Issues → November/December 2007 → Home & Garden →
New England's Finest: Toys
Puzzles, globes, trains, and purple cows
by Katrina A. Farmer
The Whole World in Your Hands
Robert Forenza calls his Hugg-a-Planet stuffed Earth "the teddy bear of the 21st century." You can hug it and snuggle with it, roll it and toss it. Even better, you can learn from it: The planet's up-to-date map features more than 600 labeled places. Pictured here is the classic model (12-inch diameter, $19.95), offered in three languages (English, French, and Spanish). Six-inch ($9.95) and 24-inch ($79.95) Earth models and a Hugg-a-Planet Mars ($16.95) are also available. From Hugg-a-Planet, Essex Junction, Vermont. 800-332-7840, 802-878-8900; peacetoys.com
Follow the Leader
You won't see a mama cow and her young like these on any Vermont hillside! Thanks to the corded handle, these plush purple bovines on wooden wheels ($22.95) make great pull toys for kids over 18 months of age. Frog, duck, and dinosaur families are also available. Made by Rich Frog Industries, Burlington, Vermont. 888-742-4376, 802-865-9225; richfrog.com
Home Sweet Home
In the mid-1930s, Roy Dennison Sr. made a log building set for his children. True, the famous Lincoln Logs had already been released, but Roy thought he could do better. In 1992, Roy's grandson and his wife, Bruce and Sue Dennison, relaunched the company, offering both the original RoyToy line and new-and-enhanced log sets. We particularly love the build-and-paint collections, with their locally harvested white pine logs and nontoxic colors that let kids ages 4 and up create their own designs. Prices are $9.95-$69.95. Made in East Machias, Maine. 800-530-0003, 207-255-0954; roytoy.com
Jigsaw Joy
Older children (ages 8 and up) and young-at-heart adults will enjoy White Mountain Puzzles. The catalog features almost 200 choices, with 500- or 1,000-piece selections; pictured here is "American Lighthouses." Prices are $11.95-$14.95. Designed and made in Jackson, New Hampshire. 800-548-8009, 603-383-4346; whitemountainpuzzles.com
The Way Things Work
Know a student who might be your town's next science fair award winner? For kids ages 5 to 14 who have a bit of patience and an interest in engineering basics, try one of Bridge Street's many Girder & Panel construction sets. Each one includes an instruction book with engineering drawings. We liked the hydrodynamic sets -- complete with tanks, pipes, valves, and pumps -- best. (Who doesn't love playing with water?) Pictured here is the deluxe set ($84.95). Available from Bridge Street Toys of Weston, Massachusetts. 781-237-5005; bridgestreettoys.com
Get On Board
Here's a clever and gentle way to introduce both girls and boys to hobby railroading: NameTrains. This wooden railway system features individual letter cars that connect easily with magnets to spell out a name -- a great way to personalize a gift for a child (or an adult train lover). Plus, you can create an entire village and railroad with woodblock buildings; train tracks; and accessory cars featuring animals, boats, a tractor, a circus wagon, additional engines, and more. Offered in natural, pastels, and bright rainbow colors, NameTrains are suitable for ages 3 and up. Price is $4.80 per car; sets are available. Made by Maple Landmark Woodcraft of Middlebury, Vermont. 800-421-4223, 802-388-0627; maplelandmark.com
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