KidKraft Produces Heirloom-Quality Wooden Toys
February 23, 2008 by toy-tma
Filed under Wooden Toys
My next 2 minute review is for KidKraft Toys and furniture. KidKraft has been producing heirloom-quality wooden toys for years. They specialize in wooden chairs and tables, classic toy boxes, fantastic wooden doll houses, and classic train sets.
KidKraft definitely passes our test of “Imagination First.” I had an opportunity to poke around with their Savannah Dollhouse recently and became quite engrossed in all the details. The little furniture can be moved around, and is remiscent of the master wood toys from the last century.
HABA Toys Remember the Old Ways
Last week’s International Toy Fair has put us in a toy-reviewing mood. Today’s favorite are HABA Toys, which makes high quality traditional toys for infants, toddlers and the under five set.
What impresses me about HABA is that their wooden toys are made in Germany – it doesn’t get more traditional than that. The wood used is Maple and Beech and smells great.
Webkinz World: a Safe and Educational Site for Kids
We have been exploring Webkinz World and want to share our findings. Overall, this kid-focused web portal seems to be everything it advertises: a safe and educational site for kids.
Here’s how it works: every cute and cuddily Webkinz pet comes with a secret code.
Your child pops this code into the online companion site for Webkinz, and then she can navigate around a virtual world built for these imaginative creatures.
Proposed Toy Safety Act in the Works
February 11, 2008 by toy-tma
Filed under Toy Recalls and Safety
The latest toy headlines – toys with lead, toys with reproductive toxins – may have contributed to the US Senate proposal of a “toy safety act,” according to the New York Times.
Led by Democratic senators from New York and Connecticut, the proposed measure is called the Children’s Product Safety Act. Look for its effect on toy shelves near you. The legislature is hoping to undermine a tendency we blogged about here recently, in which store owners are still selling recalled toys at a bargain price.
Phthalates, Plastics, and Baby Toys
February 8, 2008 by toy-tma
Filed under Toy Recalls and Safety
As reported by the Chicago Tribune earlier this week, the journal Pediatrics just announced new evidence that a common additive in baby toys may be linked to future reproductive damage in infants. The additive is a class of polymers known as phthalates. These chemicals are generally used to soften plastic, or to make products feel more smooth and creamy.
Preschool Toy of the Year Nominations
Don’t forget that the International Toy Fair is coming up in a few weeks in New York. I can’t make it in person, but we will definitely be tuning in to which toys are rewarded by the industry.
Here’s the finalized list of contenders for my favorite category (followed by manufacturer):
Infant/Preschool Toy of the Year: Read more
