British Toys and Games

Explore the best British toys and games brands made right here in the UK. Whether you need traditional or wooden toys for a birthday or British Christmas gifts, there are plenty of options. Many makers in Britain continue to produce fantastic items beyond electronics, including model kits, soft toys, games, and puzzles. Support these UK brands whenever possible.

Best British Toy Brands

Airfix, the oldest UK manufacturer of scale plastic model kits, has produced popular kits for the mass market since 1952. Offering a unique alternative to traditional toys, Airfix provides high-quality British-made gifts for kids. One of their most exciting ventures is the Airfix Quickbuild range, still fully made in the UK. These brick-based models need no glue or paint, making them the perfect introduction to modelling for beginners. Whether you’re looking for a gift or a new hobby, Airfix delivers a fantastic British-made option.

Skateboards Made in UK

Ridge Skateboards is a fast-growing UK-made brand from the North of England, and although not exactly a toy, it offers a fun and exciting experience for kids and adults alike. Known for their mini retro cruiser skateboards, Ridge creates high-quality British-made boards with great specs at an affordable price. These small, well-built, brightly coloured boards are perfect for customising. They skate smoothly on the streets and work great for getting around. Handcrafted from scratch in England, Ridge Skateboards are a top choice for those seeking British-made products.

Dr Zigs Bubbles

Dr Zigs, a British toy brand, brings fun to the whole family with its giant bubbles and bubble mix kits. Fully manufactured in Wales, UK, Dr Zigs offers award-winning non-toxic, cruelty-free, and vegan bubble kit toys. These bubble mixes provide hours of entertainment and make perfect gifts for kids. If you’re looking for a unique, British-made toy, Dr Zigs delivers a fantastic option.

Playpress Toys Made in UK

Explore PlayPress Toys, an eco-friendly UK brand that sparks creativity and learning with its imaginative building playsets. Designed for kids ages 4 and up, these interactive 3D construction toys provide endless hours of fun. Made from sustainable cardboard, PlayPress Toys let kids build and create their own worlds through hands-on play. For an engaging and environmentally friendly British toy, PlayPress offers a perfect solution for buildable fun

Children's Magazine Subscription

Storytime is one of the country’s biggest children’s magazines and the only story magazine in the uk. It offers a perfect alternative to toys for birthdays or a British Christmas gift idea. Each monthly issue features beautiful and engaging content, including fairy tales, awesome animals, inspiring children, myths, legends, and stunning illustrations.

With brilliant stories for all kids, Storytime makes a wonderful gift and keeps the joy of reading going all year. Each copy arrives in a special envelope, giving children the excitement of receiving their own post. Subscribe and be part of something special!

Vintage Model Kits

The Vintage Model Company, a top British toy brand, creates traditional model planes for you to build and fly. They make all their kits in Britain using laser-cut balsa wood and ship them worldwide. With over 200 unique kits, they are the UK’s largest manufacturer of balsa model aircraft. In their workshop near Buxton, they mass-produce the popular “Magnificent Flying Machines” range and offer a wide selection of model supplies. For quality, British-made model planes, The Vintage Model Company stands out as a top choice for enthusiasts.

Puppet Toys Made in UK

Picture to Puppet, a brand based in Edinburgh, UK, creates custom, personalised puppets and soft toys to order. Skilled British puppet makers craft each piece by hand, offering beautifully designed likeness puppets, hand puppets, glove puppets, and marionettes.

They specialise in transforming your child’s drawings or descriptions into unique creations. Send them a picture or idea, and within weeks, they’ll bring your vision to life—whether it’s fun, cute, or scary. Whatever you imagine, they’ll make it happen!

Dolls Houses Manufactured In UK

Founded in 1989, Dolls House Direct started by selling 1/12th scale miniatures and quickly grew into one of the largest dolls house manufacturers in the UK. They now offer over 50 different designs, available in kit form or fully assembled. Along with their dolls houses, they provide a wide range of furniture, accessories, and components like internal doors, stair spindles, coving, and lighting. Made entirely in the UK, Dolls House Direct offers a wonderful traditional British toy for kids, combining creativity and craftsmanship.

Handmade viking Toys

Viktoys handcrafts toys in the UK using natural materials like leather and wood. Ideal for festivals and re-enactments, these non-technical toys encourage hours of active play, offering a healthier alternative to video games. Respected by many in the Viking community, Viktoys creates traditional toys that inspire creativity and imagination.

Handmade in England Bears

Canterbury Bears, a well-known British toy brand, has been handcrafting premium teddy bears and animal friends in the English countryside for over 40 years. Since 1979, the family has crafted each bear with care, ensuring they last a lifetime. They also offer personalized bears, making them the perfect forever friend for children and collectors.

Educational Soft Toys - Made in UK

Crafty Ponies, a British toy brand, creates educational soft toy ponies made in the UK from plush fur fabric. Each pony includes a realistic miniature leatherette saddle and bridle, helping children learn valuable skills.

By assembling the saddle and bridle on their Crafty Pony, kids can easily transfer these skills to working with real horses. The cotton manes and tails allow children to practice plaiting, making the play both fun and educational.

collectable British-Made Toys

The Little Toy Dog Company creates high-quality, collectible textile toys designed by Alice Wood and handcrafted in her London studio. Alice uses traditional toy-making techniques to craft unique, characterful dogs from beautiful mohair fur fabrics, a material used for Teddy Bears and toys for over 100 years.

As a member of the British Toymakers Guild and the Crafts Council Directory of Makers, Alice guarantees that each Little Toy Dog is a special companion. These handmade dogs provide a charming, British-made alternative to mass-produced toys, perfect for collectors and children alike.

British Soft Play Toys

Northern Softplay, a UK toy brand, manufactures and supplies soft play and nursery equipment. They create all their products in-house, ensuring top quality. Their offerings include:

  • Soft Play: Fun, colourful structures for young children.
  • Literacy Activities: Tools to support early reading and writing skills.
  • Numeracy Activities: Resources to help with early math learning.
  • Wooden Toys: Durable and classic toys made from wood.

Northern Softplay provides imaginative and high-quality solutions for nurseries and early years settings.

The History of British Toys and Games for Kids

British toy manufacturing has a rich history marked by innovation and craftsmanship. Here’s an in-depth look at popular British toys and games from the 19th and 20th centuries, detailing their origins, iconic products, and the shift in production away from the UK.

19th Century: Early British Toy Innovations

Dolls and Dollhouses
In the 19th century, British manufacturers like C. W. Faulkner & Co. created finely crafted dolls and dollhouses. Made from wood and porcelain, these toys were popular among Victorian children. Dollhouses, in particular, featured intricate designs reflecting the era’s craftsmanship. Production of such high-quality, handcrafted items continued into the early 20th century but eventually declined as mass production techniques took over.

Wooden Toys
British Toy Brands like J. Wright & Co. produced wooden toys, including pull-along animals, puzzles, and building blocks. Made from durable wood, these toys offered lasting play value. By the mid-20th century, demand for plastic toys and changes in manufacturing technology led to a decline in wooden toy production.

Early 20th Century: The Rise of Iconic British Brands

Meccano
Frank Hornby founded Meccano in 1901, revolutionising toy construction with its metal strip and gear sets. Produced in Liverpool, Meccano became known for its educational value and engineering concepts. Production continued in the UK until the early 1970s before shifting to other countries. Today, Meccano is produced under various international licenses.

Hornby
British toy brand, Hornby, established in 1901, gained fame for its model trains. The company, originally based in London, set standards for detailed and high-quality model railways. Production stayed in the UK until the early 2000s. Due to rising costs, Hornby shifted some manufacturing overseas but still offers British-made products, especially in its heritage ranges.

Matchbox
Lesney Products introduced Matchbox cars in 1953, known for their detailed die-cast models. Produced in London, Matchbox expanded its range significantly. In the 1980s, production moved to Macau and later to China as Lesney faced economic pressures and competition. Despite this shift, Matchbox remains a well-known brand in the toy industry.

Mid to Late 20th Century: Expanding Horizons

Airfix
British Toy brand Airfix, established in 1939, became famous for its detailed plastic model kits, including aircraft, vehicles, and figures. The company initially manufactured in the UK but moved production abroad by the late 1980s due to economic reasons. Despite this, Airfix retains its reputation for quality and British heritage, with some models such as Airfix Quick Build, still made in Britain. .

Triang
Triang, a key player in the UK toy industry during the 1950s and 1960s, offered toys such as model railways, cars, and dolls. Manufactured in the UK, Triang was known for its innovation and quality. The company ceased UK production in the early 1970s and was eventually absorbed into other brands. You can still discover vintage Triang Toys for sale on Etsy UK.

Why Many British Toys Are No Longer Made in the UK

Economic Factors
Rising labour costs and stricter regulations in the UK made manufacturing increasingly expensive. Many companies moved production to countries with lower labour costs to stay competitive.

Globalisation
Globalisation increased competition and expanded markets. To meet international demand and reduce production costs, many UK toy manufacturers shifted operations abroad.

Technological Advances
New manufacturing technologies and materials changed toy production. Companies sought locations with advanced facilities and lower costs to leverage these innovations.

The history of British toys and games reflects a journey from handcrafted excellence to mass production. Iconic brands like Meccano, Hornby, and Matchbox started in the UK, offering high-quality products that set industry standards. As economic and global factors changed, production moved overseas. Despite this shift, the legacy of these British toy manufacturers continues to influence the industry, highlighting the enduring impact of their innovative designs and craftsmanship.

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