Let me tell you a little about the people, work and ideas behind the pieces that Wiwiurka makes, and how it jumped from a family business, to thriving small business.
Wiwiurka began back in 2011. At the time Marek (our founder) pruned trees professionally, so he would come back home with logs and branches of all sorts of local trees.
His natural artistic sense, along with his love for nature moved him to create playgrounds, emphasizing the unique organic shapes that the branches kept.
Add Your Heading Text Here
Check out the first Wiwiurka designs!
Over the years, Wiwiurka has shifted from treehouses and one-of-a-kind playspaces to designing and crafting toys and children’s furniture that promote gross motor development, and free and creative playing.
Several Wiwiurka pieces have been created inspired by Dr. Emmi Pikler’s approach to child development, Waldorf pedagogy, and Dr. María Montessori’s methodology; however, the main source of inspiration has been Ana and Marek’s daughters.
"To observe how creative play unfolds in a child when they receive unfinished materials and give them enough time to mold and use them at will has been a great gift!"
Creating a business from handmade goods is not a simple endeavor, but the goal was clear: we envisioned their company as a way to promote the value of handmade products made from sustainable materials in a fair and responsible manner.
Marek and Ana designed several pieces over time, some to be used outdoors and some indoors.
However, in this process, they realized that many children spend most of their time indoors and that given the current pace of life, children have less time to play outside in swings, slides and jungle gyms, or even just in a natural setting.
So this family business set up to create a line of products that would allow children to get the movement their natural development needs, but designed to be used at home and indoors.
Wiwiurka as a company is about crafting quality pieces that are fair and sustainable.
The wood used to produce the toys comes from certified sustainable sources and from responsible local wood trimming. Avoiding toxic wood-treating substances has also been an important aspect from the very start.
Building a team
All the wood-workers that have become part of the Wiwiurka family are paid fairly and work in a safe and friendly space. They are local experienced carpenters with some young apprentices as well; they are encouraged to use their skills in the best manner and know that the items they are making are going to be used by babies and little children, so they pay special attention to making all angles and surfaces completely smooth and perfect for climbing and sliding.
The Secret to Raising a Happy and Successful Child
Children growing up in this digital era have been involving themselves in the Internet and mobile devices at very young ages. Pew Research Center’s findings on children’s digital device engagement found that many children under the age of 12 usually watch TV, go online on a computer, or use their smartphones. Around 60% of parents said their children started interacting with smartphones before they turned five. So what is the Secret to Raising a Happy and Successful Child in these times?
Conscious Toys business interview with Ana Parra
This is an extract from a Living Deep Blog “Conscious Toys business interview with Ana Parra”. In a world where excessive screen time for children is becoming increasingly normalized, many parents are now pausing to evaluate the relationship between their children’s mental health, brain development, and electronics. Although it is still early to determine the long term impacts of substantial screen exposure at a young age, what we do know is that there are already proven key benefits from time-tested
Every way you can combine wooden climbing toys
Many parents have asked us about the different play-set combinations they can make with our products and which would be the best for their family. The answers to this question depend on how many children will be playing at a given time on the play-set, how much space they have at home, and the age gaps between each child. Nonetheless, the XXL rocker is often in the mix because it’s a piece that an 8-year-old can use at the same
How Lack of Sleep Can Affect Your Child’s Dental Health
A child’s dental health is the priority of every parent. It is crucial to have a proactive approach to making sure that their oral health is in its best state. Aside from a regular dental visit, proper brushing, and a healthy diet, good sleep is also a must-have. It is often overlooked despite its significance in the dental health of children. Read on and find out the relationship between sleep and dental health. Most of the things that we’ll talk about below
Tips for gardening with kids
Gardening with kids is a fun, educational and dynamic activity! Here are some tips for you to turn it into a great developmental opportunity.
10 Ways to Use your Pikler-Inspired Climbing Triangle To Promote Motor Development:
Gardening with kids is a fun, educational and dynamic activity! Here are some tips for you to turn it into a great developmental opportunity.
