When the recalls from China first started coming in and I realized I had to do something about the toys in our house, I only felt frustration. Frustrated with China, frustrated with the companies not taking time to quality control their products and frustrated with myself for allowing such cheaply made things to take over our house in the first place.
I am definitely over that frustration now. In fact, I am totally excited and elated! I’ve spent the last few days searching for wooden toys made in the United States and I am astonished at the options that actually exist. The quality of the toys is apparent just by looking at the online pictures and I am so happy to be able to support all the families that build and supply these toys. I want to share these links with other parents and grandparents that may be seeking out these alternatives as well. There are also a lot of high quality and natural wooden toys made in other countries like Germany, Thailand, Sweden, etc. But right now I want to focus on items made in America. In the future I will compile a list of links to foreign made toys.
I would also like to take a minute and highlight an online store that has amazed me with their extensive collection of American made toys as well as their affordable prices. That store is A Toy Garden. All though they offer toys from other countries as well, they have over 200 products made right here in the USA! Simply use their search function and type in “USA” and all of the choices will come up. I was oohing and ahhing at almost every toy and they are the first store we are going to start our shopping at. I am so excited to get some of these products in our home and so happy to start supporting more work at home families.
If you manufacture toys made in America or are an online site that provides them and would like to have your site added, please contact me and I will add it to the list. I am only listing toys made in America at this time. Please note that almost all of these sites also offer toys made from other countries as well, I have tried to link to their American made sections.
LIST: Check back often. I will be updating this as I have time to find more sites…
***Please go to this link: HERE for an updated list***
A Toy Garden – My favorite. Type USA in the search function
Tiny Bird Organics – North Star Toys
Tiny Bird Organics – Unfinished Natural Wood Toys
D and Me – Handcrafted Wood Toys & Quilts
Turner Toys – American Classic Toys
Nature’s Crib – Educational Wooden Toys
Our Green House – Toys Made in America
Arts in Heaven – Ohio Amish Toys
Willow Tree Toys – Toys Made in America
Fat Brain Toys – Toys Made in America
Other Resources:
Keep in mind that another way to find wonderful, high quality toys is to look locally. Check your phone book or put out an ad on Craigslist that you’re seeking local wooden toy makers.
Hyena Cart is also a place where work at home moms (WAHM’s) advertise their creations.
I love A Toy Garden! Thanks for making a list.
Visit my website http://www.toysmadeinamerica.com for lots more links. Let’s all make an effort to buy American!
Teresa
[...] made in usa: wooden toys http://journeytocrunchville.wordpress.com/2007/08/25/natural-wooden-toys-made-in-america/ [...]
Thanks for posting this!
I’ve found some great toys at A Toy Garden too. Thanks for the list of other great sources. It is hard and does take a lot of research…but then it’s so much more fullfilling when you see the kids enjoying the toys you worked so hard to find for them.
Great post, Jessica. I especially adore this at A Toy Garden:
http://www.atoygarden.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=product.display&Product_ID=1882
I just wanted to encourage you and your readers who may not have alot of extra cash to purchase the “organic, wooden toys” that you can MAKE gorgeous, one-of-a-kind toys for your children with little effort. That’s how I started making dolls……I wanted one for my middle child and couldn’t afford the 100+ for one. Most times, you have what you need to make a beautiful doll already in your home. Jess, I’d be honored if you’d put my *new* website up for your “Made in the USA” toy source post. It will be http://www.mygrandmalucy.com. Until its up, folks can email me at mygrandmalucy@gmail.com to see pictures of my work. At present, I’m working on a Waldorf-style topsy-turvy Little Red Riding Hood doll (Phew!! That’s a mouthful!!!) I cannot take a ton of customs, but might have a spot or two to work with :)
Good work, mama…….keep it up!
Lisa
great post! christmas shopping just got a whole lot better!
I make Pacifier Blankets and a dress up set that includes a hat, scarf and purse. All items are made by me in Georgia.
Thank you for this list. I am doing a similar search and found your blog!!
Hi,
I would love to have my website listed on your site. My wife and I have been in business for 26 years handcrafting puzzles and puzzle stools. Our website is http://www.younameittoys.com. You will find our puzzles safe, fun and educational. Please let me know if your interested in listing our site. Thank you.
Randy Reiersen
Thanks!,
Nice looking blog!
Nice post and great site. Better bookmark this post. Online toys store that offer dropship services is good for home business. Keep on writing admin.
Visit my site if you had a time Chunky Wooden Puzzles
I sell educational toys on a website, and would like to expand into selling toys for children with Autism. Do you drop ship?
there are wooden toys that uses artificial wood which lasts longer compared to organic wood -*`
Future Heirlooms – Amish Made Toys & Furniture
This link on your web page took me to a porn site.
Thank you for letting me know. I have deleted the link. How sad that it got messed up (the link used to work correctly)
[...] this blogger has come up with a great list of USA companies who produce great toys which I use as a resource as [...]
I’m truly enjoying the design and layout of your website. It’s a very easy on the eyes which makes it much more
pleasant for me to come here and visit more often. Did you hire out a designer
to create your theme? Superb work!
Wow, thank-you! Nope, just me trying to create a user friendly blog. There are actually several aspects of the theme that were really hard to work with (I want drop down boxes and such) but I did my best. Thanks for your kind comment.