Bella Luna Toys was founded to celebrate artisan toys and focus on the beauty inherent in wooden and handmade toys. Since our beginning days, we have taken tremendous joy and satisfaction in curating a collection of the finest handmade toys throughout the world that inspire imagination, creativity, and joy in children. Handmade toys not only offer unique charm and quality, but they also embody the passion and craftsmanship of the artisans who create them. The artists have an eye for detail and a love for the open-ended play of children and their hard work inspires endless imagination and hours of play. Here are a few of our favorite handmade brands and why we love them.
1. Grimm’s Spiel & Holz
In the world of handmade toys and artisan craftsmanship, few names command as much respect and admiration as Grimm's Spiel und Holz. Established in Germany more than forty years ago, Grimm's has become a symbol of quality, creativity, and sustainability. Central to their philosophy is a profound respect for nature and a dedication to creating toys that not only inspire imaginative play but also honor the environment. Grimm’s creations stand out with their vibrant wooden toys that are not only aesthetically pleasing but incredibly versatile and enduring. Known for their Rainbow Stacker and other open-ended playsets, Grimm’s toys encourage creativity and fine motor skills. Each piece is handcrafted in Germany using sustainable wood and non-toxic dyes, ensuring safety and durability.
2. Grapat
In the Catalan language, the word grapat means “a handful” and each Grapat product is inspired by the beautiful idea of “carrying a handful of loose pieces with the utmost care in our hands, and offering them with the same love to the hands of children.” The motto of this small, family run Spanish company is “be free, play open” as everything they create promotes imagination and open-ended play and is inspired by their slow-lifestyle in the Spanish countryside with their family. These exquisitely hand-crafted wooden toys originate from sustainable forests and are painted with dyes that come directly from nature and will be treasured for generations. Their loose parts, such as Nins, rings, and coins, invite children to explore, sort, and create endless play scenarios.
3. Ostheimer
For over 75 years, Ostheimer has been creating charming wooden figures that bring the natural world to life. Hand-carved and hand-painted in Germany, each figure has a unique character and warmth. Ostheimer’s master craftspeople rely on the impact of toys made directly by human hands because they believe that "children (and not only them) sense the impulses that are put into a toy: during the design, but also through all the steps of production. Despite the volume of figures we produce year after year in this way, it is always done with the care, dedication and love that is inherent in artistic craftsmanship.” From animals and trees to fairy tale characters, Ostheimer's figures inspire storytelling and imaginative play, making them timeless treasures that can be collected as keepsakes for generations of play and admiration.
4. Nanchen
Nanchen dolls and soft toys are handcrafted in a small workshop in Germany by expert craftspeople. Each doll has a lovingly hand painted face, making each doll a truly unique toy for as this company believes and epitomizes, “the uniqueness of every child should be reflected in their familiar toys.” At the Nanchen headquarters, they transform Bioland virgin sheep's wool, organic cotton and plant-dyed silk into beautiful handmade dolls. Their employees have unusual job titles such as "face painter", "inner head roller," "doll doctor," or "wig crocheter." This company is united by their love of handicraft and the joy of high-quality materials. And they are convinced, as we are, that the time and attention that goes into making these beautiful dolls creates the very special magic of our products.
5. Senger
Lovingly handmade in a sleepy mountain village in Germany, Senger creates wonderfully soft plush toys that are made from the highest quality sustainably sourced materials. Senger believes in creating a better world for our children, one stuffed animal at a time and are committed to creating “friends for life” as the antithesis of throwaway culture. This family-owned company creates soft toys and cuddle animals that are not only adorable but also eco-friendly. In fact, their round bodies are stuffed full of sheep's wool that Senger buys “from itinerant shepherds who nibble free the Eifel meadows with their herds and keep the Rhine embankments as short as a golf course.” The timeless animal designs and high-quality materials used by Senger make these special friends perfect for snuggling and imaginative play that will last well beyond childhood.
6. Tara Treasures
Tara Treasures, an Australian company, crafts exquisite hand-felted products using traditional techniques to produce designs filled with whimsy, character, and charm. Utilizing high-quality GOT Certified New Zealand wool, each piece ignites creativity and imagination and promotes open-ended play. The story behind this brand is one of compassion and ethical business practices. In fact, the company is even named after Tara, the Goddess of compassion. From their onset, Tara Treasures has been dedicated to supporting Nepalese women artisans by ensuring fair wages so that women can benefit their communities and earn a living wage. This philanthropic company operates with integrity, upholding the highest ethical standards in all their endeavors. From delightful animal finger puppets to festive garlands, Tara Treasures' products infuse any playroom with a touch of magic and cultural heritage.
7. Wooden Story
Wooden Story, based in a remote village in Poland, creates toys that are as beautiful as they are sustainable. The story behind Wooden Story is “like a fairy tale about love for nature and wood. In the heart of a sunlit forest, where ancient trees whispered secrets to the wind, the family workshop of Wooden Story was born.” This love and fairy tale quality shines through as each piece is made from FSC-certified wood and finished with beeswax and botanical oils, retaining the smell of the forest. Their products, ranging from building blocks to push toys, are designed to be timeless, encouraging open-ended play and connection with nature. Their collection of beautifully crafted wooden toys is inspired by the Montessori learning philosophy to stimulate the senses, creating toys that have a wondrous and magical quality to last for a lifetime of play.
8. Uncle Goose
For over 30 years, Uncle Goose has been the world's premier manufacturer of wooden alphabet blocks. Built to last several lifetimes, these classic heirloom toys are handmade in Michigan by a small group of artisans. Made from local basswood and a colorful array of non-toxic inks, these blocks are educational, durable, and delightful. Uncle Goose blocks encourage children to build skills and knowledge as they play, such as sorting, matching, ordering, spatial relations, planning, and balance. With a range of designs including foreign languages, braille, and nursery rhymes, Uncle Goose blocks are perfect for learning and play because as this family-run company believes, “blocks are good for your soul and everything you experience and everything you learn by playing with blocks can stay with you for a lifetime.”
9. Fagus
Fagus wooden vehicles are not only sturdy and functional but also beautifully handcrafted and made to vroom through years of play. Designed without the use of any nails, screws, or staples, these beautifully constructed toys are interlocked, dowelled, and glued together to ensure the highest level of durability and quality. Colorless varnish protects the structure and brings out the warmth of the solid beech wood. Made in Germany, these natural toys are designed to encourage creative, imaginative, open-ended play. Their meticulous craftsmanship and materials ensure years of safe play that parents can feel good about. We particularly appreciate the social mission of Fagus, as they offer training, competitive wages, and long-term employment to disabled individuals.
10. Lapp's Toys
Since the late 1970s, Lapp’s Toys have been beloved by families who seek quality and durability in children’s toys and furniture. Each piece in our collection is built to last, becoming cherished heirlooms passed down through generations. At Lapp’s Toys in Lancaster County, amidst the rolling farmlands, time moves at a different pace, allowing for a deeper appreciation of life's simple joys. Nestled in this picturesque setting, Lapp’s embraces this slower pace to create timeless wooden toys and children’s furniture. Their handcrafted products, from play kitchens and doll furniture to farm playsets and classic pull toys, are designed to foster imagination and bring a sense of calm and wonder to your home. In fact, it is this time-honored handmade toy company that creates our exclusive line of Bella Luna Toy furniture including our play kitchen. We fully endorse and appreciate Lapp’s sentiment that “play is the inspiration of life – and it doesn’t stop as we grow!”
Each of these handmade brands offers something unique, from the meticulous craftsmanship and sustainable practices to the endless possibilities for creative play. At Bella Luna Toys, we believe in the power of play and the importance of quality, handmade toys that inspire and delight. We are proud to support these incredible artisans and share their wonderful creations with you and your family. Explore our collection of handmade toys and discover the joy and beauty of play with Bella Luna Toys.
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