Top Five Toy Factory Tours

This year when you're planning your family vacation, consider something a little less conventional than an amusement park. Factory tours are quickly gaining popularity among families and are both educational and affordable. When planning to go on a factory tour with kids, what could be more fun than going behind the scenes of a toy factory? The following are five toy factory tours that kids will love:

Basic Brown Bear Factory - San Francisco, CA

The Basic Brown Bear Factory is one of the few manufacturers of stuffed animals left in the United States. The tour is educational and a favorite among children. They hear about the history of the teddy bear, learn how teddy bear patterns are designed, cut, and sewn, and at the end, they get to choose their own bear to stuff, dress, and groom.

The factory is open Monday thru Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and on Sunday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tours are available every half hour, and no reservations are required. Admission is free. The cost for the bears begins at $14.

Babyland General Hospital (Birthplace of the Cabbage Patch Kids) - Cleveland, GA

Babyland General Hospital has been dubbed the "birthplace of the Original Cabbage Patch Kids." Cabbage Patch Kids quickly became popular in the early 1980s. They were hand-stitched, individually named and dressed, and came with their own set of adoption papers. No two were alike. Cabbage Patch Kids have been making a come-back in recent years and are available as Preemies, Newborns, and Kids.

Babyland General Hospital is housed in a former clinic and over 250,000 people visit each year. The hospital is laid out to resemble a maternity ward. Guests can visit the father's waiting room, the nursery (which includes a NICU for the preemies), and view a magical delivery at the "Magic Crystal Tree." You can make arrangements for surgical procedures (repairs), makeovers, and baths. You can also visit Babyland Elementary. Admission is free and the facility is open Monday thru Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and on Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. If you choose to adopt a kid on site, adoption fees range from $170 to $345.

Crayola Factory - Easton, PA

Most kids love crayons and the Crayola Factory provides a fun, interactive experience that even adults will love. The attraction is self-guided and begins with an opportunity for guests to watch live demonstrations about how crayons and markers are made. There are giant glass walls that kids can color on. There are a number of arts and crafts opportunities where children can finger paint, create a sculpture, and even make their own books, posters, and greeting cards. There is also an exhibit to help guests understand how the concepts of light and color.

Admission prices are $9.50 for adults and children (ages 3 through 64), $9 for seniors (65+), and free for children under 2. Admission includes the Crayola Factory tour, product samples, and admission to The National Canal Museum. Admission is not guaranteed and is on a first come, first served basis. Advance reservations can be made. Hours vary based on the season and are available on the company website at Crayola.com.

Lionel Trains - Chesterfield, MI

Lionel Trains was founded by Joshua Lionel Cowan in 1900. Through 1960, the toy trains were very popular, particularly as a form of father-son bonding. The company has struggled some in the last forty years and has been sold three different times. Children's shows such as Thomas the Tank Engine and movies such as The Polar Express (Lionel produced a popular commemorative set for the movie), have helped rekindle the country's love of toy trains.

The Lionel tour lasts approximately one hour and includes a 10 minute video which details the history of the company and their production process. There is a large 14X40 foot display with ten trains that runs simultaneously that can be controlled by visitors. There is also a layout where children can run the trains as well as a 52-foot long display of artifacts. The tours are offered on Wednesdays and Thursdays at 10 a.m., 3 p.m., and 4 p.m., Fridays at 10 a.m., 1:30 p.m., and 2:30 p.m., and Saturdays at 10 a.m., 11 a.m., and 12 noon. Tours are free of charge and reservations are recommended.

Mrs. Grossman's Stickers - Petaluma, CA

Mrs. Grossman's is the largest and oldest sticker company in the USA and currently manufactures over 700 different stickers. The tour begins with a short video about the history of the company and the manufacturing process. Next, the group proceeds to the manufacturing floor where you can watch machines laser cut stickers, and then sort and wrap them. At the end of the tour, children have the opportunity to create their own postcards using Mrs. Grossman's stickers and they also receive a free package of stickers. The facility also includes a museum which features every sticker the company has ever made as well as an extensive gift shop.

Hours vary by season and are present on the company's website. Admission is $3 for ages 3 and up and this includes discounts that can be used toward the purchase of stickers in the gift shop. Reservations are required.