When choosing toys for kidlets I try to opt for toys made from natural materials. I think giving that extra tactile component adds more than just a sensory element, but can be calming and and soothing as well.
The need for sanitation…and accomplishing that easily…though, sometimes forces me to put my desire for all things natural on the back-burner. It’s especially important to me for the toys Play & Grow rents! This was the case for earlyear’s Flip-n-Spin triangle. I wasn’t keen on all the plastic, but with the recommended age range of 9 months and older I thought it was the wisest choice. Infants are expected to put everything in their mouths…and if they can’t fit something IN their mouth you can be sure their HANDS have been and they’ll paw their slimy hands onto whatever they can. With that description, is it any wonder I had a concern about germs being left behind after being played during a rental!
There are many triangle-styled toys…toys that offer a many-sided option for fun and learning. This earlyears Flip-n-Spin lets little ones:
●Flip for monkeys to spiral down
●Flip for beads to swirl and fall down
●Flip to activate the spinning wheel
●Flip to see the beads fall down the curved wire
●Spin butterflies
●Spin a mirror
●Spin rattle rings
●Shake the triangle and hear the rattle
Also, it IS phthalate free as well as free from other ‘potentially harmful chemicals’…but what does that mean???
IF you have many children you care for–or frequent playdates–and you’re concerned about cleanliness, I cannot give this a PLAY ON stamp of approval primarily for the exact reason I purchased it in the 1st place! Ease of cleaning!
I did not submerge the toy, but used a wet, soapy wash cloth to wipe it down followed by a rinse with very hot water.
The result: Columns filled with water droplets and/or steam!
This is not at all what I’d expect, especially as the toy appears to be sealed. Looking on the bottom of the packaging it says:
Spot clean with a damp cloth
…what??? Those are the cleaning recommendations given for cleaning upholstery NOT a child’s toy.
Save your money!
Yours in Play!
Teacher Karen