NC Made: Raleigh company helps families unplug and reconnect through creativity

July 31, 2026 - 18:40

A Raleigh-based business is carving out a niche in the crowded toy and hobby market by focusing on something simple: getting families to put down their screens and make things together. The women-owned company, launched by the same team behind Burt's Bees, has built its brand around the idea that hands-on creativity can be a powerful antidote to daily stress.

Instead of pushing the latest digital gadget, the company designs kits and activities that require physical materials, patience, and collaboration. The goal is not just to occupy kids, but to pull parents into the process as well. Think weaving looms, pottery sets, and nature-based craft projects that feel more like a workshop than a typical board game.

The founders say they noticed a growing disconnect in households where everyone is staring at their own device, even when sitting in the same room. Their products are deliberately low-tech, with instructions that encourage conversation and problem-solving. Each kit is meant to be finished over multiple sessions, giving families a reason to return to the table night after night.

The response has been strong, particularly among parents who remember the pre-tablet era and want to recreate that feeling for their own children. The company has also partnered with local schools and community centers to host pop-up crafting events, reinforcing their mission that creativity is a shared experience, not a solo one. By keeping the focus on unplugging and connecting, the team hopes to prove that a little bit of mess and a lot of imagination can bring people closer together.