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

Cheekeyes by STUDIO SPOON B.V.

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. ( Watch Video) 7/24/2009 (Price: $29.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Hanno the Gorilla by AREAWARE

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. 7/20/2009 (Price: $75.00) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Pull Toy - Blue and Brown Elephant by NEW ARRIVALS INC.

This wooden pull toy measures approximately 6" x 7" and comes packaged with a gingham bow. 7/20/2009 (Price: $25.00) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

MOOV Starter Kit by BERG USA, LLC

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

( Watch Video) 7/17/2009 (Price: $249) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Market Stall by PLANTOYS

Kids can learn about healthy food choices by running their own market stall filled with wooden fruits and vegetables. Produce sold separately. ( Watch Video) 7/16/2009

Parking Garage by PLANTOYS

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". ( Watch Video) 7/16/2009

Roley Poley Animals by WILD APPLES

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". ( Watch Video) 7/15/2009 (Price: $4.75) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

RiNGLEY Knotted by RINGLEY NATURAL TEETHING TOYS

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. ( Watch Video) 7/15/2009 [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

RiNGLEY Straight by RINGLEY NATURAL TEETHING TOYS

RiNGLEY is a natural teething toy made with a combination of Canadian Maple wood and 100-percent organic terrycloth. RiNGLEY is created to provide babies and toddlers with two safe and efficient textures that enable children to satisfy their teething needs. It was designed with a child’s development in mind. RiNGLEY is handmade in Toronto, Canada. Launch date: 2008. ( Watch Video) 7/15/2009 (Price: $15.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Motif Cubes by NEWARTIFACTS

Made up of nine wooden cubes with red patterning, this "anti-puzzle" has no right answer or winning move. It encourages exploration through assembling the blocks in various ways — and the patterns are a match at all times, no matter how the cubes are placed. Launch date: 2009. ( Watch Video) 7/15/2009 [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Girls' Smart Balance Bike by SMART GEAR LLC

This “run bike” or “balance bike,” which is pedal free and without training wheels, is designed to help a child develop balance and motor skills necessary to later ride a two-wheel bicycle with pedals. Smart Balance Bikes work to develop a child’s balance and coordination by simply allowing the child to sit and walk or run with the bike by pushing with his or her feet. If the bike starts to fall, kids instinctively regain balance using their feet. Once they’ve gained some momentum and balance control, they can lift their feet up as they feel comfortable and start cruising. Smart Balance Bikes are made from birch wood from a replenishable source, with real inflatable rubber tires, handle bar grips, an adjustable, cushioned leatherette seat to grow with the child, and a distinctive carry handle incorporated into the bike's body. The construction uses formaldehyde-free lacquer and non-toxic paints, and the carton is made from recycled paper with water-based ink. Launch date: September 2008.
— In a March 2012 survey, Chris Lowe, owner of Beanhead Toys in Sandy Springs, Ga., told TDmonthly that Balance Bikes from Smart Gear were one of her best selling ride-on toys. 7/7/2009 (Price: $79.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Rocking Caterpillar by SMART GEAR LLC

The Rocking Caterpillar features a wooden base, a soft, plush seat and a squeaky red nose. The multi-colored fabric plush can be removed for easy cleaning. 7/7/2009 (Price: $136.00) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Wonderworld Rainbow Sound Blocks by SMART GEAR LLC

Babies can learn sorting, matching and association skills. Looking through the blocks, children will see the world in different colors. The Wonderworld Rainbow Sound Blocks are comprised of wood and transparent multi-colored plastic, and filled with rattling beads that produce different tones when shaken. "Wonderworld, as a strong advocate of protecting the environment, insists on using only rubber-wood that is of replenishable source[s]... Wonderworld strictly uses only non-toxic color and laquer constituent for all our products," Jason Cohen, president of Smart Gear, told TDmonthly. This product received a National Parenting Publications Award. Launch date: September 2007. 7/7/2009 (Price: $34.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Wonderworld Mini Garage by SMART GEAR LLC

Kids can find a place to park their cars by taking them up and down the ramp or using the the elevator provided to get a car serviced, washed or parked.  Wonderworld wooden toys are made of rubberwood, a replenishable resource, and utilize non-toxic color and lacquer. "Wonderworld uses only water-based paint for our wooden toys so to minimize: child exposure to chemicals ... CO2 emission ... and chemical waste release to the environment," Jason Cohen, president of Smart Gear, told TDmonthly. Launch date: September 2009. 7/2/2009 (Price: $104.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Fire Engine Sorter by SMART GEAR LLC

Suitable for ages 18 months and up, this fire engine is made of the renewable resource rubberwood and comes with colorful shape pieces toddlers can push through the matching silhouettes on the sides. Launch date: 2009.
— "Smart Gear is doing some really smart stuff," Patti Tepper-Rasmussen, owner of Learning Tree Toys, Games & Books in Oklahoma City, told TDmonthly after the 2009 ASTRA show. She commented on the line's nice appearance and wooden construction. 6/30/2009 [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

111-Piece Barn Set by LUMBERJACK LOGS LLC

This 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 (Price: $189.99)

Little Auto by HAPE

Little 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 (Price: $4.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Take-along-Friend Shark by MANHATTAN TOY

This Take-along-Friend is crafted out of renewable rubberwood. It's designed to inspire creativity and fun for kids to run around trying to have the shark catch the fish. Launch date: July 2009. 6/29/2009 (Price: $22) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Take-along-Friend Alligator by MANHATTAN TOY

This 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 (Price: $22) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Modern Baby Beads by MANHATTAN TOY

Designed 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 (Price: $12) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Swirl by MANHATTAN TOY

This whirly, twirly activity toy has brightly colored loops and wooden discs that spin up and down in a dizzying array of activity. It is made from renewable rubberwood. Launch date: July 2009. 6/29/2009 (Price: $12) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Woogle by MANHATTAN TOY

This rattle is made from renewable rubberwood and features a clickety-clack sound with bright colorful pieces. Launch date: July 2009. 6/29/2009 (Price: $9.00) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

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 (Price: $25.00) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Bugs Blocks by UNCLE GOOSE TOYS

These 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 (Price: $40.00)

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 (Price: $22.00) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]