endcap The Triceratops kit is a popular seller. It looks great when it’s painted after assembly.
ArtVenture Looks to Solve Puzzle for Eco-Friendly Educational Toys by Michael Nocella The laser-cut wooden products distributed by ArtVenture combine two themes today’s parents are looking for – sustainability and hands-on STEAM learning. That’s because Edouard AndréHessig, the parent who founded the company, felt compelled to supplement the learning kids were getting at home during the pandemic. “I started the company last year with two ideas in mind,” he recently explained. “First, I watched my son struggle for long hours behind a computer screen with no hands-on learning opportunities. The best way
to learn is really through your own experimentation and discovery. “The second idea was driven by a strong determination to reduce our consumption of single-use plastics, especially when it comes to artistic and educational products,” he continued. “The idea is to focus on reinventing the product life cycle using a more responsible and holistic approach. And starting with education is key.” ArtVenture’s line includes thick wooden animal puzzles designed with special pieces by German artist Andreas Preis, and kits for building a variety of
3-D objects with moving parts. They range from a clever desk organizer shaped like a bull to an all-wheel-drive model of the heavy-duty Kirovets K-7 Russian tractor. They’re made by Eco-Wood-Art (EWA) in the Eastern European country of Belarus using birch plywood certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC). “The FSC certification ensures that the wood comes from responsibly managed forests that provide environmental, social, and economic benefits,” notes Edouard, who (continued on page 45)
From left: This 3D model of The BelAZ 75710, the world’s largest dump truck, has opening doors, a reclining bed and rotating wheels. The Cruiser features a handlebar that turns and a functional kickstand. The mechanical, 3D, all-wheel-drive Kirovets K-7M tractor goes forward and backward thanks to its rubber-band engine. 46 January/February 2022 — edplay.com
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