The toys you purchase your children and loved ones from Walking Stick
Toys can last a lifetime, and be passed along generation to generation,
if you care for them properly. We believe children's toys should be
made of natural materials. People often choose plastic toys because
they mistakenly believe wooden, felt, silk and cotton toys cannot be
cleaned effectively. Since toys often end up in small children's
mouths, and are handled quite frequently we suggest you clean your
child's toys regularly. This will help prevent the spread of germs and
make them last a lifetime. You'll find more information on cleaning
your toys in this section below.
Toy safety is also a big concern for most parents, and it is for us at
Walking Stick Toys. We select only toys that meet and/or exceed
US/European Standards. Many parents want to know what type of
paint/finish is used on the wooden toys. The paints and finishes used
on the toys are 100% non-toxic. You'll find more information on safety
in this section below.
How do I clean my wooden toys?
Wooden Toys can be cleaned with plain soap and water, but please don't soak your toys. Just dampen a sponge and wipe the toys and dry very thoroughly immediately after cleaning. Other tips - try not to leave your wooden toys outside. Fluctuations in temperature can cause your wooden toys to age prematurely. Try not to expose your wooden toys to too much moisture, unless it is a teething toy and made specifically for that use. Do not leave wooden toys in the direct sunlight for extended periods of time, this can cause the finish to fade over time. Your wooden toys can also be wiped clean. First wipe with a dry cloth and if a moist cloth is required to remove dirt, dampen the cloth only slightly to clean and wipe the moisture away when cleaning is completed. Never use furniture polish to clean wooden toys. Most furniture polishes contain harmful and toxic substances.
How do I care for my play silks?
Play silks, although you may not think so, are actually very easy to clean. They can be washed on a delicate cold setting and air dried. If they come out of the wash looking different than when you put them in just run a warm iron over them and they should be right back to normal.
I've actually dried mine on accident before and they come out completely fine!
How do I clean my organic cotton toys?
The Under the Nile 100% organic cotton toys can be washed and dried on a delicate cycle in your machine.
What are HABA toys made from and how safe are they? What are some benefits of providing HABA toys for my children?
Haba prides itself on quality materials and safety. The company uses maple and beechwood in its designs to promote durable, splinter-free play. The deep rich color of the woods used in Haba toys will enliven play and engage your child. Moreover, the elegant simplicity of these wooden pieces encourages imagination and complex problem solving.
What are some benefits of purchasing Plan Toys for my child?
Replenishable Preservative-Free Rubberwood is the material used in creating most of the Plan Toys you see at Walking Stick Toys. This wood is processed naturally and free from any wood preservatives. It is carefully kiln-dried to achieve the correct moisture content thus guarding against pests and bacteria. The corners are rounded for greater safety. The finished toys are coated with non-toxic coloring.
How does Walking Stick Toys work to preserve our environment?
All of the companies we've chosen to carry are environmentally friendly and most of the packaging your toys come in is recyclable. We ship our on line orders to you in reused boxes using recycled packing materials. We know how important protecting our environment is, especially for our children and generations to come.
Why should I give my child a Starlight Silks natural fiber doll?
These dolls are all lovingly made using only natural fibers. There are a wide variety of reasons that natural fiber toys benefit our children, protecting their health and stimulating their development. Decreased exposure to synthetic fibers and environmental toxins found in plastics has clear benefits not only for our little ones, but also for our planet. These dolls are based on traditional Waldorf style dolls. They are stuffed with wool which absorbs your child's natural body warmth and radiates it back, making them snuggly and warm to hold and hug. Their features and design are simple, allowing your child's imagination stimulation. Children are sensitive little beings and contact with natural materials is stimulating and beneficial. This link to the natural world via their toys creates a sense of harmony and connection. Think about the feeling of soft natural materials verses the cold feel of plastic and decide which you prefer for your little one.
How do I clean my natural fiber doll?
Please take care when caring for your child's new friend. Surface wash with a damp cloth only and you will have a beloved companion for years to come.
What is a play silk? Why would my child want to play with a piece of silk?
They are beautifully dyed silks made using dye that is 100% non-toxic. They are wonderful for dress-up and even for your newborn baby to experiment with textures. Kids are immediately drawn to them in a play setting. The design is simple allowing your child's imagination to create the scene for play.
Play silks can transform your child into a super hero, a fairy, a dancer, or anywhere their imagination takes them.
Some additional suggestions for play: Make a fort with your silks, hang a curtain for a puppet show, make a lake on the floor, peek-a-boo, make a sling for your doll, make a cape, wrap a present, make a pouch, make a doll, use for a magic trick, make a skirt or veil or any costume you fancy.
How will I know if a toy is age appropriate?
We'd like to stress, as a parent, it is important to use your best judgment while selecting toys for your children. Some of our toys have ages listed beside the product, where as some do not. Where an age is listed we'd like to mention that is the minimum age this toy is appropriate for. Just because a dollhouse may say ages 3 and up, that doesn't mean a 5 year old wouldn't like this toy, it may be the perfect toy for a 5 year old, or even older. So please keep that in mind while selecting your toys. As well as the possibility that your child might enjoy a toy that is for 3 and up if your child is just 12 months old.
So, our advice is just to use your best judgement and if you have questions or concerns about a specific toy (whether or not it might be suitable) please use the contact us section and ask us!
How do I care for my Kathe Kruse Dolls?
Nicki Babies and Rainbow Babies are both machine washable. If you plan to wash your Rainbow Baby in your washing machine please be sure to remove the beechwood ring before doing so by untying the baby's hands. The towel dolls and most other dolls that are available through Walking Stick Toys are machine washable (on a delicate cycle) as well. If you have a question as to whether or not the doll you've chosen is machine washable please contact us!
What is a birthday ring?
Birthday rings are a wonderful tradition to start for a little one, and even for an entire family. After the perfect ring is chosen, your whole family can share it. Everyone loves a new tradition, and your ring can be used for birthdays, holidays, and other special celebrations. Surprise your sweet birthday boy/girl with a new
ornament each year, or start the tradition of letting them pick their own ornament.
You can add some beeswax candles and you could even use your birthday ring in place of a cake if you so choose to? We like to have both at our house. Some families like to celebrate holidays, solstices, etc. The birthday ring can be a perfect advent calendar, or get a special Seasonal ornament to celebrate the solstice. Maybe a small vase filled with flowers is the perfect way for your family to celebrate? You can be creative with your birthday ring, or just take it out to celebrate each new year. You can even use each individual piece of your ring as place settings for special parties. There are so many creative ways you can use your ring and I'm sure you'll come up with your very own new traditions and family rituals to enjoy your ring for a lifetime! (We'd love to hear about them when you do!)