Lanka Kade

We, Lanka Kade, translating as “the Sri Lankan shop”, are proudly celebrating 30 years of crafting sustainable, ethically sourced toys. Founded by Diane and Upul, who met in Sri Lanka, the company was born from their shared passion for ethical trade and a desire to maintain credible and beneficial connections with the country they love. Their firsthand discovery of toy factories that underpaid employees, combined with Diane’s background as a teacher, inspired our focus on creating fun, educational toys that engage both children and parents alike.  

Built on strong fair trade ethical principles, our mission is to reduce poverty through sustainable trade. We work directly with small producer groups in Sri Lanka to establish long-term, equitable relationships that foster stable employment for artisans and preserve local skills. This approach supports fair wages, safe working conditions, and consistent employment, contributing to economic stability within these communities.

The majority of our toys are handcrafted from sustainability sourced rubberwood, repurposed from rubber trees that are no longer used for latex production. To minimise waste, we designed a range of small toys from wood offcuts and introduced our ‘rainbow’ animals to make use of wood with natural marks and blemishes. Additionally, sawdust waste is donated to local Sri Lankan farmers, who use it to improve soil quality for crop production.

To minimize the environmental impact of transporting toys to the UK, we consolidate shipping schedules to reduce the frequency of shipments. Once the toys arrive, we reduce single-use plastic by adopting shredded paper offcuts from a local company as packaging material.

Lanka Kade’s toys are thoughtfully designed by our long-term designer, featuring bright colours and varied themes to encourage creativity and open-ended play. The versatility of our range, from individual figures to our Noah’s arks, offers endless combinations that engage children in imaginative play while appealing to a wide variety of retailers. This flexibility allows stores to sell products that suit multiple consumer preferences, increasing their potential to meet diverse customer needs.

Crafted from durable, FSC-certified rubberwood, our toys are designed and manufactured to meet and exceed international toy safety standards. The wood ensures that they withstand years of play, offering retailers a robust and unique product, and providing consumers with durable keepsakes that grow with their children.

We prioritize inclusivity in our designs, offering gender-neutral toys and ethnically diverse characters. This commitment stems from Diane and Upul’s experience as parents, where the lack of a doll that reflected their child’s identity motivated them to create toys that resonate with children from diverse backgrounds.

Our seasonal collections, like the festive Christmas range, showcase a variety of products suited for peak retail periods, offering flexible options to cater to different customer segments and price points.