Best Scandinavian toy brands

by Joost Nusselder Updated on: October 6, 2023

Typical Scandinavian toys are known for their simplicity, durability and the use of natural materials. It often reflects the cultural heritage and natural environment of the region. Here are some characteristics of Scandinavian toys and how they differ from the rest of Europe:

1. Dala Horses: Dala horses are traditional wooden toys that originally come from Sweden. They are carved and painted in vibrant colors and are often decorated with floral motifs or geometric patterns. Dala horses are iconic symbols of Swedish folk art and are often purchased as souvenirs.
2. Wooden toy: Scandinavian toy design often emphasizes wooden toys. These toys are usually made from natural materials such as birch or beech wood and are designed to be simple, durable and safe for children.
3. Viking Toys: Viking toys are inspired by the region's Viking heritage and often include wooden ships, swords, dolls and animal figures. Designed to be both fun and educational, these toys help children learn about history and culture.
4. Soft Cuddly Toys: Soft cuddly toys are also popular in Scandinavian toy design. They are often made from natural materials such as wool or cotton and are designed to be soft and cuddly.

What distinguishes Scandinavian toys from the rest of Europe is the emphasis on simplicity, sustainability and the use of natural materials. Scandinavian toys are often designed to be both fun and educational, and they reflect the cultural heritage and natural environment of the region.

Below are the best Scandinavian toy brands from different countries.

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Best toy brands from Denmark

Danish Toys is known for its unique approach to toy design. It is often simple and functional, with an emphasis on minimalist and purposeful design. This approach makes the toy attractive to both children and adults, and it exudes a timeless aesthetic.

Sustainability is a central aspect of Danish toys. Manufacturers place great emphasis on high-quality materials and construction, ensuring the toys will last for generations. This commitment to sustainability is not only good for the environment, but also cost-efficient for parents.

LEGO

Lego, as a leading Danish toy brand, has achieved worldwide recognition and is known for its iconic building blocks. The company was founded in 1932 and has since captured the imagination of generations of children and adults with its versatile and creative toys.

Lego's signature plastic building blocks offer endless possibilities for building structures, vehicles, and even imaginative worlds. They promote not only fine motor and problem-solving skills, but also the freedom to create and tell stories.

What makes Lego extra special is the emphasis on modularity. The different Lego sets can be combined and customized, giving children the freedom to create their own unique designs. This stimulates their creativity and imagination.

Furthermore, Lego has a strong focus on sustainability and environmental awareness. They are committed to reducing their environmental impact and using sustainable materials in their products.

With its Danish roots and global influence, Lego is an excellent example of distinctive Danish toy design that promotes both fun and learning, while also embracing sustainability and timelessness.

Double

As a well-known Danish toy brand, Duplo has made its mark as a favorite among young children around the world. Founded in 1969 by the Danish company LEGO, Duplo is a toy line designed with little ones in mind.

What makes Duplo unique is the use of larger, easy-to-handle building blocks that are perfectly tailored to the small hands of toddlers and preschoolers. Designed for safe play, these bricks encourage young children's fine motor skills and creative expression.

Duplo inspires children to build, stack and create stories. It not only promotes their cognitive development, but also their social skills as they play together with friends or family.

Additionally, Duplo has managed to integrate beloved characters and themes from popular children's movies and TV shows into their playsets, allowing kids to recreate their favorite stories and create new adventures.

With its simple, yet captivating design, Duplo has established itself as an iconic Danish toy brand that has helped generations of children enjoy learning and playing in a fun and stimulating way.

Best toy brands from Sweden

Swedish toys, represented by brands such as Brio and Ikea, reflect the Scandinavian style through its emphasis on simplicity, functionality and minimalism. Wooden toys, such as blocks and train sets, are popular and fit well with the Scandinavian tradition of woodworking.

The Swedish toy design is timeless and durable, while educational aspects are emphasized to stimulate children's development and creativity.

Brio

Founded in 1884 in southern Sweden, Brio is famous for its simple, high-quality wooden toys that stimulate children's creativity and imagination. Since 2015, Brio has been part of Ravensburger, a leading European manufacturer of puzzles and games.

The toys are suitable for all ages and are made from traceable FSC-certified wood. Brio offers a variety of train sets, wagons and accessories, and their wooden train tracks are compatible with other major brands.

The brand emphasizes quality, safety and sustainability, and uses European beech wood, focusing on innovative designs and attention to detail.

How do Scandinavian toy brands distinguish themselves from the rest of Europe?

What distinguishes Scandinavian toys from other European toy traditions is the in-depth attention to simplicity, sustainability and the use of unprocessed, natural materials. These characteristics are at the core of the Scandinavian design philosophy and have a profound effect on the region's toy creations. Scandinavian toys are not just for entertainment; it is an extension of culture and embraces the values ​​and aesthetics of the northern landscape and heritage.

Simplicity is a key word in Scandinavian toy design. The designers strive for minimalism and avoid overly complicated details. This leads to toys that are intuitively understandable to children and provide space for their imagination to flourish. The pursuit of simplicity goes hand in hand with sustainability. The use of sturdy materials and solid construction ensures that Scandinavian toys can be passed down through generations, making them an investment rather than a disposable product.

The use of natural materials is another distinguishing factor of Scandinavian compared to many others European toys. Wood, often sourced from sustainably managed forests, has a special place at the heart of this toy design. It adds an earthy, organic quality to the toys and connects children to the natural world around them. Soft fabrics, such as wool and cotton, are also often used to make soft toys that are both safe and comfortable to play and cuddle with.

Joost Nusselder, the founder of Speelkeuze.nl is a content marketer, father and loves trying out new toys. As a child he came into contact with everything related to games when his mother started the Tinnen Soldaat in Ede. Now he and his team create helpful blog articles to help loyal readers with fun play ideas.