We’ve rounded up Michigan’s best wooden toy brands — Made in Michigan, for Michiganders by Michiganders.
But first a quick fact! Michigan’s state tree is the eastern white pine (pinus strobus) — and pine wood is one of the most common types of wood used for toy making — soft, light, warm, and shapes nicely.
According to Michigan State University‘s historic account — the heydays of Michigan’s lumber industry were the 30 years following 1870 — which also marked the end of Maine‘s leading rank in lumber work.
The eastern white pine is both Michigan’ and Maine‘s state tree — so it’s no wonder the two states have a history of lumbering rivalry!
These days, Uncle Goose is Michigan’s best maker of wooden toys, known for quirky themed wooden blocks.
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Michigan’s Top 2 Wooden Toy Companies
- (01) Uncle Goose – Grand Rapids, MI
- (02) Palumba / Camden Rose – Plymouth, MI
(01) Uncle Goose
Made in Grand Rapids, Uncle Goose is Michigan’s most famous wooden toy brand. They’ve been handcrafting Western Michigan toys for decades — a fine work ethic with a few creative quirks. Known for their beautifully-designed wooden blocks in all sorts of varieties — including world languages and unusual picture blocks — all designed for open-ended, educational, and creative play
Uncle Goose is a sustainable brand, sourcing their wood (mostly American basswood) from parts near the Great Lakes. Even the inks used to color the blocks (and their packaging materials too) are American-sourced. Uncle Goose’s famously “different” wooden stacking blocks are stocked by toy retailers nation-wide. It’s a Michigan brand that, in their own words, “press[es] against an invisible boundary that lies between what is possible and what is practical”
Visit the Uncle Goose official website.
(02) Palumba (Camden Rose)
Palumba (a.k.a. Camden Rose) is an all-natural manufacturer and retailer of Waldorf-inspired wooden toys, kids’ furniture, and art supplies — with awesomely high standards for durability and eco-friendliness (with natural water-based and plant-based dyes for color).
These Waldorf-style Michigan-made toys are commonly paired with crocheted wools and cottons, Palumba (a.k.a. Camden Rose) offers minimalist toys in earthy aesthetic — from Midwest-sourced natural woods. They’re made to last, but only come alive with imagination.
See Palumba (Camden Rose) on Etsy.
Visit the Palumba (Camden Rose) official website.
(03) Simple Wooden Toy Co.
For nature-inspired play sets — like busy bee hives, northern forest friends, and chickens a-hatching — Simple Wooden Toy Co. has handmade local-sourced appeal. It’s a family business hailing from Midland, MI — by a daycare provider who grew fond of wooden toys.
Simple Wooden Toy Co. keeps active in the Mid-Michigan community, joining local events with a knack for environmental protection. Their testament to environmental safety shows through the same way their toys’ natural woodgrains remain visible through lightly-coated non-toxic finishes.
See Simple Wooden Toy Co. on Etsy.
Visit the Simple Wooden Toy Co. official website.
(04) Curious Minds Toys
A family-run business — obsessed with busy bags — gathers all the supplies to curate their own original kid-friendly learning activities, at lower cost than most. For classroom-quality educational toys — fidget toys, matching games, sensory toys, and more — this is a toy shop parents, teachers, and occupational therapists trust! Most of their products are paper or plastic, and some are made of wood. All their educational products inspire children to get busy learning!
Visit the Curious Minds official website.
(05) The Toy Tree
Offering jigsaw puzzles, alphabet puzzles, name stools, and one-of-a-kind puzzles made per customer, The Toy Tree is a Central Michigan artisan toy brand. “The difference is in details!” Since each toy is made from a moment of inspiration, each one is identifiably unique.
The Toy Tree gained inspiration nearly 50 years ago — when travelling abroad to encounter a local woodcrafter in a far off land. Their large, colorful, intricate animal-themed wooden jigsaw puzzles reflect an admiration for traditional African artistry.
Visit the The Toy Tree official website.
A Michigan Toy Making Time Capsule
- Woodlander Toys – Until the year 2023, Woodlander toys brought together a collection of Montessori-style wooden teethers and rattles — handmade, natural and safe for the little ones in your life.
- Happy Oak Toys – Until the year 2021, Happy Oak Toys made natural hardwood toys for little hands and big imagination. The local brand was inspired by an aged Michigan oak tree.
