Toys R Us is Going Out of Business, But These American Toymakers Are Here to Fill the Gap

By Lily Cunniff
From bikes to trains to video games to empty storefronts. | Photo by Mike Kalasnik

It’s the end of an era, but don’t fret. There are plenty of American-made toys out there.

After 70 years in business — and lengthy bankruptcy proceedings — Toys R Us is officially going out of business. Arguably one of the world’s most recognizable brands in toy retail, the New Jersey-based company will close over 700 stores throughout the country, leading to 33,000 American workers losing their job.

Despite the financial difficulties of the retail corporation, Toys R Us accounted for one-fifth of U.S. toy sales in 2017, and its closure will leave an $11 billion gap in the market.

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Crayola’s iconic crayons are made in Pennsylvania.

Toymaking is still a big business, and there are multiple companies that manufacture their products here at home. Below are some companies that are dedicated to supporting American job creation by making toys in the United States — and you can find many of their products online.

Begin Again: The Colorado-based company makes its line of toys from sustainably harvested rubberwood, plant-based plastics that aren’t derived from oil, water based stains and natural rubber, ensuring kids can play safely. Begin Again sells a variety of colorful interactive toys, including a line of John Deere-themed tractors. 

BEKA, Inc.: A true “Made in America” original, BEKA provides handmade products including wooden building blocks, art supplies, play structures and handicraft toys. Family-owned and operated for the past 40 years, all of the company's products are meant to inspire imagination and creative play.

Crayola: Many of the iconic handicraft supplies is still produced domestically in Pennsylvania, and the company churns out 650 crayons every minute. Beyond the ubiquitous crayon, the company produces colored pencils, markers, paints, coloring books and Silly Putty. All products are non-toxic and exported from the USA to over 80 countries around the world. 

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The New York Times named the Cozy Coupe the “world’s best-selling car for much of this decade” in 1998. The popular toy is made in Ohio.

Dirt King USA: Established in 1983 as a division of MCM Manufacturing, Dirt King has provided premier tricycles and wagons to day care centers, catalogue companies and individual buyers, and prioritizes its customer service. Recognized for safety and durability, Dirt King tricycles are the result of 20 years of design and engineering, hand-crafted and assembled by American workers. 

Green Toys: Made from 100 percent recycled materials sourced in the United States, Green Toys encourages open play and child development. Dedicated to raising sustainability awareness, while delivering unquestionably safe products, the toy vehicles and active play sets have repurposed over 54 million plastic milk jugs to date.

Little Tikes: The multi-national toy company manufactures hundreds of its popular toddler toys in the USA, emphasizing the country’s history in the heartland of our country. Building blocks, sporting goods, playground equipment and the iconic Cozy Coupe are all among the innovative children’s products that are Made in America.

Did we miss your favorite American-made toymaker? Send us a line at [email protected]. To find additional products that support American job creation, check out our Made in America Directory.