Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What are the FOUR values of Puddles & Play?
Quality. Play. Community. Easy!
Puddles and Play holds the highest standards when it comes to the quality of the toys we sell. We exclusively offer products that will be in your family for generations to come!
We believe that providing children with a balanced mix of hands-on Montessori-style of play-based-learning, risky play and open-ended imaginative play lends to a healthy sense of self esteem and confidence.
We believe that independent local businesses are the backbone to any community. By exclusively carrying products made by local, independent businesses, we support and invest in our community.
Finally, this is a lot but it should be easy for you! We're on a mission to make the local toy buying experience an effortless one.
Where is Puddles & Play located?
We are based out of Ottawa, Canada and are an exclusively e-commerce business. This means that we do not have a storefront and we operate 100% online. We offer domestic shipping on all products and select products can be shipped internationally! We also offer curb-side pick-up in Ottawa, Canada.
Where are the products made?
We have incredible artists and manufacturers right here at home and we believe they deserve to be in the spotlight! We do our best to stay local when it comes to sourcing our products. When we cannot find a product at home, we branch out to the rest of Canada but always prioritize independent businesses over big-box sellers.
Are the products safe for babies & kids?
Yes! We only sell items that we let our little one play with. The products are all vetted by the local Regulatory Standards to make sure that they are safe, and made with non-toxic materials.
Our standard for sanding is very high so that no little fingers get splinters. The oil used is low VOC, organic, food grade and the paint is non-toxic acrylic with a water based polyurethane clear coat.
The clear coat is not like a typical polyurethane or lacquer finish. It is not a hard clear coat that sits on top of the wood. It seeps into the pours and seals the wood. It imparts a pleasant antique yellow to most items, while maintaining the natural feel of the wood. This finish does not provide full resistance to water or foods, but will provide some. It is non-toxic, organic, and food grade. For more information, click here to read more details from the manufacturer. For cleanup, please use a VERY lightly damp cloth and no soap or cleansers.
How does Puddles & Play assure safety with toys meant to be climbed on?
Climbing is one of the best ways for kids of all ages to physically develop but it does come with its own inherent risks. We ask that you treat our climbing toys the same as you would any other climbing structure. Always make sure that children are supervised when using the products and encourage safety awareness as an opportunity to empower those young minds!
Why is shipping so high for some items?
Some of our larger items are quite heavy. The good news is that this means they are sturdy, built to last and made from solid wood. The bad news is that shipping is calculated based on weight and shipping costs are continuously rising.
When will my item ship?
Our goal is to ship your item within 48 hours of receiving your order. Once in a while, the items are still being made and there is a slight delay of a few weeks but we work hard to prevent this from happening.
How does the Sezzle payment installment option work?
Sezzle is a payment solution that gives you the freedom to buy now and pay later - with no interest!
When you place an order through Sezzle, their unique approvals system reviews your account to determine what sort of repayment plan they can offer. In most cases, it's 25% of the order total due up-front (also called your "downpayment" or "first installment"), with the remaining amount divided up across three more installments, each due two weeks apart. No interest, no up-front or hidden fees. In fact, as long as you pay off your installments on time, there are no fees at all!
When your order is placed, Sezzle pays Puddles and Play in-full for the order immediately - Puddles and Play has the funds and is able to process your order just like if you had paid in full! This isn't layaway, so your order is fulfilled within the normal shipping and processing times.
Your checkout experience is straight forward - select "Sezzle" at checkout, and they walk you through the rest of the process.
TAKE ME TO THE TOYS!