The Bay Area isn’t just home to innovation in tech, it’s also one of the nation’s leaders in independent toys. From Kickstarter darlings to organic baby toys, cooperative games to old-school puppets, the Bay Area is producing some of the highest quality educational toys around. Many of them are prototyped and tested with local kids and are grounded firmly in the social and environmental values that the Bay Area is known for. So when it’s time to check off that holiday shopping list, check out some of these hometown favorites! Click through to see them all.

Baby Toys You Won’t Mind Them Chewing On: Apple Park

Not only are Apple Park’s baby toys organic and safe for even the smallest babies to chew on, the characters and storylines are set here in the city by the Bay. Founded in San Francisco and beloved by celebs including Hillary Duff and Jessica Alba, Apple Park makes classic stuffed toys from all organic cotton, as well as toxin-free (and cute!) backpacks, hooded towels, blankets and pjs.

Our pick? If baby is ready for stacking, try some of Apple Park’s adorable woodland animal-themed soft blocks.

Want more toy recommendations? Bookmark Berkeley-based expert Stevanne Auerbach, or “Dr. Toy” for ratings and recs on this year’s best toys nationwide.

Do you have a favorite Bay Area brand that we missed? Tell us about it in the comments below! 

–Margaret Swink

All images courtesy of the companies

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