Hedstrom Corporation

What Hedstrom Corporation does

Hedstrom Corporation, operating under its legal parent Ball, Bounce & Sport Inc., is a U.S. consumer goods company that designs, manufactures, and distributes toys and outdoor sporting goods. Founded in 1913 in Ashland, Ohio — where it still maintains its headquarters and a Mansfield, Ohio distribution center — Hedstrom has operated continuously for over 110 years. The company sells through wholesale distribution to 35+ national and regional retailers (Walmart, Target, Amazon, Dick's Sporting Goods, Kroger, CVS, Walgreens, Dollar General, TJX, Ross, Burlington, and dollar-store chains) and through a direct-to-consumer e-commerce storefront on hedstrom.com powered by WooCommerce, with free U.S. shipping and 30-day returns. Geographic shipping scope is U.S.-only, with International, P.O. Box, and APO/FPO addresses explicitly excluded.

The product portfolio spans more than 20 categories covering active play, sensory development, and recreational sporting goods. Core lines include Hoppers (15" and 18" inflatable bouncers), Playballs (vinyl playground balls in multiple styles), Bop Bags, Bowling Sets, Foam toys, Bubbles (Lotsa Bubbles), Chalk, Fidget and Sensory toys, Water Play, Hoop Sets, Junior Athletic equipment, Kites, Make Believe role-play, Musical Instruments, Sand Toys, and Seasonal/holiday items. Branded sub-lines include HedLights (LED-illuminated toys), Wibbly (stretchable sensory balls), Wowza (oversized fabric bouncy balls), Bouncin' Animals, Tacky Toss, G2 Air, Lotsa Bubbles, and Super Realz. Sporting goods sub-brands include Halex, MacGregor, and Regent. Across these lines, products feature licensed characters from Disney, Marvel, Nickelodeon, and other entertainment franchises (40+ licenses total). Pricing on visible DTC SKUs is $14.99 per unit with no subscription or tiered pricing model disclosed.

The revenue model is hardware sales through wholesale and DTC channels, with leadership under President Jim Purtell and, following the January 2025 acquisition of What Kids Want, Co-CEOs Jordan Kort and Steven Kort. The company runs marketing through hedstrom.com, Facebook, Instagram, a content-marketing Family Fun hub with printables and activities, and annual participation in the New York Toy Fair. Hedstrom has been recognized as a Giga Guru under Walmart's Project Gigatron sustainability initiative. Reported headcount is 501–1,000 employees; no revenue figure is publicly disclosed.

Name

Hedstrom Corporation

Legal name

Ball, Bounce & Sport Inc.

Website

https://hedstrom.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1913

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

501–1,000 employees

Short description

Hedstrom Corporation, operating as Ball, Bounce & Sport Inc., is a 110-year-old U.S. toy and outdoor sporting goods manufacturer in Ashland, Ohio, producing hoppers, playballs, inflatables, sensory, water play, and licensed-character products distributed through 35+ major retailers and its DTC e-commerce site.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Toys and Outdoor Sporting Goods

NAICS

Doll, Toy, and Game Manufacturing (339930), Toy and Hobby Goods and Supplies Merchant Wholesalers (423920), Sporting and Recreational Goods and Supplies Merchant Wholesalers (423910)

SIC

Games, Toys & Children's Vehicles (No Dolls & Bicycles) (3944)

akta.pro primary industry

Outdoor Play & Sports Toys Distribution (CRAOAMAG)

akta.pro secondary industries

Infant & Preschool Toys Distribution (CRAOAMAH), Kids Crafts & Educational Craft Kits Retail (CRALACAG)

Keywords

• Inflatable toys
• Recreational sporting goods
• Licensed character toys
• Play equipment
• Children's toys

Headquarters

HQ city

Ashland

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Toy and Sporting Goods Sales: Hedstrom generates revenue through the manufacture and sale of toys and outdoor sporting goods products, including hoppers, playballs, bop bags, inflatables, bowling sets, and licensed character merchandise. Revenue is generated through wholesale distribution to retailers and direct-to-consumer sales via their e-commerce storefront.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Hedstrom Corporation manufactures and sells children's toys and outdoor sporting goods, including inflatable hoppers, playballs, bop bags, bowling sets, foam toys, light-up toys, sensory toys, bubbles, chalk, hoop sets, water play items, and licensed character merchandise. The company distributes its products wholesale to major U.S. retailers and sells directly to consumers through its e-commerce website.

Product overview

Hedstrom is a toy company specializing in active play and recreational products for children of all ages, operating as a division of Ball, Bounce & Sport Inc. Founded in 1913 and headquartered in Ashland, Ohio, the company offers a diverse portfolio of licensed toy products organized into distinct lines including Hoppers (inflatable bouncer balls), Playballs (vinyl inflatable balls in multiple styles), Bop Bags (inflatable punch bags), Inflatables (various inflatable play items), Foam toys (soft foam sports and sensory items), Bubbles (bubble toys and machines), Chalk (art and drawing products), Fidget Toys, Sensory toys, Water Play products, and Seasonal/holiday-themed items. The portfolio includes branded sub-products such as HedLights (light-up toys), Wibbly (textured sensory balls), Wowza (fabric-covered bouncy balls), King of Fun (outdoor active play equipment), Jr. Athletic (youth sports equipment), and Make Believe (dress-up toys). Hedstrom also operates sporting goods sub-brands including Halex (outdoor games), MacGregor (general sports equipment), and Regent (precision sports equipment). Following the January 2025 acquisition of What Kids Want, the company expanded into bowling, novelty, and additional outdoor toy categories. Products feature licensed characters from Disney, Marvel, Nickelodeon, and other entertainment brands, and are available at major retail outlets nationwide.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• G2 Air: Foam balls, tailballs, and footballs that are lightweight and great for throwing, catching, and kicking.
• HedLights
• Bouncin' Animals
• Wibbly
• Wowza
• King of Fun
• Lotsa Bubbles

Products and services

• Hoppers

Named customers36 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• What Kids WantcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 24 January 2025On January 24, 2025, Hedstrom (operating as Ball, Bounce & Sport Inc.) completed the acquisition of What Kids Want, a leading toy company specializing in innovative and quality products. The acquisition significantly expands Hedstrom's product offerings including bowling, bop bags, novelty products, outdoor toys, and active play items. The two companies will leverage complementary strengths to create more exciting products, with What Kids Want's founders Jordan Kort and Steven Kort joining as Co-CEOs alongside existing President Jim Purtell.

Scale indicators1 record

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Mattel: One of the world's largest toy manufacturers with extensive licensed-character (Disney, Marvel) and active-play portfolios. A broader incumbent that competes for the same shelf space and licenses as Hedstrom, but at vastly larger scale.
• Hasbro: Global toy and games giant with active-play, outdoor, and licensed brands distributed through mass-market retail. Competes with Hedstrom in ball sports, licensed toys, and family games as part of a much broader portfolio.

Direct peers

• Halex (Hedstrom sub-brand competitor comparison: Wham-O): Iconic US toy and recreational products company (Frisbee, Hula Hoop, Slip'N Slide, outdoor games) selling through mass and sporting goods retailers. Directly comparable to Hedstrom's Halex outdoor and backyard game lines.
• Schylling: Heritage US toy company with classic and licensed play products (toys, games, novelties) sold through specialty and mass retailers. Comparable vintage brand positioning and channel mix.
• Spin Master: Large global toy company with active-play, outdoor, and licensed-character product portfolios sold across mass and specialty channels. Operates at larger scale but overlaps directly with Hedstrom in play, sport, and outdoor toy categories.
• Funrise: Toy manufacturer specializing in outdoor, active-play, and licensed novelty toys (bubbles, playballs, novelty items) sold through major US mass-market retailers. Closely comparable to Hedstrom's outdoor play and seasonal product lines.
• Jakks Pacific: Mid-cap US toy manufacturer with a comparable mix of licensed-character outdoor toys, sporting goods, and seasonal play products distributed through Walmart, Target, and mass retailers. Most direct head-to-head peer to Hedstrom by product mix, channel, and scale.
• PlayMonster: Mid-market US toy maker focused on classic and active-play toys (balls, games, outdoor items) for families, distributed through mass and specialty retail. Directly comparable category overlap with Hedstrom.
• Toysmith: US toy maker focused on classic, impulse, and outdoor toys (bubbles, novelty, active play) sold through mass and dollar channels. Directly comparable product mix and customer base.
• Basic Fun!: Toy company with classic, collectible, and active-play toys distributed across US mass retailers. Overlaps with Hedstrom in playballs, novelty, and licensed character categories.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/hedstrom.toys
• Instagraminstagram.com/hedstromtoys
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/hedstrom-corporation

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Hedstrom Corporation