Wooden Toy Trucks

Wooden trucks - durable, exclusive and decorative

Wooden trucks and wooden toy trucks have never really gone away. Due to the durable and solid nature of the wooden trucks, more and more parents and caregivers are consciously choosing these toys. From the advantages of a large wooden truck to the story behind Floris Hovers' designs, you can read all about wooden toy trucks and trucks here.

Who designed IKONIC's wooden trucks?

IKONIC's wooden trucks are designed by the well-known Dutch designer Floris Hovers. He is renowned in the design world for his recognizable style: simplicity, balance in color and shape, and a nod to the classic toys of the past. His designs for IKONIC (the 'Duotone Cars' series and the 'Big Trucks' series) are known worldwide and can be found in many stores, and are praised for their balance between playfulness and aesthetics. In addition, IKONIC collaborates with other designers on specific collections, but the collaboration with Floris Hovers is the brand's oldest collaboration with a designer. 

His talent as a designer is clearly recognizable in the attention to composition, proportions and use of color, and the pursuit of a design that is timeless and can last for generations.

What is the story behind IKONIC's large wooden trucks?

Floris Hovers is not only a designer and artist, but also a lover and collector of toys. His interest is broad, ranging from model cars from Solido to old East German toys to the designs of Ko Verzuu. As a designer, Ko Verzuu was the artistic director of the old Dutch wooden toy brand ADO from 1925 to 1955, and was strongly influenced by De Stijl.  ADO's wooden trucks in particular were very popular and Verzuu designed many of them. Floris Hovers was inspired by the designs of Ko Verzuu for the large wooden trucks. Despite the fact that Floris' designs bear his clear signature, the influence of Ko Verzuu is clearly visible. The scale of the vehicles is also moving towards the size that Ko Verzuu used for his trucks. The collection, called 'Big Trucks', consists of five stylized trucks in typical Floris Hovers color combinations.

The trucks were made in small batches in a wood workshop in Delft. The materials used are FSC beech wood, lacquered in water-based lacquer, with wheels that are 3D printed. Although the series is not limited, all wooden trucks are numbered and signed by Floris Hovers. At the moment (2025) two series have been made. In the first series, Floris' signature is immediately put on the underside of the truck. For the second series, he signed the stickers sent to him, which were then stuck on the undersides of the cars. This saved another ride from Raamsdonksveer to Delft. The signature on the sticker is therefore not printed, but original. In the first series, about ten units of each truck were made. The second series consisted of about 15 pieces of each design. These trucks are therefore very exclusive, and because they are made by hand, small differences between them are also noticeable.

Why are the wooden trucks of the 'Duotone' series so much cheaper than the large trucks from the 'Big Trucks' collection?

The answer is partly already in the question; The size obviously plays a role. The large wooden trucks are around 1 kg each, and are made of solid FSC beech wood. However, in a world where labor is often more expensive than materials, the difference is mainly determined by who produces the wooden trucks, how much, and where. The small trucks and vans are made in a factory in Vietnam. These are usually ordered by the number of 500 or 1000 pieces, depending on the popularity of the model. A fun fact: the most popular model from the Duotone collection is auto no. 3, the brown and blue sports car. More than 5000 of these have been made since its introduction in 2028. The preference is to produce all IKONIC products in Europe. However, for the production of larger numbers, the factory in Vietnam is used, for the simple reason that there are no more factories in Europe that can handle these numbers (and in this high quality). The factory in Vietnam also complies with the international standards for working conditions (ISO 45001, and uses a Code of Conduct)

The starting point of the Duotone collection is also that an accessible, but very well-designed alternative is offered to 'ordinary' (wooden) toy vehicles.

However, the Big Trucks are manufactured by hand in the Netherlands in very small numbers. This is logically much more expensive compared to the production of larger production numbers in a non-Western country.

Are these wooden trucks now toys, or is it design?

The small wooden trucks from the 'Duotone' collection are produced as toys, they have been tested according to the toy safety guidelines and can therefore be used as toys. The large trucks from the 'Big Trucks' series are more design items, colelctables, and have not been tested and therefore cannot be used as such as toys.

Why choose wooden truck toys instead of plastic?

• Durability: Wooden toys last significantly longer than plastic variants. The material is robust, can take a beating and wears out nicely over time, instead of breaking or deforming as plastic often does. Many parents even pass on their wooden truck toys to the next generation.
• Healthier and safer: According to studies, 80% of the plastic toys tested contain harmful substances. Wooden vehicles – especially if they are made in Europe or with a quality mark – are almost always free of toxic substances, plasticizers and heavy metals. This makes the wooden truck suitable for young children who often put toys in their mouths.
• Environmentally friendly: Wood is a renewable raw material. Many brands opt for responsibly harvested and FSC-certified water-based wood and varnish. This contributes to a smaller carbon footprint, unlike plastic which leaves microplastics behind and is difficult to recycle. Plastic toys cause millions of pounds of waste worldwide every year, while wooden toys are often biodegradable.
• Peace and fantasy: Without excessive electronics, light and sound, wooden toys invite in-depth play and imagination. Children decide for themselves what the toys 'do' and are less overstimulated. This promotes the cognitive development and problem-solving skills of young children.
• Aesthetics: Wooden toys are timeless, beautiful to look at and blend perfectly into a modern (or classic) interior. Many parents also appreciate this visual peace in the house, especially compared to the often garish plastic toys.
• Educational value: Wooden truck toys stimulate motor skills, spatial awareness and creative thinking. Because children really have to push and build, essential skills are developed.

What trends are there in wooden trucks and truck toys?

• Sustainability as a top priority: Parents are critical and pay massive attention to quality marks such as FSC or PEFC. European-produced wooden trucks are in demand, partly because of stricter regulations on safety and responsible forest management.
• Minimalist and 'open-ended' design: More and more wooden trucks are minimalistically designed, precisely to stimulate creativity and because parents want more peace and aesthetics in the house. The popular large wooden truck is characterized by simple lines and calm color combinations, and leaves room for the imagination.
• Multifunctional toys: Trucks that not only drive, but also function as a box of blocks, storage box or puzzle are extremely popular. Many parents choose multifunctional wooden toy trucks, so that the toys grow with the development of the child.
• Rental and circular use: On the rise: wooden play cars are rented or shared via sharing platforms, so that they can be given a life with several families. This is in line with the growing attention to sustainability in society.
• Production closer to home: There is a visible trend towards local, often Dutch designers and brands – short chains provide transparency and contribute to fewer transport kilometres and therefore lower CO2 emissions.

These trends underline that wooden toy trucks and trucks are not only sustainable but also innovative.

In addition to wood, trucks are sometimes made of metal or plastic. Wooden toy truck excels in durability, safety and a timeless look compared to alternatives. Metal is heavier and can rust; Plastic wears out faster and can break.

Maintenance, durability and tips for buying a wooden toy truck

When you choose a wooden toy truck or large wooden truck, it is important to look at the quality mark (FSC, PEFC, EN71) and the paint used. Avoid toys that have paint or paint peeling off. Wooden truck toys don't need to be oiled, but you can rub them with linseed oil or a special beeswax for extra protection. When buying, pay attention to the type of wood used (e.g. beech or maple), as these are harder and last longer. Also check reviews and ratings of the maker or brand: local and European brands usually score best on quality and environmental friendliness.

Wooden trucks, wooden truck toys and large wooden trucks are not only beautiful and sturdy; They also contain a rich tradition of sustainable design and encourage children's creative play. Brands such as IKONIC and designers such as Floris Hovers show how contemporary, minimalist and responsible wooden toys can be. In a world full of plastic, the wooden truck offers a timeless and healthy alternative for anyone who cares about imagination, design and the planet. Due to their durability, solidity and positive impact on the environment, a wooden toy truck is not only a wonderful purchase for now, but also for the future.