Careers in Toys

By Willy Franzen

Looking for an entry level job or internship in toys? This is an overview of how to approach the search and a list of companies that might have relevant entry level and internship opportunities.

Photo Credit: Flickr user bcinfrance

Some of us leave our childhood toys behind in childhood, but if you want to take your toys to work, you can do that with a career in the toy business.

The creation of a toy happens in several stages. If you’re working in toys, you’ll probably specialize in one of the stages.

Idea generation: Come up with ideas for a new toy
Market research: Do research and see whether the toy would succeed and who would play with it
Design: Create a prototype of the toy for testing.
Play testing: Arrange for play tests before introducing the toy to the market. Redesign the toy if the tests don’t succeed.
Manufacturing: Create a way for the toy to be manufactures en masse. Manufacture the toy to be sold.
Marketing: Introduce the toy to the target market.

You can also work with stores that sell toys. Most of these positions require a bachelor’s degree, and a love of toys won’t hurt.

Companies with Entry Level Jobs and Internships in Toys

Kids II - Kids II is based in Atlanta, GA and has “been inventing and reinventing baby toys and gear for over 40 years.”

See the complete Kids II profile

Fuhu - Fuhu is an El Segundo, CA based company aiming to be "the leading designer, seller and innovator of ‘thoughtful’ consumer products and services for children.”

See the complete Fuhu profile

Blue Orange Games - Blue Orange Games is a San Francisco, CA based board game company that has produced more than 40 games and won more than 200 awards.

See the complete Blue Orange Games profile

Rubie’s Costume Co. - Rubie’s Costume Co. is a Richmond Hill, NY based company that considers itself “the leading innovator in the Halloween industry.”

See the complete Rubie’s Costume Co. profile

Modular Robotics - Modular Robotics is a Boulder, CO based company that manufactures Cubelets, “magnetic blocks that can be snapped together to make an endless variety of robots."

See the complete Modular Robotics profile

The LEGO Group - Who doesn't love Legos? That's why you should consider an entry level job with The Lego Group.

See the complete The LEGO Group profile

Toys for Tots - The Marine Toys for Tots Foundation is a non-profit that brightens Christmas for disadvantaged kids.

See the complete Toys for Tots profile

littleBits - littleBits is a NYC based company that makes "a growing library of pre-assembled circuits that snap together with tiny magnets," and they're hiring.

See the complete littleBits profile

Launchpad Toys - Do you love educational toys? Launchpad Toys is building digital toys for the next generation, and they're hiring.

See the complete Launchpad Toys profile

American Greetings - American Greetings seems to keep on growing, and that means lots of hiring at their headquarters in Cleveland, OH and elsewhere.

See the complete American Greetings profile

Orbotix - The Orbotix jobs page lists some amazing perks along with some really great opportunities. Check them out if you're excited about their balls.

See the complete Orbotix profile

Sifteo - If you’d like to be a part of Sifteo’s most exciting stage, check out their Jobs page. They have a number of opportunities available.

See the complete Sifteo profile

The Elf on the Shelf - The Elf on the Shelf doesn't have a Jobs page, but sending a letter to Santa might just get you what you're looking for.

See the complete The Elf on the Shelf profile

Spin Master - Spin Master makes all kinds of stuff that you and I are too old to play with, but I guess you’d have an excuse if you worked for them.

See the complete Spin Master profile

Adventure Publishing Group - If you’re immature like me, but you’d like to do something more mature with your childlike tendencies, then you might want to check out Adventure Publishing.

See the complete Adventure Publishing Group profile

JAKKS Pacific - JAKKS Pacific doesn't have much right now in the way of entry level jobs, but you should still check out their Careers page to see what is available.

See the complete JAKKS Pacific profile

Mattel - To get the scoop on what kind of opportunities Mattel has, you’re going to have to dive into their Applicant Tracking System instead.

See the complete Mattel profile

Melissa & Doug - If you’d like to work at a place where formal attire is only required on Halloween, then you should check out Melissa & Doug’s Careers page.

See the complete Melissa & Doug profile

Lund and Company Invention - Lund and Company is a toy design studio located in the Chicago, IL area, and they’re at least open to getting cold called by recent college graduates.

See the complete Lund and Company Invention profile

Radio Flyer - Radio Flyer isn’t currently hiring at the entry-level, but we want to tell you about their jobs anyway.

See the complete Radio Flyer profile

LeapFrog - Based in Emeryville, CA, LeapFrog specializes in creating educational, interactive technologies that help kids learn while they're having fun.

See the complete LeapFrog profile

WowWee - WowWee makes awesome toys like animatronic Elvises, remote controlled dragon flies, and Robopandas toy and they have operations all over the world.

See the complete WowWee profile

Check out the latest job and internship postings in toys.

Careers in Toys

Companies with Entry Level Jobs and Internships in Toys

See more companies with entry level jobs and internships in toys: