PlanToys Stacking Rocket | 2021 Toy Review
Description: Plantoys are made in Thailand. PlanToys stacking rocket with an astronaut is made from sustainable chemical-free rubberwood. Nontoxic e-zero glues and water-based organic plant dyes/pigments are also used. The playset consists of 11 pieces including 6 colored stacking pieces. This includes a takeoff and landing piece, nose cone, and an astronaut. The stacking rocket helps children identify colors, shapes, and learn stacking skills. The shape matching capability is built into each colored piece for puzzle problem-solving. It is perfect for ages 18 mo and up to 4 years. PlanToys is unrivaled by its sustainability. They use only sustainable materials, practice eco-efficiency manufacturing, and are holders of many prestigious certifications for toy production. Let’s see how the PlanToys Stacking Rocket stacks up.
The Baby Penguin’s Toy Review consists of 5 standardized criteria categories:
Sustainability, Playability, Durability, Longevity, and Versatility.
(Click each category for a detailed description of why it’s important)
Each criteria category has 3 subcategories and can score up to 5 Baby Penguins per category if it’s Outstanding!
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1. Sustainability:
PlanToys Sustainable Mission:
“Since 1981, our mission has been to create a more sustainable world. At PlanToys, we are determined to do this by carefully considering the environment and society when it comes to our business practices, while also focusing on safety standards and child development in production. By applying innovative eco-friendly manufacturing methods and using green materials, we help pave a sustainable path for our children while also doing our part to protect the beautiful ecosystems and environments that inhabit our planet.”
A. Product:
- Made from sustainable rubberwood using organic plant and water-based dyes.
- All PlanToys are made for sustainable play using no plastics, only e-zero non-formaldehyde glue.
- All rubberwood used is chemical-free and kiln-dried.
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B. Packaging:
- PlanToys uses recyclable boxes with eco-friendly soy/vegetable-based printing.
- Packaging is sustainable with no single-use plastics.
- Paper sleeves are used to contain parts inside of the box.
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C. Origin/Company:
- PlanToys are one of the top sustainable toy companies in the world. They have been around for 40 years.
- The zero-waste production process uses sustainable rubberwood, plant-based dyes, and e-zero glue.
- PlanToys has a chemical-free kiln-drying process for its rubberwood.
- They are a carbon-neutral company and have replanted over 50,000 trees for the environment.
- They exceed all international toy safety standards and hold many of the top sustainable manufacturing certifications.
- For example, ISO 9001 & 14001 for environmental management. OHSAS 18001 & SA 8000 for a healthy work environment and employee wellbeing.
- PlanToys also created “plan wood” which uses their leftover sawdust to create a waterproof molded wood perfect for the bathtub.
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2. Playability:
A. Open-ended:
- This simple rocket ship is anything but simple.
- It is 4 toys all in one.
- For toddlers, it is educational learning colors, shapes, and stacking skills.
- For preschoolers, it’s a puzzle stacker and a rocket ship with astronauts for make-believe play.
- It is open-ended and will grow with your baby into preschool.
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B. Active Parent engagement:
- Parents can interact, depending on the child’s age.
- This can help the baby to stack the colored discs without toppling over or fit shape blocks into puzzle molds.
- Parents can quiz toddlers on colors and shapes and for preschoolers. Imaginary play scenarios can be made.
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C. Playtime:
- Promotes fine motor skills and problem-solving skills. The child stacks the rings in correct order after fitting correct shapes into colored discs.
- Promotes mathematical reasoning with shapes and fit.
- Helps children to develop language and communication skills.
- Promotes imagination as child reenacts astronaut scenarios and thought of space exploration.
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3. Durability:
A. Craftmanship:
- Made of precision-crafted, smooth renewable rubberwood.
- PlanToys “plan wood” from which the colored discs are made from Organic water-based dyes/paints will not chip or fade.
- Superb quality and craftsmanship on every component of the rocket ship.
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B. Quality:
- PlanToys are solid-made toys that are substantial in weight making for exceptional durability and quality.
- Any paints/dyes and glue used are done with precision.
- The attention to detail and the quality of the craftsmanship make PlanToys of an exceptional standard that is hard to beat.
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C. Price/Value:
- The price point is not high for PlanToys for the product that you receive.
- You pay a bit more for PlanToys compared to plastic or cheaply made wooden toys.
- Buying from PlanToys, guarantees you are giving your child a safe toy made in the most sustainable way.
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4. Longevity:
A. Landfill or Heirloom:
- All of our PlanToys that we have had wear really well.
- We have several PlanToys sets that are 15 years old and are in beautiful condition.
- All PlanToys are some of the most heirloom quality toys sold on the market.
- You will definitely be able to hand down or keep all PlanToys for the next generation. Let’s keep them out of the landfill.
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B. Lifespan of Toy (Age Range):
- The rocket ship is rated for ages 18mo plus.
- Children ages 18 mo to about 4yrs will enjoy this rocket.
- The lifespan of this toy is great as it offers different learning activities at each different age stage.
- A child could get 2 years of play out of this toy easily.
- A toddler and preschooler could easily play for 15 to 30 min at a time with the rocket dependent if parents were engaging with their child.
- A 3 to 4-year-old could play space make-believe easily for 30 min. 5
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C. Multi-age Families:
- Good for multi-aged families even if any of the kids are under 3. There are no choking hazards to worry about.
- This is a great toy for families of multi-aged kids because of the different activities for each age. 5
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5. Versatility:
A. Combinable with other toys:
- Kids can play with the rocket ship by itself or combine it with blocks to make a space station or new planet to visit. The sky is the limit.
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B. Creativity Function:
- Creative as it can be a rocket ship for imaginary play, a stacker for baby, or a puzzle for fitting shapes and learning colors.
- Most importantly, these are 3 toys in 1 and will grow with your child.
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C. Storage:
- Does not come with reusable storage. However, it stacks nicely and beautifully on a toy shelf for display when not being played with.
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Final Review for PlanToys Rocket Ship:
Overall, I highly recommend any PlanToy. Firstly, this PlanToys Stacking Rocket is no different in my opinion. It has many functions to offer at stages of development from baby to preschooler. Secondly, PlanToys is at the top of my list of sustainable toy companies. Also, they have some of the best production practices. They produce a consistent heirloom-quality toy. I love how they use their excess sawdust to create “plan wood.” This waterproofs it, making it a multifunctional wood.
Thirdly, they make safe, trustworthy toys that are open-ended that promote creative thinking. Moreover, I love that their toys are modern, yet simple. This allows for children to truly use them as a tool for their development. In conclusion, this rocket ship has a long lifespan as a baby all the way through preschool would benefit from playing with it. It is overall a solid buy and multifunctional as are all PlanToys toys.
