We're excited to share that our Wave Stacker has been honored with an ASTRA 2024 Star Play Award in the Eco-Category!
ASTRA, short for the American Specialty Toy Retail Association, has been serving the specialty toy industry since 1992. As a non-profit organization, ASTRA supports independent retailers, manufacturers, and sales representatives, prioritizing playĀ tools with significant value. The association is dedicated to fostering a community that champions play, curiosity, and collaboration through thoughtful curation. They doĀ this byĀ supportingĀ manufacturers and retailers that bring children's gear and toys to the market.
Every year, ASTRA carefully selects standoutĀ products across various categories, recognizing outstanding design and playability. The nominees and winners also serve as a guide forĀ those looking for innovative toys the children in their lives are bound to love.
The play award winners are voted on by experienced retailers who are closely in touch with the needs of both people and children, gathering firsthand feedback.Ā
This blog spotlights our award-winning Wave Stacker and what makes it a standout in our collection.
Design
The Wave Stacker is a multi-functional toy with 5 pieces thatĀ children starting at 5 months can easily grasp to stack, balance, count, and continue to explore in various ways. There's no right or wrong way to combine the pieces, making it fulfilling, educational, and fun for children.
Just like all the items in our collection, this toy is crafted sustainably, prioritizing both the well-being of children and the planet. We useĀ organic pigments and non-formaldehyde glue in its production. The rounded edges with grooves and central hole, are designed to accommodate small hands, inviting them to grip and explore worry-free, even allowing for safe chewing.
PlanToys offers a wide range of stacking toys, all of which are developmentally appropriate and inspired by traditional play concepts while also venturing into new realms of imagination. While many of our stacking toys feature an inner rod, the Wave Stacker's freestanding structure makes it aĀ uniqueĀ addition.
Ā Innovation
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PlanWood stands out with its distinctive speckled surface, representing not just a visualĀ appeal and a design innovation, but above all, a testament to our commitment to sustainability, and waste reduction. When you choose items from this category, you're not only supporting an eco-conscious companyĀ while also embracing our commitment to responsible product development, setting an example for other manufacturers to follow. Learn more about PlanWood here.
Child Development
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Stacking toys have brain-boosting effects on children. Here are the 4 key benefits:
1. Fine Motor Skills: Handling objects and repositioning themĀ supports in muscle strengthening for babies.
2. Hand Eye Coordination and Cause & Effect: Toys that allow for stacking in different configurations offer added benefits, promoting hand-eye coordination and helping babies learn to balance objects without toppling them over. If they do topple, babiesĀ either find joy in the experience or are motivated to try again.
3.Ā Problem-SolvingĀ & Shape Recognition: Stacking toys enable babies to distinguish between larger and smaller objects, a skill that becomes even more pronounced when objects are stacked together in the correct sequence or in a random arrangement.
4. Creativity & Exploration: There's no predetermined right or wrong way to play with stacking toys. Children can explore the diverse play possibilities they offer without feeling compelled to follow instructions. It's all about experiencing the pure joy of play!
Winning this awardĀ further inspires us to persist in our innovative approach to play. We aspire for communities worldwide to discover the value of the Wave Stacker.