The Chill Pepper Story: Wouter Haine’s Experience-Driven Mission for Conscious Play

Who is at the helm of Chill Pepper, and what path led here?

Hello everyone, Wouter Haine here, writing to you from my home in Soest, The Netherlands. If you know me, you know my journey has been anything but straight. If you don't, well, then let me tell you a little story about passion, unexpected turns, and the exciting new adventure that is Chill Pepper.

I was born in 1976, and for nearly 20 years, I have been happily together with my wife, and we have a wonderful 14-year-old daughter. My professional path started quite differently from where I find myself today. I studied Maritime Officer and Engineering, which gave me a solid technical foundation. For 17 years, I worked in various roles, from technical facility management to project management, consultant, and even program manager. I learned a lot about design in a broad sense, always looking for effective solutions. On the side, I taught myself graphic design, a creative outlet that would later become much more.

What brought me to the passion for wooden toys? From skating to Wobbel

My true passion, however, always lay closer to home: skating. This eventually led me to start making longboards. It was from this spark, and the knowledge gained from crafting those longboards, that together with my then very talented business partner, Hannelore, something truly remarkable arose: Wobbel. Before I knew it, ten years of a rollercoaster ride had passed. In that period, I dove deep into 3D design and learned an immense amount about how simple and effective designs can truly help children and adults, and indeed the toy world in general.

The Turning Point: Why this new start after the success of Wobbel?

Wobbel was an unexpected giant success. It was truly humbling to see an unimaginable number of children and adults touched by the magic of the Wobbel. Yet, even with all that success, I also felt a deep sense that it was time for something new. I needed to spread my wings, to explore new creative horizons. Breaking with something familiar and successful isn't easy; it takes courage to step away from what is comfortable and known. But sometimes, it is the right thing to do for growth and new inspiration. And so, the baby steps towards something new were born. Welcome, Chill Pepper!

Our Mission: What is the non-negotiable promise of the Chill Pepper brand?

With Chill Pepper, I have a clear vision in mind: to create cool toys and gadgets that stand out. My focus is on minimalist designs, crafted from the finest, most tactile materials. These are products built to be: 

• Child-Friendly and Non-Toxic: We use only non-toxic paints and coatings.
• Environmentally Friendly and Fair: Made from fair-trade materials sourced sustainably.
• Sustainable packaging: we use recycled and recyclable packaging only.
• Stimulate Creativity: Should encourage creativity and open-ended play.
• Inviting Play: Invites people to pick up and invent new ways to play.
• Premium Quality: Products must be durable and of high quality.
• Made in Europe: All wooden parts are made in Germany and assembled in The Netherlands.
• Vintage Feel: Infused with a distinctly vintage feel.

What are we starting with? Humble beginnings

Our initial collection is something I am incredibly proud of:

Chill Pepper Sweets: A delightful set of building blocks, beautifully shaped like classic candy. Perfect for imaginative play and developing fine motor skills.

Chill Pepper Treats: A playful mix set of wooden candy and other sweets-shaped spinning and stacking toys. Designed to encourage creativity and exploration.
Both Chill Pepper Sweets and Chill Pepper Treats are designed to be perfectly combinable, offering endless possibilities for creative play.

Chill Pepper Chunkies: These are vintage-inspired, solid wooden toy cars. But they are not just any toy cars; they feature real skate bearings and steel axles, giving them a smooth, authentic roll that will bring a smile to any face, young or old. This brings my journey full circle, from making longboards to creating toys that incorporate the very essence of smooth, free-rolling movement.

 

 

Where do we make our toys?

Every single item is made in Europe by a multi-generational family company in Germany from sustainably sourced wood, ensuring we are kind to our planet. They are then assembled right here in The Netherlands, and finally, packaged in recycled and fully recyclable cardboard. This commitment to quality and sustainability is at the core of everything we do at Chill Pepper.

What is the next step in this exciting new chapter?

We are starting out with a small, curated selection of cool products, but believe me, there is so much more to come. Our vision is to build a big collection of inspiring toys and gadgets aimed at creative play which at the same time look cool in your house.

We can't wait for you to experience the magic of Chill Pepper.
You can check out our collection here.

Want to join our journey? Let’s get in touch.

Written by:
Wouter Haine
Designer and founder
July 2025 for Chill Pepper