Locally crafted toys

During research for our annual Minnesota Parent Toy Test, we came across a local company — DoodleTown Toys of Big Lake, established in 1972 — that produces beautiful, handcrafted wooden toys.

Michael and Linda Poisson use northern white pine to create their toys, which feature signature smooth edges thanks to painstaking sanding and routing.

We loved the school bus (found at Moss Envy, Minneapolis) for a stocking stuffer.

If the grandparents need gift ideas, you might suggest a ToyTote gift set ($49.95), which includes eight vehicles in a bag, lab-tested safe for all ages. 

$7.95 • doodletowntoys.com