Minnesota’s Best Locally Made Toys and Gifts for Kids

Upcycler extraordinaire Holly Keller launched her sustainable stuffed animal studio in 2005, building a cult following on Etsy and through local craft fairs and art markets. Keller’s M.O. is “reduce, re-use, amuse!” And her plushies are constructed with eco-friendly and upcycled materials, including thrifted wool sweaters and other secondhand goods. 

Each of her whimsical creations — think vibrant color-blocked alligators with bulbous eyeballs, lions with rainbow-hued manes, and chubby polka-dotted elephants with candy cane-striped trunks — is hand-sewn in small batches or on commission. The creations may be one-of-a-kind, but they all have one thing in common: the ability to spark joy and delight.

This family-owned and -operated wood shop started manufacturing high-quality wooden looms in St. Paul in 1973, but turned its focus to large-scale creative play structures for kids in the early '80s. These days, it’s a go-to resource for pint-sized easels and art tables, block sets made from sustainably harvested hard maple, ring toss sets, and imaginative toys such as puppet theaters and lemonade/market stands with built-in chalkboards. 

The team still makes weaving and knitting tools for adults, too, in addition to wooden storage carts and toy chests for storing all your little ones’ playthings.

Dawn Candace Silvernagle, better known as DC Ice, is a Minneapolis-based artist, illustrator, and Art-A-Whirl staple, thanks in part to her primo studio location in the Northrup King Building. She dabbles in a myriad of mediums (acrylics, oils, scratchboard, children’s books, 3D stuffies), and her moodily fanciful work often features “snarly critters and sweet furry folk” interacting with ye ol’ analog objects like record players and boomboxes. 

Vintage frames add extra flair, making for a unique addition to any children’s room.

This multidisciplinary artist, designer, and SCAD grad works out of a second-story studio at the Northrup King Building in Minneapolis but is frequently spotted rocking his signature hand-painted jeans at local art fairs. His abstract, cellular-themed painting series uses vibrant acrylics and watercolors to explore microscopic life forms and structures. The original paintings and art prints would both make an inspired and unexpected addition to any children’s room. 

Fun artwork aside, Kolodziej is an all-around upstanding dude — actively volunteering with Art Buddies, a nonprofit organization that hosts after-school art programs at underserved public schools.

This cherished toymaker got its start in 1983, when teachers Donn and Sarah Kreofsky began selling handcrafted wooden pull toys at local art fairs. Today, the company is run by another family — the Grays and Gray-Burlingames — and they operate both the factory and what is easily the most pilgrimage-worthy toy store in the state. 

Located off Highway 61 in the scenic Mississippi River Valley, the roadside attraction features an 18-hole miniature golf course, nostalgia-inducing toy museum, fudge counter, and a beautiful hand-carved Minnesota basswood carousel. Visitors can still peek inside the woodshop to see how Fergie Frog, Milo Moose, and other magical characters come to life from locally sourced lumber. 

In addition to pull toys, LARK also makes push toys like trains and fire trucks, shape stackers, seasonally themed puzzles, and a wooden tool set for aspiring carpenters.

John Harren learned traditional sled making from a mentor in Northern Manitoba and still uses old-fashioned hand-steaming techniques to bend and curl red oak and ash — no chemicals necessary— when making these high-quality sleds, snowshoes, and its namesake toboggans (including downhill, towing and racing varieties). 

Everything is handcrafted in Warroad using responsibly sourced regional materials; even the seat cushions are sewn locally. Most importantly, the 4-, 6-, and 8-foot toboggans, children’s pull sleds and kick sleds, and other heirloom goods are built to last — a gift from one generation to the next. Custom engraving options make them feel extra special.

Bill Pine was a single dad with three children under 6 when he first got interested in tree swings. He was looking for a low-cost way to entertain his kids over summer break and took to cutting a tree swing from a felled oak in his backyard. His family had such a blast with that tree swing that they suggested he make more and try selling them at a local farmers market. 

Much to his surprise, the first dozen sold out instantly, and The Original Tree Swing company was born. Today, the Pines make a variety of durable hardwood swings in disc, bench, and oval shapes; customizable features include the wood stain, rope color and length, and engraving. He also makes a convertible Solvej baby and toddler swing with weather-proof canvas and yard games such as cornhole and Kubb. 

Even better, the lumber comes from a local partner mill that processes diseased and weather-damaged trees cut down by the city. Trees that would otherwise be bound for the dump but instead get to play a role in creating lasting summer memories, just like they always did for the Pine kids.

Inaugurated in 2012 by Jen Murphy of Minneapolis, Polka Dot Club builds on a rich legacy of handmade teddy bears. She first learned the craft from her mother at age 11 and began her own maker journey in college, launching a line of vintage-style plush toys fashioned from luxurious natural materials like mohair. 

For years, she worked with a group of female artisans in Peru to bring her vision to life. Today, she partners with artisans in India to make teddy bears, block-printed rabbits, and the sweetest line of clothing, including snap overalls, ruffled floral dresses, and poofy bloomers.

PuzzleTwist, founded by Crystal-based couple Tony and Candace Nelson, is one of the buzziest brands in the jigsaw world because its games use a twisting mechanism to produce finished images that are different from what is pictured on the box. Not only are these puzzles challenging for the whole family, but they also showcase the work of local artists and highlight Minnesota locations (Duluth, Northeast Minneapolis, state parks) and themes (cabin fever, hockey, fishing, all things Paul and Babe). 

The Nelsons still own and operate the business, managing production, sales, and fulfillment locally. New puzzles are introduced at the Minnesota State Fair each year; naturally, the 1,000-piece Great Minnesota Get-Together jigsaw is a bestseller.