Let’s review 2025’s top Illinois wooden toy brands — Made in Illinois, for Illinoisans by Illinoisans.
But first a quick fact! Illinois’ state tree is the white oak (quercus alba).
Looking back at history — Tinkertoys, known for their construction toys sets with wooden dowels and spools, are now made in Pennsylvania, but originally got their start in Evanston, IL.
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Illinois’ Top 3 Wooden Toy Companies
- (01) Native Wooden Creations – Streamwood, IL
- (02) The Cubbyhole Toys – East Dundee, IL
- (03) SensoryPlay – Joliet, IL
(01) Native Wooden Creations
With an eye for detail and incredible skill in Streamwood, IL — Native Wooden Creations carves realistically proportioned wooden animal figurines true to breed by hand — so small it fits on your fingertips.
Lifelike miniature figurines measuring about 2.5 inches — please peruse Selsela’s black duck, white polar bear, ring-neck duck, swan, skunk, european goldfinch, turtle, black horse, leopard, brown bear, camel, zebra, redhead duck, ladybug, dolphin, kingfisher, sheep, white tiger, hippo, wood duck, white goose, sloth, white seal, yellow rumped warbler, white hen, white dove, and woodpecker — there are dozens and dozens of realistic miniature animals!
See Native Wooden Creations on Amazon.
See Native Wooden Creations on Etsy.
Visit the Native Wooden Creations official website.
(02) The Cubbyhole Toys
With a name like Cubbyhole, you’ve got to know this family-run business is serving up a stash of amazing toys for over 30 years!
From East Dundee, IL — Cubbyhole specializes in personalized wooden puzzle name stools, head over here to get your little Illini a puzzle with their name on it — and put the “fun” back into “functional”.
See The Cubbyhole Toys on Etsy.
Visit The Cubbyhole’s official website.
(03) SensoryPlay
SensoryPlay’s amazing open-ended wooden toys focused on color and shape — exactly the type of toys I love most. Located in Joliet, IL — Waldorf, Montessori, homeschooling parents, will find peace with this little shop.
The SensoryPlay wooden flower puzzle has mesmerizing deep and textured flower petal pieces — their hedgehog puzzle looks fuzzy although we know it’s wood. Mindfulness included in each toy’s design process — test their finger labyrinth when feeling stressed — or build a daily prayer habit in Arabic with their Ramadan balancing prayer blocks moon to sun.
Visit the SensoryPlay official website.
(04) Bob’s Home Woodshop
Handmade by one man in his woodshop (with help from his wife) — for over a decade, Bob has been building play-worthy wood toys for tots in the Chicago area.
Based in Somonauk, IL — Bob’s workshop is home to one of the most intricate Noah’s Ark play sets this side of the Atlantic! Their crayon holders — in the shape of hauler trucks and wiener dogs demonstrate their signature fusion of traditional craftsmanship with a curious eye for the creative!
See Bob’s Home Woodshop on Etsy.
(05) Ever Clever Toys
Ever Clever Toys’ logo is an owl looking to its left — for what you might ask? This Chicago, IL toy maker crafts industrial vehicle toys smartly designed.
Push toys with modern appeal — their wooden John Deere tractor push toy suggests proximity to John Deere headquarters in Moline, IL — their “Loco-Moto Crazy Train” wooden pull toy incorporates coupling rods that move parallel to the ground round and round like a real train. If dinos are your thing, try their T-rex and stegosaurus for a prehistoric excursion from their other toys.
Visit the Ever Clever Toys official website.
(06) Mayen Montessori
Explore loose parts sensory play with products from a minority-owned business — founded by a Chicago mother of two, you’ll find all kinds of unfinished wooden sensory and Montessori toy sets.
Even better? Proceeds from every purchase goes towards funding minority children in need.
(07) Knock On Wood
Knock On Wood’s “breezergurl” is somewhat of an internet personality — with lulling and peaceful affect — for nursery decorations to display on the mantle — a sleeping bear or clouds and stars set if you please.
An Illinois Toy Making Time Capsule
- Three Lakes Workshop — Until 2025, Three Lakes Workshop offered worthwhile wooden toys and other products — from Aurora, IL featuring uncommon details — for example — their alphabet blocks with unique wooden grooves with more depth and feel than the average blocks.
