Many parents are looking for high-quality toys made in the USA, but are toys made in America anymore? Are any affordable or are we left to decide between local craftsmen or overseas factories?
If finding toys that originated in the United States is important when deciding what to buy, here’s a list of popular brands that make wooden toys, STEAM toys, imaginative toys, arts and crafts, and sensory toys. you are in the right direction.
Toys Designed and Made in the USA
These are toys made in America from start to finish.
Uncle Hina
Uncle Goose blocks have been around since 1983, when William Bultman began making wooden blocks in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
Since then, they have expanded their line of blocks to include topics such as alphabets in 18 languages (including Braille and Hieroglyphics), numbers and animals. Their blocks are made from sustainably sourced, raw basswood, meaning there’s no need to stress if your baby decides to give it a taste test. Find them at unclegoose.com and Amazon.
Bannor Games
Bannor Toys was founded in 2011 with the idea that if children learn while playing, it’s a win-win for everyone!
Their workshop is located in Madrid, Iowa, and all lumber and components are sourced from Texas, Illinois, Ohio, and Maine. They use 100% food grade silicone made in China and have been third party tested for safety in the USA.
They make beautiful blocks, catch toys, matching toys and rattles. You can find them at bannertoys.com and Etsy.
Maple landmark
Since 1979, Maple Landmark has been manufacturing eco-friendly, high-quality educational wooden toys, games and gifts in Middlebury, Vermont.
This family business manufactures a range of products including rattles, toothpicks, blocks, wooden name puzzles, blocks, trains, toy trucks and toys. Find them at maplelandmark.com and Amazon.
Wikki Stix
If you have a child who loves hands-on learning experiences, Wikki Stix is a versatile and affordable toy that can provide hours of fun with almost no cleanup. Wiki Stix was invented in the 1990s and has been a favorite game for teachers, parents and children ever since. Made in Phoenix, Arizona, the non-toxic food grade wax and thread sticks are fun to bend, twist and shape, making them a great tool for practicing creating letters, numbers, pictures and designs. Find them at wikkistix.com and Amazon
Green toys
Green Toys is a California-based company known for its eco-friendly toys made from 100% recycled plastic (mostly milk jugs!)
Their toys are great for babies as they are BPA, phthalate and PVC free and parents love that they are dishwasher safe too.
You are probably familiar with their boats, trucks and train sets. they also have some really cute outdoor and beach toys like watering cans, shovels and buckets as well as stacking cups, shape sorters, play dough and more. I will forever recommend their Build-a-Bouquet because it is so unique. Find them at greentoys.com and Amazon.
Crazy Aaron
When your child is old enough to discover the world of putty, play dough and slime, Crazy Aaron’s is a brand you will likely hear about again and again.
The company was founded in 1998 in Norristown, Pennsylvania by Aaron Muderick and includes two popular goop lines – Crazy Aaron’s Thinking Putty and Land of Dough. If you thought a pot of putty was just a pot of putty, you’d be wrong. Crazy Aarons has over 40 different styles, including holiday-themed putties, fancy effects (like magnetic putty and color-changing putty), and custom colors.
Land Of Dough products are made with organic ingredients, including all-natural, plant-based dyes and compostable glitter, also in different themes and colors. Find them at crazyaarons.com and Amazon.
American Design Brands
Here are some toy brands that originated in America but are manufactured worldwide.
Sassy Baby
Sassy Baby is a company from Grand Rapids, Michigan that specializes in super cute sensory toys that babies go gaga over, thanks to their bright colors, fun textures and bold patterns.
Parents can feel good about their kids bending over their rattles, rings and teethers or burying their faces in a busy book, as all their products are made from non-toxic materials. Find them at sassybaby.com, Target, Walmart and Amazon.
KiwiCo
KiwiCo started in 2011 in Mountain View, California and has since been specializing in subscription boxes of STEAM projects and activities for all the kids in your family, from babies to tweens.
Their boxes include everything from robotics and cooking projects for older kids to musical instruments, tummy time and sorting activities for babies. Find them at kiwico.com
If you are looking for STEM toys, check out our post on the best STEM toys for babies.
Fat brain games
Fat Brain Toys has been popular with parents since its humble beginnings in a basement in Elkhorn, Nebraska in 2002.
Their educational games are a hit with everyone from babies to seniors and include a variety of brain-stimulating games and puzzles. Favorite baby toys include pipSquigz Loops, Dimpl toothpicks, and my favorite, Spin Again.
Their high quality toys are perfect for toddlers to older kids. Find them at fatbraintoys.com, Target and Amazon.
Melissa and Doug
You can’t take a step into a doctor’s office, daycare, or living room without encountering a Melissa and Doug toy, and for good reason.
Melissa and Doug Bernstein started the brand known for its high-quality toys and games in Wilton, Connecticut in 1988.
They carry a range of imaginative toys that children love, from classic wooden toys to realistic play sets such as dolls and dollhouses, kitchens (and all the ingredients to make a delicious meal) and play centres, dress up costumes, arts and crafts, puzzles, vehicles, plushies and more. Find them at melissaanddoug.com, Target, Walmart and Amazon.
Mattel Fisher-Price
Probably one of the most recognizable children’s toy brands out there, Fisher-Price was founded in 1930 and is headquartered in East Aurora, New York.
Fisher-Price toys you may have grown up with yourself include Little People figures, Power Wheels toys, Mega Bloks, the classic shape sorter, xylophone, stacking rings and talk phone, as well as character toys that it’s probably your Thomas & Friends-obsessed child. Find them at mattel.com, Target, Walmart and Amazon.
Cra-Z-Art
You may already be familiar with Cra-Z-Art, an American company founded in 2008 and based in the small town of Randolph, New Jersey.
The company was started by Lawrence Rosen, who co-founded Rose Art. As you’ve probably guessed, arts and crafts items are a huge part of Cra-Z-Art’s catalog. Budding artists can start making their first masterpieces with crayons, markers, paints and Magna Doodles, and older kids can try their hand at jewelry making, slime, sewing and clay and playdough modeling. Find them in cra-z-art.com, Target, Walmart and Amazon.
Crayon
You can’t talk arts and crafts without mentioning Crayola. Crayons from the iconic Easton, Pennsylvania brand have been lining school pencils since they were first produced in 1903.
Since its founding in 1885, Crayola has expanded its offerings to include almost every creative creation you can think of, from markers and pencils, to Doodle Boards, Activity Kits, sidewalk chalk, Silly Putty and more. Find them at crayola.com, Target, Walmart and Amazon.
Where do I start when trying to find American made toys?
As you can see, there are plenty of options out there to find high-quality toys to fill your playroom.
Brands such as Crazy Aaron’s and Maple Landmark are designed and manufactured in the US, while larger brands such as Fisher-Price, Melissa and Doug, and Fat Brain Toys are designed in the United States but produced worldwide.
A brand worth checking out FAQ or About us pages (usually at the top or bottom of their website) if you’re interested in learning more about when they were founded, where their games are made, and their values.
Any other suggestions to add to the list?
See also: Best Wooden Kids Toys: 25 Quality Picks
