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

Sushi-Slicing Play-Food Set by MELISSA & DOUG

Kids can serve up a low-fat, high-protein meal to their teddy bears with this wooden play set.
— “Wood slicing food by Melissa & Doug,” Anna Barr, owner Anna’s Toy Depot in Austin, Texas, told TDmonthly, when asked about her store’s best selling wooden toy item.
— “We sell numerous sets of wooden food, like Melissa & Doug ones,” Emily Holmes, a buyer for Ambassador Toys in San Francisco, Calif., told TDmonthly.
— Over 11 percent of retailers told TDmonthly in early 2008 that wooden play-food sets were selling very well in their stores. 5/11/2007 (Price: $19.95)

Heritage Playsets Wildlife Park by TOP SHELF HOLDINGS LLC

It's natural to love this playful wildlife reserve, where animals feed, sleep, play and hide as a child's imagination unfolds. It features working doors, a ladder, sliding gates, two feeding troughs and 12 realistic wild animals. ( Watch Video) 5/8/2007 (Price: $99.95)

Heritage Playsets Princess Palace by TOP SHELF HOLDINGS LLC

Dreams come true in this fairy tale palace. With a realistic footbridge, working doors and windows, a rope ladder, a secret entrance and a set of six flexible wooden figures, this playset will provide years of imaginative play. 5/8/2007 (Price: $109.95)

Mini Workshop by ANATEX

This colorful Mini Workshop is both a toolbox and a workbench.  Pre-drilled holes on the workbench invite little carpenters to develop their skills. The Mini Workshop includes 31 pieces of handcrafted solid wood, pounding pegs, differently shaped screws and bolts, as well as hammer, screwdriver and wrench. The set itself is 13" x 6" x 6".
— "We sell Anatex wooden tool benches. They do well for us," was the commentary on store best sellers given by Katie Culotta, daughter of the owner at Victoria’s Toy Station in Baton Rouge, La. 5/7/2007 (Price: $19.99)

Noah's Ark by ARMUO

The set consists of one ladder and 16 figures: two people, two kangaroos, two lions, two rhinoceroses, two giraffes, two elephants, two camels and two ostriches. The ship is made of pine wood and the figures are made of lime wood. Both types of wood are covered by vegetable linen oil. The ship is sold separately from the figurines. 5/4/2007 (Price: $128.00)

Chess and Checkers Set by WOOD EXPRESSIONS INC.

Can’t choose which game you want? Want to buy them all? Well now you don’t have to because we have the answer. It’s a combination game set. This particular 15” one is beautifully made in black stained wood with storage and 3” king, hand-painted, hand-polished, black stained/kari wood chessmen, containing your favorite pastime games, chess and checkers. It’s great to play with, and even when you’re not playing with it, looks absolutely gorgeous on your coffee table.
— Dustin Gilliland, owner of Crimson Castle Chess & Games in Tuscaloosa, Ala., sells a few chess sets per month, and more around the holidays. 5/2/2007 [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Punch & Drop by PLANTOYS

This product gives little ones a chance to practice hammering, as they can hit the colored balls until they drop and slide out of the box. It is suitable for ages 12 to 18 months. 4/30/2007

The Boss by MAGNUM ENTERPRISES, LLC

Who's the BOSS? This gun's the boss and it brings back the days of Al Capone or Elliot Ness. It holds 12-shots along the barrel, and has the famous radial drum cartridge type magazine of the classic Thompson Machine gun. (You need the size #125 BLUE rubberbands for this gun.)

Overall Gun Length: 29 inches
Rubber Band Stretch: 16 inches 4/25/2007 (Price: $30.99)

AK-47 Combat Rifle with Scope and Sling by MAGNUM ENTERPRISES, LLC

WOW.....Is this a great looking gun or what? When fully accessorized with the cool looking scope and handy functional carrying sling, this is as realistic looking as it gets. Stand clear, this baby fires a rubber band with a vengeance. (You need the size #125 BLUE rubberbands for this gun.)

Overall Gun Length: 28 inches
Rubber Band Stretch: 17.5 inches 4/25/2007 (Price: $33.99)

Wild Bill Pistol by MAGNUM ENTERPRISES, LLC

When ya go ta Deadwood ta do yur Gamblin, be sure ta take old Wild Bill along. He got shot in the back ya know. Make sure you don't! This 12-shot looks like an old Colt 45 and will blow those poker cheatin sodbusters away. (You need the size #33 YELLOW rubberbands for this gun.)

Overall Gun Length: 15 inches
Rubber Band Stretch: 11.5 inches 4/25/2007 (Price: $14.99)

Magnum 45 Pistol by MAGNUM ENTERPRISES, LLC

Magnum Enterprises wooden rubber band pistols, rifles and crossbows were Top 10 best sellers at Figpickels Toy Emporium in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho in late summer 2010. “They’re well made by a regional neighbor in America,” owner Brett Sommer explained. “We live in a big hunting area, and what boy can't resist trying out the sort of right-of-passage.” ( Watch Video) 4/25/2007 (Price: $12.99)

Noah's Ark by SIMPLEX INTERNATIONAL (PVT) LTD.

Manufactured with MDF, this boat is spray-painted with non-toxic, lead-free paints. It comes with two each of the following animals: elephant, tiger, zebra, giraffe, lion, crocodile, pig, dinosaur, horse and sheep. It also includes a ladder and a man (Noah) and woman attached to the boat. This educational activity boat is available in base colors green, red, blue and yellow, and may also be used as an ornamental item. It comes in large, medium and small sizes. 4/18/2007 (Price: $28.00) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Amazin Marbles Building Set by POOF-SLINKY INC.

This 30-piece maze construction set comes in a clear acetate tube for easy storage. Builders can create endless combinations for their marbles to pass through. An instruction sheet is included. 4/13/2007 (Price: $19.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Magnetic Folding Travel Chess Set by WOOD EXPRESSIONS INC.

This circular wooden folding chess set measures 7” in diameter and features 9/16" squares. It includes a 3/16" king and other magnetic pieces. 4/11/2007 (Price: $39.00) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Train Table by HEROS TOYS

The solid wood Heros train table is a perfect size for the home, being smaller than the huge ones typically seen in toy stores. It measures 26-1/2” x 24” x 18-1/2”. It can be purchased with the complete train and track set or as just the table for all kinds of play. This quality product is made in the Heros factory in Germany. Launch date: March 2007. ( Watch Video) 4/6/2007 (Price: $149.00)

Tsumiki Balance Building Blocks by TADATORAYOHSITEN

This 34-piece set includes unpainted, quality beech wood blocks in various shapes. The blocks provide freedom of form and freedom of inspiration for play without boundaries and are suitable for both children and adults. They allow the creation of unique and sophisticated shapes, such as that created when the top of the triangle is stacked on top of the square. They may also be used for rehabilitation support. “Tsumiki is high price but with high quality,” President Hidemi Tada of Tadatora Inc. told TDmonthly. Launch date: February 2004. 4/6/2007

The Learning Tower by LITTLE PARTNERS INC.

Constructed of sturdy, high-quality layered birch, The Learning Tower is solid and made to last. Its four-sided design and roomy platform foster both the child's and caregivers’ feelings of security and safety while enabling the child’s desire to be independent and inquisitive. To accommodate different aged children, the platform height adjusts quickly and easily. And its durable, high-gloss, natural finish cleans easily with a damp cloth. It can serve as a step-stool, a desk, a fort or even a puppet theater. The tower is available in its original Natural color, Rich Ebony, Soft White and Dark Cherry. This product is a winner of four national awards including Dr. Toy's Best 10 Active Toys Award, iParenting Media's 2007 Outstanding Products Award, Mr. Dad Father’s Day's 2007 Seal of Approval Award and a 2007 National Parenting Publications (NAPPA) Award. Launch date: 1998. ( Watch Video) 4/6/2007 (Price: $169.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

iggiBig Deluxe Building Blocks by TOP SHELF HOLDINGS LLC

This award-winning building block set includes 48 painted hardwood pieces, drawn from architectural styles from around the world. With Russian domes, Roman arches and Middle Eastern towers, children can build their own "global village." The blocks come packed in a sturdy storage crate.
— “This set is bigger, brighter and more vibrant, and includes a greater variety of styles than other building blocks and architectural blocks on the market. Since it includes many architectural styles all in one set, it stimulates a child's imagination while exposing them to different shapes and styles,” Owner Matthew Peake of Top Shelf Holdings told TDmonthly. “We also have gone more up-market in terms of material,” he added about the iggiBig line. “We use rubberwood whenever possible.” 3/19/2007 (Price: $59.95)

Jeep Toy Box – Green/Tan by EXCEPTIONAL PLAYTHINGS

This soft jeep can decorate any child's space as both a functional toy box and fun toy. Made of wipe-clean canvas, it also comes in a Pink/Green Camouflage variety. Picking up toys has never been so much fun. The toy box measures 12"H x 25"L x 14"W. Launch date: June 2007. 3/19/2007 (Price: $70.00) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Pudgy Animals by EXCEPTIONAL PLAYTHINGS

Suitable for children ages 6 months and up, Pudgy Animals are available in Zebra, Giraffe, Elephant, Alligator, Lion and Leopard varieties. Their sturdy construction and cut-out space for little hands make it easy for children to push and pull, enhancing their motor skills. All Pudgy Animals are made of replenishable rubber wood and non-toxic paints. And each one “brings back the classic wooden toy of heirloom quality,” Lisa Costa of Wonder Works told TDmonthly. Launch date: June 2007 3/19/2007 (Price: $12.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Timberkits – T-Rex by MK AND COMPANY

These rubberwood kits allow children and adults to create “mechanical marvels in natural wood.” Each set includes two layers of components packed in covered plastic trays, a parts list, sand paper, glue and visual instructions. Paint and a battery kit may be added to customize a model. The company requires a minimum wholesale order of 12 pieces. Launch date: August 2006.  ( Watch Video) 3/16/2007 (Price: $24.95)

Fold Away Stove by THE LITTLE LITTLE LITTLE TOY COMPANY

Little chefs will get busy with these classic wood kitchen items.  The Foldaway Tabletop Cooker can go to the bedroom or outside for a bar-b-cue with its portable design. THIS PRODUCT HAS BEEN REMOVED FROM THE PRODUCT LIST 6-11-07.
 3/12/2007 (Price: $49.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Castle Blocks by WESTWORK DESIGNS

Castle Blocks are the second in a series of architecturally themed building blocks created for kids (and adults) of all ages. This set of blocks was designed with unique castle/fortress detailing, allowing the builder to create his or her own Camelot. Castle Blocks come without a set of instructions, and that’s by design. Each set includes seven different shapes, 120 pieces and multiple plan configurations. 3/1/2007 (Price: $140.00) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Transform N' Play Activity Table by MAXIM ENTERPRISE INC.

Bringing new life to an old item, this activity table transforms into a drawing table or desk. The table easily converts, and the set includes a stool, two cups, a roll of paper, and a painter’s palette. The table is available in a natural wood finish, as well as in playful colors. “Our table allows parents and children to decide what type of medium they need at any particular time,” Kris Millington, vice president of marketing and development for Maxim Enterprise, told TDmonthly. “We’ve taken the need for multiple pieces of furniture in a family’s home out of the equation.” Launch date: June 1, 2007. 3/1/2007 (Price: $180.00) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Cash Register With Calculator by ESTIA HOLZSPIELWAREN

This wooden cash register includes a battery-operated calculator and a built-in paper roll. The genuine working calculator enables little vendors to play more realistically with their grocery shops. Children learn to utilize basic mathematic functions. The paper roll is fixed and can be manually written. The product is simply constructed and of unique design. Launch date: February 2007.
— “I was really pleased to find some German wooden toy lines [at Toy Fair 2007]. One of them was called Estia Holzspielwaren,” Manager Sarah Green of Kids at Heart in Portland, Ore., told TDmonthly. 2/28/2007 (Price: $34.50) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]