REVIEW: 'Gween Toys' Elevate Playtime to Stylish New Heights

I receive dozens of 'new product' emails per day, and none have ever made my heart skip a beat like the announcement I received for the launch of Gween Toys. 'Exquisite' is how I would describe them in a word. Yet they are also completely down-to-earth and totally touchable. Not only are they eye-candy that could easily double as charming decor in a nursery or playroom, Gween Toys are downright genius, with playful and educational function built into every inch of their sustainable design.

My favorite Gween Toy in the collection is Picazee (above). Partly because he's described as 'the artistic zebra with a hidden secret.' I love that this personable creature's five stripes may be removed to reveal vibrant colors -- and that tots can match the colors on each ring to the corresponding color on his back.

All Gween Toys are handcrafted from sustainable wood, and dyed with natural colorings from the roots, bark and leaves of plants. No glues, paints, metals, plastics or any other synthetic components are used to create these masterpieces. Above is 'Gwomies.' Talk about the stacking toy coming a long way from that ubiquitous plastic, rainbow-ring variation. Gwomies is a little forest comprised of 20 interchangeable stacking pieces that you can build, knock down and re-build with your toddler in over 200 combinations. Miss O and I love creating miniature forests and playing with her doll figures who walk amongst the trees.

Miss O is simply smitten with Alfinx, the tiger with a love of letters. She has unbridled enthusiasm at spinning the stripes to spell new words. She carries Alfinx around asking me if what she spelled is correct, and how to spell different words. And she's so proud when she comes up with a winning combination all by herself.

Sweet Zarafu is the only Gween Toy we don't personally own, but I think this smiley giraffe with a penchant for math should be a staple toy in every playroom. Rings may be added and subtracted from Zarafu's neck, incorporating counting and numerical skills into playtime.

Gusto the stackable windmill (another brilliant incarnation of the stacking toy) is Mr. A's favorite piece in the collection thus far, although I have been keeping Gwomies out of his reach due to its smaller parts -- and he LOVES Alfinx and Picazee, but he mostly just wants to gnaw on them.

I can see Mr. A's brain firing on all cylinders each time we stack and take apart Gusto. The detachable fan also spins around, much to his delight.

One of my favorite things about Gween Toys, besides well, everything, is that they are offered at an affordable price point via Amazon -- making them widely available to consumers. These are heirloom quality toys that may be handed down and enjoyed for generations. They would make remarkable gifts for your kids or friends and family.

Thanks Gween Toys, for the many hours of enchanted playtime your thoughtful creations will grant me with my children.