Crazy Car by Haba

Pulling toys are always a wonderful way to encourage young children to reach out and explore their environments. Haba's Crazy car is a simple yet interesting pull toy that is appealing to little ones for many different reasons. There is a little person in the front of the car who can be rotated from side to side, a little bell that rings, a kaleidoscope that reflects the light, and shiny patterns on both the car and wheels. Both infants and toddlers find this toy interesting - babies want to crawl to get it and toddlers like to walk around pulling this funny little car behind them. As with all Haba wooden toys it is made of solid beech wood and painted with a non-toxic solvent free dye. Strengths: The care is very easy to move, so even a child who doesn't have much upper body strength can get the car to move forward by lightly tugging on the attached cord. The wheels are fun because they are slightly misshapen and therefore the car has kind of a lopsided movements that many of the children I work with find funny. The edges of the car, wheels, and little triangles on the back of the car are rounded so they won't poke or pinch little fingers.  Weaknesses: It's not a really high-tech toy with lots of bells and whistles, so if that's the kind of pull toy you want, don't get this one. But if you're looking for a durable and appealing toy that is simple and well made, this is one you should definitely check out.

Building Blocks Zoolino Maxi by Haba

This is a really charming set of blocks by Haba! The 25 pieces are uniquely shaped and have interesting designs painted on the front side of each block., which helps young children learn to distinguish between different shapes and colours. They work well with the Bausteine Block set and when the sets are combined there are lots of creative stacking options for young builders. Like all Haba blocks these are made of beech wood and painted with a non-toxic solvent-free dye.  Strengths: The blocks are small enough for toddlers to comfortably hold them and large enough not to pose a choking hazard. Like the Bausteine blocks the edges are all rounded so there aren't any sharp corners that could hurt a young child. Weaknesses:  The surfaces are a bit slippery and the blocks are expensive, but they offer great play value and are well worth the investment.

Bausteine Zoolino by Haba

This nine-piece set of beech wood blocks is another great building toy from Haba. Each block is painted with natural, water-based, non-toxic lacquers that retain their colour over long periods of use. The edges are rounded so there is very little chance that a child could be poked or hurt by any of the blocks. Strengths: These blocks are a great size for toddlers to handle and the individual pieces are large enough so they won't pose a choking hazard. I also like them because they can be easily incorporated with other Haba block sets, which really can extend a child's interest in the toy. Weaknesses: Although each block is a good size for playing, the surfaces are very slippery and sometimes can frustrate toddlers (and older children) who aren't able to place the blocks securely on one another.

Terry Train by Haba

This is yet another durable and visually appealing wooden toy from Haba that's interesting for infants and toddlers alike. The three little wooden cars hook together through a wooden bead and string loop system to create a 14-inch long train. Because the two sets of wheels on the front engine are two different sizes the engine bounces up and down when it is rolled along a hard or carpeted surface. Like all Haba wooden toys the train is made of beechwood and decorated with a  solvent free non-toxic dye. It's recommended for use by children 12 months+, but I have children that I work with who are developmentally younger than 12 months and they really like the toy. Strengths: Each car of the train has a novel element for children to explore. The engine has a squeaker, the middle car has a kaleidoscope, and the caboose train has a little bell that rings as the train is pushed along. Weaknesses: There are two things that the children I work with seem to find frustrating about this toy. First, the squeaker on the engine is difficult for them to activate independently and they usually need a little adult assistance to make it work. Second, the wooden bead and string loop system for attaching the cars can be difficult for little fingers to manage. Personally, I wish that there was a cord attached to the front of the train so children could pull it toward themselves when we are working on cause-effect relationships. Because it is very visually appealing children want to get the toy so adding a cord would help them work on reaching, grasping, and pulling the toy closer to themselves.

Slice and Bake Cookie Set by Melissa &Doug

Preschool children benefit greatly from participating in pretend play activities that allow them to explore different aspects of their daily environments.  Melissa & Doug have a long standing reputation for designing toys that promote creativity and foster development of pretend play skills. The Slice and Bake Cookie Set is a great example of a toy that supports this type of development. The set comes with 12 wooden cookies that are held together by Velcro dots and can be "sliced" with a blunt wooden knife. After slicing the cookies, children can pretend to bake and decorate them (everything is held in place with Velcro). The manufacturer of this toy suggests that it be used with children age 3 years+, but I have lots of 2 year olds who really enjoy cutting, baking, and decorating the cookies. Strengths: Pretend food is wonderful to pair with a play kitchen and I have found that the children I work with really enjoy being able to "bake" treats to share with one another. Weaknesses: In 2009 this toy was recalled in Canada because of high barium levels, which can be toxic to young children. I've tried to find more current information about Barium levels in Melissa & Doug toys, but haven't found anything that voices more recent concerns about this issue.

Little Garden - Pegging Game by Haba

This is undoubtedly a cute toy! There are 25 beechwood flowers, leafs, and bugs that can be placed on three tall and sturdy pegs (I'm only showing 15 of the 25 pieces in this picture). It's a fun twist on the idea of a stacking toy because rather than just having the same combination of rings or shapes all of the time, children really do have the chance to be very creative in how they choose to build their garden. Strengths: Because there are so many different pieces that can be used, the combinations of the "garden" are endless, which is something that really makes this toy a big hit with young children. Weaknesses: Although I think this is a really cute toy (which is what attracted me to it in the first place) in my opinion there are some big drawbacks to it. First, even though the recommended age for the toy is 2+ years some of the pieces are on the small side and could pose a potential choking risk for young children. When I use this toy in therapy I usually put the smaller pieces away in order to reduce the risk of a mouthing accident. Another drawback is the price. Typically Haba toys are expensive, and well worth the price, but this toy is fairly small and on the expensive side for what you get.

Sakrada Building Blocks by Habermass

This set of 10 beechwood building blocks is a great set for toddlers. The edges of each piece is rounded and the finish is smooth so there is absolutely no chance of getting a sliver or nasty bump from the blocks. Each block is large enough for little hands to easily manipulate but large enough that they don't pose a choking risk. What I love about the blocks is that each on is kind of like a little piece of art. From reflective/metallic paint (non-toxic of course), to prisms, pearls, and unique shapes, each block is lovely all on it's own. The blocks can be combined in a multitude of ways to create all sorts of unique configurations. Strengths: This set works wonderfully with other Haba wooden block sets and is incredibly durable. Weaknesses: The price! The blocks are expensive but worth it, so if you want to find a building toy that can grow in many different ways with your child, this is a great one to start with.

Building Blocks Sevilla by Haba

This is my largest set of Haba blocks. There are 25 unique shapes with creative designs on each of the pieces. As usual, they are made out of beech wood and decorated with a non-toxic solvent-free dye. There are some of the blocks that contain a rattle, bell, mirror, magnifier, peephole, and prism. Like all Haba block sets these are beautifully crafted and can stand up to chewing, throwing, dropping, and just about everything else an active toddler can throw at them! They are great size for a toddler's hand and some of the larger pieces are actually quite easy to stack. Whenever I use them, I'm always reminded of how much fun play can be when using just a basic, simple toy. They are a bit expensive (about $60- $70) but the quality of each piece is worth the extra price. I've had mine for some time now and have found them to be extremely durable and highly popular with children of all ages.

Cordoba Blocks by Haba

This 16 piece block set is made out of beech wood are painted vibrant colours that seem to be appealing to children and parents alike! The blocks contain a rattle, bell, mirror, and prism features, which are very popular with young explorers! The shapes of the blocks are fairly unique and while you don't get a lot of blocks for your money (they cost about $35 for the set) they are certainly worth it because of their durability and overall play value. This set is also nice because it can be incorporated into other Haba building sets quite easily. I've used my set quite a bit for the past year and they still look great and I find that they are popular with children at all different ages! The building possibilities are endless for older children and the bells and mirrors hold special appeal for young children (12 months+).

Click Clack Ball Track by Haba

If you're looking for a wonderfully sturdy ball track for your older infant or toddlers this is one that is definitely worth checking out! The wooden track which measures about 19" x 6" x 16" is natural wood painted with water-based, solvent free lacquers. There are three golf ball sized "marbles" that come with the toy and are easy to make roll down the curvy track and drop through the big holes at each end of the slanted levels. The track is the perfect size for 12-18 month old children because they can sit in front of it and still drop the balls through the holes. What I like about it is that there are relatively few special effects like music, buzzers, or lights that go off as the balls make their way down the track. It's a bit on the expensive side (about $119-$125) but worth it! Sometimes the green ball falls off the track, but for the most part it's a fun and quality ball track that children can enjoy for a long time!

Building Blocks Torrino by Haba

This set of six stacking blocks is a lovely early block set for toddlers who are interested in stacking up and knocking down small towers of objects. The pieces are made out of beech wood and finished with water based, non-toxic lacquers that seems to retain the colour quite nicely. The tower is only about 9 inches high when stacked, so there is very little chance that the blocks could do serious damage to floors or fingers when knocked over. Strengths: The pieces are a nice size for small hands to manipulate and they stack together easily. These blocks can also be incorporated into other Haba block sets and this allows for even more creative building opportunities. Weaknesses: According to the manufacturer, these blocks are good for children as young as 12 months, but I have some concerns about the small red ball on the top of the pink cone. It looks like it may be a separate piece of wood that has been glued/attached to the larger piece. Maybe it's all one piece, but I just can't tell. Therefore, I'm always hesitant when using this particular block with children who still like to chew or mouth toys. Maybe I'm worrying needlessly, but it just looks like the little red ball could pop off. Price: $17 - $20. Where to Buy: Oompa (http://www.oompa.com/), Moolka (http://www.moolka.com/), and Padilly (http://www.padilly.com/) all carry Haba block sets.

Shape Sorting Caterpillar by The Little Toy Company

This is a great wooden shape sorting toy that is designed for children 18+ months of age. Each "peg" on the caterpillar is a different shape and has two rings that fit onto the shape fairly easily. The rings are a great size for little hands and are easy to manipulate. Strengths: This is a nice to for promoting fine motor and cognitive skills. I like the fact that it has shapes other than circles, squares, and triangles, which are the shapes that many sorting toys come with. Weaknesses: There is one major design flaw with the toy, especially if it is to be used with younger children. The pegs that you put the shape rings on aren't actually attached to the caterpillar board. It does add another dimension of difficulty to the toy, which is nice for older children with more well developed fine motor skills, but it is incredibly frustrating for younger children. The children I have used it with will become very agitated when the peg slips out of the hole just as they are about to put the ring on. I solved this problem by gluing the peg to the board! The toy isn't as challenging for some of my older children, but at least I'm not facing any tantrums when the younger ones knock the pegs over. Price: $18 - $25. Where to Buy: You can find this toy online at Fat Brain Toys (www.fatbraintoys.com) or at the Little Toy Company's website (www.littletc.com).

Eeny, Meeny, Miny, Zoo Blocks by Haba

This is a set of 25 wooden blocks painted in fun colours to resemble different zoo animals. Each block is a slightly different shape and this allows children to use their imagination about what kind of animal they want to build! The fact that you can mix and match shapes and colours seems to be especially appealing to toddlers who like to explore the limits of their imaginations. Strengths: These are great blocks for toddlers-well made, durable, good for small hands, colorful, and a good addition to other Haba block sets. Weaknesses: They are a little it pricey (over $40) but they give you terrific play value for the money. They are wonderful for toddlers, but older preschool children seem to enjoy them just as much, Price: $40- $45. Where to Buy: You can most Haba block sets through Moolka toys (www.moolka.com), Oompa toys (www.oompa.com), and of course Amazon. I usually go with Amazon for these kinds of toys because they are usually less expensive that some of the other toy retailers, but I got this set through Moolka and paid less for it than I would have through Amazon.

Wooden and Organic Toys.....

It's really difficult to find quality wooden toys that are both fun and appealing to many young children. Here are some of the websites that carry a great selection of wooden toys, as well as natural fibre clothing, and other accessories for infants and toddlers:
A Toy Garden - http://www.atoygarden.com/ /. This site sells toys & clothing for children made from natural fibers
Euro Toy Shop - http://www.eurotoyshop.com/. This site offers a wide range of European toys for children of all ages.
Fat Brain Toys - http://www.fatbraintoys.com/. This is a specialty & educational toy company that offers a huge variety of unique toys.
Little Wonderland Toys - http://uniquewoodentoys.com/. This site offers hand made wooden toys. There is a great selection of toys, games, musical instruments, & furniture all made from natural products.
Maukilo Toys - http://www.maukilo.com/. This is another European toy seller. They offer beautiful wooden toys from different manufacturers.
Moolka Toys - http://www.moolka.com/ . Moolka is another European toy seller that offers a really broad range of wooden & non plastic toys.
Oompa Toys - http://www.oompatoys.com/. Oompa has a huge selection of European toys, all the way from toys for newborns to games that older children would enjoy playing.
Rosie Hippo - http://www.rosiehippo.com/ Rosie Hippo sells a wide variety of wooden and natural toys. They have some very unique and cool stuff.
Willow Tree Toys - http://www.willowtreetoys.com/ . Willow Tree Toys sells natural and organic toys from the U.S.A. and Europe.

Deluxe Pound & Roll Tower by Melissa & Doug

This is an old-fashioned, sturdy, wooden, pounding toy that can keep children interested for a fairly long time! There's just something satisfying about being able to hit the wooden balls with the hammer, watch them roll down the ramps, and listen to the clicking noise they make as they roll towards the bottom of the toy. I have several other versions of pound-a-ball toys that the children I work with really enjoy, but this seems to be everyones' favourite version of the toy. Maybe it's the sound of wood hitting wood that they like, but most children just keep asking for it again and again when they come to "play" with me! Strengths: First it really is a solid, well made toy that can withstand a great deal of abuse. The balls fit snugly into the holes at the top of the tower so it can be a bit challenging for some children to make them go through the holes, but hey, a little challenge is good for all of us! Weaknesses: There isn't a "catch bin" at the bottom of the ramp so unless you're able to quickly catch the balls when they roll out of the tower you'll probably spend some time on your hands and knees digging them out from underneath the furniture (you can fix this problem by just putting a small plastic bowl at the opening on the bottom of the tower). The wooden hammer can sometimes be a little brutal if more than 1 child wants to play with the toy at the same time. Price: $16-20. Where to Buy: Specialty children's toy stores, Toys R Us, and online toy sellers usually carry this very popular toy. However, you can always buy it directly from the Melissa and Doug website (www.melissaanddoug.com)

Discovery Blocks By Haba

This is a cute set of small wooden blocks that are perfect for little hands to explore (1 year +). Each block offers a different sensory activity to experience. These include: a rattle, peek-a-boo mirror, kaleidoscope, squeaker, jingle bell, and spinning ball. Strengths: They are great exploration blocks that are made of hard wood and finished in child friendly paints and varnishes. Weaknesses: They are a little on the expensive side for only six blocks, but they are so durable that the price can be justified. When cleaning them don't submerge them in water - in my first set of these blocks several of them cracked when I did this. Now I just surface clean them and they're fine. Price: $20 - $25. Where to Buy: Haba toys can be found at many specialty toy stores and Amazon also carries a wide range of their products.

Oval Xylophone by Plan Toys

This is another well constructed wooden toy offered by Plan Toys. The keys are strung on a flexible strong and the wooden hammer is easy to attach to the side of the toy with a ribbon or string. This is a great first xylophone for younger infants (8 months+) because it is easy to strike and is light enough that it won't hurt if little fingers grab at the keys. Strengths: Because the keys are wooden they make a soft, somewhat muted tone when struck, so they aren't as jarring as the tones produced by a metal xylophone. Also, the materials used in the toy are non-toxic, so they don't pose a danger if a child still likes to mouth objects. Weaknesses: If you are looking for a xylophone that lets you play true sounding songs where the notes need to be "in tune" this is not the toy for you. The tone quality tends to be muddy because the keys are made of wood rather than metal. Price: $20 - $23 Where to Buy: Most specialty toy shops carry wooden toys like Plan, but the toys can also be found through retailers like Amazon. Silly Goose Toys (http://www.sillygoosetoys.com/) is an online outlet that carries a great range of wooden and specialty toys.

Pull Along Zebra by Plan Toys

This eco-friendly wooden pull toy is one that brings to mind a simpler time in the world. The toy doesn't light up, beep, or blink - it's just a well constructed toy that bobs along after a child when it is pulled across the floor. When the zebra is pulled the head moves up and down, but other than that there are no other special effects. Strengths: The toy is great for encouraging walking, reaching, grasping, and other motor movements. Weaknesses: Some children lose interest quickly because the toy doesn't have a lot of bells and whistles. Price: $15-$20. Where to Buy: Plan toys are typically available in specialty toy shops or can be purchased on-line through retailers like Moolka Toys (http://www.moolka.com/) or Baby Earth (http://www.babyearth.com/).

Shape Sorter Curioso by Haba

This is a unique and very interesting shape sorting toy that is appropriate for toddlers who want more of a challenge of more than simply a circle, square, and triangle. The cloth box has two flaps that open easily to retrieve the wooden shapes stored inside. The 8 shapes include 2 circles, 2 triangles (of different sizes), 1 square, 1 oval, 1 circular cog, and 1 octagon. The unique shapes also offer some interesting sensory experiences for young children, including, rattles, kaleidoscopes, mirrors, and other shiny surfaces to explore. Strengths: The unique nature of the shapes really provides lots of learning opportunities for toddlers and even preschoolers. Weaknesses: Because the shape box is constructed out of a stitched material rather than a molded plastic, some of the shapes can be a little difficult to fit into their designated holes (e.g., it's a bit difficult to fit the cog and octagon through the circle hole - they're just a little bit big. However, they will go in if you are persistent). Price: $40-$54. Where to Buy: Haba toys can be ordered through specialty toy shops, but can also be purchased on-line through Moolka toys (http://www.moolka.com/) and of course through Amazon (http://www.amazon.com/).

Puzzle Stacker by P'kolino

This is an excellent variation on standard stacking ring toys that is appropriate for toddlers (1 year+) and preschoolers alike. It has a heavy wooden base with a wide dowel running up the centre to hold the rings in place. Each of the rings can be taken apart to form two separate rings - a colourful one and the other with a natural wood finish. The toy is designed to help children develop fine motor skills (fitting the rigs together and stacking), develop spatial logic (fitting the rings together in different configurations), and learn colour and size concepts. Strengths: This is a very durable toy that will last for many years and play sessions to come. Weaknesses: Because the toy is made of a heavy wood it wouldn't be appropriate if your child was still in the "I'll throw everything" phase. Price: $34. Where to Buy: This is the type of toy that would be available through most specialty toy shops, but it can also be purchased on-line through Barnes and Nobel (http://www.barnesandnobel.com/) or Amazon (http://www.amazon.com/)