35 Years of Mader: The Story Behind Our Favourite Spinning Tops

Mader handcrafted cupcake spinning tops on a blanket and a wooden rondell

35 Years of Mader: A Story That Keeps Turning

This year, Mader Kreiselmanufaktur celebrates 35 years of making beautiful spinning tops, yo-yos and wooden toys. At Oskar’s Wooden Ark, we’re delighted to celebrate this milestone with a brand that means so much to us and to many of our customers.

For Mader collectors, each new design brings something special, whether it’s a much-loved classic or a new addition to the collection. With their distinctive designs and exceptional craftsmanship, these are toys to treasure for years to come. The Ark simply wouldn’t be the same without Mader.

Over the years, we’ve built a wonderful relationship with the team at Mader, and they’ve become an important part of our story. Together, we’ve created a special limited-edition range of Oskar’s Wooden Ark spinning tops, which we give away to customers for reasons we’re keeping delightfully under wraps! Each year, Mader also makes a special birthday spinning top to help us celebrate our own birthday.

One of the highlights of the year is our much-loved Mader Live day, when we invite you to join us for all things Mader. We demonstrate the toys, chat about our favourites, unveil the latest additions and, of course, have a giveaway or two along the way.

To mark Mader’s 35th anniversary, we’re taking a closer look at the story behind the brand: how it all began, how the spinning tops and toys are made, and what makes them so special to collectors and play lovers of all ages.

Here’s to 35 years of Mader, and to many more beautifully crafted spinning tops finding their way into collections, homes and happy hands!

It All Started with a Rocking Horse

The story begins in 1991 in Innsbruck, Austria. Klaus Mader, a trained cabinetmaker with a deep love of wood, had discovered a fascination with making children’s toys: not so much for playing with, but for creating. Out of pure joy in making, he built rocking horses, pull-along toys and hobby horses. The very first, a rocking horse, was promptly tested by Klaus himself for both fun and durability. We like his thinking.

That path led him to woodturning, and to the realisation that this was his future. Together with his wife Margit Mader, he founded the company in modest premises. The first products were sold at markets, experience was gained at trade fairs, and step by step a solid foundation was built.

A black and white portrait-style photo of Klaus Mader sitting on a wooden rocking horse. The image has a textured, sketched or painted border effect around the edges.

A collage showing Klaus Mader operating a lathe machine in the Mader workshop, with smaller inset photos of the workshop exterior, Klaus handling a large wooden piece, and stacks of finished wooden rondells.

Craftsmanship from the Hausruck

In search of room to grow, Klaus and Margit moved from the steep rock faces of the Nordkette mountains to the gentle hills of the Hausruck region in Upper Austria. A former car workshop on the railway line between Wels and Passau offered ideal conditions, and before long the business was fully operational. The first appearance at the Nuremberg Toy Fair followed, then the first employee, and the team and range grew steadily. Later came a distinctive building in Neumarkt, home to Austria’s first Spinning Top Museum.

Today Mader makes around 100,000 pieces a year in roughly 150 designs, and the secret lies in the careful selection of wood and exceptionally strict quality control at every stage. Only regional hardwoods and fine woods are used, and every piece is traditionally hand-turned and painted. A rondelle (the board or stage for your spinning top's tricks and turns) is made from a single piece of wood, and every step from the first cut to the oiling is done by hand. You can always recognise a genuine Mader spinning top by its engraved equator line.

The Art of Motion

Mader brings handcrafted wooden play to life with precision-made spinning tops and toys that engage hands, minds and imagination.

Handcrafted Heritage: made in Austria using traditional woodturning and detailed finishing for lasting quality and beauty.
Skilful Play: spin, balance and master techniques that build coordination, focus and hands-on learning through play.
Timeless Design: beautiful colours and iconic forms that invite repeat play and meaningful connection.

Mader toys invite children to spin tops, skip ropes, twirl yo-yos and explore movement. Each piece supports focus, balance and fine motor skills, turning simple actions into satisfying, skill-building moments. From learning new tricks to experimenting with speed and control, every play session encourages patience, persistence and playful discovery. Made from quality wood, these timeless toys offer engaging, screen-free play for all ages.

A young girl with long brown hair, wearing a light gray long-sleeve dress, holds a round wooden bowl filled with colorful wooden Mader spinning tops.

Here’s to the Next 35

Thirty-five years on, Mader is still defined by quality, continuity and a unique personal signature. It’s also a milestone year in another way: this is Klaus Mader’s 26th Nuremberg Toy Fair, and the last under his personal direction, as the company looks ahead to a well-planned transition.

Browse our full Mader range and meet the toys that have been turning for 35 magical years...