Trying to buy American-made goods can be a challenge, especially when it comes to toys. Nearly 90% of all toys sold in the United States are made in China, but there are still some companies that manufacture their products in the US. Here are 20 of the most prominent companies that still make their toys in the United States. Little Tikes, founded in 1970, is known for its large, outdoor-friendly plastic toys, including playhouses, sandboxes, water tables and the iconic Cozy Coupe push car.
Headquartered in Hudson, Ohio, the company still manufactures 171 toys at its factory there. Step2, headquartered in Streetsboro, Ohio, claims to be America's largest manufacturer of preschool and toddler toys. It has two manufacturing plants in northern Ohio where it produces a variety of popular toys, including outdoor climbers and slides, rides, wagons and children's furniture. Green Toys are made from 100% recycled milk jugs and all of their products are manufactured entirely in the US from start to finish.
Products include toy trucks and cars, puzzles, blocks, tea sets, stackers and plates for children. Crayola is an iconic brand that has been around since 1903 and although they also have a factory in Mexico, many of their products are still made in Pennsylvania. The Crayola website lists a couple dozen items specifically made in the US including most crayon box sizes, various types of markers and watercolors and washable finger paints. K'Nex has long inspired small builders and 90% of its parts are manufactured at its factory in Hatfield, Pennsylvania.
Labels indicate the percentage of parts made in the United States on each toy and some popular toys made entirely in the US include Lincoln logs, Tinker toys and several basic K'Nex games. The classic Slinky has been made in the US since 1945 by Alex Brands and some of their other toys such as POOF foam sports balls and Shrinky Dinks are also American-made. American Plastic Toys has been manufacturing products in the US since 1962 with five plants located in Michigan and Mississippi. Toys include play kitchens, doll houses, sand toys, snow toys and riding games.
The Vermont Teddy Bear Company is known for its heirloom quality teddy bears of all sizes which are still made exclusively in Vermont. Uncle Goose creates dozens of wooden games including alphabet blocks, animal blocks and blocks in other languages such as Arabic, Chinese and even Braille which are all handmade in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Dirt King manufactures expensive but ultra-durable tricycles, wagons and trolleys which are all manufactured and assembled at their factory in WaKeeney, Kansas. Little Colorado mainly manufactures furniture for children but also includes some toys such as play kitchens, throw carts, doll cribs and LEGO-compatible play tables which are all made only of wood and assembled at their Denver factory.
The Spooner balance boards invented by some California surf buddies are manufactured in San Diego. Wikki Stix is a shaping toy made of knitting yarn and non-toxic wax that can be molded into almost anything which is made entirely in the US. Anatex activity tables, play panels on the wall, play cubes and children's furniture are colorful and durable products manufactured by Anatex which is headquartered in Van Nuys California. Dune Craft kits include kid-friendly terrariums, plant sprout kits, moldable space sand and even gardens with LED lights which are all made in Chagrin Falls Ohio. Walmart is the largest toy retailer in the United States and last year they redoubled their efforts to capture more of this market by offering more American-made products.
If you're looking for classic American-made toys then Holgate Toy Company of St Paul Minnesota is worth checking out as they have been manufacturing toys since 1789!.
