Kid Friendly Finishes

[jpedersm]

I am going to make some puzzles for my Nephews and Nieces, but what do I finish them with.  They are from the ages of 1 to 3 so possibly a piece might end up in the mouth.

[dgman]

First thing is welcome to the forum Justin! Puzzles are always a great gift, but not typically appropriate for children under 3. The small pieces will end up in their mouths and become  a chocking hazard. As far as a finish, any product sold in North America as a finish will be child safe once it cures. Some folks use products that are not designed as a finish such as lemon oil and orange oil. These are cleaners and polishes and are not child safe. 
So what would be a good finish for children’s puzzles? Polyurethane, lacquer or shellac would be fine.

[Bill WIlson]

I agree with Dan that the bigger safety question is the size of the puzzle pieces.  Look for patterns for simple puzzles, with only 3 or 4 pieces, that are large enough not to pose a choking hazard.

As for a finish, for that age of child, I would opt for no finish.  Just use a hardwood, with a tight, close grain, such as maple, and leave them unfinished.  Not that the finish is a hazard.  Like Dan said, all wood finishes, sold in the USA, are non-toxic, once fully cured, so you don't really have to worry about it.  It's just that there really isn't much benefit to be gained by putting a finish on a puzzle for a 1 to 3 year old child.  If you want to use something, I suggest shellac. 

[JTTHECLOCKMAN]

I would use water based paints to add color. Many child safe paints out there. 

[Denny Knappen]

Welcome to the forum from TN.  Looks like you got some good advise.

[kmmcrafts]

Not really a finish or sealer but this is a mix that I make with just beeswax and food grade mineral oil.. I learned of this recipe from a toy making forum several years ago.. 

It's really more of a wood conditioner and may over years dry out and need reapplied.. just dipping in mineral oil works too and much quicker / easier but the beeswax I believe helps seal off the wood pores so contaminants don't get soaked deep into the wood.. This mix is also used on cutting boards / butcher blocks

I personally use Danish oil more than these two but Danish oil does take some time to fully cure.. if i need to have a last minute gift.. I more than likely will use the mineral oil beeswax mix..

The thing with many of the "finishes" or coatings that are a top coat is that depending on how tight the pieces fit together they may not fit after putting a "top coat" type finish on it.. as it adds or the build up adds to the finished size of the pieces.. Maybe not enough to worry about.. as I said.. probably depending on the thickness of the blades you use to cut the puzzle will determine tight the pieces fit together..   

 

 

Edited December 11, 2019 by kmmcrafts

[John B]

From what Dan has said, it is the same here in Australia, All finishes are safe once dry, with the exception of some very heavy duty 2 part industrial paints.
Oils and wax's bring out the grain, but are not a finish as such, they do not ad any protection. For kids I use a gloss lacquer as it looks nice and easy to clean.

[NC Scroller]

I just caution you to read the directions  A true finish will dry and harden when they cure.  Some things like mineral oil and boiled linseed oil (blo) are just that, oils.  They do not dry or harden.  They are wood treatments. 

[jpedersm]

For the pieces I was going to do the letters of the name and maybe a animal on the side.  So the size should be pretty big.