Independent toys are becoming increasingly popular among parents tired of shopping at overpriced big box stores, and looking for something slightly different for their kids. Independent toys are often far more imaginative and thought-provoking than their big box counterparts, while occasionally appealing to moral standards associated with environmentalism and fair trade.
A lot of independent toys are unabashedly quirky and extremely niche. Toys with this sort of character are not created as often by big-name toy companies simply because they don't have the same mass appeal and won't sell as prodigiously.
Therefore if your kids' toy interests are more niche, or you're a parent simply looking to stimulate their kid by giving them different kinds of toys, you might want to scope out the independent toy landscape.
13 Independent Toys
From Giant Round Stuffed Animals to Cheeseburger Monster Toys:
Rahul Kalvapalle — Oct 20, 2014 — Life-Stages
13
Eco-Friendly Wooden Toys
Friendly Toys Creates Organic Options that Educate and Evoke Emotions
12
Felt Food Toys
CreationByM Crafts a Diverse Range of Plush and Educational Dishes
11
Diabetes-Teaching Teddies
This Educational Teddy Bear Shows Kids How To Monitor Their Disease
10
Giant Round Stuffed Animals
Squishable is a New York Start-Up that Capitalized on Social Media
9
Plush Fantasy Novels
The Quiet Book and the Ring is a Soft and Interactive Literary Toy
8
Empowering Crochet
Fair Trade 'Pebble' Baby Line Employs Women in Bangladesh
7
Interactive Toddler Tales
Storybook Blocks Allows Children to Actively Play with Favorite Books
6
Modernized Old-Folks Games
Hipster Bingo Will Make a Night at the Bar More Fun & Eventful
5
Crowdfunded Photography-Based Coloring
This Photograph Coloring Book Uses a Photographer's Work
4
Inspiring Educational Dolls
The Miss Possible Doll Toys for Girls Feature Enpowering Role Models
3
Kid Safety Cycling Devices
MiniBike's Remote-Controlled Bike Brake Makes Cycling Safer for Kids
2
Public Toy Shares
Erez Uman's Jerusalem-Based Toy Library Aims to Bring Children Together
1
Cheeseburger Monster Toys
This Glow in the Dark Burger Toy Makes a Wonderful Collector's Item
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Meal-Accompanied Adorable Toys
McDonald's Japan Unveils New Functional Sanrio Happy Meal Toys
Multi-Generational Anime Plushes
The Newest Build-A-Bear Sanrio Characters Captivate All Ages
AI-Powered Toy Attachments
The App-Paired ToyPal One Brings Soft Toys to Life for Screen-Free Fun
Show-Inspired Miniature Toy Sets
The Stranger Things Polly Pocket is an Adorable Playset
Miniature Vinyl Collectibles
The itSmol™ Figurines are Whimsical and Perfect for All Ages
Baked Goods Plushies
Tim Hortons Turned Fan-Favorite Menu Items into Collectible Soft Toys
Kid-Friendly 3D Printers
The Kidoodle MiniBox A1 Bolsters Creativity & STEM Learning
Makeup-Themed Dog Toys
Rare Beauty Introduces Playful Dog Toys Inspired by Its Makeup
Lifesize 90s Doll Experiences
Airbnb Presents 'Playdate at Polly Pocket’s Compact'
Family Board Game Promos
Hasbro and Birds Eye Teamed Up to Encourage Family Bonding
Expansive QSR Toy Ranges
McDonald's Japan Hello Kitty Happy Meals Mark the Character's Birthday
Outdoor Anime QSR Toys
These McDonald's Japan Pokémon Happy Meal Toys Come in Eight Styles
Interactive Pixel Plushies
Eolo Toys' Pixel Hugs are Cuddly Plushes Enhanced with Tech Features
Whimsical Gnome Toys
My Gnome On The Roam® is an Interactive Toy Range for All Ages
Whimsical Doll-Inspired Accessories
Pidgin Fashion Dolls Launches a New Accessories Collection
Doll-Inspired Movie Launches
Mattel Plans to Release More Movies Following 'Barbie's' Success
Kid-Powered Imagination Campaigns
Lunchables' A.I. vs K.I. Proves Kids' Limitless Creativity
Imaginative Soft Toys
Blabla's Little Monster Soft Toys Promote Listening, Curiosity and Dreams
Educational Climate Change Toys
The 'Habitat' Educational Toy Brick Sets Come in Two Options
Minimalist Play Furniture
Blueberry and Third Specializes in Slick and Stylish Toys
Gen Alpha Barbie Launches
Barbie Announces New Doll Lineup Targeted Towards Older Fans
Witty Toy-Brand Horror Posters
LEGO Presents a Range of Playful Horror Posters for the Season
Cuddly Plush Collectibles
Build-A-Bear Workshop's SKOOSHERZ are Made for Hugging
Youth Beauty Boutiques
Hamleys Boutique: Be You is an Inspiring Space for Kids Ages Four to 14
Interactive Early Education Toys
Tokidos PlayCubes Have a Screen-Free Design
GenAI Storybook Illustrators
Storybooks Turns Kids' Beloved Toys into Main Characters
Anxiety Soothing Toys
Hugimals Anti-Anxiety Plushie's are Comforting
Candy-Scented Squish Toys
These New Squishi Products Were Created with Mondelēz International
Introductory STEM Toy Sets
The Zig & Go from Djeco Combines Music and Forces in an Educational Toy
Next-Gen Hatching Toys
Spin Master is Reinventing Hatchimals with a Reimagined Egg
Kid-Envisioned Urban Environments
The Little Big Playmat Takes a Creative Path to Design Problems
Kids' Interactive Sensory Toys
Storypods Debuts Interactive and Multisensory Toys
Show-Inspired Collectible Dolls
Netflix and Mattel Introduces Squid Game Collectibles
Viral Video Content Toys
Bonkers Toys Received Licensing for 'Skibidi Toilet' Toy Lineup
AI-Enhanced STEM Toys
The Kidx Classbox Fuses Montessori Methods with NFC Tech & AI
Playful Restaurant Pop-Ups
The Play-Doh Restaurant of Imagination Turns Kids' Creations Edible
AI-Powered Plushies
Curio and Grimes are Collaborating on Artificial Intelligence Toys
Mutating YouTuber Toys
Moose Toys Collaborated with MrBeast on MrBeast Lab Figures
Crowdfunded Circular Childrens Toys
Tiny Earth Toys is Launching a Kickstarter for 'Tiny Spaces'
Space-Exploring STEAM Toys
LeapFrog's Magic Adventures™ Line Arrives for Kids Five and Up
Runway-Inspired Fashion Dolls
New York Fashion Week Designs Inspire the L.U.V. Fashion Doll Styles
Family-Friendly Interactive Museums
LEGO's Superpower Studios is Devoted to Hands-On Play
Bouncy Plush Collectibles
Beanie Bouncers Support Active Play and Endless Imagination
Toy-Themed Jelly Beans
Jelly Belly and Mattel Partnered on Two Toy-Inspired Products
Festive Baking Miniatures
The Miniverse Make It Mini Food Holiday Series Makes Tiny Treats
Sex Toy-Resembling Wooden Tools
Craig Green Designs the Unique Jumbo Wooden Tools
Multisensory Toy Boxes
The Janod Boxes Stimulate Sight, Touch, Hearing and More
Creativity Time Capsules
Crayola's Campaign for Creativity Reunites Adults with Childhood Art
3D-Printed Appliance Ornaments
Aldi's Specialbuys Inspired Limited-Edition Christmas Baubles
Interactive Holiday Plush Toys
The Bearlieve Bear is the First Interactive Build-A-Bear Friend
Fishy Tabletop Card Games
Unstable Games Launches Fishy Squishy Crusty Quirky at Target
Iconic Toy Retailer Expansions
Toys"R"Us Canada Amplifies Retail Presence Ahead of Holiday Season
Adult-Targeted Plush Toys
Build-A-Bear After Dark Shares Gifts & Collectibles for "Kidults"
Self-Esteem Promoting Plushies
Bigfoot Kin Teaches Children How to Love Themselves
Modern Parenting Solutions
KeaBabies is Sustainable Solutions for Modern Parenting Challenges
Sustainability-Oriented Kids Toys
Learning Resources Unveils a New Sustainable Toy Capsule
Gen Alpha Bodycare Brands
Australian Gen Alpha Brand 'Allkinds' Made its United States Debut
Anthropomorphic Store Campaigns
IKEA's Short Social Films Promote Its Click-and-Collect Service
Big Apple Toy Blocks
These Machi Town (New York) Blocks by kiko+ Encourage Creative Play
Limited Edition Diaper Prints
The Honest Company Blends Style and Practicality
Phygital Fairy Toys
The HOLOBRITE Pixie Lantern Mixes Physical and Digital Play
Food-Based Toy Block Alternatives
LEGO Replaces its Plastic Bricks with a Eco-Friendly Options
Anthropomorphized Bath Products
Uoga Uoga Kids' Packaging Can Be Customized with Stickers
Kid-Friendly Squeezable Dips
Litehouse Kids Shares Flavors Inspired by Favorite Characters
Award-Winning Magnetic Building Sets
MAGNA-TILES® Affirms Itself as a Leader in Educational Toys
Buildable Paper Playsets
Playper's Curious Kingdom: Castle Playset Encourages Creativity
Fuzzy Musical Collectibles
Furblets are Interactive Toys That Introduce Furby to a New Generation
Squishing Jellybean-Scented Toys
Jelly Belly Squishi Toys Come in 12 Different Scents
Book-Themed Collectibles
Booksy's Tiny Books & Figures Inspire a Love of Reading in Kids
Family-Focused Learning Toys
Chick-fil-A Debuts a Family Game Brand to Inspire Family Playtime
Kid-Inspired Learning Programs
Staples Has Announced the Expansion of Staples Kids Learn + Play
Dream-Centric Toy Guides
The LEGO Group Calls Attention to Its Dream Crafting Concept
Easter-Themed Animation Merch
CandyRific Gabby's Dollhouse Products Will Arrive in the Spring
Wasteful Shopping Billboards
Not On The High Street's Billboards Highlight a "Don't Gift Guide"
Colorful Kid's Toy Lines
Battat and Walmart Introduce a Line of Preschool and Pretend Play Toys
Kid-Friendly Modular Sofas
The Figgy Play Couch is Launching in Durable, Family-Friendly Materials
Festive Memory-Making Toys
Slumberkins' Yeti to Shine Helps Kids Embrace New Holiday Traditions
Discarded Toys-Created Homes
Wallmakers Designs the Toy Storey Home with Repurposed Toys
Multifunctional Game Sets
The 'LEGO' Group is Merging Physical and Digital Play
Emotional Well-Being Dolls
Kid Kreations' Heartfuls Support Self-Belief and Resilience in Children
Glow-in-the-Dark Collectible Creatures
Smiski Hippers are Designed for Decorating Your Space
90s Toy Holiday Trees
Furbtrees are Introducing the Next Generation of Furby Across the UK
Multi-Sensory Play Experiences
Plush Toy 'MediTATE' Promotes Kids' Mindfulness
Toy-Specific Storage Systems
Step2 Debuts a Toy Storage Box for Developing Organizational Skills
Kid Entrepreneur Carts
Allboss is a Creative Approach to Entrepreneurship for Children
Cognitive Toy Subscriptions
Lovevery is a Subscription that Delivers Developmental Toys to Kids
Gamified Children's Care Products
DEEEZ Developed Interactive Games for the BabyFirst Brand
Life-Size In-Store Countdowns
Toys R Us Asia and Craig & Karl Created an Advent Calendar for All
Doll-Inspired Kids Collections
The PatPat x Barbie Collection Features About 60 Unique Styles
Living Condition Awareness Dollhouses
IKEA's UNWELCOME HOME Doll House Brings Awareness
Sustainable Seasonal Chocolate Treats
PLAYin CHOC Christmas ToyChoc Boxes are Eco-Friendly
Insect Habitat Toys
Smart Lab Toys' Insect Inspector Lab Bug Playground Encourages STEM Learning
Magnetic Building Playsets
Moose Toys' Tile Town Has Dynamic Action Tiles to Spark Imagination
Youth-Focused Architectural Toys
The Freckled Frog's 'Happy Architect' Toy is for Curious Youth
Good-Natured Mischief Toys
Slumberkins' Vlad & Frank Midnight Mischief Set Teaches Responsibility
Hand-Knit Finger Puppets
Blabla's Finger Puppet Mushrooms are Sold in a 5-Piece Set
Interactive Monster Collectibles
Zuru's Smashers Horror House Comes in Coffin-Shaped Packaging
Kid-Friendly Customizable Bags
Pop ‘n’ Swop Bags Can Be Decorated with Badges, Handles & More
Baby-Focused Learning Toys
Matchstick Monkey's Playtime Toys Help Babies Develop Fine Motor Skills
Miniature Collectible Campaigns
The World’s Smallest Lines are the Focus of Influencer Marketing
Interactive Plush Toys
Furlings are Whimsical Creatures that Feature More than 80 Responses
Magnetic Hand-Holding Socks
These Children's Socks Add a Touch of Whimsy to the Everyday Item
Planet-Friendly Organic Clothing
Toby Tiger Offers Ethical and Affordable Kids Clothing for All
Christmas Shopping Centers
Staples Canada Launches Holiday Gift Centre for Personalized Shopping
Multifunctional Building Planks
'KEVA Planks' are Diverse Building Toys for All Ages
Personalized Story Creators
TinkerTell Offers AI-Crafted Stories That Make Every Child the Hero
Adorable Inflatable Halloween Characters
Gemmy Industries Debuts a New BT21-Themed Inflatable
Makeup-Focused Toy Dolls
MGA Entertainment Introduces the DIY-Informed Yummiland Doll Collection
Sticker Fashion Dolls
Decora Girlz Merge Creative Style Expression and Sticker Play
Custom-Made Role Model Dolls
Mattel Canada's Barbie Honors Nine Influential Female Athletes
YouTuber-Inspired Developmental Toys
Spin Master Unveils a New Ms. Rachel Toy Collection
Bean-Shaped Vibrant Chalks
Areaware Presents the Colorful New Bean Chalks for Imaginative Drawing
Space-Inspired Toy Collections
Stomp Rocket® Debuts the Space Collection at Target & Toy Retailers
Children's Wearable Blankets
Super Blanky Encourages Adventure and Positivity
Holiday Puzzle Designs
JIGGY Holiday Puzzles are an Artful Activity
Skill-Building Play Kitchens
The Real Life Play Kitchen by Lovevery Safely Sharpens Motor Skills
Animated Turtle Clothing Collections
Shein's Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles is Kid-Friendly
Kid-Friendly Portable Projectors
Little Tikes' Story Dream Machine Supports Early Literacy
Low-Cost Holiday Retailer Guides
The Dollar General Holiday Toy Guide Has Options Under $20
Personalized Bedtime Stories
StoryGenius Let's Parents Insert Their Children Into Books
Playful Puppet Baby Toys
Kids Preferred Taps Sesame Street for a Snuggly Baby Accessory Capsule
Jelly Bean-Inspired Toy Collections
These Jelly Belly Toys Were Created with the Incredible Group
Authentic Asian-American Dolls
The Jilly Doll Celebrates Heritage & Builds Confidence Through Play
Customizable Pen Kits
Clementoni's Pen Creator Studio Helps Kids Create Their Own Pens
Witty Plushie Toys
Punchkins are 'Punny' Collectibles with 3D Details
Functional Gaming Toys
Nintendo's Latest Gashapon Toys Can be Added as Controller Parts
Life-Sized Toy Construction Sets
The Funphix' 'Standard' is an Educational Outdoor Playset
Whimsical Kids Furniture Collections
Oeuf Presents the New Moss Collection of Modern Looks
Christmas-Inspired Summer Campaigns
Toys for Tots Supports Children with Christmas in July
Gourmet Holiday Gift Shops
Bonnie & Pop Boasts a Diverse Range of Premium Gourmet Gift Boxes
Holiday Icon Inflatables
Gemmy Unveiled its Grinch Decor to Capture the Essence of Grinchmas
Special Birthday Promotions
Build-A-Bear Workshop is Celebrating Over 25 Million Birthdays
Parental Gift Generators
The Parent Present Gift Generator Supports Gen Z & Millennial Shoppers
AI Birthday Party Invites
Teddy Party Helps Parents Send Invites to Their Kid's Birthday
Playful Toy-Inspired Exhibits
The Eames Institute of Infinite Curiosity Debuts Toys & Play Exhibit
Private Label Holiday Products
Sprouts Brand Holiday Items Have a Better-for-You Formula
Imaginative Pared-Back Art Supplies
Woset Designs a Range of Stationary and Furniture for Kids
Expanding Plush Collectibles
Miraball Shares Two “Little but Legendary” Surprises for Under $10
Dainty Children's Holiday Capsules
Janie and Jack Unveil a New Collection with American Girl
Superhero-Themed Retail Toys
McFarlane Toys Launches Three New Target Exclusive Figures