A NEW STORY OF TOYS THAT MORE THAN ONE GENERATION HAS GROWN UP WITH
KOTOK Playthings are wooden toys made by hand — with love and inspiration.
Collectible pieces are designed by contemporary graphic artist and crafted in the traditional way by an artel of skilled makers from the Nizhny Novgorod region of Russia, where toy-making has been a celebrated craft since the 19th century. The wooden figurines are turned on a lathe and then hand-painted by artists, one by one.
Collaborating with talented artisans and supporting their unique work — especially in today’s world of global overproduction — brings us true joy.
Our goal is to create high-quality toys with a story — timeless pieces that people of all ages will love and cherish.
Selected Exhibitions, Awards & Mentions
2020
– Winner in Crafts: Interior Decor category at the All-Russian Object Design Biennale and Exhibition Invented and Made in Russia II, Moscow Museum of Decorative Arts
– KOTOK’s intro web page selected by Readymag for its annual Best Projects voting; nominated in the Promo category
2021
– Featured as Editor’s Pick on Etsy
– Public lecture: KOTOK Toys – The Origins of the Brand as a rethinking traditional souvenirs in times of crisis and the renaissance of crafts at Design Lectorium, Open Lecture Hall, New Holland Island
– Long-term exhibition: History of Russian Design. Selected. 1917–2025, Moscow Design Museum at the Tretyakov Gallery (2021–2025)
2022
– Group exhibition Play With Design, part of World Design Capital Festival, CCCC, Valencia, Spain
– Featured guest in the design podcast Thing in Itself, with an interview and story about the project
– Participation in the Plants Inside and Outside festival, GES-2 cultural center
2022–2023
– Special Jury Mention at the All-Russian Object Design Biennale and Exhibition Invented and Made in Russia III, Moscow Museum of Decorative Arts
2023
– Publication and interview in New Folk Art book by Victionary
2023–2024
– Group exhibition Let’s Play! at KOORDINATA, contemporary design space
2025
– Linden Blossom family festival and presentation of the lemonade of the same name
– An autor's family workshops program GES-2 cultural center