Designer picks for beautiful, high quality toys
About three years ago I learned about the wonderful world of open-ended toys. By definition, open-ended toys don’t come with directions, and can be used by themselves or with other materials (e.g. blocks). They are great for children because they provide opportunities to engage in critical thinking and problem-solving by fostering creativity, imagination, and exploration. I love open-ended toys because they are often hand-made of lower-tox materials, heirloom quality, and look beautiful in a playroom. Keep reading our children’s gift guide for some of my favorite open-ended toys we’ve picked up over the years.
Grimm’s Spiel & Holz
Grimm’s Spiel & Holz toys are, in my opinion, the GOAT. All of their wooden toys are high-quality and hand-stained with natural dyes. These are the most loved toys in our playroom. We have the 12-piece Wooden Rainbow Stacking Tunnel, Wooden Semicircle Building Set, and the Color Chart Rally Wooden Blocks Set, and are adding the Four Elements Puzzle Blocks Set – Large and Large Stepped Pyramid Wooden Math Blocks to our collection. Grimm’s toys are an investment, but they will last, and I fully intend to pass these on to my grandchildren.
Grapat
Grapat toys are designed for loose parts play. Loose parts are any materials that can be moved, carried, combined, redesigned, lined up, taken apart, and put back together in multiple ways. Grapat toys are hand-crafted, wooden, originate from sustainable forests and are painted with dyes that come directly from nature. We have a few sets from their wooden mandala collection. The kids use the green cones for trees, the blue raindrops for water, etc. The kids like to sort them by color and incorporate them when playing with blocks or other toys. We also have the yellow beehives, purple eggs, and little mushrooms.
Maileg
Maileg is a Danish producer of well-made, adorable, lasting children’s toys. We’ve invested in the mice, but they also have bunnies and rabbits, soft toys, dollhouses, and dollhouse furniture. Each Maileg mouse is part of a family unit or has a unique story. My daughter loves to pretend each mouse is a member of the family. We have the mum, dad, big brother, big sister, and little brother from the beach collection, the Grandma & Grandpa Mice in Matchbox, and this year we’re adding the king, queen, prince, and princess from the Royal collection.
Made in USA
I almost made this entire post about my favorite made in USA toys, but felt the open-ended toys above were too good to exclude. While I love the toy brands noted above, I try to buy quality USA-made toys whenever possible. Buying from domestic toymakers supports your local economy and reduces environmental impact. It takes a lot more and a heavier fuel to transport goods across the ocean than it does across the country.
Beka
Our favorite unit blocks are the Beka Blocks Deluxe Set. They are made in Minnesota and Wisconsin from smooth sanded, unfinished wood. We invested in these last year and all three kids love incorporating the Grimm’s and Grapat toys to enhance their block creations.
Uncle Goose
Uncle Goose toys are handcrafted from sustainable Michigan basswood and printed using non-toxic inks. If we didn’t already have a different set, I would invest in their Classic ABC Blocks with Wagon.
Maple Landmark
Maple Landmark is based in Vermont and known for their beautiful wood games and name trains. Their Shape Stacker in Rainbow Colors is on my list for the baby this year. They also have a Natural version if you prefer a more neutral playroom color scheme.
Milton & Goose
Milton and Goose’s Essential Play Kitchen is the most beautiful, well-designed play kitchen on the market. Built on the idea that parents shouldn’t have to sacrifice beautiful design for a quality product, Milton & Goose partnered with second-generation Amish toymakers in Pennsylvania to make the Essential Play Kitchen. I’ve admired Milton & Goose toys for years and have the Essential Play Kitchen on my wish list.
I hope you found this children’s gift guide helpful, and that your children enjoy these toys as much as mine have.
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