Founded in 1998 by Aaron Muderick, Crazy Aaron's makes Thinking Putty and other creative products, growing from his experiments to improve traditional putty into an international business. Muderick taught himself chemistry and physics and built a custom factory to produce the putty; the company also makes Land of Dough products and says its production helps create U.S. jobs.
Tangle CreationsInvented by sculptor Richard X. Zawitz in the 1980s, Tangle Creations makes the interconnected Tangle toy, a twistable sensory tool that grew from a hand-coordination aid into a widely used fidget and relaxation toy. After more than 45 years and over 250 million units sold worldwide, the company continues to develop Tangles for play, focus and therapy, including art-oriented editions and tactile BrainTools designs.SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, CA
CrayolaCrayola makes children’s creative-expression products, with its iconic crayon first introduced in 1903 and major manufacturing facilities still based in Pennsylvania’s Lehigh Valley, the company’s home since the early 1900s. Founded in 1885 as a pigment business by cousins Edwin Binney and C. Harold Smith, Crayola now also manufactures Silly Putty and extends its creative mission through entertainment and hands-on Crayola Experience attractions. It has been part of Hallmark Cards since 1984.EASTON, PA
STICK-LETS® / Kazakia Design, LLCBorn from industrial designer Christina Kazakia’s childhood memories of building outdoors, STICK-LETS® makes flexible silicone connectors that turn found sticks into forts and other imaginative structures. Kazakia invented the open-ended play tool while studying at the Rhode Island School of Design, and her Philadelphia studio has operated since the business launched in 2012. Kazakia Design, LLC designs, imports, and assembles the connectors in the United States.PHILADELPHIA, PA
Art CreativityFounded in 2014, Art Creativity creates children’s toys and games designed to turn everyday play into imaginative adventure, with a particular knack for playful bubble makers and light-up toys. The company says it has sold more than 50 million toys online, tests its products for safety and quality, and has donated more than 10,000 toys and games to sick children.MIDDLETOWN, NY