Finishing puzzle pieces

[Bucky 80]

I would like to cut several different animal puzzles for my 1st grandchild.  To keep the parts identifiable, I would like each animal to be an unique color.  Assuming pieces will find the little ones mouth sooner or later.....  Any ideas as to safe paints/coloring techniques I should use?  Also, are there any exotic woods I should avoid?   

[new2woodwrk]

I use watercolors and food dyes for my puzzles - both are non-toxic

Also, I would use a simple pine wood - the dyes and paints soak in very well. Don't forget, they can paint them themselves if you provide the coloring materials.

I just avoid all exotic woods for children items

Edited April 18, 2021 by new2woodwrk

[Dan]

1 hour ago, new2woodwrk said:

I use watercolors and food dyes for my puzzles - both are non-toxic

Also, I would use a simple pine wood - the dyes and paints soak in very well. Don't forget, they can paint them themselves if you provide the coloring materials.

I just avoid all exotic woods for children items

I've used watercolors and they work great. Food dyes...hmmm...just picturing a toddler with blue lips, green fingers, and red stains on his shirt. I've only used food dyes if I put a finish over it.

[kmmcrafts]

Could one seal them up after coloring them? Just wondering like maybe dipping them in a diluted shellac. Since shellac is diluted with alcohol maybe that would pull the color out of the wood though? Hmm..  As you can see, I've never colored puzzles outside of just using Natural or Walnut colored Danish oil..   

[barb.j.enders]

I am using Unicorn Spit.  It is a water based product.  After adding the stain, I coat with Tung Oil.

[meflick]

What and how to use (or not) depends in part as to the age of the child. I would not provide these types of puzzles for any child under the age of 3 due to the small parts they can have and their tendency to put things in their mouth. This is why ,any toys and things you see clearly denote not intended for children under the age of 3 as they can be a choking hazard. So I would make sure the pieces are not very small. 

[kmmcrafts]

Also agree with Melanie.. Don't forget also that some of the puzzles have smaller somewhat fragile pieces to them that can easily break off.. even if the puzzle pieces are too big to choke on some wood types are more fragile for breaking small parts off.. Some of the puzzles I have cut I've had a small interlocking piece that was quite thin and it had broke off just peeling off the pattern.. I'm not sure what puzzles you intend to make but keep that in mind.

[new2woodwrk]

23 hours ago, Dan said:

I've used watercolors and they work great. Food dyes...hmmm...just picturing a toddler with blue lips, green fingers, and red stains on his shirt. I've only used food dyes if I put a finish over it.

We seal them with Shellac.

However, when we sell unfinished kids stuff they're on their own and we explain... "We take no responsibility for the mess they make!" LMAO - always gets a chuckle

 

Edited April 20, 2021 by new2woodwrk