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Should You Buy It? Is it worth it?
Is a Grimm’s wooden rainbow worth it? Yes, absolutely! It comes in multiple sizes, but I recommend the “large” 12-piece stacker due to its versatility. You should know there are currently 4 colors that it comes in: original, pastel, natural and monochrome.
There is also the “sunset” rainbow which slightly smaller (and cheaper!), as it contains 10 pieces instead of 12:
Why Is This Toy So Popular?
It fosters play, imagination and creativity. The possibilities are endless with this open-ended toy. You can use it as tunnels for cars, houses for people, stables for animals, and cradles for dolls, just to name a few. The fact it’s made of wood (made in Europe) is also appealing to many, as it’s safer and will last for future generations.
Here’s the large classic rainbow being used in a sensory bin!
Which One Should You Get?
It really comes down to personal preference. The “original” rainbow is the most popular one, hands-down. Many argue that the “original” rainbow is best since it helps teach the basic colors and can be used for color-matching and sorting activities. But I truly believe you can’t go wrong with any option.
Related: Grapat Toys Review | 18 Months
Why I love the Pastel Rainbow
I love them all, but my favorite is the pastel rainbow. I find the colors absolutely beautiful. Overall, this rainbow fit my personal aesthetic the best. I simply enjoy looking at it. It also doesn’t hurt that it compliments my decor nicely.
I realize I’m missing out on the ability to use the rainbow to teach the classic rainbow colors, but I’m okay with that. There are so many other toys that come in classic rainbow colors that can be used for this purpose, not to mention books and crafts. Same goes for color matching and sorting activities.
There are also several other Grimm’s toys in the pastel collection, such as large balls, trees and peg people, that can be used for color matching and sorting.
The Pastel Rainbow in Action | Inspiration
I wanted to highlight the beauty and versatility of the Grimm’s pastel rainbow:
You can find tons of inspiration on Instagram!
Here’s the 6-piece pastel rainbow stacked on the 12-piece pastel rainbow. Also shown are the pastel trees — great for color matching and open-ended play:
A ball run, featuring the large pastel rainbow and large balls. Click the right arrow to see the ball run in action!
Here’s parts of the large pastel rainbow being used in a nativity scene:
The large pastel rainbow arranged in the shape of a bear!
And how cute is this?!
Background on Company
Grimm’s Spiel & Holz, more commonly refereed to as “Grimm’s,” is a German owned company that primarily makes wood toys.
Grimm’s wooden toys are sustainably-made and safe, even for children who still put toys in their mouth. The wood is only sourced from sustainably managed forests in Europe. They use alder, lime, beech and maple trees. The colors/oils are certified in accordance with the EN 71 and CPSIA/ASTM 963 standards.
Background on the Rainbow
18cm in height, 38cm in length, suitable for 0+ years
The rainbow is hand carved from one piece of wood. No two rainbows are alike!
It Costs How Much?! Best Place to Buy Grimm’s Rainbow
The cost for the large Grimm’s rainbow varies, but typically range from $90-100!
If you do your research before buying, you can save yourself some money!
First, let me cover where NOT to buy the Grimm’s rainbow from:
Amazon
This is for two reasons:
1. Price: Typically, the Grimm’s rainbow is overpriced on Amazon. Sometimes by a little, but sometimes by a lot (I’ve seen it selling for over double the original price!).
2. Quality: There’s been issues with counterfeit items being sold on Amazon. Unless I’m buying from a reputable seller, I typically avoid buying from third-parties on Amazon. It’s just not worth the risk, especially when dealing with items for young children. A huge reason I buy Grimm’s is because of the safety of their products. Who knows what stains/toxins can be found on fake Grimm’s products.
To ensure you’re getting an authentic Grimm’s toy, I recommend buying through an authorized dealer.
Some reputable, U.S. based resellers of Grimm’s include The Natural Baby Co., Sprouts San Francisco and Bella Luna Toys. The prices for the 12-piece pastel rainbow are currently as follows (if it’s in stock):
- Sprouts San Francisco: $115.00
- The Natural Baby Co.: $99
- Bella Luna Toys: $98
All include free shipping at this price-point. One issue you’ll likely run into is availability. Grimm’s toys fly off the shelf.
One tip I have to scoring a sold out item is to follow The Natural Baby Co. on instagram or sign up for their e-mails. They are good about letting you know the exact date and time for the next Grimm’s restock! You’ll have your hand on that must-have item in no time!
Is My Grimm’s Rainbow Defective? | What to Expect
This is such a unique toy and it’s important to know and understand its “quirks”. Otherwise, you may think you’ve received a defective product.
The rainbow doesn’t sit flat in the packaging: This is very common, but once you remove the plastic wrap, the rainbow should settle and sit flat.
There is a “right” way to nest the rainbow: Technically, there is no “right” way to play, especially with open-ended toys, but many people think they’ve received a defective rainbow because the pieces don’t fit together. Due to the hand-made nature of the product, the rainbow pieces only nest together perfectly facing one direction. So if two pieces are not fitting together, simply flip one of the pieces around.
Your rainbow contains wood knots: Your rainbow may not look like the one you see in pictures. Your rainbow may contain wood knots or other markings that occur naturally in wood. These markings do not indicate a defect.
The color is transferring: Grimm’s advises that there may be some initial color transfer, due to the sporadic release of excess pigment. They recommend wiping the transferred surface with a wet, lint-free cloth to remove color pigments. They also state their colors are non-toxic, water based stains that are absolutely harmless and tested in-depth for color fastness in contact with saliva
How to Care for Your Rainbow
The company advises to only use a damp cloth to clean. Further, they state, do not submerge in water and do not use disinfectant or hot water.
If your rainbow breaks, contact they company and they will provide a repair kit to you. The wood can be glued back together. They can’t send a replacement part – as discussed previously, each rainbow is slightly different due to the fact it is hand carved from one piece of wood.
More Fun Facts About Grimm’s
From most popular to least popular, below are the countries that are Googling “Grimm’s rainbow”:
- United Kingdom
- Ireland
- Australia
- Singapore
- Canada
- United States
- Poland
Hopefully this post was interesting or informative for you!
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