In 1883, Italian author Carlo Collodi published his children’s novel, The Adventures of Pinocchio. The story’s origin dates back a few years earlier, when it was published as a series of short stories under the title “The Story of a Puppet” from 1881 to 1882. There have since been many adaptations, such as the 1936 Russian novel “The Golden Key” or “The Adventures of Buratino” by Aleksey Nikolayevich Tolstoy. However, the story gained worldwide recognition from the Disney cartoon adaptation, Pinocchio, in 1940.
As with many folktales, there are moral underpinnings that highlight the merits of virtue. Some lessons to be taken from The Adventures of Pinocchio include the importance of being truthful, listening to your parents, and making prudent decisions. This story also features the well-known, lovable woodcarver who goes by the name of Geppetto. This character has become synonymous with toy shops and toy makers, and many of them wear it as a badge of honor. Oregon has many talented, Geppetto-level toy makers in the state, and they are very much worth checking out.
Papa Don’s Toys is an Oregon toy maker based in the small town of Walton. Ever since 1973, they have been handcrafting toys for babies, toddlers, and preschoolers. Now run by the family’s second generation, they are still committed to crafting fun, safe, and educational toys for little ones. All of their toys are made with non-toxic ingredients, too. They ensure this by having their paint independently tested for lead, heavy metals, and phthalates, which exceed federal safety guidelines.
Most of their toys are made with Oregon Alder wood and carved by a bandsaw, which is then smoothed out by hand. Papa Don’s Toys began as a way to provide an alternative to plastic toys for children, and to this day, they carry out this mission. Some of their beautiful toys include pull toys, train sets, and ring stackers. They also offer free shipping for orders over $75.
Kinder Toys USA is another excellent Oregon-based toy maker. Located in Portland, they craft amazing wooden toys for children that are sure to be some of their favorites. Their mission is to create toys that inspire imagination while engaging in fun play. This husband-and-wife duo has been married for over 40 years and combines their talents to create some truly remarkable things. Since their items are all handmade, each of them is unique, even if only slightly. Their products are mainly sold at various markets in Portland and throughout the Pacific Northwest. It is worth reaching out to them to see if they are currently offering shipping as an option.
Some of their toys include wooden swords, dolls, and mini boxes with knobs. Their mini boxes appear as tiny, whimsical dressers and cabinets that seem to belong down the rabbit hole with Alice in Wonderland. They are adorable and worth getting.
There are many other incredible, Oregon-based artisans. Another one worth mentioning is Bunny Stitch, which sells handmade crochet plushies. These cute, colorful plushies would make for a great addition to any kid’s toy chest. While they do not have a website, their Instagram handle is _bunnystitch. They sell all their items at various markets, so checking their social media pages will let you know which ones they will be attending next.
Friends of Bree is another artisan based in Oregon that sells spooky, handcrafted dolls. Last year, I was on a work trip in New Orleans and saw many voodoo dolls. The dolls that Friends of Bree creates remind me a lot of those. Belicrochet is an Oregon maker that specializes in handmade baby clothing and amigurumi toys. Their incredible quality and attention to detail are immediately noticeable. We are fortunate to live in a state with so many talented craftsmen.
My wife and I still purchase other types of toys from major brands because we don’t want to feel limited by every purchase. There are plenty of fine, educational, and fun toys available that are not individually crafted by a craftsman. That being said, we try to prioritize handcrafted wooden toys for our children. There are several reasons for this, one of which is that they are long-lasting. Wooden toys can be passed down from generation to generation, whereas mass-produced plastic toys are often based on fads and lack the same durability.
Other reasons include that they help with sensory development and encourage imaginative play. Their simplicity also helps support the social and emotional needs of children, as they offer lower stimulation than other types of toys. The upfront cost is more, but the benefits of wooden toys are worth the price tag. Plus, if you buy handmade toys from a local artisan, you are not only supporting the local economy, you are also helping your local Geppetto.
Alex is a devoted husband and father born and raised in Portland, Oregon. He is a professional artist, author, and advisor for both Yale and Harvard University’s arts departments. His books, ‘Selling Leonardo: The Art World’s Greatest Scandal’ and ‘Holy Ghost: Decoding Leonardo da Vinci’s Final Painting’ are available wherever books are sold.