Promoting affiliate programs related to toys isn’t just a delightful way to indulge in discussing the finest children’s playthings — it’s also an excellent avenue for generating substantial online income.
Despite its whimsical facade, the global toy industry is a robust and lucrative domain. In 2019, its market value surpassed $92 billion, a number projected to escalate to nearly $104 billion by 2027.
Witnessing over $10 billion in growth within a span of less than ten years underscores the magnitude of this industry’s growth, reminiscent of the era when Pogs and Tamagotchis reigned supreme (or whatever modern toys kids fancy nowadays).
This expansion is logical when considering the extent to which parents invest in toys for their youngsters — exceeding $300 worth per child annually in North America alone.
Whether you manage a parenting blog, specialize in the baby niche, or target a demographic of “grown-up kids” (a.k.a. adults) who still adore toys, the toy market offers an abundance of prospects for affiliate marketers.
So, without further delay, let’s plunge into our selection of the top 11 affiliate programs catering to the realm of kids’ toys.
Top Kids Toys Affiliate Programs
1. InnovaToys
Let’s begin with InnovaToys, a platform renowned for its diverse assortment of distinctive and often unconventional collectible toys, gadgets, and gifts, with a particular emphasis on modeling kits.
InnovaToys boasts an inventory of over 300 models hailing from renowned franchises like Star Wars, Star Trek, and Harry Potter. The prices for these items start at an accessible $6.95.
What’s more, all purchases from InnovaToys come with the perk of free shipping within the United States, with no minimum spending requirement. This attractive offer could serve as a compelling selling point for affiliate marketers to highlight.
Turning our attention to the affiliate program, InnovaToys offers an attractive commission rate of 8% per sale. Considering the average order value stands at $80, the earning potential for affiliates is noteworthy. Additionally, the company’s in-house development team is available to provide guidance and furnish marketing materials when needed.
However, it’s worth noting that the program comes with a relatively brief one-day cookie window. If your referrals make a purchase immediately, that’s fantastic. However, if they opt for a bit of contemplation time, you might miss out on your rightful commission.
Commission rate: 8%
Cookie duration: 1 day
2. Crayola
Crayola stands as one of the globe’s most iconic toy brands, recognized by people of all ages.
The company is renowned for its extensive collection of colored crayons, churning out nearly three billion of these art essentials annually — an amount that could span the Earth’s circumference six times.
However, Crayola’s offerings extend far beyond crayons. Their website features an impressive array of drawing tools, including markers, Creative Makers for youngsters interested in color blending experimentation, and Color Wonder mess-free markers. Let’s not forget everyone’s favorite, Silly Putty, which is also part of their lineup.
Given the wide range of top-quality products available, Crayola’s affiliate program is undoubtedly enticing. Remarkably, for a prominent brand, their terms and conditions are quite favorable. Affiliates can enjoy a respectable commission rate of 5% and a reasonable 14-day cookie window.
Affiliate management for Crayola is handled by a dedicated third-party company, Affiliate Management Solutions. Moreover, the brand regularly introduces incentives and promotions that cater to both consumers and affiliate marketers.
Commission rate: 5%
Cookie duration: 14 days
3. Lego
If the name Lego is unfamiliar to you, then toy affiliate programs might not be your area of interest. In 2021, Lego was recognized as the top toy brand globally, boasting a value of around $5.4 billion.
Originating in 1932 under the guidance of Ole Kirk Kristiansen, Lego has maintained its position as one of the most beloved brands in the toy industry. Its influence stretches across the globe, evidenced by a workforce of over 20,000 individuals spread across more than 40 countries.
Impressively, all of this success revolves around a product as simple as plastic building blocks.
Given Lego’s monumental presence, the Lego affiliate program might not offer the highest commission rates among the toy affiliate programs we’ve explored. Affiliates can expect a slightly below-average commission of 3% per sale, coupled with a relatively short cookie duration of just seven days.
On the plus side, due to Lego’s immense popularity, securing conversions should be relatively straightforward. To further simplify your efforts, you can access top-notch marketing materials, including Lego-branded banner ads.
Commission rate: 3%
Cookie duration: 7 days
4. Fun and Function
Founded in 2005, Fun and Function is the brainchild of pediatric occupational therapist Aviva Weiss and her husband, Haskel.
This company specializes in creating an array of products, including clothing, therapeutic solutions, and creative toys, all designed to enhance the self-esteem and skills of young children. Their product range is extensive, encompassing items like ball pits, crash pads, sensory boards, and speech tools. Additionally, the website assists parents and schools in creating complete sensory rooms tailored to children’s needs.
Fun and Function’s affiliate program is a remarkable opportunity. It offers a substantial commission rate of 10% and an extensive cookie duration of 90 days, ensuring ample time for you to capitalize on the traffic you generate.
Commission rate: 10%
Cookie duration: 90 days
5. Stuffed Ark
Stuffed Ark manages a portfolio of five distinct websites, effectively running multiple toy affiliate programs simultaneously.
These websites encompass various niches, including the main StuffedArk.com, which offers lifelike stuffed animals from a range of over 30 manufacturers. There’s also Stuffed Legends, specializing in plush toys like dinosaurs, dragons, and legendary characters, and Critter Socks, catering to animal-themed sock enthusiasts.
Fortunately, you only need to enroll in a single affiliate program to earn commissions from any or all of these sites. Moreover, Stuffed Ark’s affiliate program offers an attractive 10% commission on all sales and provides a 60-day cookie duration.
The toy store boasts a consistent conversion rate of over 2%, which can increase to 5% or more during the bustling holiday season. Their respectable average order value of $40 adds to the appeal, and the store also receives significant commercial orders.
Commission rate: 10%
Cookie duration: 60 days
6. Seedling
Seedling positions itself as a pioneer in imaginative and entertaining toys. The online store specializes in activity kits designed to empower children to create and construct their own personalized toys, costumes, and more.
These kits are far from conventional toys. Seedling’s unique products feature tactile materials and advanced technologies, including virtual reality. It’s fascinating to see how much the concept of play has evolved over time.
As an affiliate marketer, you’ll earn a solid 10% commission for every sale you refer through the Seedling website. To support you in your efforts, the affiliate program provides a dedicated affiliate manager. Additionally, the program offers a newsletter that includes new product announcements, promotions, and company updates to keep you informed.
Commission rate: 10%
Cookie duration: 30 days
7. Melissa & Doug
As you may have already surmised, the namesakes behind Melissa and Doug are the couple Melissa and Doug themselves. They invested their life savings into creating their very first kids’ toy, and they began their journey by delivering products all along the East Coast, relying on a borrowed station wagon.
Fast forward to today, and their toy store boasts a considerably larger collection. They offer a diverse range of items, including classic wooden toys, games, and creative craft sets. Their online store proudly showcases over 2,000 products spanning across 16 distinct categories.
Melissa and Doug also provide free shipping within the United States for orders totaling $49 or more, which could be a compelling incentive for potential customers. Thankfully, it appears that they have upgraded their delivery methods from the station wagon days.
The brand’s affiliate program offers a respectable 4% commission rate, coupled with a 14-day cookie duration. While the commission rate might not be groundbreaking, it’s important to note that many of their products come with higher price points, enhancing the potential for significant earnings.
Commission rate: 4%
Cookie duration: 14 days
8. eBeanstalk
eBeanstalk stands out as a toy store with a profound mission: to assist customers in discovering the “finest educational toys, books, and games” available in the market.
Unlike mere words, this commitment is backed by action. Each toy offered by eBeanstalk undergoes scrutiny by a team of child development experts, including clinical psychologists, speech and language pathologists, physical therapists, and over 700 mothers. This comprehensive assessment process, involving the review of more than 10,000 toys, culminates in the selection of the best options for inclusion on the eBeanstalk website.
Impressive as this may be, let’s delve into the company’s affiliate program.
Remarkably, the program is equally impressive. It features a base commission of 5%, which can escalate for high-performing affiliates. Notably, the cookie window extends to an impressive 120 days, the longest duration among all the kids toys affiliate programs that we’ve examined.
Moreover, eBeanstalk offers valuable resources to its affiliates, including a comprehensive data feed encompassing 3,000 products. A variety of top-notch marketing materials are also provided, such as coupons, promotions, and regularly updated creative assets.
Commission rate: 5%+
Cookie duration: 120 days
9. EZPlay
EZPlay specializes in designing and producing year-round jungle gyms for kids to enjoy. While this niche might be quite specific, it’s undoubtedly an appealing one—after all, who doesn’t love a jungle gym?
EZPlay’s products are not only durable and safe for children up to the age of 10, but they are also designed to be foldable, making them space-efficient. Additionally, these high-quality jungle gyms are suitable for children as young as 18 months, ensuring their value as a long-term investment.
Unlike traditional commission structures, the EZPlay affiliate program offers a fixed commission of $25 for each sale of their jungle gyms. The program also features a 30-day cookie duration, with tracking and reporting facilitated through iDev Affiliate Data.
It’s worth noting that EZPlay exclusively sells and ships its products within the US. Therefore, if you or your target audience are located elsewhere, this affiliate program may not be suitable.
Commission rate: $25 per jungle gym sale
Cookie duration: 30 days
10. Rose & Rex
Rose & Rex positions itself as a carefully curated toy store with an emphasis on education. The store firmly believes in the potential of thoughtfully designed toys and imaginative play to foster creativity and aid in child development.
In contrast to plastic and battery-operated toys, Rose & Rex prioritizes natural materials, quality metals, and even ceramics, aligning with its commitment to sustainability and conscious choices. Moreover, the company takes corporate social responsibility seriously, donating toys to children in need through its partnership with Second Chance Toys.
The Rose & Rex affiliate program stands out with its generous 8% commission rate. This commission rate becomes even more impressive considering the program’s average sales of approximately $150 within a 30-day window after users click on an affiliate link.
Affiliates gain access to tailored marketing materials to effectively promote Rose & Rex’s products. Furthermore, they enjoy early access to promotions and exclusive events to further enhance their marketing efforts.
Commission rate: 8%
Cookie duration: 30 days
11. Toy Origin
For those who are passionate about pop culture, collectibles, and diecast models, the Toy Origin affiliate program presents an exciting opportunity. This online platform specializes in selling collectible toys inspired by beloved movies, TV series, and gaming franchises. These products are crafted by reputable brands such as Hot Toys, Mondo, and ThreeA Toys.
Catering to various budget ranges, Toy Origin offers a diverse array of items, ranging from vinyl figures and mass-produced toys to high-end collectibles. This versatility ensures that there’s something suitable for promotion, provided your target audience has an affinity for action figures and related merchandise.
At first glance, the Toy Origin affiliate program might seem relatively standard, with a base commission rate of 4%. However, its commission structure operates on tiers, allowing top-performing affiliates to earn a higher rate of commission.
Toy Origin welcomes collaboration with a wide range of content creators, including websites, bloggers, email marketers, and social media influencers. The sign-up process involves a straightforward on-site form.
Commission rate: 4%+
Cookie duration: Duration not specified
Conclusion: Are Toy Affiliate Programs Right For You?
As evident, there’s no scarcity of toy affiliate programs available. And this list doesn’t even include the well-known Amazon Associates program, which features an extensive selection of toys (over 100,000 in the Toys & Games category, as of now). Nonetheless, it didn’t make the cut due to its low commission rates and limited cookie duration.
Yet, achieving online earnings in the toy niche isn’t as simple as picking your preferred toy manufacturers, promoting their products, and anticipating profits to roll in. For those aiming to realize the digital dream of consistent passive income, the process involves establishing a robust website, identifying the right keywords to target, and crafting a series of top-notch blog posts.
Feeling overwhelmed by the effort it requires? No need to fret, because we can equip you with all the essential tools to construct an affiliate marketing venture from the ground up (or enhance your existing business). Just enroll in our complimentary training course to uncover the five secrets to developing an authoritative website that excels in 2023.
