Gonge

Why it is renowned

Gonge supplies kindergartens, schools and other institutions around the world as well as shops.¹ Its Hilltops, five nesting stepping stones of graded heights, are in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum in London and on show in the Play Gallery of the Young V&A.² The toys are tested to the European EN71 and the American ASTM safety standards.³

The story

The Gonge family started Skoleforlaget Gonge in 1966 as a publisher of teaching materials for Danish preschools.¹ The turn came with one product, the Giant Top, and from it grew a range of toys built to get children moving.¹ Its best-known work, the Hilltops stepping stones, grew out of the company's low River Stones and was first made in 2002.² The company works with teachers, physical therapists, industrial designers and engineers on each product, under the motto Learning by moving.¹ In 2010 Gonge merged with A. Winther, which has made toboggans, tricycles and scooters for children since 1932; the two are run from Them.¹⁴

What to know it by

• Giant Top¹The toy that turned the publisher into a toy maker
• River Stones²Low stepping stones for hopping and balancing
• Hilltops²2002Jorgen and Henrik GongeFive nesting stepping stones of different heights