Categories: Reviews

North Star Toys: Busy Boat Review!

Safe and quality toys can be hard to come by these days with all the recalls and chemicals out there. North Star Toys has been making quality, non-toxic, and affordable wooden toys since 1979. They are a family owned and operated business based out of New Mexico. All their toys are handcrafted from walnut, oak, alder, and other fine woods. They also used recycled materials when possible also and value environmental sustainability.

North Star Toys Safety Standards:

Coated with non-toxic, food grade mineral oil which meets or exceeds requirements by USFDA, US Pharmacopeia, US Dept. of Agriculture and is certified Kosher and Pareve.

No lead is used in the paints.

All paints are manufactured in the US and meet CPSIA new safety standards.

The peg people that are included with some toys has also passed the choking hazard test.

No wood stains are used.

I was thrilled when they sent me their popular toy the “Busy Boat” to check out. My first Impression was how durable and heavy it was. It is not made of cheap wood, but rather strong and smooth wood. The boat is 7 inches long and comes with five colorful and smooth peg people. For how simple this is, Aidan loves it! He took the pegs in and out for about twenty minutes and then he pushed it around for another twenty minutes. I could not believe the attention he was paying to this toy and best of all, I don’t have to worry. The other great aspect was that I didn’t have to freak out when Gavin tried to eat the peg people! Oh and since this boat is crafted from such a good quality, it can also be used in the water! Aidan loved it even more when I let him play with it in the tub! I love how North Star Toys really are for all ages!

North Star Toys is also a “Green” Company:

Other than using recycled materials, they also use vegetable-based inks for printing.

Saw dust is saved and used to supplement compost and for chickens.

Wood scraps are donated to schools.

Only sustainable managed American hard woods are used.

100% of the electricity that runs in their work shop comes from wind and/or solar energy

So next time you are looking for a toy, I highly recommend North Star Toys! They have such a large selection and variety that you can be sure to find something. Also, all of their products are reasonably priced and since you know they will last it makes the cost even better! I love everything, especially the Let’s Go Walking Puppy and the Big Rollie Dinosaurs. All these toys can definitely be passed down through generations as these classic wooden toys never go out of style and are extremely durable.

Cher