Damhorst Toys & Puzzles Inc.

08/07/2026

*** TOP 100 MOST POPULAR BABY NAMES FOR 2025 AND 2026 *** When we decide what names to carry in stock, we create a list of the most popular names that we have sold over the last year and a half. These are the top 100 names that we have sold over that timeframe...pretty interesting.

1. Jack
2. Henry
3. Charlie
4. James
5. Oliver
6. Leo
7. Miles
8. Olivia
9. Noah
10. Lucy
11. Owen
12. Cooper
13. Lily
14. Emma
15. Nora
16. William
17. Theo
18. Liam
19. Cameron
20. Brooks
21. Luca
22. Luke
23. Teddy
24. Bennett
25. George
26. Margot
27. Max
28. Quinn
29. Benjamin
30. Mason
31. Parker
32. Ellie
33. Sophie
34. Julian
35. Riley
36. Sophia
37. Logan
38. Maya
39. Thomas
40. Asher
41. Ella
42. Rory
43. Chloe
44. Eleanor
45. Hudson
46. Graham
47. Amelia
48. Maeve
49. Harper
50. Wyatt
51. Beau
52. Levi
53. Mia
54. Wesley
55. Sloane
56. Theodore
57. Grace
58. Rowan
59. Avery
60. Eloise
61. Carter
62. Josie
63. Jackson
64. Ethan
65. Sadie
66. Ezra
67. Isla
68. Arthur
69. Lucas
70. Ruby
71. John
72. Stella
73. Sofia
74. Ava
75. Michael
76. Caleb
77. Evelyn
78. Joseph
79. Samuel
80. Claire
81. Jacob
82. Rose
83. Mila
84. Penelope
85. Nolan
86. Hazel
87. June
88. Harrison
89. Everett
90. August
91. Annie
92. Zoe
93. Dylan
94. Hayes
95. Millie
96. Ryan
97. Clara
98. Scarlett
99. Daniel
100. Nico

07/23/2026

1976 - GOING FULL TIME 50 YEARS AGO - Don and Carol Damhorst had just decided to go full time in the wooden toy business. No internet, no website, just an idea and hard work. My dad once told me that he didn't think Damhorst Toys would fail if they just worked hard enough and long enough. They bought an old milk delivery truck (see pic) and hit the open road. I know that some of you actually met Don and Carol at various craft shows through the years. If you have any stories, we would love to hear them. I have included rare pictures of Megin and myself in the workshop, to show the second generation at the wheel. Megin and I are so honored to be able to carry on the family business and to continue what our parents started. A big thank you to all our customers that continue to support us over the decades. We would not have made it this far without you. 🥰

07/22/2026

FUN TIME LAPSE of our hand painting process in our Missouri workshop.

07/17/2026

49 YEAR OLD STOOL!! We just received this picture from one of our long time customers. Such a wonderful blast from the past. Would love anyone else's old pictures of their name puzzle stools. They bring back so many good memories of our beginnings. Thank you Mary for sharing!!!

05/21/2026

When a 3-year-old "fails" at a puzzle, they're actually succeeding at something more important. 💛

Here's something fascinating: research shows a 3-year-old completes puzzles mainly through trial and error.

A 4-year-old begins matching pieces based on what the picture tells them.

That shift — from hands-on guessing to visual thinking — is a major cognitive milestone.

And it happens through play. Not worksheets. Not screens. Play.

The "wrong" piece they tried 4 times before finding the right one? That's problem-solving.

That's persistence. That's a little brain wiring itself for life.

ProblemSolving ParentingMoments GrowthMindset

05/20/2026

When a 3-year-old "fails" at a puzzle, they're actually succeeding at something more important. 💛

Here's something fascinating: research shows a 3-year-old builds puzzles mainly through trial and error. A 4-year-old begins matching pieces based on what the picture tells them. That shift — from hands-on guessing to visual thinking — is a major cognitive milestone.

And it happens through play. Not worksheets. Not screens. Play.

The "wrong" piece they tried 4 times before finding the right one? That's problem-solving. That's persistence. That's a little brain wiring itself for life.

05/20/2026

Just had to share a super cute video we recently received.

05/16/2026

05/15/2026

Damhorst Toys workshop on a Friday afternoon. This order is going to Amara in Seattle, WA who was just born two days ago. Happy birth-day Amara!! This is Amara's first Friday!

Happy Friday everyone!!

05/13/2026

Damhorst Toys - hand painted everyday in our Missouri workshop.
This is a letter for a little girl named Lauren in Georgia.