Behind the Scenes with Grimm's Wooden Toys: An Exclusive Tour of the Grimm's Factory
Simon Till for Oskar's Wooden Ark | October 12, 2021
I have always adored Grimm's Wooden Toys - from their superb craftsmanship to their open-ended play possibilities, they encapsulate everything I admire and love about wooden toys. In December of 2017, I was lucky enough to be taken on a tour of the Grimm's Factory for an exclusive insight into the sheer effort and hard work that goes into each and every beautiful item that they create. I invite you all to read on and join me as we explore the magical and wonderful world of Grimm's Wooden Toys.
Explore Grimm's Wooden Toys
Marco (Managing Director), Simon from Oskar's Wooden Ark, together with Elke & Sven Grimm, owners of Grimm's Wooden Toys at the International Toy Fair in Nuremberg, 2018.
Let's Get to Know Grimm's...
If you're a bit unfamiliar with the Grimm's brand, allow me to enlighten you!
Grimm’s Spiel & Holz (translating to 'game and wood') is located in the Swabian Alps in Germany, and is known for being one of the most elite wooden toy manufacturers around. Family-owned, the company have been developing, manufacturing and selling wooden toys since 1978. They aspire to create sustainable, long-lasting and open-ended toys that are loved by ALL ages!
Where do Grimm's source their materials?
The wood (specifically: alder, lime, beech and maple) is sourced under the Grimm's environmental responsibility commitment, from sustainably managed forests in Europe. Grimm's themselves are also actively engaged in reforestation projects.
One of a Kind!
Being a natural material, wood always has various markings that show up in the finished product, making each and every one unique. Wood grain has ever-changing structures and colours which serve as proof of its natural origins. The unique variations are a reminder of the quality of the product, rather than defects. So you can feel special knowing you own a piece of Grimm's that no one else does!
How are the products made?
With the sourced wood, pieces are expertly carved by hand and then delicately painted using non-toxic, water-based stains. The wood is oiled with a mix of various natural oils - linseed oil being the main ingredient. The blend also consists of olive oil, thistle oil, walnut oil and soybean oil.
Rainbow Goodness!
Each and every Grimm's Rainbow is cut from a single piece of wood where they are then handsewn, creating an asymmetrical construction. This is why the pieces can only be stacked in the one direction - the individual arcs are designed to fit perfectly into each other so you can fully appreciate the natural craftsmanship!
Explore the magic of a Grimm's Rainbow
Somewhere over the rainbow...
Looking for more Grimm's, including play inspiration and ideas? Look no further...
