Question 1

How eco-friendly are your toys?

Accepted Answer

We work tirelessly to find the most eco-friendly and sustainable materials and processes to craft our toys.   The wood we use for toy-making, primarily rubberwood and beech, is sustainably-harvested from Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified and managed forests.      Rubber wood is harvested from trees that are too old to produce latex for the natural rubber industry.  These trees would have otherwise been burned to make space for new trees, but now the wood is put to good use, there's no waste, and no extra carbon emissions are produced.   We're also proud that our packaging is also biodegradable, recyclable, and plastic-free.

Question 2

Why should I buy wooden toys?

Accepted Answer

There are so many great things about wooden toys it's difficult to know where to start!   Child development   In contrast to plastic toys which often have one use, are brightly coloured, or noisy etc, simple wooden toys encourage open-ended play. Open-ended play is child-led play, where a child is actively using their imagination, and inventing different ways of playing with the same toy.   Research has shown that simple wooden toys are great for cognitive development, problem-solving, developing motor skills, social skills, hand-eye coordination and the list goes on!    Safety   Wooden toys are durable, and last a long time.  Wood is also naturally anti-bacterial and anti-fungal so it's a great choice when it comes to toys.  You'll also not find any toxic chemicals in our wooden toys, whereas, unfortunately the same cannot be said for some plastic toys.   Environment   Toys made from sustainably-sourced, FSC-certified wood like ours are the most eco-friendly toys out there.  Wood is also biodegradable, recyclable, but also more durable so wooden toys tend to last longer and are passed down the generations.  Plastic toys on the other hand hang around for a good 400 years after they've been discarded!  Eek!     There's just a few reasons why we love wooden toys and we think they're an amazing choice for children.

Question 3

Are the toys safe for children?

Accepted Answer

Our toys are CE-marked and have been rigorously tested according to the standards set out in the Toy Safety Directive and the EN71-1.2.3 standards.   We use non-toxic, toy-safe paints, stains, and finishes and these have been lab-tested to EN71-3 standards.   We take safety very seriously and over-test above and beyong the standards to ensure safety and peace of mind for all.

Question 4

How are your toys made?

Accepted Answer

We hand make our toys both here in the UK and Sri Lanka.  We design, cut, sand and paint every individual piece with care.    Please check out our infographic here to learn more about the toy-making process.

Question 5

I've seen a toy that I like but it's not on your website, why?"

Accepted Answer

It is very early days for us as a small family business.  At present we're focussing on the product that compelled us to launch: Eco Surprise!     The background/scenic toys seen in the photographs are all designed, hand cut, and stained/painted by ourselves.  However, at present these are only individual pieces made for our launch.   We will be adding Waldorf-inspired wooden toys soon to our range, so watch this space! :)

Question 6

When will I receive my toys?

Accepted Answer

We do our very best to dispatch our orders as quickly as possible and within 2 days.  Most orders are received within 7 working days.     Our standard shipping (UK mainland only) is sent via Royal Mail Second Class which takes around 2-3 working days.  We also offer an upgrade option on checkout which is a next day delivery service (UK only).  Please see our Shipping Policy for more details.   Sometimes during busy times, such as the run-up to Christmas, the above time-frames can be extended.  Therefore, please leave plenty of time if you're planning a special event.

Question 7

Can I return my toy if I'm not satisfied?

Accepted Answer

Yes, we want you to be 100% happy with your purchase.  We therefore accept returns of unused toys, in saleable condition within 14 days of receipt.   We can also exchange your item for another if you'd prefer to do that.   As shipping is a direct cost we do not refund shipping and you will be responsible for the cost of return carriage (except in the case of faulty items).   If you would like to request a return please contact us at hello@quirkyearth.com and we'll arrange this with you.   For more details please see our returns policy.

Question 8

When is your last Christmas order date?

Accepted Answer

Our last date for orders is Thursday 17th December, for the last posting by Standard delivery (Royal Mail Second Class) on Friday 18th December.  All orders received after this date up to the 22nd December will be sent via Royal Mail 24 Tracked*.   *Please note that this is a very busy time of year and we cannot guarantee delivery before Christmas if using last posting dates.  We recommend placing orders in plenty of time in order to avoid disappointment.

Question 9

Do you offer wholesale?

Accepted Answer

Our most frequently asked question!  It's so great to get such positive feedback with so many stores wanting to stock our products!   Please email us at hello@quirkyearth.com and we'd love to discuss.   If you are a party/event planner and thinking of placing a large order (over £200)  it's worth getting in touch with us to see if we can offer a discount.

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