Welcome to Hardwood Toys, where I handcraft wooden toys for children of all ages. I also make wooden trains, trucks, fire engines, airplanes, helicopters, cradles, buses, boats, cars, and Noah's Ark. All my toys are hand crafted from premium kiln dried hardwoods grown in North America--Cherry, Maple, Oak, Birch and Wal … Read more Welcome to Hardwood Toys, where I handcraft wooden toys for children of all ages. I also make wooden trains, trucks, fire engines, airplanes, helicopters, cradles, buses, boats, cars, and Noah's Ark. All my toys are hand crafted from premium kiln dried hardwoods grown in North America--Cherry, Maple, Oak, Birch and Walnut-- and finished with fine sanding. Why? So there are no paint chips or stains that might end up in a child's mouth. And because finely sanded hardwood is beautiful and smooth as glass.

I learned about toy making in the sixties from my Mom and Dad. My parents, Mary Jane and Robert Merrin, owned Marbo Hand Painted Toys and made hand crafted wooden toys that were sold at Saks Fifth Avenue, Nordstroms, Bullocks Wilshire, and upscale children's specialty shops throughout the United States. I grew up helping in the workshop on weekends, and watching them pay attention to details.
In 1992, my dad passed away and my Mom handed down some tools, plans, and some unfinished toys. And that's how Hardwood Toys began, with a reputation for quality and an appreciation for the loyal customers whose support they kept through the years. Every toy is handcrafted by me, Tom Merrin, in my workshop in Arroyo Grande, California. I'm a second generation toy maker.