Collection: Manhattan Toy
Colour, character, and clever design in every single toy! That's the thing about Manhattan Toy — you can spot one across a room. Bold colours, cheeky faces, proper personality. They're the toys kids gravitate to instantly, and the ones that end up named, carried around, and slept with.
What we love is that the charm isn't accidental. Their team genuinely studies how kids play at each stage, then builds the toy around it — so what looks like a fun, colourful doll or a silly plush is actually pitched perfectly at where your child is right now. That's a much harder thing to pull off than it sounds, and it's why their toys hold attention long after the novelty of something flashier has worn off.
The range is wonderfully broad, too. Soft dolls and plush characters sit alongside a beautiful line of wooden toys: stackers, baby beads, rattles, activity centres, and the famous Skwish — that clever, squishy little wooden ball that's been a first-toy favourite for years. They've been at this for decades, with a wall of awards, pieces on shelves at Harrods and Anthropologie, and rigorous safety testing to Canadian standards on everything they make.
What is Manhattan Toy known for?
Bold, character-filled toys with real developmental thinking behind them — an award-winning range of over 500 products spanning wooden toys, soft dolls, and plush.
Does Manhattan Toy make wooden toys?
Yes — a lovely range of them, including wooden stackers, baby beads, rattles, activity centres, and the much-loved Skwish, all designed with the same character and developmental thinking as the rest of their toys.
What is a Skwish?
The Skwish is Manhattan Toy's signature wooden baby toy: a squishy, flexible ball of wooden rods and beads that collapses in a little hand and springs right back. It's easy for babies to grasp, wonderful for developing coordination, and a classic first toy.
What ages are Manhattan Toy toys for?
The range covers babies and toddlers through preschool and the school-age years, so there's something at every stage. Each toy lists its recommended age.
Are Manhattan Toy toys safe?
Yes. Every toy is rigorously tested to international safety standards, including CPSIA, ASTM F963, EN71, and Canadian safety regulations.
Where can I buy Manhattan Toy in Canada?
Right here at The Playful Peacock. We're a Canadian, mom-run toy shop, and we ship across Canada, hand-packed with care.
Come see what's arrived — there's a new favourite in here somewhere.
Colour, character, and clever design in every single toy! That's the thing about Manhattan Toy — you can spot one across a room. Bold colours, cheeky faces, proper personality. They're the toys kids gravitate to instantly, and the ones that end up named, carried around, and slept with.
What we love is that the charm isn't accidental. Their team genuinely studies how kids play at each stage, then builds the toy around it — so what looks like a fun, colourful doll or a silly plush is actually pitched perfectly at where your child is right now. That's a much harder thing to pull off than it sounds, and it's why their toys hold attention long after the novelty of something flashier has worn off.
The range is wonderfully broad, too. Soft dolls and plush characters sit alongside a beautiful line of wooden toys: stackers, baby beads, rattles, activity centres, and the famous Skwish — that clever, squishy little wooden ball that's been a first-toy favourite for years. They've been at this for decades, with a wall of awards, pieces on shelves at Harrods and Anthropologie, and rigorous safety testing to Canadian standards on everything they make.
What is Manhattan Toy known for?
Bold, character-filled toys with real developmental thinking behind them — an award-winning range of over 500 products spanning wooden toys, soft dolls, and plush.
Does Manhattan Toy make wooden toys?
Yes — a lovely range of them, including wooden stackers, baby beads, rattles, activity centres, and the much-loved Skwish, all designed with the same character and developmental thinking as the rest of their toys.
What is a Skwish?
The Skwish is Manhattan Toy's signature wooden baby toy: a squishy, flexible ball of wooden rods and beads that collapses in a little hand and springs right back. It's easy for babies to grasp, wonderful for developing coordination, and a classic first toy.
What ages are Manhattan Toy toys for?
The range covers babies and toddlers through preschool and the school-age years, so there's something at every stage. Each toy lists its recommended age.
Are Manhattan Toy toys safe?
Yes. Every toy is rigorously tested to international safety standards, including CPSIA, ASTM F963, EN71, and Canadian safety regulations.
Where can I buy Manhattan Toy in Canada?
Right here at The Playful Peacock. We're a Canadian, mom-run toy shop, and we ship across Canada, hand-packed with care.
Come see what's arrived — there's a new favourite in here somewhere.
The Playful Peacock Difference
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About the Playful Peacock
The Playful Peacock was created in 2021 to curate creative, open-ended play for curious children. The Playful Peacock is privileged to operate in Tkaronto/Toronto.
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Quality Toys Designed to Last
We are steadfast in our selection of toy makers that we work with.
Our offerings are from Canadian, female-owned, BIPOC and/or family-owned brands that are firmly rooted in environmental practices with strong ethical standards. We adamantly align ourselves with makers we are proud of and who are equally dedicated to sustainability, transparency and ethical labour, including paying living and fair wages. The majority of the toys these brands make are handmade, natural wooden toys that forge limitless play for kids to enjoy for years.
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The Handmade Difference
The Playful Peacock’s toys are built with quality and care to last for generations. All of the toys are safe and made with individualized love and attention using a high-caliber of materials and finishes that do not include any harmful additives. Our toys will quickly become an heirloom through their high-quality and endless enjoyment.
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Materials Matter
Plastic toys are typically mass-produced and easily breakable. These toys can contribute to sweatshops, unfair labour conditions and pollution in general.
While wooden toys are a step in the right direction, not all wooden toys are made the same. There are many wooden dupes to be aware of cheap, mass-produced wooden toys that are just as harmful as plastic! For example, softwood and plywood can chip and splinter easily, while non-handcrafted wooden toys often are filled with harmful toxic paints, finishes, and sealants.
Consciously opting for ethical, handcrafted wooden toys (renewable wood is even better) is safer for your child, is way more dependable and a kinder contributor to our already fragile planet.
The manufacturing process our makers use considers Mother Earth first through strict FSC Certifications, non-toxic paint, and planet-friendly materials across every single product. After placing an order, you will receive your newly beloved toy in 99% plastic-free, biodegradable, recyclable and compostable packaging, down to the stickers and tape.
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The Right Toy At The Right Time
Children are naturally drawn to play toys that they can master and that is right for their particular stage of development.
With a wide range of toys available for kids ages 0-1, 1-2, 2-3 and 3+, you can ensure the toy is safe, age-appropriate, and developmentally appropriate, too. The majority of our toys focus on fun and subtle learning, and open-ended play, while being Montessori approved.
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Ethical Toys Making A Difference
We are a purpose-first brand and a business second.
With a deep awareness that the toy industry must do better, we are committed to our part through advocacy for a range of social justice causes, environmental advancement and stringent criteria for makers. We are changemakers and give back through every purchase by donating meals to children in need across 26 Indigenous communities within Canada.