Top-10 Most-Wanted Wooden Toys

By Justina Huddleston
March 2016

Go back to basics with these high-quality wooden toys, sure to be hits with kids and the grown-ups who actually buy them.

Mighty Mini Band by HAPE

Mighty Mini Band by HAPE The beat goes on…and on with this 5-in-1 percussion section. When the concert's over, everything stores together until it's time for the next gig. Includes a xylophone, a drum, a cymbal, a guiro, a clapper and drumsticks.
Awards: 2014 TDmonthly Top Toy Debut Award
— In a February 2015 survey, two out of 11 retailers told TDmonthly that toys from Hape were their best-selling wooden toys. 4/28/2014 (MSRP: $39.99; Age: 2 and Up)

Vehicles Sound Puzzle by MELISSA & DOUG

Vehicles Sound Puzzle by MELISSA & DOUG Featuring detailed images of 8 favorite noisy vehicles, this wooden peg puzzle makes the vehicle sound when a piece is placed correctly in the puzzle board. Eight sounds in all. Full-color, matching picture under each piece. Dimensions: 1.2" x 8.5" x 11.7" Assembled. AAA batteries not included.
— Michael O'Dell of Toys from the Attic in Rehoboth Beach, Del., told TDmonthly in a Summer 2011 survey that he sells 10 Melissa & Doug sound puzzles each month.
— As of 7/12/2011 this product had 3 out of 5 stars from 23 reviews on Amazon.com. Pros: Affordable; engaging. Cons: Many reviewers said the sounds were poor quality.
— In a February 2012 survey about wooden toys, three out of 14 retailers said that puzzles from Melissa & Doug were their best sellers in the category. “Melissa and Doug has been a core of the store for years and years," Mike Snyder, owner and manager of Cville's Hobbies, Games and Toys in Charlottesville, Va., told TDmonthly. 7/12/2011 (MSRP: $12.99; Age: 2 to 4)

Brio Farm Railway Set by SCHYLLING

Brio Farm Railway Set by SCHYLLING This rural railway set has the classic Brio quality and features a barn with loading crane, farm engine with wagon, farm tractor with trailer, farm animals and hay bale.
— In a February 2014 survey, two out of 10 retailers told TDmonthly that Brio Trains were among their best-selling wooden toys.
— Patti Tepper-Rasmussen, owner of Learning Tree Toys, Games & Books, Inc. in Oklahoma City, Ok., told TDmonthly in an August 2014 survey that Brio was one of the store's best-selling brand of collectibles.
— In a February 2015 survey, Sue Hottel, co-owner of No Kidding (aka Sand Castle Toys Inc) in Mattapoisett, Mass., told TDmonthly that Brio trains are her some of her store's best-selling wooden toys. 4/29/2013 (MSRP: $59.99; Age: 3 and Up)

Thomas & Friends™ Wooden Railway 5-in-1 Up and Around Set by FISHER-PRICE INC.

Create up to 5 different layouts with this 20-piece play set. Includes Thomas, 17 pieces of track, a bridge and a tunnel.
— Grafton Stein, owner of Toys on the Square in Hummelstown, Pa., told TDmonthly in a May 2013 survey that Thomas the Tank Engine toys are their best-selling licensed products.
— In a February 2014 survey, three out of 10 retailers told TDmonthly that Thomas & Friends sets from Fisher-Price were among their best-selling wooden toys.
— In a February 2015 survey, Sue Hottel, co-owner of No Kidding (aka Sand Castle Toys Inc) in Mattapoisett, Mass., told TDmonthly that Thomas & Friends trains are her some of her store's best-selling wooden toys. 2/26/2013 (MSRP: $50.00; Age: 3 and Up)

Pound and Tap Bench by HAPE

Pound and Tap Bench by HAPE Pounding sends the balls tinkling over the xylophone. Pull out the keyboard and the xylophone can be played solo. All Hape products comply with EN71 and ASTM quality standards - wood used comes from FSC managed forests.
Awards: May 2012 TDmonthly Top Toy Award. Why it won: This item was named a Top-10 Musical toy in February and a Top-10 Wooden toy in March by specialty retailers interviewed by TDmonthly. Its innovative design combines the elements of the popular shape sorting/tapping toy and the xylophone, giving it great play value.
— As of 1/6/2012 this product had 4.2 out of 5 stars from 13 reviews on Amazon.com. Pros: Durable; lots of ways to play. Cons: The keyboard is not properly tuned.
— In a 2012 survey about Musical Products, three out of 13 retailers said this item was their best seller. Kelly Boone, manager of The Elephant's Trunk in Greenville, S.C., told TDmonthly that they sold at least 36 during the holidays.
— In a February 2012 survey about wooden toys, two out of 14 retailers said that this was their bestseller in the category. Kristin Dolle, manager of Playthings Toy Shoppe in Louisville, Ky. told TDmonthly that they sell between 8 and 12 units of this item each month. ( Watch Video) 1/9/2012 (MSRP: $29.99; Age: 1 to 5)

KEVA Trebuchet by MINDWARE

KEVA Trebuchet by MINDWARE Build your own medieval siege engine from pre-drilled planks, a little glue and the help of easy, step-by-step “blueprint” instructions. Then let the fun and experimentation begin! What travels farther: a marshmallow or a piece of macaroni? Alter the counterweight to adjust the trebuchet's hurl, and practice knocking down a field of target planks using the two included balls.
— In a February 2014 survey, Julie Steinbach, owner of Rainbow Toys in Falmouth, Maine, told TDmonthly that this Trebuchet from Mindware was among their best-selling wooden toys.
— Tye Steinbach from Thinker Toys in Portland, Ore., told TDmonthly in a May 2015 survey that this is one of their best-selling activity kits. 2/27/2014 (MSRP: $29.95; Age: 7 and Up)

Deluxe Marble Run by PLANTOYS

Build a fantastic marble run with this brilliantly colored 30 – piece set. Watch the marbles spiral and hop down the various pieces of track. The Marble Run Deluxe is made of PlanWood, a sustainable material made from recycled sawdust.
— In a February 2014 survey, Julie Steinbach, owner of Rainbow Toys in Falmouth, Maine, told TDmonthly that Marble Runs were one of their best-selling wooden toys.

2/21/2013 (MSRP: $50.00; Age: 3 and Up)

T9 pick-up by AUTOMOBLOX

T9 pick-up by AUTOMOBLOX There are few things as appealing as a pick-up truck. They are what you take over back woods trails or what you throw your stuff into before zooming off to your next adventure. This truck will have your children imagining daring adventures over rock strewn trails and long trips to places only a beloved pick-up can take them.
Awards: 2014 TDmonthly Top Toy Debut Award
— In a February 2015 survey, David Stelzer, owner of Shananigans in Baltimore, Md., told TDmonthly that Automoblox is his store's best-selling wooden toy. They sell around 50 every month. 4/29/2014 (MSRP: $38.00; Age: 3 and Up)

Slice and Bake Cookie Set - Wooden Play Food by MELISSA & DOUG

This colorful wooden set includes 12 wooden, sliceable cookies and 12 toppings, wooden knife, spatula, cookie sheet and a kitchen mitt for safe, "low-calorie" play! The cookies store in a durable dough tube.
— Molly Hungerford, manager at Leapin' Lizards Toy Company in Bend, Or., told TDmonthly in a March 2015 survey that Melissa & Doug's wooden play food is one of her store's best-selling eco-friendly toys. 3/30/2015 (MSRP: $19.99; Age: 3 and Up)

Lincoln Logs Collector's Edition Homestead by K'NEX BRANDS

The BIGGEST Lincoln Logs® set ever created - over 330 parts, including real wood Lincoln Logs®, just like you remember! Includes a frontiersman figure, 2 horses and a buildable covered wagon that really moves. Packaged in a beautiful, silver-accented tube for durable storage 8/28/2014 (MSRP: $99; Age: 3 and Up)