I am sharing my visit to the Step2 headquarters as a Step2 Ambassador. All opinions are my own.
I traveled a lot last month. For some reason a number of work trips converged in April, meaning all I did was pack and repack my suitcase for a while. I love the travel I get to do as a blogger, because it never really feels like work, but it can get lonely because I am usually flying solo. Don’t get me wrong, I adore all the amazing things I get to do, but of course everything is better with family. That’s not the case with Step2, though, because they always make me feel like part of their family! And it’s not just because I’m an ambassador, but because they treat everyone like that. I love writing about their toys, but today I am going a little deeper and revealing just what makes them my favorite company – both inside and out.
It’s easy to think of brands as these big machines that can’t see their customers as anything more than dollar signs. I know of several companies like that, but Step2 is different because their entire mission is to make families happy. Over the past few years, their product lines have grown and evolved based on what parents and kids really want to see, and thanks to the leadership of CEO Chris Quinn, some really amazing designs and ideas are coming to fruition this year in the best way possible. I have been lucky enough to be around him and hear him speak about his vision, and the genuine care and passion he has for making great toys is a joy to see. It isn’t just him, though, because the entire Step2 team shares that same enthusiasm!
Every year we get a close up look at future concepts and products which is one of my favorite parts of the trip. It is amazing to see a product go from concept drawing, to model, to full fledged toy, and it makes me really appreciate the amount of work that goes into the entire process. This year’s upcoming products are hands down my favorite ever, with details, designs, and innovations blowing expectations completely out of the water! Experiences are more immersive, play is more interactive, and the bar is being raised well above the competition. I can’t reveal much, but I can give you a sneak peak at a few products that will be available later this year. Check out the newest kitchen:
Do you have kitchen envy? I do! This is their most aspirational kitchen yet, and it is quite possibly my favorite item they have ever produced. It’s a big kitchen, but the amount of detail put into it is just amazing. The oven and fridge both light up, the storage space is bountiful, and the play food looks so much better than the standard simple plastic food of years past. Next is a new Hot Wheels ride on that is perfect for car fans.
The last sneak peek I can share is the Paw Patrol Lookout Climber. Isn’t it adorable?! There is SO much more coming soon from these guys, and trust me when I say you haven’t seen anything yet. Prepare to be blown away once they start rolling out!
We went on a plant tour to learn about the extensive safety and durability testing that each product goes through.
The plant visit was extra special because we each actually got to make our own Kid Alert toy. I got to choose my own colors, got to measure my plastic out, pour it in the molds, take it out to cool, and it was so much fun!
