I like this declaration from Stockmar’s website:

“Kunst macht Sinn® (art makes sense) – what does it mean? Art trains the senses. And that makes sense, for it’s with our senses that we experience the world around us. By having rich sensory experiences we develop a wide range of abilities which are significant for our whole lives – but in some cases can only be developed during childhood. By practising the arts, we have valuable sensory experiences, whether it’s during art lessons at school or in our spare time at home.

Children who grow up with arts have the chance to create (paint) their own world. And this fosters creativity and self-esteem. Artistic work not only develops craftsmanship (modelling) and aesthetic judgement, but also teaches us to look at and correct our own work objectively. And this is the basis for sound personal decisions and judgement. Art also teaches us to be creative together; thus, we learn tolerance, team-spirit and social responsibility. Therefore: Kunst macht Sinn®!

“The arts need to be part of our basic upbringing, not art for the sake of art, but for the benefit of mankind!” (Charles Fowler, Director National Cultural Resources Inc., USA)”

We will be closed until February 11th, as we attend the International Toy Fair in Nuernberg, Germany. We will see lots of old friends and colleagues and hope to find many new toys to surprise and enchant you.

Please take advantage of our free shipping while we’re gone. We’ll ship all orders upon our return.

Glad to see these imaginative pattern blocks featured on Dwell magazine’s website.

We’d love to see your designs!

“We, the intellectually curious, may soon find ourselves trapped in a pen, fenced in by rule-bound sticklerism and overzealous concern for our personal safety, unless we exercise our civil liberties and our curiosity.”

“It’s time to retake authority from those whose goals are to limit, not expand, intellectual and physical pursuits.”

–William Gurstelle, Absinthe & Flamethrowers: Projects and Ruminations on the Art of Living Dangerously

It’s been almost seven years since our eldest went off for his first day of Kindergarten. We celebrated with a Schultuete made by Oma in Germany (and one for the youngest too!).

The “cone” is filled with small presents: school supplies, maybe a sweet or two… Things to show the child that, though he is leaving home for the day, he is very much in your thoughts.

The Schultuete is pretty easy to make and decorate. Here are some easy to follow pictures from Germany and some English instructions as well.

Thanks to Irene at BloesemKids for her nice feature of us on Friday.

If you haven’t read her blog yet, hurry on over for beautiful features on children’s products from around the world!

This year has seen the addition of Plan Toys to our stock, the first company from outside Europe or the US that we have carried. Their products are sleek and handsome, displaying a consciousness of design, playability and concern for children that integrates seamlessly with that of our other manufacturers.

To help introduce Plan Toys to our fans, let me present their vision and some of their history in their own words:

The Plan Toys Vision
We create toys that inspire children’s imagination as well as promote their physical and intellectual development. We’re also proving that it is possible to maintain superior quality standards while steadfastly following a path of environmental and social responsibility
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Environmental and Social Responsibility
PlanToys is the first company to manufacture toys using wood from rubber trees that no longer provide latex. The trees grow to heights of 50 feet or more. The sap from the rubberwood tree is the world’s primary source of natural rubber. After about 25 years, the latex yield decreases and the trees are usually cut down and burned. Instead of wasting this valuable resource, building our toys from rubberwood helps preserve the delicate balance of our eco system. There is no deforestation involved in the harvesting of rubberwood, as felled trees are replanted with new ones. Rubberwood is an eco-friendly, sustainable, high quality wood. The paper used in our packaging is recyclable which further reduces waste and our plants use state of the art solar energy. Our plants use state of the art solar energy and biomass (fuel from biodegradable organic material).

We initiated a work-generating plan which has significantly increased the local standard of living. We provide opportunities for those with disabilities to work in our company.

As part of our commitment to children’s education and development, we have founded a community learning center and The Children’s Toy Museum. We regularly sponsor many enrichment programs for children through our PlanNeramit Project. This helps to foster a love of learning outside the classroom. Every activity mirrors our global commitment to creating a better society, improving the quality of life, and respecting our environment.
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Where Plan Toys Are Made
Our toy factories are located in the city of Trang, which is located in the southern region of Thailand. The area is rich with rubberwood which we have successfully recycled for manufacturing toys. Our toys are produced entirely within our own facility, so we have complete control over every aspect of the manufacturing process. The wood we use is non-chemically treated; we use non-toxic, water-based dyes and non toxic glue. Our facilities and our toys reflect our respect for the environment and our commitment to designing unique natural playthings for children.
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Toy Safety
At PlanToys, we realize that the safety of your children is of the utmost importance. We want to assure every parent that all PlanToys products comply with rigorous safety standards.Our toys meet our own stringent in-house standards and fulfill or exceed the European (EN71) and American (ASTM) safety requirements.

Q: How can I be sure that PlanToys’ quality and safety is superior to other brands?
A: You can always feel confident with PlanToys because our wood is non-chemically treated and we use water-based colors that are safe for children of all ages. Our research teams have developed non-formaldehyde glue, which is non-toxic and totally free from unhealthy formaldehyde emissions.

Q: Is it safe for children to put PlanToys toys in their mouths?
A: Yes. Our toys are made from replenishable rubberwood which is preservative free and naturally processed. No harmful additives or colorings are used and our water based paints are safety certified.

Q: There have been some recent product recalls in the toy industry. Have there been any regulatory agency recalls involving PlanToys products?
A: No. We are very proud of our safety record and none of our toys have been subject to regulatory agency recalls.
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Our customers can be certain that the PlanToys they have purchased truly are Green Toys from a Green Company.

Plan Toys

If you join our community on Facebook or follow us on Twitter before July 6th, you’ll be eligible to win a fantastic Summer Fun package, full of toys for both sunny and rainy days! The giveaway includes:

We will have a random drawing on Monday, July 6th, and one lucky person will win this set of almost $200.00 in natural, fun toys! And stay tuned throughout the year: We’ll have regular giveaways, special sales and other surprises, available only to our Twitter and Facebook friends.

“Dear Toy Store Owner,

[We] would like to make you aware of DVDs that will compliment [sic] the toy offerings in your store. ”

This will go right next to our Nutcracker Ninjas!

You might want to turn down the volume while you watch this one!

The great Cugolino marble track from Cuboro:

and then some “pop” (but no music)