Wooden toys for kids

[tartanferret]

Suitable wood for kids toys?


My missus works at a children’s centre. She encourages me to combine my liking for making stuff with getting free wooden toys for the kids, (I’m sure they would like bows and arrows but that’s a no-no). (After a recent trip to Sandal Castle)


The kind of woods that are free, AKA cost nothing! (It’s a council funded place, for working parents and disadvantaged children)


So..


What are suitable types of wood for carving / making stuff for children?


Non-toxic, Splinter free etc


Non-toxic finishing oils


Processes for these types of wood, e.g. carve it when green ,easy to carve and let it dry et



It’s amazing what kids miss out on these days and the little stuff which mean so much !!



All suggestions welcome folks!


Thanks !


Jon

 

[Toddy]

Sycamore, beech, apple, pear and lime are all good for kids stuff

Since it's a council thing could you not ask the council arborist for stuff when he's working ? Lots of urban planted limes and crab trees and sycamore's a weed tree these days; it grows everywhere.

Hopefully the tree surgeon'll be along shortly to really fill out my short list

Be interesting to see the sorts of things you make for the children

cheers,
M

 

[bushwacker bob]

Soft woods are pretty safe too but kids tend to teeth on them(old scaffold boards are 38mm thick and often free). Lead free paint is an obvious or a suitable food safe oil such as tung oil.
Beech is used commercially as its cheapish and plentiful but anything on toddy's list and box (buxus sp) are also good.

 

[forestwalker]

Birch is another option.

But also check the rules that exist regarding childrens toys. There are minimum sizes on parts, etc, in order to minimize choking hazards. For play structures there are further rules, also intended to minimize accidents.