Supporting Black-owned businesses is always a good idea when it comes to putting our money where our mouths are. Buying products we love from Black business owners isn't limited to grown-up things like jewelry, clothes, or skin care. There are Black toymakers and toy company founders working to make the kid space a much more inclusive and representative place.
Big companies like Lego have come a long way with inclusivity, but there's nothing like supporting a small business. They make toys that are just fun as well as toys that stimulate learning (but are still fun!) for toddlers to tweens. To make it easier than ever to shop from these brands, we compiled a list of their coolest toys.
Nature Counting Board
$30
from
Austin Nature Works
A counting board is the ideal mix of fun and learning when it comes to children's toys. This one is special as it's made by hand by Austin Nature Works shop founder Carleen Kirksey, a female Black business owner who is insanely talented with crafting wood. This set is similar to the Montessori learning method and is sustainable, too.
Jewelry Making Kit
$11
from
Teni & Tayo
Feyi Fay's jewelry making kit from Teni & Tayo is a hot commodity and one to keep an eye out for when it comes back in stock. It has the same bells and whistles as a mass manufactured beaded bracelet-making kit, but with a personal small-business touch instead. This one comes with "250+ assorted beads" as well as shells and bands.
Build Your Own Solar-Powered Car
$25
from
Teni & Tayo
Jewelry isn't Teni & Tayo's only forte. The Black-owned toy brand also makes DIY car kits — STEM 3D puzzles — for kids who love to put things together. This one is the Build Your Own Solar-Powered Car and yes it really is solar powered. The shop was founded by Omobola, who wanted to "share a piece of Africa with you no matter how small."
Organic Soy & Beeswax Crayons
$15
from
Yinibini Baby
Crayons are a childhood staple, but for parents wanting to change things up (as good as Crayola is) Yinibini Baby toy and clothing retailer has a line of colorful crayons of its own. This set comes with three different packs, an eight-pack, 12-pack, and eight-block set with all the classic colors kids need to create their art. They're hand-poured and kid-safe.
Lily Frilly Cupcake Slime
$8
from
Lily Frilly
Kids just love slime. The trend kicked off a few years ago, and it's still going strong. Instead of buying generic slime from major retailers, buy from a small, Black-owned slime business like Lily Frilly. This slime kit is cupcake-themed and comes with two colors to mix in and some surprise cupcake charms. CEO Lily Adeleye is a kid herself but started her business with the help of her mom.
Astronomy STEAM Kit
It's hard not to find the stars and universe super fascinating. That's what makes toys that involve astronomy super popular. The Brown Toy Box Dre Astronomy STEAM Kit is a good toy for kids interested in the universe. The set comes with activity books, a pre-constructed telescope, and puzzles for an all-around great STEM toy.
'Bedtime Inspirational Stories' by L.A. Amber
There may be differing opinions on whether books are considered toys, but they are to us. Books help kids learn to interact with the world, so it fits the bill for us. This book by a Black author highlights 50 amazing Black people who changed the world, which sounds like an amazing way for kids to learn about incredible people, whether they're of the same race or not.
Black Girl MATHgic Box
$40
from
Black Girl MATHgic
There's a subscription box for everything these days, and we love them. They're exciting to get in the mail, for both kids and parents, and come with new activities and toys each time. The Black Girl MATHgic box comes with a math activity book, a mix of books or stickers, an affirmation and a profile of a Black woman mathematician.
Round ABC Play Mat
$40
from
Darlyng & Co.
For younger kids, toys can be something as simple as a fun play mat. If parents are in the market for one of those for their baby or toddler, this one is fabulous. It's a great way to get the baby's brain juices flowing and comes from a Black-owned business, Darlyng & Co. According to its website, "The mission of Darlyng & Co. is to give parents one less thing to worry about when it comes to caring for their baby."
Double Dutch Doll
$34.5
from
Double Dutch Dolls
Double Dutch Dolls has carved a niche for itself in the doll space in a way that big retailers never took advantage of and should have. These dolls look like so many little girls with Black or Brown skin, like this African American fashion doll called Sascha McKnight. Like mainstream dolls, Double Dutch girls each have their own story.
Herstory Doll
Like Double Dutch Dolls, Herstory Dolls have also also taken the doll space by storm. They have darker skin tones and realistic hair textures. Each Herstory Doll comes with a Herstory notebook, writing implements, and crafting and design ideas. The items that come in the box — and those posted on the Herstory website — aim to spark creativity through activities and projects that children can download.
Geography Puzzle
$13
from
Very Puzzled
Kids and adults love puzzles. Kids gain both fun and subtle learning from puzzles. Very Puzzles creates puzzles from places in Africa and the Caribbean. This 100-piece puzzle shows a map of the Caribbean with a variety of landmarks, monuments and attractions. The images and people depicted can be a jumping-off point for discussing the region's history.
Unicorn Toy
$35
from
The Black Unicorn Shop
Kids love unicorns and they loved stuffed animals, so it's natural that they'll love this brown unicorn plush toy. Instead of silky hair like most unicorns are shown to have, this Black unicorn, as it's called, has textured hair. The brand also has other versions of the unicorn that are just as cute.
Natural Hair Girls Doll
$80
from
Natural Girls United
Speaking of hair texture, doll hair does not look more stunning than it does on this one from Natural Girls United. It's less of a baby doll and more like a Barbie doll, but is created by Black-business owner Karen Byrd. She says she created the brand to "help to bring a positive view of what ethnic beauty is" to kids.
Just Play Ada Scientist On-The-Go Lab Set
Just Play Ada toys know its stuff, especially when it comes to STEM games. Walmart carries the brand, including this toy called the Scientist On-The-Go Lab Set. According to its description, the set will "have children asking all the who’s, what’s, where’s, when’s, how’s, and why’s of the scientific method and includes an on-the-go lab case, goggles, a beaker, a flask, three test tubes, a removable ruler, a working scale, an eye dropper, a funnel, a double-sided measuring spoon, six experiment cards, and three sticker sheets."
*Psst: if you choose to purchase an item from this post, CafeMom.com may receive a small cut. Each item and price is up to date at the time of publication; however, an item may be sold out or the price may be different at a later date.
