Some to Grow On
A few of our favorite makers of locally crafted toys around New England … Jim Jefferson (Knockabout Toys) Searsmont, ME. 207-975-1452; knockabouttoys.com. Specializing in wooden trucks and tractors; custom designs, too. Tom Seal (Bearded Seal Woodcrafts) Cranston, RI. 401-648-6945; beardedsealwoodcrafts.com. Signature toy is the “Thoroughbred Rocking Horse.” Brad Kelley (Wallingford Toy Works) Wallingford, VT. woodenpuzzle.com. […]
Jim Jefferson (Knockabout Toys)Searsmont, ME. 207-975-1452; knockabouttoys.com. Specializing in wooden trucks and tractors; custom designs, too.
Tom Seal (Bearded Seal Woodcrafts) Cranston, RI. 401-648-6945; beardedsealwoodcrafts.com. Signature toy is the “Thoroughbred Rocking Horse.”
Brad Kelley (Wallingford Toy Works)Wallingford, VT. woodenpuzzle.com. Wooden games and puzzles for kids and adults alike.
Jean & John Barberi (Vermont Block-n-Toy)Williamstown, VT. vermontblockntoy.com. Pure and simple: wooden block sets for toddlers.
Robert Bouvier (Wood U Believe)South Burlington, VT. 802-863-5644;woodubelieve.com. Yo-yos, games, and wagons big and small.
Frank Ridley (Different Drummer Workshop)Solon, ME. 207-643-2572; mainetoys.com. Native white Maine pine trucks, airplanes, helicopters, sailboats, and the signature “Choo-Choo Train,” plus blocks and doll furniture. Selected pieces also carried by Sarah Baldwin (Bella Luna Toys)South Thomaston, ME. 888-438-1299, 207-975-6260; bellalunatoys.com. Eco-friendly, natural, and organic playthings, puzzles, and dollhouses endorsed by this former Waldorf teacher.
Michael & Jill Rainville (Maple Landmark Woodcraft)Middlebury, VT. 800-421-4223; maplelandmark.com. ABC blocks, building blocks, cars and trucks, rattles, puzzles, rocking horses, wooden board games, pull toys, whistles, yo-yos, and more, made by a staff of 30 crafters.
