From Barbie to Hot Wheels and LEGO, discover the five large toy companies that have shaped the playtime of generations.
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A Brief Look at the History of Toys
Toys have existed since the beginning of time as educational and creative tools for children, with roots stretching back thousands of years. The oldest toy found is a spinning top in King Tut’s tomb from around 3,000 years ago.
The wooden Yo-Yo, first mentioned in Ancient Greece in 500 BCE, the kite, with its origins in China, and clay animal figures on wheels in India from about 2,500 BCE, are examples of toys from antiquity.
But with the rise of the toy industry in the 20th century, these playthings evolved dramatically, becoming more sophisticated and technologically advanced.
Toy businesses are constantly innovating and bringing to life products to engage and delight children and adults, showing no signs of slowing down in the years to come.
In this article, we will look at the major players in the toy business and their most cherished products of all time.
Top 5 Toy Companies (+1) and Their Most Popular Toys
Whether it is a board game, a doll, or an action figure, it comes with no surprise that the following toy companies are the most successful since they have created the most classical and beloved toys. We have enjoyed at least one toy made by them.
Here we go.
——–Mattel——–
Mattel spans generations. With a wide range of products, it provides children with endless possibilities and experiences to explore their creativity and imagination. Established in 1945, this company is the largest toymaker in the world.
Famous products:
Barbie, Fisher-Price, and Hot Wheels.
These are other toys in the Mattel brand portfolio:
Disney Princess, Frozen, High School Musical, Mulan, Pocahontas, American Girl, Hannah Montana, and Monster High.
Rugrats, SpongeBob SquarePants, Bugs Bunny, Despicable Me, Minions: the Rise of Gru, He-Man and the Masters of the Universe, Kung Fu Panda, The Lion King, Tarzan, Monsters Inc, Toy Story, The Simpsons, and Avatar action figures.
Justice League, Superman, Wonder Woman, Batman, DC Universe Classics, DC Super Hero Girls, Ghostbusters, Halo, Jurassic Park – World, Naruto, Cars, Dragon Ball Z, and Fast & Furious.
UNO, and Matchbox.
——–Lego——–
Lego is known for its classic interlocking-brick building sets, which it started producing in 1949. Lego’s products are designed to encourage creative play, problem-solving skills, and inspiration in children.
The company has likewise produced licenced products based on films and television shows, such as Star Wars and Harry Potter. Let’s not forget Legoland, amusement parks located in Denmark, Germany, Italy, Belgium, the UK, the US, China, South Korea, Japan, the United Arab Emirates, and Malaysia.
Biggest Lego sets ever
Art World Map, Eiffel Tower, Titanic, Colosseum, Star Wars Millennium Falcon, Star Wars AT-AT, Harry Potter Hogwarts Castle, Real Madrid Santiago Bernabéu Stadium, Ninjago City Gardens, and Creator Expert Taj Mahal.
Lego also offers several themes such as Architecture, Batman, DC, Disney, Pixar’s Lightyear, Frozen, Jurassic World, Avatar, Super Mario, Minecraft, Marvel, Minions, Spider-Man, Stranger Things, amongst others.
——–Hasbro——–
Hasbro, abbreviation of Hassenfeld Brothers, is an American corporation that has been creating iconic entertainment experiences for over 90 years – action figures, games, dolls, play sets, and more. They pride themselves on inspiring the joy of play for kids of all ages.
Famous products
Monopoly, Mr Potato Head, Play-Doh, Flubber, Twister, My Little Pony, Transformers, G.I. Joe, Nerf, Baby Alive, M.A.S.K., Peppa Pig, Easy Bake, Micronauts, and Furby.
Toys and models of Star Wars, Marvel, Power Rangers, Playskool, and Tonka are other fruits of this important and profitable company.
Hasbro has other toy categories such as action battling, dolls and plush, pets, action figures and collectibles, electronic toys and games, sports and outdoor play, arts and crafts, vehicles, creative and pretend play, in addition to parts and refills.
——–MGA——–
MGA Entertainment Inc., Micro-Games America Entertainment, is a manufacturer of children’s toys and entertainment products founded in 1979. It is the fourth largest toy firm in the field, and the second biggest private firm after Lego.
Isaac Larian, founder and CEO of MGA, said ‘kidulting’ – adults driving demand for certain toys – is what is growing the toy business today.
Famous products
Bratz
L.O.L. Surprise!
Rainbow High
Shadow High
Lalaloopsy
——–Jakks Pacific——–
Launched in 1995, Jakks Pacific is a leading designer and manufacturer of action figures, dolls, play sets, vehicles, plush, and more. This American company is dedicated to providing innovative products that inspire creativity in children and adults.
Famous products
Disney Princess Style Collection, Disney Encanto, Disney frozen, Apex Legends, Sonic the Hedgehog, Air Titans, K.O. Corral, Super Mario and Gremlins action figures
At the same time, JAKKS sells Black+Decker play sets such as electric power drills, junior carpenter tool sets, My First Tool Box, Tool Belt sets, chainsaws, jackhammer power tools, mega tool sets, construction dress-ups, carpenter dress up, and a tool trunk with 100 pieces.
——–Giochi Preziosi——–
Giochi Preziosi is an Italian company headquartered in Milan, Italy. Formed in 1978, GP has become one of the leading European toy manufacturers in recent years, with a presence in over 60 countries worldwide. The firm produces a variety of products, including traditional toys and games, as well as new and ingenious products such as robotic pets, construction sets, and more.
Famous products
Cicciobello, Magic Mixies, Topo Gigio, Little Live Pets, Dino Ranch, DinoFroz, Laser X, Pinocchio, Cocomelon, and Spybots.
Toy companies keep investing in new technologies, product lines, and marketing strategies to make sure they stay at the top of their game. This shows how important creativity and innovation are.
The big three, Mattel, Hasbro and Lego, dominate the market, with Mattel and Hasbro at the helm. Although it is impossible to predict who will remain at the forefront in the future, there’s no doubt they will continue to bring toys for generations to come.
