About our toys.
ImagiPLAY is committed to the development and distribution of open-ended educational toys for preschool-age children to help inspire imaginations, stimulate young minds, and nurture a sense of discovery. We are equally committed to producing high-quality toys using only materials and processes that show respect for our planet and all the people and creatures upon it.
What our wooden toys are made from.
Our wooden toys are all made from plantation-grown rubberwood. Rubber plantations have existed for hundreds of years in tropical countries. Rubber trees produce a sap that is used to make latex products. At the end of their latex-producing years (generally 25-30 years) the trees are harvested and new ones planted. But these wonderful trees have one more gift to give us that of their beautiful, splinter-free hardwood, from which we make our quality wooden toys.
Where our wooden toys are made, and by whom.
The rubberwood used to make our toys is all grown in Sri Lanka and Indonesia. Our wooden toys are all made in Sri Lanka. We have several factories in and around Colombo, the capital city. Our factories are placed close to the neighborhoods where our workers live. The majority of our factory workers walk or ride their bikes to work each day. Cardboard toys made in the USA using recycled cardboard.
What are our cardboard blocks made of?
Our corrugated cardboard building blocks are made of at least 50% recycled cardboard. The actual amount varies with each run, but is never less than 50%. The trees used for the remainder are all farmed. The wonderful thing about corrugated cardboard is that it is strong, yet very lightweight, making it a wonderful choice for preschool play. The cardboard is printed with water-based, non-toxic colorful inks. We then apply an additional clear ink coating to each block to make it water-resistant. Our blocks are also recyclable.
Where are our cardboard blocks made, and by whom?
Every component of our block sets are made right here in America. They are produced in Wisconsin, where there is a large paper industry. Our warehouse is near the plant where the blocks are produced. By keeping everything close, we are cutting down on the fuel needed to transport materials and providing much-needed jobs to American workers. The paper industry in our country has been struggling with many companies buying their cardboard from China. China has to import their raw materials from the U.S. or Canada to make their cardboard. The lumber is transported from North American to China, made into cardboard and then transported back to North America. The cost of this inefficient process is lost jobs, and much greater use of valuable fuel.
ImagiPLAY sold this product line to Smart Monkey Toys and you may still purchase them form All I Can Imagine. Smart Monkey Toys also added two new products to their line in 2008 which can also be found on our website.
