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

Boikido Wooden Rainbow Cubes by BOIKIDO

Produced in the same contemporary style as our best selling Boikido blocks, these 10 Rainbow Cubes are adorned with colorful numbers and letters as well as whimsical animals. Exposing your child to counting and the alphabet, these cubes can be stacked up high, used to build, or inserted one into another while developing spatial and motor skills, too. Tested to meet European and U.S. safety standards. 12/16/2008 (Price: $44.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Personalized Handcrafted Toy Box by WOOD CREATIONS INC.

This handcrafted toy box is available in three colors: natural oak, dark cherry and espresso. The child's name is laser engraved into the front panel for a beautiful effect. The customer also has an option to add a solid aromatic cedar base to the chest for a cedar chest application. The customer can choose from countless designs and font options. This toy chest comes with two lid supports for safety. "Nobody on the planet personalizes toy boxes like we do," President Bob Beck of Wood Creations told TDmonthly. Launch date: 1999. 12/12/2008 (Price: $295) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Wooden Animal Nesting Blocks by MELISSA & DOUG

These colorful wooden blocks, featuring all sorts of creatures from both land and sea, stack up to almost 3'. Package size is 5.75" x 5.75" x 5.7".
— “Melissa & Doug are phenomenal. They have great margins for volumes and are supportive. I wish we had five more of them,” Fred Meyer, owner of Meyer’s Toy World in Battle Creek, Mich., told TDmonthly in late 2008 when naming the company one of his favorite vendors. Forty-eight percent of 52 retailers surveyed praised Melissa & Doug as a favorite supplier. 12/10/2008 (Price: $19.99)

One-of-a-Kind Wooden YoYo by SUDDENLY, IT'S REAL!

Each yoyo from One-of-a-Kind Yo-Yo has its own character. The yoyos are made with various sustainably harvested woods from Wisconsin. The wood is carefully selected, hand cut, meticulously sanded, and dipped in a clear lacquer, then assembled with the utmost care. The professional yoyo strings are 100-percent cotton. Each yoyo measures approximately 2" across. Before leaving the shop for the toy store, each yo-yo must pass rigorous testing by the maker to insure that the consumer receives a quality product that works like a charm. Launch date: 2000. 11/25/2008 (Price: $30.00) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Deluxe 68-Piece Block Set by BEKA INC.

From the company's traditional collection of wooden blocks made in the USA, this set features 68 blocks in 12 shapes: 10 units, 10 half units, 10 half pillars, eight pillars, six columns, 4 double pillars, four Roman arches, four half circles, four small triangles, four double flats, two roof boards and two double units.
— “They don’t require minimums,” said Peg Scholtes, owner of Capitol Kids in Madison, Wis., when naming BEKA as a preferred vendor in fall 2008. Two other retailers, out of 52, also listed the company as a favorite. ( Watch Video) 11/20/2008 (Price: $158.00)

Running Animals by COLORI USA/TATIRI

Six different designs are available for these running animals. Some designs include a pig, a dog, and a ladybug. 11/19/2008 [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Kiddimoto Superbike & Kiddimoto Scrambler by KIDDIMOTO USA

The hottest European trend for kids has arrived in the USA. The immensely popular Kiddimoto balance bikes have the unique look of real motorcycles and are hand crafted of 100-percent birch plywood. Kiddimoto bikes do not have pedals or training wheels; therefore children learn to balance and steer very quickly, improving motor skills, increasing strength, and developing confidence on two wheels earlier than they have been able to ever before. "Our unique, British-designed wooden balance bicycles look like real motorcycles," Liz Roth, for Kiddimoto USA, distributed by Rocat LLC, told TDmonthly. Awards won include a 2007 Practical Pre-School Award, a 2007 Right Start Best Toy Award, a 2006 Hamleys Toy Award and a 2005 Baby Gear Gold Award. Launch date: February 15, 2009. 11/18/2008 (Price: $149.99)

SIBIS Flix by SIRCH

Designed for children ages 1 1/2 and up, this ride-on made of birch plywood features quiet wheels and encourages toddlers to use their own leg power to scoot along. MSRP is in the range of $180 to $200. 11/14/2008 [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Log Rocker by 10 GRAIN

Kids can rock the house with this simple rocker solution that epitomizes “play potential." It can be used as a speeding motorcycle, a galloping horse or even a balance beam. The open-ended design allows kids to bring their imagination to life and create an experience all their own. Its large size allows for two kids to grab a hold and take off. It is constructed from durable molded ply as strong as the log that inspired it. It's a "new-school version of an old-school classic ... the teeter totter," General Manager Matt Genova of 10 Grain told TDmonthly. Launch date: December 2007. 11/13/2008 (Price: $215)

Shape Sorting Clock by TOP SHELF HOLDINGS LLC

This colorful, handcrafted clock features a different removable shape for each hour and also has movable hands. It measures 9" x 12" x 2". 11/11/2008 (Price: $14.95)

My Royal Castle by HAPE

This wooden castle includes 26 pieces, featuring three knights, a king and queen, a working drawbridge and rope ladders. Launch date: 2008. 11/11/2008 (Price: $135.00) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Fire Tunnel Set by NOVA NATURAL TOYS & CRAFTS

This set of five colorful pieces is carved from a single block of European hardwood, so the sections align perfectly with one another. It features non-toxic, water-based stains and measures 6.75" H x 4.5" W. A mini version (MSRP: $15.90) is available also and measures 4" H x 3" W. 11/10/2008 (Price: $29.90) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Shape Sorting Truck by THE LITTLE LITTLE LITTLE TOY COMPANY

This colorful pull-along features wooden construction with pieces that fit into the shape cut-outs on the trailer. A doll or stuffed animal can ride along in the cab. It measures 13.7" x 7.7" x 9.5". 11/7/2008 (Price: $65.00) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Farm Cube Puzzle by MELISSA & DOUG

This wooden puzzle consists of 16 cubes that can be arranged to feature colorful images of six different farm animals. Each puzzle includes a border designed to help kids as they're assembling each puzzle.
— Four of 32 retailers mentioned Melissa & Doug when asked by TDmonthly about their anticipated best-selling toys for the holiday season in October 2008. 10/31/2008 (Price: $11.99)

Stratum by FAMILY GAMES INC.

Strategy skills get stepped up a notch when space runs out on the board. The game continues on top of the previously played pieces. Following specific layering laws, each player tries to cover up their opponent's pieces. In the end, the more exposed player comes out the winner. It's "a strategy game that's fun for the whole family," Jackie Aubut, director of sales for Family Games, Inc., told TDmonthly. Launch date: November 20, 2008. 10/27/2008 (Price: $29.99)

Schoolhouse Naturals ABC Block Set by MAPLE LANDMARK WOODCRAFT CO.

This set includes 16 hard maple blocks that measure 1.75" and can collectively be used to spell more than 350 words. Each unfinished block features a letter, and its background has a detailed, laser-designed image of an object that begins with that letter — S for snowflake, for example. Launch date: 2008. 10/21/2008 (Price: $98.00) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Schoolhouse Naturals Shape Sorting Bench by MAPLE LANDMARK WOODCRAFT CO.

This natural wooden bench includes 12 maple blocks in four shapes — circle, square, rectangle, triangle — that fit into the labeled cutouts of the bench, which measures 4" H x 4" W  x 6 3/4" L. The bench is made of hard maple and comes unfinished. Launch date: 2008. 10/21/2008 (Price: $19.00) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

New York City Subway Wooden Railway 42 Street Shuttle Loop and Terminal Set by FAY GRAPHIC DESIGN LTD.

Munipals' first train and track set is a great starter set for any subway fan. The set comprises two 42 Street Shuttle cars and 19 track pieces, enough to build ovals, loops, and straight shuttle runs over 6' long. Being the only IRT shuttle in the system, the real 42 Street Shuttle carries nearly a quarter million people every week. It runs on tracks only 20' beneath the street, with each of the three shuttle trains making an average of 360 runs each day. ( Watch Video) 10/16/2008 (Price: $34.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

New York City Subway Wooden Railway 1-Train Broadway/7 Av Local by FAY GRAPHIC DESIGN LTD.

The 1-Train runs from Van Cortlandt Park in the Bronx, all the way to the South Ferry at the southern tip of Manhattan. This Broadway/7 Av Local 1-Train is based on the R-62 model. Features a solid hardwood upper body with magnetic connectors to play on all standard wooden railway tracks. 4-inches long. Safe, sturdy and fun for ages 3 and older. ( Watch Video) 10/16/2008 (Price: $9.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

New York City Subway Wooden Railway A-Train 8 Avenue Express by FAY GRAPHIC DESIGN LTD.

The A-Train runs from Inwood at the top of Manhattan, to Far Rockaway in Queens; more than 31 miles, the longest line in the system. This A-Train 8 Avenue Express is based on the R-143 model. Features a solid hardwood upper body with magnetic connectors to play on all standard wooden railway tracks. Realistic signage--just like current in-service subway cars. 5-inches long. Safe, sturdy and fun for ages 3 and older. 10/16/2008 (Price: $9.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

New York City Subway Wooden Railway F-Train 6 Avenue Local by FAY GRAPHIC DESIGN LTD.

The F-Train runs from 179 St. in Jamaica, Queens into Manhattan, and then down to Coney Island in Brooklyn. This F-Train 6 Avenue Local train is based on the R-64 model. Features a solid hardwood upper body with magnetic connectors to play on all standard wooden railway tracks. Realistic signage--just like current in-service subway cars. 5-inches long. Safe, sturdy and fun for ages 3 and older. 10/16/2008 (Price: $9.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Jetliner by PLAYSAM

This sleek, wooden airplane is also available in shiny red and black. 10/2/2008 [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Wooden Top by NAEF SPIELE LTD.

This spinning top, with a diameter of 4 cm, is available in pear, maple, cherry, walnut and plum woods. 10/2/2008 (Price: $8.50)

Cella - Red by NAEF SPIELE LTD.

This decorative construction toy consists of nine pieces and is designed to symbolize the smallest unit within a cell. It measures 10 cm cubed. 10/2/2008 (Price: $186.00)

Ultimate Spinner by ROBBINS TOY

Ultimate Spinner consists of 12 games, some of which help children learn alphabets and letter recognition, numbers, math, and how to tell time. Others promote active play, such as running or dancing.
— TDmonthly's Roundtable appreciated the fun, quality and educational appeal of this game. "It was fun to see them folding paper into shapes, drawing, acting things out, and interacting with each other," reviewer Sue Christensen said of her 7- and 11-year-old sons.

Past Videos: Toy Fair 2009 ( Watch Video) 10/1/2008 (Price: $49.95)