Happy birthday to us! Little Tikes turns 50
It’s a big year for Little Tikes – we’re celebrating our 50th birthday and we couldn’t be more proud of our much-loved brand. That’s half a century of playing big and creating memories to last a lifetime for families around the world. We’ve got plenty in the pipeline to mark the occasion and we’d love our fans (from generations past and present) to join in the celebrations.
Where it all began
Little Tikes was first introduced to the toy industry in 1969 by founder and businessman Tom Murdough. For the next decade, the brand lived its core values, built its reputation and became one of the most trusted and well-recognised names in the toy industry. With emphasis on playing ‘big’ and creating special moments inclusive of all the family, Little Tikes has always been driven by a desire to create experiences and not simply provide products.
In 1979, the now-famous Cozy Coupe® was introduced to excitable kids across the globe. Designed by former Chrysler car parts designer Jim Mariol, the very first Cozy Coupe® rolled off the assembly line weighing 19lbs 12oz and measuring 2.6 feet in height. It looked a little different to the one that’s adored today – it’s undergone a couple of makeovers since the seventies, including slimmer roof poles and character decals. In 2003, the car hit a record, having sold more than 10 million all over the world. The Cozy Coupe® has since continued to smash records. We’ve launched 12 variations – including Tikes Patrol Police Car, Cozy Coupe® Dino, Cozy Coupe® Black Cab and Magical Unicorn Carriage – that have become just as loved and create a whole new world of imagination.
Changing the face of play
The Tikes brand continued to go from strength to strength, revolutionising outdoor play, inspiring imaginations and innovating creativity through the introduction of unique toys including the Activity Gym, Turtle Sandbox and Fountain Factory Water Table.
In 2006, Isaac Larian added Little Tikes to the MGA Entertainment family and commitment to development and learning through play continues. Last year, we launched the innovative STEM Jr range, which introduces children to science, technology, engineering and maths in a fun way and includes the award-winning Wonder Lab Centre.
This exciting year is huge for Little Tikes, as we look towards a host of celebratory events around the country. We’ll also be sharing our look book, which features iconic Little Tikes toys, and a timeline of the brand’s exciting history and achievements. Plus, watch this space and follow us on social for competitions, regular features and a whole lot more.
