Candylab

Finding the perfect toy for your preschooler can feel like a quest. You want something that captures their imagination, encourages creativity, and aligns with your eco-conscious values. But as many parents know, your child's initial fascination can eventually lose their interest even once you've found that ideal toy. So, what's next?

When it comes to wooden toys, Candylab stands out as the ultimate answer, offering a distinct blend of fun, nostalgia, and unmatched craftsmanship. This US-based brand has captured the hearts of children and collectors alike with its exquisite range of minimalist toy cars.

Candylab is more than just a run-of-the-mill wooden toy car. Their wooden toy trucks and cars give children a glimpse into the fascinating world of automobiles, merging classic design aesthetics with contemporary play. These modern vintage toy cars help introduce children to the history of vehicles and different eras of transportation, subtly integrating learning into playtime.

From hobby to reality

Candylab's inception story is a testament to the power of pursuing one's passion. For Vlad Dragusin, toy design began as a hobby and gradually evolved due to his love for cars, woodworking, design, toys, and mid-century modernism. Eventually, his hobby became an all-consuming dream, which led him to make a bold career switch from architecture to toy design.

In 2013, Vlad and his co-founder Florin Galliano built Candylab. It all started with a modest Kickstarter campaign that helped turn their hobby into a reality. Their mission has been consistent ever since - to create wooden toy vehicles that pay tribute to the iconic mid-century American vintage automotive design. These modern vintage toy cars are not just for aimless play. They can transport children to the history of automobiles and different eras of transportation. These Candylab cars and vehicles are like a mini-lesson in the world of cars, igniting curiosity and sparking imaginative journeys.

Crafting dreams from wood

At the heart of Candylab's creations are a team of toymakers, designers, engineers, and parents who are more than just craftspeople – they breathe life into every toy they produce. Their meticulous attention to detail ensures that each wooden toy car is a work of art, a testament to the brand's commitment to quality craftsmanship.

Giving back and reaping rewards

Candylab understands that play is a universal language that transcends boundaries. Their charitable efforts, evident through initiatives like supporting children's hospitals and organisations, go beyond profit margins. They're a testament to their belief in the power of play to bring joy, healing, and hope to those who need it most.

Their commitment to quality and excellent design hasn't gone unnoticed, too. In 2015, their wooden toy cars were honoured with the Popular Mechanics Toy Award, a prestigious recognition that underscored their dedication to creating exceptional toys.

Hello Charlie stands with brands like Candylab that champion eco-conscious play. We proudly offer Candylab's creations because they match our mission to provide environmentally responsible options for families. Supporting them means promoting a vision of play that embraces artistry, sustainability, and timeless charm – a vision we genuinely believe in.

What makes Candylab sustainable and eco-friendly?

Responsibility at the core

Candylab's commitment to responsibility is not just a statement. It's a cornerstone of their brand. While the company is US-based, its toys are responsibly manufactured in China. This decision reflects their dedication to ethical and sustainable production practices, ensuring that every toy embodies the values of responsibility and quality.

Their choice of natural materials is at the heart of Candylab's sustainable journey. They opt for lumber species sourced from well-managed forests. They don't use slow-growing species like oak or fir. Instead, they prefer fast to extremely fast-growing woods, ensuring that their toy production doesn't outpace nature's ability to replenish these valuable resources. It's a small but impactful choice that reduces their ecological footprint.

Safety Standards

Candylab also understands that eco-friendliness goes hand in hand with safety. Their eco toys comply with many safety standards, including the Consumer Safety Improvement Act of 2008 (ASTM F963), Australian and NZ safety regulations, and European toy safety requirements EN71 parts I and II.

Their commitment to safety doesn't stop at certifications. They regularly test their toys to ensure they meet the latest regulations. It's a reassuring nod to parents that your child's playtime is fun and secure.

Minimalist Packaging

Candylab engineers their packaging to be minimal yet practical, a feat that combines art and science. By using non-toxic paints when printing their packaging materials, they also ensure that even the outer shell of their products aligns with their sustainability mission. It's a thoughtful approach that reduces waste and encourages responsible use of goods.

Sustainable Materials

Candylab uses natural wood. They primarily source their lumber from well-managed forests in North America, with Canada being their primary source. To diversify their offerings, they occasionally turn to New Zealand Pine from New Zealand and real rubber wood from various Asian sources. Natural materials like solid beech wood are also used in their wooden car toy pieces. By responsibly sourcing wood, Candylab ensures its toys are beautiful and kind to the planet.

When adding that perfect pop of colour to their creations, Candylab uses water-based, non-toxic paints. This conscious choice ensures that their toys remain safe for children to play with while reducing their environmental footprint.

A balanced blend of plastic, metal, and rubber

Candylab's designs include supporting parts using safe ABS plastic, metal, and natural rubber. By carefully selecting these materials, Candylab ensures that their toys remain durable and functional while keeping their commitment to safety and environmental responsibility. 

Free from harmful substances

Candylab believes in giving peace of mind to parents. Their products, from their wooden truck toy to wooden cars, are free from harmful substances, including formaldehyde/MFD, lead, mercury, cadmium, BPA, BPS, phthalates, and oil-based paints. By avoiding oil-based paints, they also eliminate the risk of harmful emissions. Candylab's dedication to these stringent standards ensures that parents can trust the safety of their products.

Popular Candylab Wooden Toy Cars and Vehicles

A classic range of toy food truck options

Candylab has an exciting collection of wooden toy food trucks that will captivate the hearts of both kids and adults. These delightful vehicles seamlessly blend classic design with modern play, creating a perfect recipe for a fun-filled time. Let's embark on a delicious journey and explore some of their delectable options.

Their timeless and modern design makes Candylab's wooden toy food trucks perfect for children and adults alike. Their size is ideal for little hands to explore, grasp and roll, while their smooth-rolling wheels offer a realistic play experience that enhances hand-eye coordination skills and fine motor development.

Each wooden toy truck in the Candylab collection comes with vibrant colours and a playful topper that sets it apart from one another. We've got a Candylab donut van with a hot pink doughnut, a Candylab fried chicken van that comes with a rubber drumstick, a Candylab hamburger van with a squishy burger, a Candylab hot dog van with a juicy hotdog on a bun, a Candylab Ice Cream Wooden Van with melting ice cream on top, a Candylab pretzel van with a golden brown pretzel, and a Candylab Taco Wooden Van with a delectable taco. These toppers make each food truck an exciting culinary adventure waiting to happen. You can spark your child's creativity and imagination by encouraging them to become a doughnut or pretzel shop owner, a fried chicken cook, a burger or hotdog connoisseur, or an ice cream or taco vendor. 

So, whether it's Taco Tuesday or an ice cream social, Candylab's wooden food trucks offer endless possibilities for fun-filled playtime. Immerse your child in this delicious world and watch their skills and imagination flourish with these delightful mobile eateries.

Delivery Truck Toy Vehicles

Candylab Milk Wooden Toy Truck

Ride the milk van in retro style with Candylab's Milk Wooden Toy Truck! It's perfect for young children and collectors alike. Its classic design and tiny open cargo space make it ideal for transporting small toys and treasures. The smooth rolling wheels allow the milk truck toy to glide effortlessly on any surface, making it the ultimate vehicle for playtime fun. Every cargo load and delivery helps hone your child's fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination.

This wooden milk truck is perfect for kids who are always on the move, as it's a grab-and-go toy. Its open-ended play capabilities allow children to use their imagination and create different scenarios. They can pretend to deliver milk to homes or drive a milk truck to a factory. This truck can become anything your child can dream of.

Candylab New York Times Delivery Wooden Van

The Candylab New York Times Delivery Wooden Van is a unique wooden toy van that your child will love. Its classic design, tiny size, and smooth-rolling wheels make it a great companion for any adventure. And with its timeless New York Times logo and iconic blue and white colours, this wooden van will surely capture your child's imagination.

This wooden vehicle is an excellent tool to help develop your child's fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination. Kids pushing the truck can improve their grip and control while navigating through imaginary city streets. They'll also have a blast imagining themselves as a news delivery person or embarking on new and exciting adventures in their mini New York City van. The open-ended nature of this toy encourages imaginative play and creativity, allowing children to create unique stories and scenarios.

Other Toy Vehicles

Candylab Olympic RV and Candylab Wooden Ambulance

Candylab has a diverse range of wooden toy vehicles that give children endless opportunities for both fun and learning. One of the most captivating vehicles is the Candylab Olympic RV, featuring a beautiful blue and white aqua design that showcases snowy mountain landscapes. This toy RV is perfect for imaginative play, with a spare tire at the back that adds a touch of realism to any adventure.

Another toy vehicle that sparks creativity and empathy in children is the Candylab Wooden Ambulance, designed for heroic missions. Its adorable siren light signals that help is on the way, making it an exciting addition to any playtime. Children can become rescuers, caregivers, or heroes in any story they can imagine with this wooden ambulance toy.

This toy camper van and wooden toy ambulance are designed to fit comfortably in tiny hands, making them easy to navigate. As children push them along, they naturally enhance their fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination while weaving intricate narratives and boosting creativity.

Shop Candylab toys at Hello Charlie

The Hello Charlie online shop is one of the official Candylab stockists, with Australia wide delivery and same day despatch when you order before 10 am.