Uncle Goose wooden blocks have a satisfying weight to them. The edges are gently bevelled, the embossing has real depth, and the basswood feels smooth but not slippery. They're the kind of wooden toy that feels right in the hand—which makes sense, given they've been handcrafted in Grand Rapids, Michigan since 1983.
How It Started
In 1983, William Bultman realised something odd: no one in America seemed to be making classic wooden alphabet blocks anymore. The inch-and-three-quarter cubes that had been a staple of toy boxes for generations had simply disappeared from production.
Rather than accept this, Bultman started making them himself. He set up in Grand Rapids and began hand-manufacturing Classic ABC Blocks, calling his new company Uncle Goose. More than forty years later, Uncle Goose blocks remain the only classic ABC blocks still 100% handmade in the USA.
Classic ABC Blocks by Uncle Goose
A Family Business
William's sons Scott and Pete joined him in the mid-1980s, working alongside their father in the family garage—hand-cutting blocks, embossing letters. When William died unexpectedly in 1992, the brothers took over the business. They experimented with new product lines, expanded the range, and learned through trial and error as the company grew.
Pete eventually became sole owner and runs Uncle Goose today. It's still a family operation, still based in Grand Rapids, still making every block by hand.
Why Basswood
Uncle Goose uses American basswood—also called the Linden tree—which grows abundantly around the Great Lakes. It's well-suited for children's wooden toys for several practical reasons.
Basswood is technically a hardwood, so it's durable. But it's not as dense or heavy as maple or oak, which makes it comfortable for small hands. The light colour shows printed letters and images clearly. It machines well, doesn't warp, and has no sap to cause problems.
The blocks arrive uncoated—no varnish, polish, or gloss. This is partly for safety: if a child puts a block in their mouth, plain basswood tastes bland and uninteresting. But over time, the natural oils from hands create a soft patina on the wood. These blocks genuinely do get better with use—making them perfect sustainable gifts that last for generations.
How They're Made
Uncle Goose takes safety seriously. They source inks from American manufacturers that don't use heavy metals, then independently test every gallon before it goes into production. Most companies rely only on in-house testing, but Uncle Goose uses third-party verification.
The manufacturing process produces minimal waste. Scrap wood becomes bedding for horses or fuel for heating. Packaging uses recycled paper. It's not about making sustainability claims—it's just how they've always done things.
Because basswood grows quickly around the Great Lakes, it's a genuinely renewable resource. The trees can be harvested before developing heavy knotting or colour variation, which gives the blocks their consistent appearance.
Beyond ABC Blocks
While Classic ABC Blocks remain their core product, Uncle Goose has developed an extensive range over the years. The Classic ABC Blocks with Wagon include a handcrafted wooden wagon for storage, while the Watercolor ABC Blocks feature soft watercolour patterns that appeal to design-conscious families.
They make language blocks in 18 different languages, sign language blocks, Egyptian hieroglyphics, the periodic table. For themed collections, there are Nursery Rhyme Blocks featuring classic verses, Dinosaur Blocks with prehistoric creatures, Planet Blocks exploring our solar system, and Environments Space Blocks for budding astronomers.
The Environments Neighbourhood Blocks create miniature communities, while Cubelings Memory Games offer a different way to play with wooden blocks. Some products, like story-building sets, are made from scrap wood—finding uses for every bit of material.
The blocks are designed to grow with children. What starts as simple stacking and building for toddlers aged 1-2 becomes letter recognition and spelling for 3-4 year olds, then more complex building projects and storytelling for older children. They fit naturally into our educational gifts and Montessori toys collections.
Open-Ended Play
Blocks offer something that many modern toys don't: there's no single way to use them. A block can be part of a tower, a character in a story, a pretend phone, whatever a child imagines. There are no instructions, no batteries, no correct answers.
Pete Bultman mentions that his nephews, despite having access to tablets and electronic toys, often choose blocks when they visit the workshop. They stack, knock down, build, and experiment—the play just happens naturally. This makes Uncle Goose blocks ideal for screen-free play and quiet activities.
Why They Last
Uncle Goose blocks are built to last. The solid basswood construction, non-toxic inks, and simple design mean these are toys that get passed down rather than thrown away. Many families find themselves buying a set for one child and still using the same blocks years later with younger siblings—making them excellent first birthday gifts that grow with the family.
They're handcrafted in Grand Rapids using materials sourced from around the Great Lakes. The manufacturing process is careful and the quality control is thorough. Uncle Goose blocks aren't inexpensive, but they're the kind of toy you only need to buy once. They represent genuine value as heirloom-quality wooden toys that can be passed down through generations.
After four decades, Uncle Goose remains a family business making the only classic ABC blocks still 100% produced in America. They've outlasted the companies that stopped making wooden blocks in the early 1980s, and there's no reason to think they won't be around for another forty years.
Our Uncle Goose Collection
We stock a carefully selected range of Uncle Goose blocks at Haliburtons & Co.
Classic Sets
- Classic ABC Blocks – The original 28-block set with four alphabets, numbers, and embossed animal illustrations
- Classic ABC Blocks with Canvas Bag – Includes a sturdy canvas storage bag
- Classic ABC Blocks with Wagon – Complete with handcrafted wooden wagon for storage and play
- Watercolor ABC Blocks – Soft watercolour patterns with embossed letters
- Watercolor ABC Blocks with Wagon – Watercolor blocks with wagon
Themed Collections
- Nursery Rhyme Blocks – Classic verses and rhymes
- Dinosaur Blocks – Prehistoric creatures for young palaeontologists
- Planet Blocks – Our solar system in wooden block form
- Environments Space Blocks – Rockets, astronauts, and space exploration
- Environments Neighbourhood Blocks – Build communities and tell stories
Games & Activities
- Cubelings Memory Game – Wooden block memory game with contemporary design
All Uncle Goose blocks are suitable for children aged 2 and up, with many sets growing with children through their early school years. They make excellent birthday gifts, first birthday treasures, and educational gifts that combine learning with genuine play.
Explore our complete Uncle Goose collection of handcrafted wooden blocks, or browse our full range of wooden toys and educational gifts from makers who share Uncle Goose's commitment to quality, sustainability, and timeless design.
We offer premium gift wrapping using FSC-certified sustainable paper in a choice of designs, with each gift expertly hand-wrapped in plastic-free packaging. Add a personalised message, and we can send directly to the recipient—perfect for thoughtful birthday gifts or just because surprises.
