German Toys Take Us Back to Beloved Basics

In today’s world, many daily interactions are quick-paced and short-lived. As electronics and screen time take over lives, occasionally kids forget the most basic, natural part of childhood: play. Germany takes us back to the basics with wonderful, traditional toys that rely on brains, not batteries.

HABA offers a variety of new as well as proven favorites, and is known for ride-on wooden horses. HABA has branched out from its classic wooden toys to create modern versions with heirloom quality. sigikid takes its cue from children’s need for cuddling, and creates developmentally appropriate toys. Ravensburger produces puzzles that will forever change how people think of putting pieces together, including even the world’s largest puzzle. It also has games for almost every interest so kids can learn rules and how to win and lose graciously. Hape Toys was developed with kindergarteners in mind, and focuses on wood toys made from natural materials.

HABA Makes Creativity a Habit

HABA is best known for long-lasting, heirloom-crafted wood toys. Based in Bad Rodach, Germany, this family-founded and run organization has an eco-conscious approach to manufacturing quality products that go far past the wooden baubles of old. Classic toys are classic for a reason and the Moover Toys’ Rocking Horse is sensational in its simplicity. This rocking ride has been improved with a brake curve and seat design to ensure babies stay secure on the horse,.

Building on blocks, the HABA/TC Timber Master Builder Series is a collection of architectural wonders from around the world. Compelling columns, roof pieces and stairs mirror Greek and Roman Empire architectural types and allow for hours of configuration.

Felt shape games go to the next level with the Geo Shape Tack Set. Kids can take 50 geometric shapes and attach different patterns on to a cork board. Reusable, with the opportunity to add in other kits, the Geo Shape Tack Set is great for getting kids away from the TV and into education.

In the colder months, parents can bring the playground to the kids with the Aircraft Swing, a fabric-based adjustable swing for kids up to 66 pounds.

While the classics are always a hit, HABA’s newest invention for fall is their Mini Monsters Magnetic Game. Perfect for holiday road trips, the game stimulates creativity with 143 magnetic pieces to create different crazy monster combinations for fresh fun every time.

Make creativity a habit with HABA at www.habausa.com

sigikid Inspires Inquisitive Minds

With a belief that toys are more than just busy work, sigikid products are classic, without being conservative. Hop on over to grab the Activity Kangaroo. This clever playmate is a soft activity toy that gives babies everything they need to begin exploring and grasping.

The huggable Bunny from the Sweety Collection has 10 different materials to give this rabbit a radically different look from most plush pals. Little ones love bright colors, but anything that moves will motivate them to do the same. The Vibrating Snail is one of the best toys for observing and dexterity.

Germans might be familiar with the Dietrich Grönemeyer children’s book series, Erwin and Rosi. With innards on full display, these patient dolls teach even the smallest children about their bodies and how things work. Far more sophisticated than the skeletal song about what bones connect to what, these toys will delight any budding doctors.

The Beasts are sigikid’s designer plush line of cool cuddlies that appeal to kids and adults. They are almost like having a real pet, but without all the shedding. Cheerio Chicken is a master of using lofty words and insistently plucks at her exclusive dress until every feather sits just right. Kiez Miez is a lovable alley cat that will crawl into every kid’s heart. New beasts come out twice a year, so kids can continue to add to their collection.

Accessories include bags, cell phone sleeves, scarves and even golf club head covers.

Don’t kid yourself, you’ll love sigikid products and can find them at www.sigikid-usa.com

Ravensburger Puzzles Put Fun and Brain Power Together

Ravensburger has been the puzzle expert for over 130 years, and with good reason. Using exclusively developed material, hand-crafted precision tools and meticulous quality control, Ravensburger boasts one of the most famous trademarks in Germany –– the blue triangle. Themes like cities, scenery, animals, art and nature motivate kids of all ages to problem solve.

Choose any level of difficulty: from children’s floor puzzles and large format puzzles up to 500 and multi-thousand piece jigsaw puzzles. Or try the World’s Largest Puzzle –– a mind-blowing 32,256-piece jigsaw puzzle featuring the delightful, color-drenched art of Keith Haring. 2D puzzles bring basic things to life, including puppies, woodland creatures and oceanic life. Try out the thrilling 3D puzzles, including Big Ben, Empire State Building, Eiffel Tower and even the precarious Leaning Tower of Pisa.

The brand also goes past puzzles into games like Dream Cakes. From sprinkles and swirls to ribbons and roses, there’s something for everyone in this super-sweet bakery-themed game. Players work on multiple cakes at a time –– spinning the wheel to determine their pieces, stacking luscious layers and toppers to complete their cakes, and judging finished creations for points.

With Aquarelle, kids can make perfect paintings every time. They can create wonderful watercolor landscapes or even a Monet with wax lines to guide work and prevent paint from running. With three canvas sizes and countless subjects to choose from, the artistic fun never has to end!

With about 8,000 different products, a partnership with Ravensburger will always deliver good reasons for customers to come back to your store: www.ravensburger.com

Hape Toys Sustain More than Just the Fun

Hape Toys is one of the world’s largest producers of toys made from sustainable materials. Hape toys are both creatively designed and eco-friendly. Peter Handstein grew up in a rural town in central Germany. After touring kindergartens, Peter saw the power of play and created what is now Hape Toys, a multinational company with toys in over 50 countries. As the world’s largest producer of wooden toys, Hape is dependent on the use of natural materials. A full line of bamboo toys takes advantage of the special properties of this highly renewable material.

The Ringer Rattle is the perfect way to shake up baby’s playtime. For a fun gift, the baby book Vegetables has colorful wooden pages of yummy vegetables that encourage babies to follow along as they name favorite foods. For some musical memories, call on Mr. Tambourine to shake things up. Music for the mind, the tambourine promotes dexterity, hand-eye coordination and manipulation.

Everything’s more fun when you have a friend like the Walk-A-Long Caterpillar, a colorful wooden pull-toy that simulates early walking with smiling sunflowers that turn with every step the toddler takes. The caterpillar has a wingman in the Color Flutter Butterfly with a magnetic wand that coaxes marbles into the butterfly’s colorful wings.

The All Season House comes furnished. It seems like there are as many ways to play with this house as there are families in the world! Six rooms, moveable stairs, and a reversible winter/summer-themed, solar-paneled roof inspire year-round activities. The set includes four room sets: Master Bedroom, Family Bathroom, Media Room and Kitchen.

Hape toys are an investment kids love and parents can trust: www.hapetoys.com