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Fantastic Games from around the World

I saw an interview with Keith Richards. He said, 'How else could a kid in Dartford suddenly connect with and understand what Muddy Waters is singing?' There's a cultural difference, but there's just something in that music that subconsciously or internally you just understand; it just makes sense.

Paul Weller

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Whether from curiosity or patriotism, getting to know game companies and games from around the world might be extremely interesting for more parents.

You might ask Why?

Here are few options or reasons:

  • You might love different culture, like me, and wish to get to know some games and toys coming from different countries than yours;
  • You may want to help and encourage purchase and sales from local companies based in your own country. We all go through tough times now with this Covid-19 so why not help local companies.  
  • You just want to know where great ideas of games come from in the world, by curiosity and love for innovation and creativity.

For all those reasons,  I have compiled here a list of 30 toy companies I selected and sorted by the country of origin, where they are based, where their thinking minds and developers work at (not where they manufacture the games).

Since I have been working in the toy market for quite long now, I have intentionally not selected the top ones everyone knows but tried to select the companies, that might be less known  but the ones I got to know, either personally, meeting the people behind the ideas and concepts, or experienced their products so I can personally recommend them to other families.

I hope you will enjoy getting to know some of those “smaller” or “unknown” companies and will select some of those games, toys, gifts for your next purchase, either for your kid’s birthday, for a good family game night or even for Holidays such as Christmas, coming up. Many of them are very famous in their own country or in few countries even but might not be known around the world.

I will sometimes buy from the top companies or the big licensed characters. I have written many articles and recommendations on best strategy games or card games…Kids love their hero or character, and it is fine to buy licensed products sometimes to please your kid. It is also fine to buy from the most famous toy companies like Mattel, Hasbro, or Fisher-Price, as they have some best products too, but in this specific article, my goal is to light up on 30 smaller or newer or less known companies making FANTASTIC games from around the world.

I have searched a lot and did not find such a list. There are obviously  hundreds if not thousands of additional toy companies in lots of additional countries but I wanted to concentrate on the ones I could personally recommend.

So Here is a list per continent and per country of game companies, their main values, some interesting history and some of their best games.

Let’s start with Europe:

Italy

Clementoni:

https://www.clementoni.com/

The main Clementoni factory is located in Recanati where about 60% of total production, in number of pieces, is produced and, specifically, all toys with paper and cardboard parts such as Sapientino and puzzles, but also classic building blocks.

The Clementoni range now includes toys for children aged 0 months to 12 years and older, starting from early childhood with the Baby Clementoni, Disney Baby and Clemmy lines; next come the world of pre-school and educational games dominated by the famous Sapientino brand; the Science&Play range scientific games, the ultra-modern tablets Made in Clementoni and mini computers; Art Attack and Crazy Chic creative toys without overlooking the “classics”, Recreational toys, Tombole and the highly acclaimed Puzzles. 

You can purchase those products anywhere but if you are used to Amazon, here is the link you can find some of their best puzzles. 

Sweden

Martinex:

https://www.martinex.se

They sell, wholesale and develop products like Galt’s popular prank books and baby puzzles, baby toys with local characters, craft , bath figures and bath mattresses, soft toys, sand toys, doll house, balls, toys, animal figures, building blocks, sports toys, and much more.

In addition to their house brand MX Play, they also sell licensed products with well-known local characters.  

They also develop board games for children and adults, with Labyrinth board games as one of the best sellers and the quiz game Smart10, which won the title Adult Games of the Year 2017. Many of the games are made in their own game factory Peliko, outside Turku, Finland. 

You can purchase those products online but if you are buying on Amazon, here is the link for Martinex products.

the Netherlands / Holland

Goliath Games:

https://www.goliathgames.nl/

Goliath Games is an international manufacturer and distributor of toys and games.

Goliath is one of the few remaining family-owned and run businesses in the world of toys and games. Goliath was established in 1980 by Adi Golad and ever since has grown tremendously. 

Goliath is identified with a slogan ‘Clever Together!’ so all their products combine fun and wittiness.

How it all started: Adi and Margreeth (his wife) fell in love over a game of Rummikub. Shortly after their encounter, Margreeth revealed the game to her family in her home country Holland. The two of them dropped everything and followed the call that changed their life.

They began selling board games on the street, because the conventional trade rejected their offering. Despite obstacles on the way, by applying grass-root marketing they popularized this one single game among Dutch people. Their persistence and efforts paid off, consequently setting and holding a world record in quantity of a single game sold per capita in one year.

Goliath values include creating products that stimulate ‘moments of togetherness’, developing and trading fun products that inspire through being engaging, novel, unique and (thought-)provoking.

You can purchase those products online but if you are buying on Amazon, here is the link for Goliath products. Some of the ones I know and recommend are Pop The Pig, Googly Eyes, and of course Rummikub which I just love!

Germany

Goki:

https://goki-toys.com/

Gollnest & Kiesel is one of Europe’s leading manufacturers of wooden toys and is the largest toy manufacturer in Northern Germany. The company was established over 40 years ago.

The brands include goki, goki baby, goki nature, goki Susibelle and HOLZTIGER.

You can purchase those products online but if you are buying on Amazon, find here some links: Flexible Puppets Bears, Pack Donkey II” Skill Game, Surface Sensing Memory Game or Magnetic Game Funny Faces Learning Toy.

United Kingdom

Casdon: 

https://www.casdon.com/

This is a family of toymakers since 1946, founded by Thomas Cassidy, a talented toolmaker with an ambition to start his own toy business right after World War 2. His brother Joe Cassidy, joined him soon afterwards, and together, built the business up over many decades. Then, Paul, the next generation continued the family tradition, that is today managed but Phil and Peter Cassidy, Paul’s children. 3 generations!

Casdon has a reputation as a developer of toy replicas, with some of the most prestigious domestic appliance products on the market like the Dyson Vacuum replicas and many other roleplay toys. 

You can purchase those products online but if you are buying on Amazon, find the link to all Casdon products HERE.

Plum Play:

https://www.plumplay.com/

Founded in 1988 by a husband and wife team, Plum is proud to be a family run business with over 30 years experience…

Juggling the delights of family life with three children and the demands of running a business, founders Jonathan and Diane Schaffer know a thing or two about keeping little minds occupied.

“Like every parent, we wanted our children’s childhood to be magical. Young minds work in mysterious but wonderful ways. At Plum we’re all about creating the tools to let their imaginations run wild.

Their boy, Paul Schaffer,  is now Plum Play Commercial Director.

Plum Play develop active play products that inspire thinking, creativity, imagination, understanding and most of all have to be fun. 

You can purchase those products online but if you are buying on Amazon, you can find the link to the Giant Octagonal Wooden Sand Pit.

The Happy Puzzle Company:

https://www.happypuzzle.co.uk

The Happy Puzzle Company offers a fantastic range of award-winning puzzles, games, challenges to families. Started about 25 years ago, by Gavin Ucko, who himself has produced many puzzles and games unique to The Happy Puzzle Company.

You can purchase those products online but if you are buying on Amazon, you can find the Genius Square – Game of The Year Award Winner!  as well as the Brain Train that teaches Math, Logic, Cognitive Skill by Connecting Train Tracks. 

Czech Republic

PIXIE CREW: 

https://www.pixiecrew.com/

PIXIE CREW brand connects kid’s online world with their offline world through variety of products which can be designed with small colourful silicone pixels. Kids can create their heroes or any other images and have them anytime with them through the day.

I have wrote in the blog about the products and concept as well as about the people behind the products to get to know their values.

You can purchase those products online at https://www.thelazydog.co/pixie-crew but if you are buying on Amazon, you can find the backpack as well as the pencil case.

Norway

Larsen:

https://www.larsen.no/en

This is a jigsaw puzzle manufacturer from Norway, since 1953 and all produced in Norway. Their goal is to create quality products for children that are both fun to play with and educational. 

You can purchase those products online but if you are buying on Amazon, you can find Larsen products in this link.

Portugal

Science 4 You:

https://science4youtoys.com/

Science4you is a 100% Portuguese company which dedicates itself to the development, production and commercialization of educational and scientific toys, and to the development of children’s activities: birthday parties, holiday camps, and scientific animations.

Their values are the 3 E’s:

Excellency

Effort

Efficiency

 

You can purchase those products online but if you are buying on Amazon, you can find the Mini Slimy Factory,  the Bath Bombs Educational Science kitthe Yucky Science Educational kit

France

Les Jouets Libres:

http://lesjouetslibres.fr/

Involved and responsible, Les Jouets Libres takes part of the new social movement. They are trying to change the world and give the best to our children. They focus their creative energy only on games encouraging children’s development. In response to hyperconsuming society, they provide sustainable products, without any plastic and they use only materials with limited ecological impact. The company works with a social center for disabled workers concerning the assembling of products.

4 of their core values include:

1- Modern design

2- Mobility-play anywhere

3- Connect by creating a lasting bond
 
4- Allow freedom by re-inventing the rules of the games.
 

You can purchase those products online at https://boutique.lesjouetslibres.fr/en/.

SentoSphere:

https://www.sentosphere.fr/fr/

All started with “the Loto des Odeurs” in 1989. This is the game I have and enjoy for years! 

Its creator, Véronique Debroise, formerly a perfumer in large groups such as IFF and Givaudan, is convinced that smell is a primordial sense that children must learn to master in the same way as mathematics and French. 

Anxious to develop the other senses, Véronique Debroise then designs educational boxes and games that honor taste, then sight and touch. Because sensory awakening also involves artistic creation, Véronique Debroise creates Aquarellum, Sablimage and Patarev which are their flagship products today. 

The company’s mission is to awake the senses!

Finland

Tactic Games:

https://www.tactic.net/

For over fifty years the Finnish board game company Tactic has been known for its innovative, exciting and high-quality games that delight millions of families around the world.

Tactic mission is to produce board games that help families and friends spend quality time together. 

Today Tactic Group is one of the strongest, most productive and fastest-growing designers, marketers and manufacturers of board and outdoor games in Europe. 

The product portfolio covers a great variety of children’s games, family games, outdoor games, party games, travel games, card games, dice games, poker games as well as toys, books, magic and craft sets.

The board game factory is located in a Finnish town called Pori, where they manufacture close to 5 million board games a year. 

You can purchase those products online but if you are buying on Amazon, you can find the links below:

Zombie Labyrinth Board Game (5+ y.old)

Totem Board Game (7+ y.old)

SpongeBob SquarePants Molkky (5-15 y. old)

Women Vs Men Alias Board Game (15+ y.old)

Banana Kick Board Game (6+ y.old)

Kubb-Wooden Outdoor Fun-for Beach-Park-Picnic (for 7+ y. old)

Spain

Educa Borras:

https://www.educaborras.com/

The origins of Educa Borras date back to 1894, when Borras Plana S.A. was founded. Educa Borras is a leading brand, setting the standard in educational games and puzzles. 

In 2011, Educa Borras, a market leader in the Magic, Puzzles and Educational Games categories, was considered the best-known toy brand among Spanish families with children under 12, according to a survey undertaken by AIJU’s* Toy Market Observatory, in collaboration with the Spanish Ministry of Industry, Tourism and Trade. * AIJU: Technological Institute for Toymaking

The puzzles can be bought on Amazon from this link. I personally love this game! or Try Educa Borras Connector Junior Minnie for Age 3+. 

Muñecas Arias:

http://munecas-arias.com/

Everything began three decades ago in Onil, current location of the company, a city in Southwestern Spain.

This is a family business. José Antonio Arias’ fabulous idea is kept alive, thanks to the tenacity of his children to perpetuate something that is more than a profession, a tradition.

Those dolls are just aesthetically beautiful!

MUÑECAS ARIAS has spent years devoted to making dolls that inspire children, as they understand how important this type of play has in children emotional development.

We know that a doll is more than a simple toy, it helps encourage such noble emotions as affection, language, responsibility and imagination. This is the reason why MUÑECAS ARIAS is not a toy manufacturer, but a DREAM factory.

The dolls can be bought on Amazon from this link

I can assure you those are dolls that remain in the house for very long and that toddlers love and play again and again! FROM MY PERSONAL EXPERIENCE!

Israel

Yogi Fun:

https://www.yogi-fun.com/

YOGi FUN, established in 2016, is a company devoted to the creation of yoga based games through which children, along with their parents and friends, can participate in a variety of fun dynamic activities.

2 Yoga teachers got together and made this beautiful games. Their mission is to bring the benefits of yoga through fun games and activities, giving children all over the world the opportunity to develop and grow while having fun. 

They believe in equality, generosity and friendship – values they hope to spread all around the world thanks to the games.

The games can be bought on Amazon from this link

Here you can read more about those games and the founders.

Kiddo Books:

https://www.kiddobooks.net/

KIDDO develops highest quality activity booklets with fun and educational content. Owned by a beautiful couple I got the chance to meet and work with.

You can read more on the Activity booklets HERE. You have in that article a link to best offers online!

Red Tool Box:

https://www.red-toolbox.com/

Red Toolbox is a complete world of tools specifically designed to suit a child’s grip, complemented by a wide selection of original woodworking kits and a workbench.

These woodworking projects for kids teach and apply various skills according to the level of difficulty.

You can find more info in this article.

The great DIY wooden kits and tools can be bought on Amazon from this link

Edushape:

https://www.edushape.com/

Edushape Toys started in 1983 with pre-school creative play  for teachers.

Built on the strategy of seeing the world through the eyes of children, Edushape continues to create products that nurture imagination and spark creativity in the very young.

The line includes today bath toys, educational games,   baby foam products, soft colorful floor mat, Sensory Balls, plush and soft toy, Edu Blocks, STEM toys and much more.                            

The products can be bought on Amazon from this link

Hungary

Art &Smart Egg :

https://smarteggtoy.com/

Smart Egg 3D Labyrinth Puzzle is a brain teaser family that has its origins in the Washington Egg – puzzle that won in 2012 the World Puzzle Championship Grand Prix Award in Washington. Based on the worldwide patented concept, the company continuously enlarges the collections.

It can be bought on Amazon from this link

CAREFUL!! ADDICTIVE!

Austria

dëna Toys:

https://www.denatoys.com/en/

Dëna toys are designed to entertain and have fun with, to encourage imagination and creativity, and at the same time contribute to the psychomotor development of the child.


The safety of dëna toys enables the child to play freely. Freedom in the way children play and express themselves is vital for their future development.

The Rainbow can be found on Amazon HERE. The BPA-Free Pack Teether and Toy can be found HERE.

Asia and Australia

India

Chalk And Chuckles:

https://chalkandchuckles.com/

“You Are What You Play” is the slogan of this company, founded by 2 sisters I personally got the chance to know personally. 

All Chalk and Chuckles games are designed with education and healthy child development in mind. The team works with teachers, artists and early Childhood education experts  to ensure that each of the games meets the PGQ pledge. The product development team is headed by, Prachi – the feeler, the dreamer & the quiet creator! Belonging to the world of children, education and psychology, she founded Chalk and Chuckles after graduating from Harvard.

You can read more about some of the games HERE and the sisters and founders HERE.

You can buy their products online on Amazon HERE.

Australia

Axis:

https://axistoys.com/

Since 2004, Axis Toys has specialized in distributing quality products in Australia & New Zealand but is also the developers of the ColourAway and Scribbla brands. 

I have myself very much enjoyed the ColourAway with my kids for days and nights and can personally recommend to additional parents.

The products can be bought HERE.

Colorific:

https://www.colorific.com.au/

Colorific is a 100% family owned business based in Melbourne, Australia. 

For over 30 years Colorific has been a developer and marketer of kids’ products and one of Australia’s leading companies for educational resources including brands in the arts, craft & activity, youth electronics, RC, games, outdoor and collectible.

In 2019 Colorific were thrilled to be inducted into the FBA’s prestigious Family Business (Vic/ Tas Chapter) Hall of Fame, recognizing and rewarding successful family businesses that have ‘best fit’ practices that all family businesses can learn from.

Check Here Build a Bot Paw Patrol or the rabbit.

Taiwan

WePlay:

https://www.weplay.com.tw/

Established in 1987, Kiddie’s Paradise Inc. is one of the leading child educational equipment providers in Taiwan.
In 1999, the brand “WePlay” was launched with the goal of creating educational products that promote children’s communication, motor skills, and stimulate children’s creativity while they learn and have fun. 
The distinguished design criteria, based on Universal Design concepts, has led to international recognition and design awards including the Red Dot Design Award of Germany, the iF Design Award of Germany, the Good Design Award (G-Mark) of Japan, and the Taiwan Good Design Product Award.
 
Weplay develops products according to children’s holistic needs, ranging over visual-auditory-tactile perception, motor skills, balance coordination, fine motor skills, and creative play. 
 
WePlay products can be found on Amazon HERE.

North America

Smart Lab:

https://www.quartoknows.com/SmartLabToys

SmartLab toy and game designs focus on hands–on experiences that help nurture strong family bonds.

SmartLab toys involve a project to complete or experiments to conduct. Because these activities are based in real science, the content is compelling for children and adults alike. This creates great opportunities for children and adults to be true partners in play.

Here is an article about those products.

Here is where you can purchase online on Amazon.

Jaq Jaq Bird:

https://www.jaqjaqbird.com/

Jaq Jaq Bird® was founded by Grace, a Korean-American creative mother of 3.

I met Grace when she just started and had 4-5 first products I personally fell in love with!

Jaq Jaq Bird® began when Grace’s family bought a small bungalow while stationed in Washington D.C. and hired a contractor to help expand the tiny house, as their family was growing.  The week before their third baby was to make his arrival, the phone rang – it was the FBI.  The contractor was a fraud, had taken their savings and left the family with no HVAC, no sink, no oven, etc.  Grace’s son was soon born, while her husband was working 12 hour shifts and making every effort to finish the renovation work at home.  As a family of five, they had no functional kitchen for nearly six months.

Dining out became an obvious necessity for survival, but Grace’s three children were not entertained by the same children’s menus and crayons at restaurants, usually tearing them to pieces and making a mess.  Determined to have peaceful family meals, among the current chaos of life and renovation, Grace invented the Chalk Mat, now well-known as the Doodle It & Go erasable mat, in 2005. It is a flexible, travel-friendly design featuring a placemat on one side and surface to doodle on with chalk on the other.

After other families took notice in restaurants, Grace continued to create more chalk mats and approached a few local shops with the design.  Soon after, Grace received a call from HGTV asking if they could feature her chalk mat design.  Following the feature, Grace received so many orders that the mats went on backorder, as she continued to hand-sew each one.  Ironically, the chalk mat sales allowed Grace and her family to complete their home renovation, and Jaq Jaq Bird® was officially founded.

Jaq Jaq Bird® has since been featured in Forbes, The Wall Street Journal, HGTV, CNBC, NY Time Out Kids, Rachel Ray, Parents Magazine, Washington Post, Dwell Magazine and numerous other media.  Jaq Jaq Bird® has proudly had the opportunity to partner with brands such as Land of Nod, Nordstrom, Target, Aaron Brothers, Anthropologie, The Container Store and other international retailers.

 

Here you can find all the company’s products and purchase from Amazon

Crocodile Creek:

https://www.crocodilecreek.com

This is a company who places safety in 1st priority with:

  • Backpacks that are made of high-quality polyester and are BPA-free, PVC-free and phthalate-free.
  • Drinking Bottles, made of high-quality stainless steel #304 which does not require any type of protective coating. All materials are completely recyclable and are lead-free, phthalate-free, BPA-free and PVC free.
  • Food Jars,  made of high-quality stainless steel.
  • Ice Packs with a gel that is 93% water with 4% sodium carboxymethyl cellulose.
  • Lunch Boxes, with lead-free linings and are PVC-free and phthalate-free.
  • Placemats,  made of polypropylene and are PVC-free.
  • Playground Balls, made of natural and synthetic rubber and contain no PVC, BPA or vinyl.
  • Sandwich & Snack Keepers,  made of polypropylene and are BPA-free.

Their beautiful product can be found HERE on Amazon.

Fat Brain Toy:

https://www.fatbraintoyco.com/

Fat Brain Toy Co. is the toy and game development arm of Fat Brain Toys, a leading retailer of specialty toys, games, and gifts.

Where most toy companies are chasing the hot trend, they are proud to work on new trends by working with brilliant inventors and designers from all over the world.

 

 

Celebrate Fat Brain Toys’ 18th Birthday with 18% Off Your Order with Code WX-3488

Ogosport:

https://www.ogosport.com/main/home

Friends and fellow designers from the Pratt Institute in Brooklyn NY – Kevin Williams and Rick Goodwin – realized they had a common outlook on life: to create toys that encouraged people of all ages to get moving and have fun through active and creative play. In 2006, they banded together to start a toy business based on Rick’s motto “Oh Go Outside and Play,” and the company OgoSport was born.

They launched the OgoDisk, a hand-trampoline for balls originally named the SportsDisk. It has gone on to be their best-selling toy and has won numerous awards. Pratt alumna and designer Jenie Fu joined OgoSport as a partner in 2008 but Rick passed away due to cancer two years later. His philosophy on life is still vital within the company and impacts the creative design process.

The company designs active, open-endeed play for all ages. The products encourage:

  • Explorative + developmental play for babies  thanks to the Bolli.
  • Active & open-ended play thanks to the Ogodisk, Jabbit and ogominton.
  • Constructive & creative play with the Ogobild and Mod.

I hope you enjoyed this article about Games from around the world and more importantly that it introduced you to products you did not know and might be interested in, to promote and help companies from overseas or local ones!

I highly recommend you to read about “Play & Learn Daily Living Skills” as well as “10 Amazing toys for shoulder girdle stability”.

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This Post Has 2 Comments

  1. Yuliia Zhukovska

    Thank you for your article! I think it’s fascinating to introduce a child to toys from other countries, learning about their culture.

  2. XMC.PL

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