A children's toy (10, 110, 210, 310, 410, 510) comprising: a user input panel (20, 120, 220, 320, 420, 520) having a top surface and a bottom surface, the top surface defining at least one user input area (22, 24, 26, 28; 121, 122, 123, 124, 125, 126, 127, 128; 222; 522) for touch contact by a user, wherein the user input panel comprises a natural wood material, and wherein the user input panel has a first material thickness in the at least one user input area and a second material thickness outside of the at least one user input area, the second material thickness being substantially greater than the first material thickness whereby at least one recess (32, 132, 226) is formed in the bottom surface beneath the at least one user input area; at least one capacitive touch sensor (42, 44, 46, 48; 141, 142, 143, 144, 145, 146, 146, 148; 242) positioned within the at least one recess formed in the bottom surface of the user input panel and in operative alignment with the at least one user input area, whereby touch contact by the user on the at least one user input area of the top surface of the user input panel is sensed by the at least one capacitive touch sensor through the first material thickness to generate an input signal; an electronic input-output control system (80, 180, 280) configured to receive the input signal generated by the at least one capacitive touch sensor upon touch contact by the user on the at least one user input area, and generate a responsive output signal; and an output device (92; 185, 192; 266) configured to receive the output signal from the control system and generate a user-perceptible output in response thereto. a user input panel (20, 120, 220, 320, 420, 520) having a top surface and a bottom surface, the top surface defining at least one user input area (22, 24, 26, 28; 121, 122, 123, 124, 125, 126, 127, 128; 222; 522) for touch contact by a user, wherein the user input panel comprises a natural wood material, and wherein the user input panel has a first material thickness in the at least one user input area and a second material thickness outside of the at least one user input area, the second material thickness being substantially greater than the first material thickness whereby at least one recess (32, 132, 226) is formed in the bottom surface beneath the at least one user input area; at least one capacitive touch sensor (42, 44, 46, 48; 141, 142, 143, 144, 145, 146, 146, 148; 242) positioned within the at least one recess formed in the bottom surface of the user input panel and in operative alignment with the at least one user input area, whereby touch contact by the user on the at least one user input area of the top surface of the user input panel is sensed by the at least one capacitive touch sensor through the first material thickness to generate an input signal; an electronic input-output control system (80, 180, 280) configured to receive the input signal generated by the at least one capacitive touch sensor upon touch contact by the user on the at least one user input area, and generate a responsive output signal; and an output device (92; 185, 192; 266) configured to receive the output signal from the control system and generate a user-perceptible output in response thereto.