Jaques of London: 1795 to Today's Award Winners

A workshop in London, 1795. Wooden pieces turned and shaped by hand, games meant to be played across generations rather than discarded after a season. That same family firm still makes toys today, and the methods have changed less than you might expect.

The timber matters. Jaques of London works in FSC-certified wood, and the toys are tested to UKCA and CE standards before they reach a child's hands. A good toy earns trust slowly, through the kind of build that survives a decade of play.

What follows is a short account of where the firm began, and of the toys that have been recognised recently by independent judges. You will find much of this range among our wooden toys.

A family firm since 1795

Jaques of London was founded in London in 1795 and is run by the same family today. That continuity is rare in any trade, and rarer still in toys, where fashions turn quickly and makers come and go.

A family firm tends to think in longer spans. A toy is designed to be handed down, which shapes every decision about material and finish. Solid wood over plastic, joints that hold, paint that is safe for a child who will inevitably test it with their teeth.

You can see that thinking across our children toys, from pull-along companions to the games families gather around. A wooden xylophone is a simple object, but it is also a first instrument, and it should sound right and last long enough to be loved.

The same holds for the games aimed at older children and adults. A wooden solitaire board with marbles is unchanged in principle for generations, which is rather the point. A design that works does not need reinventing every year.

Being family-run also means a slower relationship with the people who buy. Across the award-winning toys covered here, Jaques of London holds 2,227 verified Reviews.io reviews averaging 4.8 out of 5, as of 15 October 2026. That is a long conversation with families, not a single season's noise.

The firm sits quietly behind the game itself. The child at the table is the hero; the maker's job is simply to get out of the way and let the play happen.

The laws of croquet, 1864

In 1864, John Jaques wrote and published the laws of croquet. He did not invent the game, but he set down the rules that gave it a shared form, so that two households could play by the same standard.

That act tells you something about how the firm has always operated. A game is not only its pieces. It is also the agreed structure that lets strangers compete fairly, and that turns a lawn into a contest rather than a muddle.

Writing the laws was a form of stewardship. It fixed croquet at a moment when it might have drifted into dozens of local variants, and it helped the game spread through gardens across the country.

The instinct survives in the firm's approach to games today. You can trace it through our board games, where clear rules and good components matter as much as the idea itself.

Children's Animal Croquet carries that lineage forward. It received Gold at the Independent Toy Awards 2026 in the Wooden category, a modern recognition of a very old garden pursuit scaled down for small players.

There is a pleasing symmetry in that. The company that wrote the laws of croquet in 1864 still makes a croquet set judged worthy of a Gold medal more than a century and a half later.

The rules endure because they were written with care. So, ideally, does the equipment they are played with.

What still wins today

The recent awards tell a consistent story. The Wooden London Bus took 1st at the BlogOn Toy Awards 2025 in seven categories, including Wooden Toys, Toddler Toys, Sustainable, Vehicles, Role Play and Play Pretend, Interactive Toys and Influencers Choice.

Hook a Duck took 1st at the same awards in the Family Games, Preschool and Primary School categories, with several further second-place placings across Active Toys, Toddler Toys and more. The Magnetic Fishing Game followed closely behind, with second places in Family Games, Preschool and Primary School.

Other toys gathered placings too. The Wooden Aeroplane earned second across five categories, the Wooden Campervan and Wooden Animal Skittles took thirds, and the Shape Sorting Clock came 2nd in the Special Needs category. Dylan the Dinosaur Pull Along Toy took three third places, including Wooden Toys.

The Wooden Campervan also received Gold at the Independent Toy Awards 2025.

Design judges have recognised the range as well. The Dress Up Bears Wooden Puzzle Game received Silver at the Junior Design Awards 2026 in the Best Game for 3-5 Years category, with judges praising its design, non-toxic solid-wood build, and the mix-and-match combinations as open-ended creative play. They also liked that the wooden box encourages tidying up.

The Friendly Farm received Silver at the Junior Design Awards 2026 in the Best Toy Design 0-2 Years category. Judges liked the wooden design, the safely painted finish and the storage barn, with a carry handle so children can take it anywhere without losing pieces.

Many of these sit within our educational toys for toddlers.

Why old makers still design new toys

It is a fair question why a maker founded in 1795 keeps designing new toys at all. The answer is that the principles are old, but each generation of children is new, and play changes shape as the world around them does.

An old maker brings a long memory to the work. It knows which designs have lasted and why, and it can resist the temptation to add features that look clever but do nothing for the child holding the toy.

That restraint shows in the awarded range. A pull-along dinosaur, a fishing game, a set of skittles: none of these is new in concept. What earns recognition is the care in execution, the weight and balance of each piece.

New design also keeps the firm honest. A heritage name could coast on reputation, but the judging panels at BlogOn, the Junior Design Awards and the Independent Toy Awards do not award history. They respond to the object in front of them.

There is room for the straightforward classics too. A set of coloured training cones is hardly a reinvention of anything, yet it does a simple job well and sends children outdoors.

If you want to see how the firm thinks about matching toys to a child's stage, the writing on Montessori toys for ages one and two and on educational gift sets sets out the reasoning plainly.

Old makers design new toys because play never stands still. The task is to meet each new child with the same standard.

What the awards say about the brand

Awards are judging, not safety testing. A medal reflects an independent panel's view of a toy's design and play value; the UKCA and CE testing that keeps a child safe is a separate process the firm completes regardless.

With that distinction clear, the pattern across the panels is worth noting. Jaques of London received Gold at the Loved By Parents Awards 2023 in the Best Parenting Brand of the Year 2023 category, a recognition of the range as a whole rather than a single toy.

Individual toys have been recognised repeatedly. The Shape Sorter took Platinum at the Loved By Parents Awards 2024 in both the Best Activity Toy 1-3 Years and Best Wooden Toy 1-3 Years categories, and Gold in Best Educational Toy. The Wooden Tractor earned Platinum for Best Eco Friendly Toy at the 2023 awards, and Silver for Best New Product to Market.

What those placings share is consistency across different judges in different years. That is harder to achieve than a single win, and it says more about method than about luck.

The reviews run alongside the awards. Across these toys, 2,227 verified Reviews.io reviews average 4.8 out of 5, as of 15 October 2026, which is the view of families rather than panels.

Taken together, the judges and the households point the same way. You can explore the recognised range through our wooden toys, and read more about particular themes such as ocean toys for toddlers or fox toys when choosing.

Meet the award winners

Children's Animal Croquet
Read its award story

Wooden Animal Skittles

Dress Up Bears Wooden Puzzle Game
Read its award story

Dylan the Dinosaur Pull Along Toy

The Friendly Farm
Read its award story

Hook a Duck
Read its award story

Wooden London Bus
Read its award story

Magnetic Fishing Game
Read its award story

Shape Sorter
Read its award story

Shape Sorting Clock

Wooden Aeroplane
Read its award story

Wooden Campervan
Read its award story

Wooden Tractor
Read its award story

The full story behind each award

• Children's Animal Croquet Wins Gold at the Independent Toy Awards 2026
• Dress Up Bears Wins Silver for Best Game 3-5 Years at the Junior Design Awards 2026
• The Friendly Farm Wins Silver for Best Toy Design 0-2 Years at the Junior Design Awards 2026
• Hook a Duck: Three First Places at the BlogOn Toy Awards 2025
• The Wooden London Bus: First Place in Seven Categories at the BlogOn Toy Awards 2025
• The Magnetic Fishing Game: Placed in Eight Categories at the BlogOn Toy Awards 2025
• The Shape Sorter: Two Platinums and a Gold at the Loved By Parents Awards 2024
• The Wooden Aeroplane: Seven Placings at the BlogOn Toy Awards 2025
• The Wooden Campervan: Gold at the Independent Toy Awards 2025
• The Wooden Tractor: Platinum for Best Eco Friendly Toy at the Loved By Parents Awards 2023
• Every Jaques of London award, 2023 to 2026

What parents say about these toys

4.8 out of 5 from 2,227 verified Reviews.io reviews across the award-winning toys on this page (as of 15 October 2026). Real buyers, quoted word for word.

Wooden Animal Skittles (4.8 out of 5, 55 reviews)

“I have family members of 2.8 and 1.5 years old. They love tge skittles, even if they don't yet grasp the game. They took great pleasure in knocking the skittles down with the ball and thought it was the funniest thing, ever! The skittles are very, very good quality. Boxed beautifully as all Jaques parcels are. This is a game they can have fun with for years to come. As always, thank you!”

★★★★★ &Amp;Quot;Kirsty&Amp;Quot;, verified buyer, 2025-08-26

Dress Up Bears Wooden Puzzle Game (4.8 out of 5, 240 reviews)

“Delivery of this was extremely quick and the packaging and quality of the toy was excellent. My granddaughter Played with it several times in the day and thoroughly enjoyed it and learned new vocabulary throughout playing with it with me. It’s now the first toy she looks for when she comes to our house.”

★★★★★ Sue, verified buyer, 2024-12-06

Dylan the Dinosaur Pull Along Toy (4.9 out of 5, 32 reviews)

“The toy is very well made, sturdy and has a lovely finish with lovely colours. Perhaps more suitable for one to two years rather than two to three years. My granddaughter was very happy with it and really enjoyed pulling it round after her. It of course comes beautifully packaged, as all Jaques toys do. I would recommend for one to two years and also it would make a lovely gift.”

★★★★★ &Amp;Quot;Gillian&Amp;Quot;, verified buyer, 2025-05-29

The Friendly Farm (4.9 out of 5, 64 reviews)

“My boys have loved carrying around the farm opening it and getting out the animals and the farmers. I like that you can close it to store everything inside so it is easy to keep the pieces together and the pieces are all of good quality. This feels like a toy that will last well and we will continue to use for a long time.”

★★★★★ Katherine, verified buyer, 2025-09-12

Hook a Duck (4.8 out of 5, 201 reviews)

“The duck game was my free gift and I'm delighted with it. I run the Christmas tombola stall for my local church and I'm always on the lookout for nice toys for the children's tombola. The duck game will have pride of place to attract children to play, they have better odds of winning than the adult tombola.”

★★★★★ Ms, verified buyer, 2026-08-09

Wooden London Bus (4.8 out of 5, 275 reviews)

“This is the 3rd London Bus I have ordered. Unfortunately the last one arrived damaged.I was at first very disappointed but contacted the company and they sent out a replacement immediately, exceptional customer service.The first one I bought was for my grandsons 2nd birthday and he is now 4 and it's still a very well played with and very loved toy.Would definitely recommend the toy and the company”

★★★★★ Lesley B., verified buyer, 2023-11-05

Frequently Asked Questions About Jaques Of London Toys

Is Jaques of London a good toy brand?

Jaques of London has earned consistent recognition from independent award panels. Recent accolades include Gold at the Independent Toy Awards 2026 (Wooden category) for Children's Animal Croquet, Gold at the Independent Toy Awards 2025 for the Wooden Campervan, and multiple Platinum awards at the Loved By Parents Awards 2024. Across a range of award-winning products, the brand holds 2,227 verified Reviews.io reviews averaging 4.8 out of 5 (as of 15 October 2026), reflecting strong customer satisfaction alongside its award record.

How old is Jaques of London?

Jaques of London was founded in London in 1795, making it over 230 years old. The same family that established the business continues to run it today, giving Jaques one of the longest unbroken histories of any toy and games maker. Milestones along the way include John Jaques writing and publishing the laws of croquet in 1864, cementing the company's place in the history of British games.

Did Jaques invent croquet?

Jaques of London did not invent croquet, but the company played a defining role in formalising the game. In 1864, John Jaques wrote and published the laws of croquet, establishing the rules that gave the game its standardised form. Jaques of London was founded in 1795 and has been closely associated with croquet and other traditional lawn games throughout its long history.

Who owns Jaques of London?

Jaques of London was founded in London in 1795 and is run by the same family today. This makes it one of the rare toy and games businesses to have remained under continuous family ownership for more than two centuries. The family's long stewardship is often cited as central to the brand's focus on traditional craftsmanship and wooden toy design.

What awards has Jaques of London won?

Jaques of London's recent awards include: Children's Animal Croquet — Gold, Independent Toy Awards 2026, Wooden category; Dress Up Bears Wooden Puzzle Game — Silver, Junior Design Awards 2026, Best Game for 3-5 Years; The Friendly Farm — Silver, Junior Design Awards 2026, Best Toy Design 0-2 Years; Wooden Campervan — Gold, Independent Toy Awards 2025; Wooden London Bus — 1st in seven categories at the BlogOn Toy Awards 2025; Shape Sorter — Platinum in two categories and Gold in one at the Loved By Parents Awards 2024; Jaques of London — Gold, Best Parenting Brand of the Year 2023, Loved By Parents Awards.

Where are Jaques toys designed?

Jaques of London is a London-based company, founded in the city in 1795 and run by the same family today. The brand's identity is rooted in its London heritage. Beyond confirming the company's London base, no further detail about specific design locations has been verified in the sources available for this answer.

What is Jaques of London known for?

Jaques of London, founded in 1795, is known for wooden toys and traditional games with a heritage spanning more than 230 years. The company is closely associated with croquet — John Jaques wrote and published the laws of croquet in 1864. Today, Jaques is recognised for award-winning wooden toys, including products that have received Gold at the Independent Toy Awards, Platinum at the Loved By Parents Awards, and multiple placings at the BlogOn Toy Awards and Junior Design Awards.

Is Jaques the oldest toy company?

Jaques of London was founded in London in 1795 and is run by the same family today, giving it a recorded history of over 230 years. Whether it is the oldest toy company depends on how "toy company" is defined and which records are consulted. Jaques is widely regarded as one of the longest-established games and toy makers in the world, but this answer cannot confirm it holds any officially verified "oldest" title based on the verified facts available.

Sources

Every award on this page links to the organiser's own results page. Checked 2026-10-14.

• BlogOn Winter Toy Award Winners 2025 (BlogOn Toy Awards)
• Independent Toy Awards 2025 winners revealed (Toys n Playthings)
• Independent Toy Awards 2026 Gold Medal Winners (Independent Toy Awards)
• Best Game for 3-5 Years, Junior Design Awards 2026 (Junior Design Awards)
• Best Toy Design 0-2 Years, Junior Design Awards 2026 (Junior Design Awards)
• Loved By Parents Awards 2023 Winners (Loved By Parents Awards)
• Loved By Parents Awards 2024 Winners (Loved By Parents Awards)
• Verified customer reviews: Reviews.io, Jaques of London store (live feed, 15 October 2026)