Stop, Drop and Blog

If you know me or follow me on twitter or receive random instant messages from me, you know that I have a slight obsession with all things Etsy. If you didn’t know that, let me tell you: I have a slight obsession with all things Etsy. About once a week (or more) I throw various fire terms into the search function and become giddy with the results. I thought I would share these with you every now and again on Fridays. Starting now!

Today I’m actually showcasing some of the best and/or most awesome wooden toy fire trucks and fire related toys on Etsy.

This little gem of a fire truck ($22) makes me smile. It’s short and squat and it just seems so happy looking, doesn’t it. The best part about this selection, which is why I put it first on my list: those removable ladders. They hang on little begs on either side of the truck. So the imaginary firefighters can throw the ladder up against the blazing house and rescue the imaginary people inside. It’s all very dramatic and fantastic, no? This one is made of pine which makes my nose happy just thinking about it!

The store in which this truck is available is SantaWood Shop’s Shop. Fire trucks are not the only offering, of course. There is, of course, another fire truck ($75). But also some amazing creations. And by amazing, I do really mean amazing. Most are very affordable as well. Some other ones are more expensive but, really, look at the detailing on the wooden circus train. It’s really quite amazing.

Next on my list of most awesome wooden fire truck toys is this fire truck (hook & ladder) puzzle ($17.95). Now, first and foremost, I love puzzles! I love wooden puzzles even more. And so a wooden fire truck puzzle sounds like the next best thing to sliced bread. Not only can you work on spatial skills with this jigsaw puzzle but, come on, it’s a fire truck. What’s better than a fire truck that is also used as a teaching tool. Absolutely nothing.

The best part about this particular piece? You choose the number for the side of the truck. I’m not sure a number like 37509607 will fit, so I’d go with single digits. This would be an amazing birthday gift for a three or four year old who is just moving into jigsaw puzzles and just so happens to love the heck out of some fire trucks. The store, featured in Cookie Mag in 2007, is serious about child safety as well. The pieces will not fit through a paper towel roll (which means no choking hazard) and are finished with non-toxic wood finish. Even cooler? This puzzle works both laying down and… standing up! And you just can’t beat the prize. Seriously. (Note: other puzzle designs and wooden toys available at the store.)

Pine Ladder Truck No. 2 ($17.50) is a long, long truck. Like the first truck I mentioned today, this one features removable ladders. But longer ones. For taller imaginary houses with harder to reach imaginary fires. Send both trucks to the scene and you’ll have all levels of your imaginary apartment fire taken care of with these two trucks.

As this particular truck has the headlights, wheel axels and tail lights glued on, it is not recommended for a child under the age of three (or, if your three year old still puts everything in his/her mouth, not then either). Heed the advice of the seller and, as the store states, know your child and buy accordingly. (What good advice!) And, again, some more great wooden offerings at their store (like that truck that holds crayons: awesome!).

Last but not least is this fire station with fire trucks ($28.00). As their blurb says, you can’t have a wooden city without a fire station. I mean, think about it. A wooden city? Without fire trucks? It’s an imaginary blaze just waiting to happen! (Take for example my own old hometown in which the fire house burnt down. Sad, sad.) Anyway, I must say that I agree. This would be a great addition to your wooden city and a colorful one at that! If your worried about that paint, the store claims that paints were made in the USA.

But, I’m going to warn you. Don’t go to their store. Because? You’ll want to buy one of everything. And in some cases you’ll want to buy two. There are a few other fire trucks available as well as some blocks, other trucks and other buildings.

If you end up buying something, either for your child or as a gift, let me know. I’m really considering purchasing one of these for myself. Or, uhm, I mean for the kids. The kids!