Children enjoy myriad of indoor and outdoor activities. Children develop all these skills as they explore the world around them through sensory play, enhancing their fine and gross motor skills, as well as cognitive behaviors, creativity, reasoning, and mood regulation. Sensory toys with different textures, colors, and functions help toddlers and infants make sense of their surroundings. Toys then become essential tools for children to connect with other people, satisfy their social and emotional needs and assist them in becoming well-rounded individuals. 

However, it is not fun if the toys are made of flimsy and hazardous materials. Toy materials must endure repeated handling and impact, and must not contain lead, phthalates, cadmium, and other toxins that may be harmful to children who play with them. Sensory toys including sensory teethers, rattles, bristle blocks, fidget sensory toys, and squeaky toys can be produced with long-lasting and food-safe materials such thermoplastic elastomers (TPEs). 

KRAIBURG TPE, a global TPE manufacturer of a full variety of thermoplastic elastomer goods also offers varied custom-engineered TPE solutions for consumer product applications. These include food contact-safe and safety regulations-compliant TPEs for children's and baby’s toys. 

FC/S series– Soft touch surface and dry haptic

The FC/S series from KRAIBURG TPE has the desired characteristics, such as soft and dry haptic, to produce sensory toys for babies and toddlers, like bristle blocks and squeaky toys. 

The compounds have good elasticity and a hardness range of 45 VLRH to 70 VLRH. They offer a soft touch surface and provide a comfortable grip for newborns and toddlers. The translucent tone of the super soft material series allows for precoloration into different colors.

The FC/S series is compliant with EN71-3, Regulation (EU) NO 10/2011, and US FDA CFR 21 (raw material conformity), as well as ISO 10993-10 (skin irritation).

FC/AD/PP Series – PP adhesions for various types of babies and toddlers’ sensory toys

The series’ hardness range of 30 Shore A to 90 Shore A opens a wide range of applications, from toys to consumer items. The compounds comply with multiple global food contact regulatory standards, including the China GB4806-2016, Regulation (EU) No 10/2011, and US FDA CFR 21. They are free of animal components and hazardous substances. 

This series enables adhesion to PP, which is required to manufacture toys such as fidget sensory toys, sensory teethers, and rattles - many of which are constructed with a PP plastic frame; while the soft parts and smooth edge design can be made with TPE. 

Meanwhile, TPE, which is available in natural and translucent colors, is colorable and meets requirements for toy safety.

Sustainability successes of our TPE

Besides the materials for sensory toys for babies and toddlers, KRAIBURG TPE’s recent sustainability innovations include a specially developed material solution for automotive, consumer, and industry applications comprising post-consumer recycled (PCR) and post-industrial recycled (PIR) content. 

Are you looking for a sustainable TPE solution? Talk to us! 

Our experts are happy to answer any questions you have, as well as to offer the right solution for your application.