Galt Toys
TypePublic
IndustryToys
Founded1961 (1961)
HeadquartersCheadle, Greater Manchester, UK
ProductsEducational toys
Websitehttp://www.galttoys.com

Galt Toys is an international educational toy company. It is responsible for a number of high-profile games and its designs by Ken Garland are often cited as classics.

History

Galt Educational

In 1836, Ayrshire-born, James Galt set up James Galt & Co. Ltd, which traded in Manchester as educational stockists. While the original product line consisted of items like desks and blackboards, the company expanded into publishing and printing, and increased its influence on the education sector. In 1957, the company moved its headquarters to Cheadle in Cheshire.

Galt Toys

In 1961, the Galt Toys Division was formed and opened its first toy shop on Carnaby Street, London.[1] In addition to toys, the company's memorable items in recent events have included Royal Wedding knitting patterns.[2]

Ken Garland

In 1961, the company approached Ken Garland and Associates (KGA) to act as design associates. Garland was tasked with building an image for the company from scratch. He also inadvertently changed the name of the company to Galt Toys.[3] He also began designing toys for Galt, creating everything from wooden toys to board games.[4]

In a twenty-year association with KGA, Galt Toys managed to produce some of the most iconic toys of the era, including Connect and Anymals.[5]

Miriam Stoppard

Galt Toys has also worked with agony aunt and parenting specialist Miriam Stoppard on a selection of educational toys. There are 21 developmental toys in total, all aimed at encouraging younger children to learn and develop through play.[6]

Merger with Jumbodiset

In 2019, Dutch toy company Jumbodiset merged with Galt Toys to build and strengthen both companies.[7]

Research

Galt has been involved in studies into the amount of screen time children are exposed to during the summer holidays and how there has been a fall in the use of a child’s imagination[8] and how a lack of playtime with parents is affecting children.[9]

References

  1. ↑ "About Us - Galt Toys".
  2. ↑ "Prince William and Kate Middleton in stitches". BBC. 22 February 2011. Retrieved 14 May 2020.
  3. ↑ "Kemistry Gallery - Ken Garland: Galy Tots". Archived from the original on 23 May 2012. Retrieved 1 October 2012.
  4. ↑ "Galt Toys". kengarland.co.uk. Retrieved 25 April 2023.
  5. ↑ "Ken garland & associates:toys and games:galt toys". Archived from the original on 18 February 2012. Retrieved 21 September 2012.
  6. ↑ UK, Liz Stansfield Parentdish (14 August 2014). "Miriam Stoppard Launches New Toy Range".
  7. ↑ Foster, Elizabeth (18 July 2019). "Jumbodiset merges with Galt Toys". Kidscreen. Retrieved 14 May 2020.
  8. ↑ "Imaginations lose out to 'skills packing' • Galt Toys". 3 April 2013.
  9. ↑ "Why won't you play with me? • Galt Toys". Galt Toys. 14 June 2013.
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