Best toy building blocks made in the USA
Looking for building blocks made in the USA? Well, look no further! We have compiled a list of all the best American made blocks out there! In true Made By Liberty fashion, we don’t just look at where the blocks are manufactured, but also at what materials are used and where they come from. So you can have a complete picture of what you’re buying.
Table of contents
- Why building blocks?
- Why American made?
- Wooden blocks made in USA
- Plastic blocks made in the USA
- Giant building blocks made in the USA
- Conclusion
Why toy building blocks?
If you’re reading this, you probably already know building blocks are fun toys. But you might not quite realize just how versatile and beneficial they can be.
Blocks are great at inspiring creativity in a child. They offer limitless building possibilities and can easily be combined with other toys. Use wooden blocks to build castles and or ships for action figures, giant blocks to build a fort or cozy corner or simple, brightly colored sets to train your toddlers motor skills and cognitive development.
You could even let your child decorate their blocks by painting or drawing details on them; further inspiring their creative side and allowing them to create a set that’s all their own.
Why American made?
There are many reasons to buy American made products, even if you’re not an American citizen. If you choose to buy blocks made in the USA, you can be sure they were made with safe materials and under good working conditions.
But more than that, buying American made is an investment in the economy and country your child is likely to grow up in. It creates jobs, which in turn will create wealth and taxes that will be invested in schools, roads and safer communities.
So buying building blocks made in the USA will be good for child’s health, creativity and future prospects! And we’re here to help you find them!
Wooden blocks made in USA
I actually already wrote blogposts completely dedicated to wooden building blocks made in the USA and American made Alphabet blocks, so you can check those out for a complete list. Here I’ll just pick the best ones from each category based on variety and materials used.
Beka: best classic building blocks
If you’re looking for classic wooden building blocks, don’t look further than Beka. They offer a wide range of smaller and larger sets. All blocks are 100% handmade in the USA! More specifically in St. Paul, Minnesota using regionally harvested maple hardwood.
The blocks are sanded smooth and don’t contain any harmful finishes. They’re also slightly larger than most other blocks you find today, making them more stable and great for building larger structures.
Wood origin: hard maple from Minnesota and Wisconsin, USA
Finishing: No coatings, water based stain, colored latex
Manufacturing: St. Paul, Minnesota, USA
Keva Planks
Keva takes a slightly different approach to building blocks, they’ve decided that planks is pretty much all you need. While they might not be quite as intuitive as standard blocks, it’s pretty astounding what you can build with them!
So they’re generally better suited to slightly older children. But don’t worry, Keva has plenty of guidebooks and Youtube videos to get you started!
The planks are made in Maine, USA from regionally harvested maple hardwood. Even the wooden boxes they come in are made in the USA! They do offer an imported pine option for larger orders, so do look out for that.
Plank dimensions: 5/16″ x 7/8″ x 4 5/8″
Wood origin: hard maple from Maine, USA or imported pine
Finishing: No finish
Manufacturing: Maine, USA
Uncle Goose: best decorated blocks
When it comes to decorated blocks, it’s hard to beat Uncle Goose. No other American manufacturer offers such variety of elegant designs. From letter blocks in over 20 languages to educational blocks and fun little cubelings.
All Uncle Goose blocks are 100% made in the USA. Using Basswood grown in the Great Lakes area and ink from an American manufacturer, which which is third-party tested for safety, they cut and print their blocks in Michigan, USA.
Wood origin: basswood from the American Great Lakes area
Finishing: safe-to-touch inks
Manufacturing: Michigan, USA
Plastic blocks made in the USA
While there are still plenty of options when it comes to wooden blocks, the options for plastic blocks is unfortunately more limited. But that doesn’t mean you can’t find something that suits your needs!
Green Toys
Green Toys makes a wide range of plastic toys, but one of these is a building block set. While it’s their only one, it will certainly cover the needs of smaller kids, making it a great option as their first building blocks.
Just like all Green Toys products, the blocks are made in the USA from recycled milk jugs. The colorants are integrated into the plastic, making them child and dishwasher safe!
Material: plastic made in the USA from recycled milk jugs
Finishes: safe colorants integrated into the plastic
Manufacturing: California, USA
Snapo
Snapo is a small brand that makes very unique plastic blocks. They feature grooves on the side of each block, which allows you to attach them side to side as well as top to bottom, opening up a lot more building opportunities.
Because Snapo is a smaller brand, it can be a little difficult to find their blocks though. Even on their own website, certain sets are often sold out.
Material: BPA free plastic
Finishes: safe colorants integrated into the plastic
Manufacturing: USA
Giant building blocks made in the USA
Time to build a fort! Or house, or shop, or kitchen, or even an elephant… Pretty much anything you want really. That’s exactly what these giant building blocks offer kids, to create a play corner to their own desire.
Giant cardboard blocks
First off we have cardboard blocks. While not as sturdy or easy to build with as plastic, they’re generally cheaper, more lightweight, and your child can personalize them by drawing or painting on them!
Imagibricks
Imagibricks are great for introducing your child to building larger structures. The blocks come in several colors and patterns and are lightweight enough so nobody gets hurt when one falls.
Blocks size: 12″ x 6″ x 3″
Material: lightweight corrugated cardboard
Finishes: non-toxic inks and water-resistant coating
Manufacturing: USA
Banker’s Box
You might know Bankers Box from their moving and storage boxes, but they also offer some cardboard toys, including cardboard building blocks that are made in the USA!
Blocks size: 12″ x 6″ x 3″ or 6″ x 6″ x 3″
Material: 32-ECT corrugated cardboard
Finishes: non-toxic inks
Manufacturing: USA
Giant plastic blocks
Stackable, sturdy and brightly colored. Giant plastic building blocks are the dream of any little builder!
Biggoblocks
Biggoblocks are the primary choice for basic giant toy blocks made in the USA! They’re very affordable, come in 2 sizes and 4 colors and feature accessories that can turn them into a train.
Blocks size: 7.75″ x 3.75″ x 3.25″ or 3.75″ x 3.75″ x 3.25″
Material: polypropylene plastic
Manufacturing: Omaha, Nebraska, USA
EverBlock
A more expensive alternative to Biggoblocks is EverBlock. They set themselves apart by offering larger blocks and a wider range of block sizes and colors. They also sell block covers, so you can smooth out the top of the blocks for a more pleasant sitting or a nicer look.
Aside from being offered as toys, their blocks are often used in offices for walls, decorations or even furniture.
Blocks size: 12″ x 6″ x 6″ (biggest)
Material: polypropylene plastic
Manufacturing: Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
Found what you were looking for?
As you can see, there are still plenty of block sets made in the USA! Especially when it comes to wooden blocks, there is no shortage of options, even though I was only able to mention a couple here. I hope you found something you liked. If there are there any brands I missed or you would like to see added to the list, let me know!
Leave a Reply