes down on a key with a thumb. When the key is released, the vibration resonates in the wooden body. A thumb piano is sturdy and easy to carry, making it an choice for children. The 8-note dished thumb piano forms a pentatonic scale (sharps and flats only). Made in the U.S.A. from sustainable native North American solid cherry, maple, or black walnut. 12/17/2010 (Price: $22.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Zither Heaven 20 String Bowed Psaltery by ZITHER HEAVEN

The psaltery has survived through the centuries, from ancient times to the present. Zither Heaven's bowed psaltery features a triangle shape, which separates the strings to form a diatonic scale on one side and the remaining chromatic notes on the other side. imply designed and easy to bow, the Zither Heaven psaltery is designed for a child interested in music. The psaltery includes tuning wrench, bow, and rosin. Made in the U.S.A. from sustainable native North American solid cherry, maple or black walnut. 12/17/2010 (Price: $64.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Zither Heaven 22 String Bowed Psaltery by ZITHER HEAVEN

The psaltery has survived through the centuries, from ancient times to the present. Zither Heaven's bowed psaltery features a triangle shape, which separates the strings to form a diatonic scale on one side and the remaining chromatic notes on the other side. Simply designed and easy to bow, the Zither Heaven psaltery is designed for a child interested in music. The psaltery includes tuning wrench, bow, and rosin. Made in the U.S.A. from sustainable native North American solid cherry, maple or black walnut. 12/17/2010 (Price: $74.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Technics Building Blocks Basic Vehicle Pack by HABA USA/HABERMAASS CORP.

These building blocks move into action with wheels and ball tracks. The 26-piece Basic Vehicle Pack includes blocks, clutches and clamps, and is designed to teach motor skills and basic physics principles. An instruction booklet is included. ( Watch Video) 9/29/2010 (Price: $69.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Memo My Toys Game by HABA USA/HABERMAASS CORP.

This memory game for 2-4 players comes with 20 wooden pieces illustrated with images of favorite childhood toys, including dolls, blocks and teddy bears. Players lay the blocks out, then turn them over and try to match picture pairs by memory. ( Watch Video) 9/29/2010 [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Wooden Workbench by MELISSA & DOUG

This dramatic play wooden workbench is designed to be the right size for young children, right down to the nuts and bolts. The set includes a functioning vise, a tool rack, wooden tools, hardware and a storage shelf. A booklet with creative play ideas is included.
— In a February 2012 survey about wooden toys, Mike DiAndrea, manager of Hardware Toys in Paoli, Pa., told TDmonthly that they sell six of this item each month. ( Watch Video) 9/27/2010 (Price: $99.99)

Feel & Find by GUIDECRAFT INC.

The Guidecraft Feel & Find mixes visual and tactile stimuli via 20 printed tiles and wooden shapes. The set challenges kids to match the shapes, building their sensory skills.
— Nicole of Tired, Need Sleep reported that her son “was very, very excited about playing the game and eager to get everything perfect. However, with 20 fairly unfamiliar shapes in the bag, it was a pretty challenging game for him (which is a good thing, since it means we will get a lot of use out of this as his skills develop!).” She adored the bright, well-constructed pieces and the limitless possibilities for play and learning they offer.
— Renee of What Mommies Need called Feel and Find “a great learning tool for children.” After a few rounds, her son “learned to take his time and find what he was looking for” and “how to feel for a specific shape.” Renee noted that the $25 MSRP “is a great price for an all-wood product.” 9/24/2010 (Price: $25.00) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

The Settlers of Catan - 15th Anniversary Wood Edition by MAYFAIR GAMES INC.

Catan® is a modern classic. An international favorite, it has redefined social board games. Now you can create Catan out of wood and enjoy settling and building using specially tooled wooden pieces. Embark on a quest to settle the fair isle of Catan! Guide your brave settlers to victory by using clever trading and development. Use resources (grain, wool, ore, brick, and lumber) to build roads, settlements, and cities, and buy development cards. Acquire your resources through trades or the role of the dice. But beware! You never know when someone might cut off your road or if the robber will appear and steal your precious gains. Are you the best trader, builder, or settler? Will you master Catan? The strong, compartmentalized box contains: 52 thick, beautifully illustrated map hexagons, 144 specially designed playing pieces, 6 hexagonal building costs summaries and 2 special victory point markers, 1 vile robber, 2 dice, and 28 random number chits-all made from sturdy wood. The 154 cards, like the hexes, bear fine artwork from Michael Menzel. This special limited 15th Anniversary Wood Edition of The Settlers of Catan® is designed for 3-6 players. 9/23/2010 (Price: $150.00) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Magnetic Cannon by ABONG.COM

A magnetic cannon is a chain reaction device. It is built in a series of stages, each containing a magnet, a spacer, and a projectile. To start the chain reaction, a steel ball is released, which accelerates towards the first stage magnet. When it strikes the magnet, its energy is transfered through the magnet and spacer into the projectile which speeds off toward the next stage. The process repeats until the last projectile leaves the end of the device. The more stages an accelerator has, and the more powerful the magnets are at each stage, the faster the ball bearing will leave the final stage. This four-stage device features powerful rare-earth magnets, steel ball bearings, and 22cm firing trough. 9/23/2010 (Price: $34.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Magnetic Accelerator by ABONG.COM

A magnetic accelerator is a chain reaction device. It is built in a series of stages, each containing a magnet, a spacer, and a projectile. To start the chain reaction, a steel ball is released, which accelerates towards the first stage magnet. When it strikes the magnet, its energy is transfered through the magnet and spacer into the projectile which speeds off toward the next stage. The process repeats until the last projectile leaves the end of the device. The more stages an accelerator has, and the more powerful the magnets are at each stage, the faster the ball bearing will leave the final stage. This four-stage device features powerful rare-earth magnets, steel ball bearings, and 25cm firing trough. 9/23/2010 (Price: $34.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Tabletop Trebuchet Kit by ABONG.COM

The trebuchet was most highly evolved catapult type weapon of its time. Built on location, it was able to hurl carved stone balls weighing up to 300lb (136 kg) at enemy fortifications and at a safe distance from enemy fire. This tabletop trebuchet kit is designed to withstand rigorous use, safely and reliably when using the included projectiles. Each piece has been accurately machined from carefully chosen lumber, and precisely drilled to allow easy assembly. The completed model measures 20.3cm(8") x 10.1cm(4") x 15.2cm(6"). A how-to section demonstrates loading and firing the completed catapult, including tips on tuning the finished kit. 9/23/2010 (Price: $29.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Tabletop Catapult Kit by ABONG.COM

Catapults have been used throughout history. Its simplest form was the onager or mangonel, where a projectile was placed in a cup or spoon on the end of a throwing arm. The arm would be powered by twisted ropes of hair or fibre. When fired, the arm would swing up and slam into a stopping block, causing the entire catapult to buck, and sending the payload on its way. This tabletop catapult draws inspiration from this design and is powered by a powerful twisted rope skien, and features a simple spoon and arm type arrangement. Each piece has been accurately machined from carefully chosen lumber, and precisely drilled to allow easy assembly. The completed model measures 20.3cm(8") x 10.1cm(4") x 15.2cm(6"). A how-to section demonstrates loading and firing the completed catapult, including tips on tuning the finished kit. 9/23/2010 (Price: $19.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Catapult Science Project Kit by ABONG.COM

The science project catapult kit allows you to tinker with the design of a medieval siege weapon, and provides you with the information needed to analyse your results. The catapult can be changed from a wheeled, sling type trebuchet, to a bucking spoon-arm onager in minutes. Power the siege engine with a free-swinging counterweight or fixed rubber bands. Vary the counterweight mass, projectile mass, or sling length. Install the optional crash bar or let the arm swing free. Compare the results of all the different configurations, and draw your own conclusions about which design is the ultimate medieval artillery weapon. 9/23/2010 (Price: $39.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Truss Bridge Kit by ABONG.COM

Truss bridges have been a mainstay of civil engineering for many years. From early railroad structures to modern spans like the Bluewater Bridge in Port Huron, MI, truss bridges continue to be indispensible to our transportation network. This kit features all-wood construction. The materials have been carefully selected, accurately cut, and precisely drilled to allow easy assembly without tools or glue. The included instructions demonstrate how to build any one of six different structures using the color coded parts. The finished truss bridge measures 13" x 4" x 3.5" (33cm x 10cm x 89cm), with a structural span of 12" (30 cm). 9/23/2010 (Price: $19.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Maple Shape Sorter by TAG TOYS INC.

Giant, solid maple sorting cube with solid maple shapes to sort. 4 different sorting combinations from simple to complex. Large openings on each side for easy retrieval of shapes. Solid maple construction makes this sorting cube virtually indestructible. ( Watch Video) 9/14/2010 (Price: $39.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Wooden Circle Tower by TAG TOYS INC.

Classic wooden stack and nest toy with safe, rounded corners and brightly colored bases to arrange in sequence six ways. Recessed edges help the child make and correct and stable fits. 9/14/2010 (Price: $39.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Automoblox Blue T900 Truck by AUTOMOBLOX

Kids can take a drive on the wild side with this full-size Blue T900 Truck. This big blue truck features a universal connector system, enabling the rapid interchange of parts so that drivers can expand their creative play to take on new adventures. 9/7/2010 (Price: $50.00) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Automoblox Minis 3-Pack (Hot Rods) by AUTOMOBLOX

This Automoblox pack is designed to make playtime fun and creative. The Automoblox hot rod minis feature a universal connector system that enables the rapid interchange of parts, and are conveniently sized for on-the-go car design. The set includes a red/black HR1, a black/gray HRw and a red/chrome HR3.
— Jeanette Lauture, owner of Aunt Jean’s Toys & Treats in Montclair, N.J., sells approximately 4 to 10 per month. 9/7/2010 (Price: $40.00) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Teamson Kids Sunny Safari Bookends by TEAMSON DESIGN CORPORATION

These safari-themed bookends are hand-carved and hand-painted from durable wood. 9/7/2010 (Price: $31.90) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Teamson Kids - New York Mansion With Furniture by TEAMSON DESIGN CORPORATION

This toy mansion features wheels for easy moving. The door opens and closes. 9/7/2010 (Price: $278.00) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Teamson Kids - Ultimate Kitchen - Natural by TEAMSON DESIGN CORPORATION

This natural wood play kitchen is hand-painted and hand-carved.  The doors open and close, the oven knobs click and turn, and it features a cordless phone and removable sink for easy cleanup. 9/7/2010 (Price: $310.00) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Teamson Kids - Pink Kitchen by TEAMSON DESIGN CORPORATION

This kitchen is hand-painted and hand-carved, and features knobs on the dishwasher, oven and faucet. 9/7/2010 (Price: $138.00) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Timberworks Toys Small House/Bridge Set by TIMBERWORKS TOYS

Timberworks Toys are heirloom quality, large-scale construction sets made from hard maple. 52 pieces of high quality timbers, widgets, gable ends (triangles) and more are included to spark a child's imagination. Builders can start by making a small house, and then transform it into a bridge or a tree house. ( Watch Video) 8/25/2010 (Price: $185.00) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Timberworks Toys Wheeled Vehicle Set by TIMBERWORKS TOYS

Timberworks Toys are heirloom-quality, large-scale construction sets made from hard maple. The wheeled vehicle set features 48 pieces including four wheels to create endless possibilities to engage a child's imagination. Builders can make anything from a simple car to a dragster or an airplane with this large-scale construction set. 8/25/2010 (Price: $195.00) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]