Too Much Awesome

You may not know this by looking at me but I love me some puzzles. I’m talking literal puzzles here by the way, not like word puzzles or mind puzzles or something. Physical “connect one piece to another” puzzles usually sprawled over a foldout card table for a month or more. Why do I love [...]

Wooden toys have always been a favorite of mine.  There is something about the solid, lasting, made-of-the-earth quality of wood that satisfies a need I have as a toy-searching parent.

Quality products from Melissa & Doug have my appreciation and that of others, even in a less-than-booming economy.  The educational toys are fun and designed to last, the puppets are wonderful, and the imaginary play items keep my daughter occupied for hours.

Spiel & Holz, established in Germany in 1978, is one of the finest makers of wood toys in the world. Their toys have won awards for their designs and aesthetic appeal, and kids love the open-ended creative play that they offer. Toys by Spiel & Holz are inspired by Waldorf education, a philosophy that children [...]

If you’ve decided that wood toys are the way to go, then you should definitely check out BRIO. With roots that reach back to the 19th century, BRIO is now a global corporation and one of the largest makers of wood toys in the world. BRIO’s focus is on quality and durability—they want their toys [...]

It’s often tough to resist giving in to your children’s demands for the latest, flashiest toy advertised on TV, there are plenty of alternatives out there. Wood toys are a great way to provide your children with entertainment and education without shelling out a fortune on the newest talking, light-up plastic toys. Wooden toys have [...]

The timeless appeal of wooden toys is indisputable. They’re beautiful, safe, and hold a child’s imagination for years. If you’re the arts & crafts type and have a few tools lying around, you might consider making your own wood toys for your children. This will make them even more personal and special, and ensure that [...]

When you think of toys made of wood, you probably don’t think of India. But it’s a testament to how universally adored these toys are that even in this developing nation, dedicated craftsmen turn out high-quality, child-safe toys in droves. For many Indian craftsmen, toy making has been their family’s way of supporting itself for [...]

Construction sets are a perfect way to foster children’s creativity, improve their motor coordination, and nurture their cognitive development. They’re also a toy that is easily integrated with others, and that lets a child’s imagination run wild. Unlike newer, flashier play sets, the Ball Track Construction Set from HABA promises to hold your child’s interest [...]

Something a toy company must always balance is the value of the product versus the cost of production.  Even with quality wood toys, safety and inspection have to be an integral part of the process. Because of rising demand for wood and labor, many makers of wood toys like HABA have found that some toys [...]