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| Formerly | The Playskool Institute (1928–1938) |
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| Company type | Division (1928–68) Subsidiary (1968–84) Brand (1984–present) |
| Founded | July 26, 1928; 97 years ago (1928-07-26) |
| Founder | Lucille King |
| Defunct | 1984; 42 years ago (1984) (as a company) |
| Fate | Acquired by Milton Bradley in 1968, last factory closed in 1984,[1] becoming a brand of Hasbro.[2] |
| Headquarters | , United States |
Key people | Manuel Fink |
| Products | Educational toys Games |
| Brands | (see below) |
| $23 million (1965[1]) | |
| Owner |
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Number of employees | 700 (1984[2]) |
| Parent |
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| Subsidiaries |
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Playskool is an Americanbrand ofeducational toys andgames for preschoolers. The former Playskoolmanufacturing company was asubsidiary of theMilton Bradley Company and was headquartered inChicago, Illinois. Playskool's last remaining plant in the aforementioned city was shut down in 1984, andPlayskool became a brand ofHasbro, which had acquired Milton Bradley that same year.[2] Amidst a major corporate restructuring at Hasbro, to focus on licensing, digital games and core toy brands in 2023, Hasbro has entered into licensing agreements with other toy companies, such asPlayMonster and Just Play Products, to outsource the brand's toy production.[3][4]
The "Playskool Institute" was established by Lucille King in 1928 as a division of the John Schroeder Lumber Company inMilwaukee,Wisconsin.[5] King, an employee at the company, developed wooden toys to use as teaching aids for children in the classroom. In 1935, the Playskool Institute became a division of Thorncraft, Inc., and established offices in Chicago, Illinois. In 1938, Playskool was purchased by the Joseph Lumber Company, where Manuel Fink was placed in charge of operations. In 1940, Fink, along with Robert Meythaler, bought Playskool and established the "Playskool Manufacturing Company".[6]
In 1943, Playskool bought the J.L. Wright Company, the manufacturer ofLincoln Logs. In 1958, Playskool merged with Holgate Toys, Inc., a wood product manufacturer based inKane, Pennsylvania. In 1962, they purchased the Halsam Company, a producer of wooden blocks, checkers, dominoes, and construction sets. In 1968, Playskool became a subsidiary ofMilton Bradley; both companies were acquired byHasbro, Inc. in 1984.[6][7]
After the acquisition, Playskool began operating out ofPawtucket, Rhode Island as a division of Hasbro.[8] In 1985,[9] Playskool released a line of infant products under theTommee Tippee brand name, including bibs and bottles. Many Hasbro products targeted at preschoolers were rebranded with the Playskool name, includingPlay-Doh, andTonka. Playskool also began licensing toys from other designers, creating licensing agreements to manufactureTeddy Ruxpin,Barney,Arthur,Teletubbies, andNickelodeon branded products.[8] Hasbro also began licensing the Playskool brand name to other vendors, manufacturing a number of products under the Playskool name, including books, baby care supplies, video games, and children's apparel.[8][10][11][12][13]
In 2023,Hasbro entered into a licensing agreement withPlayMonster that would see the company take over the toy line, which was effective by the following year.[3]
In 2025, Just Play Products, under license from Hasbro, announced a relaunch of the Playskool brand, with the release of a toy collection.[4]
Playskool produced many lines of educational toys and games for children.[14] Playskool's signature brands and toys includeMr. Potato Head,Tonka,Alphie,[15]Weebles,Play-Doh,Sesame Street toys, andGloworm.
Playskool creates products for newborn to preschool-aged children; products like the Kick Start Gym, Step Start Walk 'n Ride, and the Tummy Time line are aimed at developing the motor skills of babies.[16][17][18] Several toys, like Playskool's Pipeworks, Go Go Gears, and Busy Basics lines, were created to allow children to express creativity.[19][20] Playskool also produces several dolls and action figures, including Dolly Surprise andKota the Triceratops.[21]During the 1970s, Playskool also released a toy series named "Familiar Places" which included several toy buildings along with vehicles and toy people, including aMcDonald's restaurant,[22]Holiday Inn hotel[23] andTexaco gas station.[24]
Playskool released toys based on Television Programmes aimed at young children likeSesame Street,Top Wing,In the Night Garden...,Boohbah,Bob the Builder, andRubbadubbers.
Playskool heroes toys feature characters from various properties in a scale more suited for younger children. These figures are similar toFisher-Price'sImaginext.
Playskool brands included:
| Slogan | Years Used |
|---|---|
| Our toys make good friends | 1970s |
| Feeling good about the Playskool years | 1985–1992 |
| What will they think of next? | 1992–1997 |
| Wanna play with us? | 1997–1999 |
| Come and Discover! | 2000–2001 |
| Here I Come, World! | 2001–2002 |
| Playskool Plays Kool | 2002–2004 |
| Let's Play! | 2004–2007 |
| When Play Comes First... | 2006-2007 |
| Believe in PLAY | 2007–2009 |
| More Than Play | 2009–2011 |
| P.S. It's Playskool | 2011–2012 |
| This School Rocks! | 2012–present |
| Intellectual properties currently managed by Hasbro |
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| Distributed worldwide by Hasbro | |||||||
| Subsidiaries and brands | |||||||
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| Conventions | |||||||
| See also | |||||||
