Wooden toys are classics for their wonderful colors, shapes, textures and lasting power. Wooden food is especially popular, since it can be used in a variety of ways during imaginative play.
Two popular toy companies that make wooden food toys are Melissa & Doug, and HABA.
Who are Melissa & Doug?
Melissa & Doug, a husband and wife team, started their company in 1988 in their basement. They produce a variety of wooden educational toys, puzzles, musical instruments, puppets, baby toys, art supplies and of course, wooden food.
Melissa & Doug are based out of Connecticut, however, their products are manufactured in China. A profile of their Chinese manufacturer (created by the Chinese company itself) can be viewed by clicking here.
Who is HABA?
Established in 1938 in Germany, HABA has expanded from wooden toys to educational games, porcelain table settings for children, plush toys, wooden jewelry, school supplies, and children’s décor and furniture. Their paints are tested regularly to maintain safety and their products are manufactured right in Germany. They maintain a comprehensive environmental policy and insist that their suppliers also operate under strict environmental policies.
What foods are available?
In addition to basic fruits and vegetables, Melissa & Doug have a food groups set, birthday cake set, sandwich making set, toaster playtime kit, food cutting set, pizza party set, sushi set, condiments set, spice rack, and 3 dimensional meal puzzles.
HABA’s foods are generally sold individually and comprise a grocery store theme. Their collection includes a wood cash register, working food scale, food baskets, shopping bags, dollars and coins. Their selection is decidedly European, and includes chocolate croissants, salami, yogurt, pasta, sugar cubes, and a box of chocolates, in addition to a basic fruits, vegetables, and breads.
This is where you see a real difference. I own wooden food from each company, and they have been vigorously tested by a toddler who loves to throw things and bang them together. The clear winner is HABA. After less than a year of ownership, the Melissa & Doug products are looking pretty ragged. The HABA products still look new, with no chipped paint or dented wood.
The downside to HABA is that their products are much smaller, presumably to be easier for little hands to hold. When I received my first HABA wooden food products in the mail, I was very disappointed in their size.
Their upside, besides being of superior quality, is that they are made of a lighter wood. Melissa & Doug wooden fruits and vegetables, for example, are not only big, they are heavy, and so not very suitable to the younger child who throws things.
Price and Availability
Being made in China, Melissa & Doug are the clear winners in the price category. It’s difficult to make a true price comparison, since Melissa & Doug items are sold in sets and HABA items are sold individually. However, Melissa & Doug can be found in most major United States toy stores, including Toys R Us and the toy department of WalMart. HABA toys are usually only found in specialty toy stores or ordered online, and so prices tend to be a little higher, especially when you factor in shipping.
A Personal Side Note
Aside from a direct comparison of wooden toys, I would like to add that we have been disappointed in other Melissa & Doug products we have owned, including puzzles and shape sorting toys. All of them have fallen apart, chipped, or even splintered. The wood basket our fruit assortment came in fell apart within a few months of purchase. If price is an important consideration for your family, then Melissa & Doug certainly delivers on fun and variety. However, if you want classic toys that will last, HABA toys are worth the extra price and effort.
