Toys Made In America
At first, it started as a nonchalant turning over packaging and a glance, but quickly it changed to me irritated flipping over every single box and package within reach, scouring over each one like someone being timed in an escape room. Finding toys made in America was proving to be much harder than I thought.
My search started at the height of the pandemic while I was looking at a local toy store for birthday presents for Abby. I specifically went there wanting to support local seeing so many small businesses go out of business during this crazy time.
I then felt like taking it a step further and having my dollar hold an even more meaningful power.
I wanted my hard earned money to help not only a local business (the toy store) but to stay within this country’s economy. I wanted to help the toy manufacturer stay in business during these rough times as well. I wanted to support companies giving fair wages and treatment of workers. The list of reasons went on.
The past few years I have been on this quest and it hasn’t been very easy. Of course, a simple Google Search will pull up a list of “ Toys made in America “, but when looking deeper many of the companies listed have “partnered” or outsourced to other countries for production. But that’s not what I am looking for.
I wanted/want to find companies who are solely in the United States, and where the circle of money attached to what I purchase stays within our own country as much as possible.
So yes, having more of an awareness to look at where items were made and coming from, I flipped over each and every toy that I thought my daughter would like and then even ones that I didn’t think she would like just to see what my narrowed options were. I walked out with only Dot-to-Dot markers and every activity book that you could get to go along with them because that was literally all that I could find meeting my criteria.
While my money may be like a single raindrop hitting the ocean in the grand scheme of the economy, I feel like it’s my little part. Just like recycling garbage, if just one person does it there isn’t a dent but the more people who do then the greater the impact. I have to believe others are feeling the same feelings that I am and trying their best to take control of where their money is going and who is benefitting from it.
The list below of toys made in America, I hope to continually grow so PLEASE comment below if you know of any for me to add.
All that is listed are looked into, as best as I could, to make sure they were truly Made in America however I follow that with the disclaimer that at any time a company may make changes and as I become aware I will remove them if needed. I also cannot vouch for all of the items quality however look at the reviews to make your own decision just like anything else.
I’ve listed in age order, so keep scrolling if you have an older child…
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Toys Made In America
1. Uncle Goose Blocks
These are really cool and I wish I knew when my kids were smaller…Not only do they make the classic wooden blocks with letters and numbers on them, but they have blocks with the constellations, planets, dinosaurs, ocean creatures, nursery rhymes, ect…
Refine motor skills, teach word/picture association, embrace your child’s love of a certain theme, and encourage playing through building.
From what I found, Uncle Goose Toy Company is located in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and they source materials from around the Great Lakes like fast growing American basswood. They also use child-safe nontoxic ink.
2. American Plastic Toys
Chunky plastic toys similar to a Fisher Price style alternative.
Baby Doll Furniture, Giant Dump Trucks, Fire Trucks, and Play Kitchen.Sand & Water play sets and more.
3. Dot-A-Dot Markers
These are great for toddler, pre-school, K aged kids.
If you hand a young child a regular marker, they usually push too hard or bang them onto the paper to the point where the pointed tip gets shoved into the plastic or completely bent and mangled.
These Dot-a-Dot markers have a circle pad instead of a tip so there are no worries of them pushing too hard.
Vibrant colors to create with and also activity books to go along with pairing art with learning.
Pirates, Mermaids, Farm Animals, Monster Trucks, Princesses, Puppies, Kittens, ABC’s and more! Check out their line of activity books here.
4. Bunny Hopkins Toys
Sturdy wooden toys made in America. Bring a playscape indoors, or experience a unique balance beam (and more!)
I WISH that I knew about this company when my oldest was young and we were constantly trying to build his core strength with therapists!
When you get a chance, check out Bunny Hopkins site and explore.
5. Easy Playhouse
Cardboard Playhouse fun- Barn, Castle, Under The Sea Castle, Dinosaurs and Volcanos, Restaurant, Gas Station….make a whole village if you have the space!
Kids (and adults!) get to color their clubhouse for even more hours of fun!
I’m a bit jealous, bc I think these would be awesome to play in as a child. What a way to encourage imagination!
6. Tagtoys
All types of wooden toys…dollhouses, handpuppet theater like you would see in a preschool.
If you have a little one, Tagtoys is definately worth taking a look at. Scrolling through thier website brings me back to my own childhood with the toys that our local library and daycare used to have.
7. Tinkertoys!
Boy! Aren’t these a throw back from when we were kids?!?! They are still around and holding strong!
8. Klee Kids Cosmetics
If you have a little girl who loves playing with makeup, this is a great natural mineral play makeup to use!
They have different themed sets to choose from.
9. Boomwhackers
I found Made in USA (in TX ) but also found some online saying China as country of origin so keep an eye when scrolling through the info before you buy.
These are pretty neat musical instruments that literally anyone could use just by hitting them against your “thigh, arm, or hard surface”.
Play a song or create your own. There are enough tubes for the whole family to join in!
10. Land Of Dough
Such a creative and beautiful way to present playdough. They use calming essential oils and with Eco-Friendly packaging they are also sent in compostable material.
This stuff makes regular Playdoh seem so boring!
Check out their website here.
11. Crazy Aaron’s Thinking Putty
Made by the same company as above but stepping it up their uniqness even more!
The Search For Hidden Items is super cool.
What a great sensory toy/tool for a bit bigger kids.
Wonderful stocking stuffers too!
12. Make-A-Fort
Created by two really cool fathers who want more for their kids play than electronics.
While they have warehouses worldwide, each kit in North America are made in the US, exactly what I’m looking for!
They even have Minecraft themed fort kits!
Check them out here.
13. Sun Art Paper
I just purchased 3 pads of this paper to do as an activity with our homeschool group.
There are different sizes of paper too and in framable sizes.
Make prints from what you find in nature or simply around the house by placing them on the paper and laying out in the sun. After a few minutes, rinse with water and watch the magic happen.
14. POOF Mini Footballs
Simple stocking stuffer idea for ages 5 +, and great alternative to a foam football when looking for toys made in America!
15. Cubles
These are really cool 3D pre-cut paper puzzles, that also function as an educational STEM toy and brain teaser Origami.
Ranging from dinosaurs and animals to more trendy themes like My Little Pony, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, and Dog Man characters, these make a great unique gift for kids especially in that pre-teen stage (though they are advertised to be good for kindergarten through adulthood).
16. Zometools Crazy Bubble Kit
Who said you could be too old for bubbles?!? These look so neat for older kids and incorporate STEM learning with mesmerizing entertainment. Check them out at the Zometool site!
17. Beka Weaving Looms
Ok….Honestly, I want one of these so bad! I’m waiting for Abby to get a bit older and we are totally going to do Mother-Daughter weaving!
18. Personalize With Etsy!
I find that Etsy gets to be a better and better option as my kids get older because you could truly personalize your gifts and directly help a small business immediately.
My oldest son has always been into hard to find themes so it’s now an easy go-to for when I look for him.
If YOU know of any toys made in America
that I haven’t thought of ,
PLEASE let me know by commenting below!
Share this post with all you know, and let’s support our businesses here in the USA!
About Me
We are huge fans of Green Toys! https://www.greentoys.com
Thank you! I don’t know how I missed that one! We used to sell them when I worked at Whole Foods…I will add them to the list!
I love your list! This year I want to support my own country and desire toys made in America! I am saving this so I can use as a reference.
oh thank you so much Ann! If you come across any others in your journey please let me know!
Great list of toys, I’m particularly surprised to see the tinker toys after all these years, but the cubles will definitely make a good purchase for my kids.
Thank you! I love the cubles idea too bc they have some trendy ones as well. I believe the My Little Pony and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles will be joining our home this year.
This is a great list. Thanks for doing all the leg work to support local business in the US
Thank you so much for checking it out! If you across any others to add to the list please let me know!!