In our weekly Featured Shop series, we shine a light on a standout shop from Etsy’s talented seller community, offering readers a behind-the-scenes look at their process and story.
One surefire way to earn instant favorite grown-up status with the tiny tots in your life and their parents? Show up to your next baby shower or birthday party with a handcrafted wooden rattle, monogrammed teether, or personalized set of blocks from Iowa-based operation Bannor Toys. Founded by former daycare owners (and parents of three) Stacey and Jesse Bannor, the shop features Montessori-inspired nursery staples beloved by kids and babies for their simple, lightweight shapes designed to let little imaginations run wild.
Explore the Bannor Toys collection
The draw for design-conscious moms and dads? The toys’ understated natural wood finishes and curated range of customizable accent colors. That happy combination is likely responsible for the 18,000-plus sales Bannor Toys has racked up since the shop opened on Etsy in 2011—and for the enterprise’s expansion from a workshop in the couple’s two-car garage to an 11,000-square-foot warehouse with a dedicated staff of 10. “This business is kind of like my fourth baby,” admits Stacey. “It’s more than just a job—it’s a passion.”
Read on for more from Stacey on what sets their line apart—and shop the Bannor Toys collection.
How did you get started making toys?
Back in 2011, I was running an in-home daycare and my husband had a finance job that he hated. One day he came home and I’d gone through all the toys in our house found a ton of plastic ones that were broken. I asked him to fix them, but instead he went out and bought a scroll saw and decided to make some new ones. He didn’t have any woodworking background, but he cut out this little wood truck. And I looked at it and said, “Hey, that’s really cute! Maybe we should sell these.” That was eight years ago.
How did your experience with toys as a daycare owner inform your approach to creating your own?
When we got started I had six or seven daycare kids, so we started making toys that would let them be creative and really work their imaginations—toys that didn’t tell kids how to play with them. We’d make a simple set of blocks, for example, and the kids would decide to build a city, or turn the blocks into cars and drive them down imaginary roads.
We lean a lot on the Waldorf and Montessori principles of open-ended play. There are no instructions; there’s no right or wrong way to play with something. When we saw all the creativity and the imagination spark up in them, it just made sense to keep going. That’s how we wanted to raise our kids, and we realized that it could benefit other families as well.
Photograph by Samantha Broderick
What would you say sets your products apart in the world of toys?
The main thing that differentiates our line is color. Most wooden toy companies have used the same three woods—maple, cherry, and walnut—for the last 50 years. They’re naturally anti-bacterial, which is great, but there aren’t very many companies that also incorporate color.
We’ve sourced an organic, non-toxic, water-based paint that’s completely safe to be used in kids’ toys, so we throw in splashes of color with the natural wood and it makes the pieces stand out a little bit more. We’ve also recently started adding silicone to our teethers, which is nice for babies to chew on. You can choose between different colored silicone rings and beads.
What are some of your most popular products?
Our state rattles are kind of our thing—they’ve been our number one seller for years. Our teethers have also really shot up in popularity since we started offering the silicone add-on option—people just love the different textures and colors. Our airplane teether is especially near and dear to my heart because I hand-drew the original design back in 2013 and it’s been a top seller ever since. And then our blocks! Blocks are always crazy-popular because you can get an alphabet set or a personalized box with your child’s name.
Photograph by Lauren Westra
Can you tell us a bit more about the different personalization options you offer?
I would say that between 85 and 95 percent of our orders are personalized—it’s kind of incredible to see how much people like that option! We have laser engravers, so we offer single name personalization as well as a handwriting option if, say, you have a birthday card from your grandma and you want to engrave her actual handwriting on the item. We also do a lot of birth stats—on our state rattles, in particular. They’re great keepsakes to pass down to grandkids or just hang on to.
What role do your own kids play in the business?
We’re a family business, so there’s no aspect that our kids are not a part of, from cleaning the shop to helping package toys. Our warehouse right now is across the street from the elementary school, so our kids just walk over here after school. When they get here, if Dad needs help sweeping the shop, they go down there and help out, or if I need help counting inventory, they’ll pitch in. We’re trying to teach them that we have what we have as a family because of this business, and they’re a part of that, too.
Photograph by Samantha Broderick
In what ways do your kids influence the product line?
Any time there’s been a train, it’s because of our youngest son, Eli. He is train-obsessed. He’s almost five, and he’s been our toy tester for all our rattles and teethers since he was born. He’s very opinionated about what he thinks is good. If we design a shape that he doesn’t like, he’s not shy about telling us.
What’s your interaction like with your customers?
We go down to Texas a couple times a year for vendor shows, and we’ve gotten the chance to meet up with some of our customers there, which is really neat. We’ve seen their kids growing up online, and then we get to meet them and hug them in person. And we have a Facebook group for customers. I think most of them joined initially to get the inside scoop on sales, but it’s turned into more than that. It’s a community where moms can connect with other moms—they’re asking about car seats and baby weaning, trading tips and advice. There are so many real relationships that have come out of this company—it’s really been a phenomenal part of the job that we didn’t expect when we started.
Follow Bannor Toys on Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest.
Studio photographs by Lucky Soda Photography, product photographs by Emma Parkinson Photography unless otherwise noted.
49 comments
Anna Morzhina from HeirloomToy said 2 years ago
Very beautiful and eco-friendly toys! I love wood. It is always beautiful and safe for children!
Marina from Marinitka said 2 years ago
“It’s more than just a job—it’s a passion” - only with such an approach to business can be achieved such results. Well done!!!
ClassicMemories from ClassicMemories said 2 years ago
Very nice shop. Congrats on the feature.
Luybi Arctium from ArctiumStudio said 2 years ago
Very interesting... And it's sooo cute, just a lovely sight ☺
cherryZO from cherryZOvintage said 2 years ago
Adorable ! Simply stunning ! Congratulations on the feature !
Tatiana from WednesdayCeramic said 2 years ago
it's so cute, so nice... gentle toys!
elle and belle Forster from elleandbellejewelry said 2 years ago
Wonderful ideal! Love simple organic toys that ignite creativity and imagination. All the best Stacey and Jesse and family!
Sujata from TreasuredMemoryLane said 2 years ago
Adorable and eco -friendly! What a great combination of baby toys! Congratulations on the feature!
Tatyana from KolibriToys said 2 years ago
So nice! Wooden toys are appreciated at all times!
Jennifer Tyson from LadyInPurpleBoutique said 2 years ago
Such a great, inspiring story! I'll have to take a look at your shop for my grandson and our new grandbaby coming soon! Congrats on the feature and here's to a prosperous year!
Cathy from msbijouxbeads said 2 years ago
So cute! Nice shop and unique, congratulations, great feature!
Sally from SallysVintageKitchen said 2 years ago
Lovely shop. Beautiful toys! Congratulations on the feature!
Rhonda Stubbs from RhondaCorner said 2 years ago
Love your toys! I wished these were around when my kids were small. Congratulation on your feature and I wish you the very best on all of your future endeavors.
Evgeniya Milyavy from MilyavyCreations said 2 years ago
I love wooden toys. They feel the warmth and care of parents. Very nice!
Arina from NoyaRin said 2 years ago
This is so cute! Congratulations on the feature
Chelci Telford from ReveilleShop said 2 years ago
Wooden baby toys are the best. Love the designs.
Anastasiia Farforuk from Farforuk said 2 years ago
But these toys will always remain in the memory of the child. Wonderful job. Bravo!
Vira Golubchak from Golubchak said 2 years ago
So nice and pretty :)
Mariia Shevchenko from MariUkraine said 2 years ago
So nice works ♥
TropicalGarden from TropicalGarden said 2 years ago
Wonderful baby toys! Congratulations on the feature!
Eugenia from JennyCANDLES said 2 years ago
This is a very interesting story. I have great respect for people who love their work and invest a piece of their soul in it. Wooden toys made with great love for kids. It's so cute. Thank you so much from all the kids you make happy.
Kelly from CedarMillStudio said 2 years ago
such an amazing shop! so glad you were featured!
Artem Argirov from AdriaticDriftWood said 2 years ago
I really like these wooden things. I think a tree for children's toys is the most suitable material.
Personalizing that Fitz Inc. from IfTheSockFitz said 2 years ago
Wow. What a wonderful shop to highlight - a great story and really unique products!
Olga Kaplina from FunnyLoopsFinds said 2 years ago
Very nice shop. Wooden toys are appreciated at all times!
Olga from VereskBridal said 2 years ago
Very original toys! I would buy a cash register)
Dan Neto from Materniteees said 2 years ago
Great idea! I would definitely get these for my little ones.
Olya Bavykina from ByEmilyDecor said 2 years ago
As a person who creates toys for kids myself, I really appreciate how wonderful these toys are!
Ana Paula from macraMe said 2 years ago
Lovely!! Nice work!!! Compliments!!! :-) :-)
Nadiia Grypich from eNGiJewelry said 2 years ago
That is so sweet!!!!
Lisa Rawson from lisazobrosky said 2 years ago
This is my "Happy Place"! What a beautiful online shop! The pictures are incredible and the products are even more beautiful and creative! I love that the whole family is involved! Vita Buon... (good life)! :)
Yulia from FloralAtelier said 2 years ago
Very useful and interesting family business. I love wooden toys, they are the best for kids.
Anna from FairyToysWorld said 2 years ago
Great family! You made very beautiful toys and your style is nice.
Dina said 2 years ago
Estoy fascinada con tanta creatividad, tanta belleza y amor a sus sueños! Una tienda ecológica y divertida. Amo la madera, y los niños también la aman!
Mandi Mayberry from TheRusticFoxCo said 2 years ago
Such an awesome story! I love it. Love your product and congrats on the feature!
Sergey from sdwshop said 2 years ago
very responsible work! Toys should be perfectly smooth for safety, but when a child feels the warmth of a woodit is beautiful
Dan Neto from Festiviteees said 1 year ago
Love the toys you offer!
Elena from KurylevaDolls said 1 year ago
Wonderful family business !!! I like everything about children!
Viktoria from Viktoriatoyscrochet said 1 year ago
Great store! This is my favorite topic - toys for small children, developing, environmentally friendly and very interesting.
Mary from Fetroll said 1 year ago
There are so many rattles and wooden toys for babies on the market. A great many. such a huge competition. and it is no longer possible to make out who simply resells these toys, and who creates by investing in them a soul. thanks to such stories you understand how much is behind such a thing, how much attention to detail. Having seen enough of such beautiful products, I once also tried to sell such toys. I just bought them ready and collected them together with beads. but then I realized that such a wooden toy is much more valuable and makes more sense if purchased from such a seller as the heroes of this article. And it is very great that such masters succeed! Thanks you!
Nataliia from FluffySoulStore said 1 year ago
What you're doing is great! Eco-friendly wooden toys is exactly what our children need! It's great that you can do what you love and make people happy
Mariya MARI from CrochetToysByMARI said 1 year ago
Such interesting toys! What you need for small children.
Natasha from RattlesAndToys said 1 year ago
You have a wonderful store and beautiful toys !!! Feels like a lot of love is invested in the toys you make ❤
Mary Kardapoltseva from MaryToysStudio said 1 year ago
I love toys made of natural materials! I like that i can choose any color.
Inna from Innagurumi said 1 year ago
Very original toy! I like it!
Anna from HappyBabyCrochetToys said 1 year ago
Amazing works! Just admire of every photo of their workshop. Each toy fascinates with its simplicity and originality at the same time. Love it with all my heart!
Albina from AmigoRoomToys said 1 year ago
For children the best! I'm trying to do that too!)))
Amanda Lasowitz from WreathsToLoveDesign said 294 days ago
I love it! I wish I knew about them when my kids were little.
Umesh Vigg from TheInspireDecor said 87 days ago
Very nice shop and work