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Play Like a Local: The Coolest Bay Area Toy Companies

From sturdy recyclable boats to ingenious building sets for girls—when it's time to check off that holiday shopping list, be sure check out some of these hometown favorites.

By rtmargaretswink November 17, 2015

The Bay Area isn’t just home to innovation in tech, it’s also one of the nation’s leaders in independent toys. From Kickstarter darlings to organic baby toys, cooperative games to old-school puppets, the Bay Area is producing some of the highest quality educational toys around. Many of them are prototyped and tested with local kids and are grounded firmly in the social and environmental values that the Bay Area is known for. So when it’s time to check off that holiday shopping list, check out some of these hometown favorites! Click through to see them all.

Toys with an Exit Strategy: Green Toys

You probably have them in your toy chest, but did you know that Green Toys are designed and made in Marin? This sustainable line of toys and dishware was designed by Bay Area mom Laurie Hyman and made from recycled milk jugs, which means they can go right back in the recycling bin when you’re finished.

Our pick? Take your kids on a ferry ride across the Bay, then give them a Green Toys ferry boat to recreate the experience in the bath.

Want more toy recommendations? Bookmark Berkeley-based expert Stevanne Auerbach, or “Dr. Toy” for ratings and recs on this year’s best toys nationwide.

Do you have a favorite Bay Area brand that we missed? Tell us about it in the comments below!

–Margaret Swink

All images courtesy of the companies