Back to the wood

If you have young children you probably noticed already that ever since the so-called "China scare" last year wood toys have made a huge comeback. I would dare say that wood toys have been coming back even before the China scare, perhaps due more to many parents' nostalgia of the simple toys they had when they were kids than to fear of toxins in today's toys. Nevertheless, the issue with China was, no doubt, the last "push" wood toys needed it to make their comeback, well, huge. According to Toy Directory Monthly Magazine, an industry research organization, a large number of retailers they spoke with have said that "wooden products are highest in demand" and many of them have stocked up wood toys to about 50% of their total toy inventory.

Now, what wood toys are worth buying? The market seems flooded with Melissa and Doug wood products, but Kobold Toys has found some other brands that are not massive yet but offer wonderful, educational wood toys with exceptional design, detail and functionality.

Our first favorite is PlanToys. We have carried PlanToys for 4 years now and love them! Why? for many reasons. First, their commitment to create toys that encourage coordination in young children (such as the Spin Bell) and imagination in older ones (as with the Forklift). Second, for their commitment to the environment, since the early 80s, by using wood from trees that otherwise would have been burned down. Third, for their social commitment to the people who work at PlanToys.

Our second favorite is Le Toy Van. Our customers cannot get enough of Le Toy Van's gorgeous doll houses. The houses are 100% made of wood and hand painted. They all look very British and very stylish. My best friend got her 3-year-old the Bay Tree House for Christmas. The little girl was so in awe, so overwhelmed that she couldn't say a word and couldn't stop staring at it. That girl spends hours pretend-playing with that beautiful house. Our other favorite is the very girly fairy train set, for girls who love wheels yet want to stay feminine.

Finally, we love our very own USA designed Shure Daisy Girls. Do you remember those paper dolls that we used to dress up with paper outfits? Well, now Shure makes them with wood. Girls, 4 years and up especially, can't have enough of them. They come in a bag, so are totally portable and can entertain children just about anywhere.

Wood is, indeed, making a comeback. Check out for wood toys outside what you find in mass markets, and you'll be amazed.

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