new toys

[clofromco]

I am always looking for new dyi toys for nemo. He loves to take things apart, but gets expensive. I was wondering if anyone has used building blocks...the ones we get our kids or, in my case, grandkids. I know the colors are non-toxic, but are they safe forparrots. Also thinking about duplo blocks. Any ideas?

 

[mh434]

My wife found some oversized Tinkertoys at a local thrift store. Our 'zon Sammy has, over the past few months, loved them out of existence! There are only a few short pieces left (the rest became sawdust & splinters), and he plays with them every day. He also has a spinning-pointer-with-match-the-shapes toy (also for children - lots of large, brightly-colored plastic parts) that never lacks for attention.

Local thrift stores can be a valuable resource for inexpensive cast-off toddler's toys for birds!

**BTW - I always wash stuff thoroughly with antibacterial soap & lots of hot water (several rinses) before I let the birds play with 'em. Never know what the little urchins who owned them before did with 'em! Anything dishwasher-safe goes through the machine, first. Can't be too careful!**

 

[MacawLoverOf3]

Remember when it came out that lead was in the paint in things made in China? Do not trust the paint on these blocks, especially if they came from a thrift store which would mean they are probably 'older' ones and highly suspicious of being unsafe.

Besides the lead it was exposed about melamine in other products and I for one don't think China has cleaned up their act and gotten this stuffs out of the products they make and it doesn't matter if things are made for babies, it didn't matter to them when they put it in the products then and I would find it hard to believe they would care about the safety of any product they produce.

 

[mh434]

I should have mentioned that the Tinkertoys I got for Sammy are unpainted, unfinished wood...

 

[clofromco]

Those I remember from my childhood...so pretty anceint looked at one thrift store today, no luck. Hitting the better one tomorrow. Thank you.

 

[clofromco]

How about sanding wooden blocks first and washing with antibactrial soap?

 

[JerseyWendy]

If you are semi handy with tools, it's quite easy to make your own Big Mac toys.

Here are some of the things I've made over the years:

http://www.parrotforums.com/do-yourself/38768-when-weather-outside-frightful.html

http://www.parrotforums.com/do-yourself/27941-post-your-homemade-toys.html

 

[Christinenc2000]

Jersey what did you use to color the wood ? I planned on doing something like you did this coming weekend. Would love to put color to it

 

[JerseyWendy]

Jersey what did you use to color the wood ? I planned on doing something like you did this coming weekend. Would love to put color to it

I used Vitacritter Dye. Any food dye/food coloring will do though. Just mix it with isopropyl. Liquids work much better than gels, I learnt that the hard way.

 

[Christinenc2000]

thank you so much !

 

[clofromco]

Is that balsa wood?

 

[JerseyWendy]

Is that balsa wood?

I don't know what Balsa wood is. All those chunks are either pine or willow.

 

[Anansi]

If you are semi handy with tools, it's quite easy to make your own Big Mac toys.

Here are some of the things I've made over the years:

http://www.parrotforums.com/do-yourself/38768-when-weather-outside-frightful.html

http://www.parrotforums.com/do-yourself/27941-post-your-homemade-toys.html

I never tire of looking at your creations, Wendy! Sweet!

 

[Birdman666]

I am always looking for new dyi toys for nemo. He loves to take things apart, but gets expensive. I was wondering if anyone has used building blocks...the ones we get our kids or, in my case, grandkids. I know the colors are non-toxic, but are they safe forparrots. Also thinking about duplo blocks. Any ideas?

I've been buying ABC blocks for bird toys for many years....

 

[clofromco]

Thanks birdman. Was looking in thrift stores for both, but no luck. My daughter has what appears to be rawhide chews for her cockatoo, store bought toy. Can I get unflavored dog chews and use those with blocks??

 

[Amanda_Bennett]

Thanks birdman. Was looking in thrift stores for both, but no luck. My daughter has what appears to be rawhide chews for her cockatoo, store bought toy. Can I get unflavored dog chews and use those with blocks??

I would also like to know if rawhide would be safe, I think Zilla would like something like that to chew.

 

[JerseyWendy]

Thanks birdman. Was looking in thrift stores for both, but no luck. My daughter has what appears to be rawhide chews for her cockatoo, store bought toy. Can I get unflavored dog chews and use those with blocks??

I would also like to know if rawhide would be safe, I think Zilla would like something like that to chew.

Rawhide CAN cause problems if ingested. Also, ONLY offer rawhide if you know it was made in the USA.

 

[Amanda_Bennett]

Thanks birdman. Was looking in thrift stores for both, but no luck. My daughter has what appears to be rawhide chews for her cockatoo, store bought toy. Can I get unflavored dog chews and use those with blocks??

I would also like to know if rawhide would be safe, I think Zilla would like something like that to chew.

Rawhide CAN cause problems if ingested. Also, ONLY offer rawhide if you know it was made in the USA.

Thanks Wendy! I'll just steer clear of it, Lord knows Zilla doesn't need any more issues!

 

[clofromco]

Thank you Wendy. Think most of them are but will check to make sure. The cocatoo just crumbles it.

 

[clofromco]

Found a great site for unfinished birch woos shapes for toys. Craftparts.com. lots of interesting shapes..plus buttons! This is going to be fun!