Little Tikes

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In 1970, American toy manufacturer Little Tikes was founded by Tom Murdough in Hudson, Ohio. A year later, it shipped its first catalog to retailers across the country. The brand started to get a name for its ride-on toys when it launched the Ollie in 1973, which paved the way for the iconic Cozy Coupe to be introduced in 1979. Little Tikes also revolutionized sandboxes with its plastic versions in the '70s and began to create toy kitchen appliances that promoted imaginative play. Rubbermaid acquired the Little Tikes brand in 1984 and began to prep the company for intensive growth. During this new era, it also became the first toy brand to introduce a 1-800 number for consumers to call with questions--ushering in a period of unparalleled customer service.

Expanding beyond toys for the first time, Little Tikes ventured into home products for babies and toddlers in the mid-'80s. It continued to branch out in the '90s by creating playground equipment. The brand was purchased by MGA Entertainment in 2006, and the new parent helped it celebrate several major milestones. Little Tikes continues to make many of its classic products that have been around for decades, as well as innovating new toys for the next generation.

Babies & Kids Merchandise

Products

Large plastic toys make up the core of the Little Tikes catalog, and you can find an array of products for outdoor and indoor use. Ride-on toys are available with different methods of propulsion, including foot-to-floor, parent-push, tricycles, wagons, and more. The Cozy Coupe, which was introduced more than 35 years ago, continues to be one of the brand's top-sellers, and it is joined by many other toy cars and trucks in various different styles. Playhouses are another major brand category, and they range from small and basic to large and very complex units. Other outdoor toys include climbers, swingsets, slides, sandboxes, inflatable bouncers, picnic tables, and more. Plastic sports toys allow kids to learn about baseball, basketball, hockey, soccer, bowling, and several other classic games.

Baby toys like rockers, bouncers, walkers, and activity centers appeal particularly to the youngest Little Tikes fans. The brand also makes classic toys like blocks, kitchen equipment, play food, toy appliances, workshops, shopping carts, and more for toddlers to play make believe. Furniture is another popular category, and you can outfit kids' rooms with Little Tikes beds, desks, tables, chairs, toy boxes, and more.

Swap.com's Rating of Little Tikes

Though it was founded at a time when wood and metal were still some of the most common toy construction materials, Little Tikes has long put a focus on plastic. Many of its most enduring toys were truly unique when they were introduced, and the brand has never really faced a major competitor in its niche. Toys encourage active full-body play, make believe, and exercise, which is one reason why they are so much fun to use. Though the brand hasn't changed all that much since its introduction more than 40 years ago, it continues to be a hit among new generations. We give Little Tikes 5 stars out of 5.