RIWI® ActiveCore™ Foam from 2026 – Improved Quality for Our Children’s Building Blocks

We have listened to our feedback – and improved with purpose.

Your feedback on the RIWI® XXL foam blocks was the starting point for further development. From 2026 onwards, the material quality has been specifically improved so that the blocks unfold faster and more reliably after unpacking, while offering an even smoother, higher-quality surface.

From 2026, we use our own RIWI® ActiveCore™ foam – a specially developed foam technology based on internal material testing, your feedback and independent laboratory analysis. It was designed specifically for daily use in family life, childcare centres and playgroups.

What has been improved:

• smoother and more even surface
• noticeably improved rebound after unpacking
• greater shape stability & durability
• longer lifespan for years of play

The result:
A significantly higher quality standard – noticeable in feel, stability and durability.

Validity:
All RIWI® blocks produced from 2026 onwards meet this new quality standard.

Why we further developed RIWI® – and what parents gain from it

RIWI® is not a toy that is developed once and then sold unchanged for years. Our XXL foam blocks are used daily by children – at home, in playrooms, childcare centres and playgroups. That is exactly why we take real-life feedback seriously.

Over the years, many families shared honest feedback with us – including critical voices about earlier versions, for example regarding unfolding after unpacking or surface texture.

For us, this was clear: this feedback is not a problem – it is the foundation for real improvement.

From customer feedback to material innovation

Together with material researchers and an independent testing laboratory, we analysed where our previous foam reached its limits in everyday family use – not in theory, but under real conditions with children.

The result of this process is our new RIWI® ActiveCore™ foam – a material specifically developed for daily use in family life.

ActiveCore™ withstands exactly what children do every day: building, climbing, throwing, stacking, balancing and rough play – day after day.

What has changed with RIWI® ActiveCore™

• blocks unfold faster and more evenly after unpacking
• rebound remains stable even with intensive use
• surface is smoother, denser and more refined
• blocks remain stable – even with tall constructions

In short: the blocks feel better, look good for longer and work more reliably in everyday family life.

An honest note on reviews & experiences

If you search online for RIWI® experiences, RIWI® reviews or RIWI® criticism, you will find different opinions.

Some of these reviews refer to material versions before 2026. This feedback was precisely the reason for further development.

All RIWI® blocks from current production meet the new ActiveCore™ quality standard and clearly exceed previous levels in material quality, durability and play comfort.

Why we communicate this openly

Because we believe trust is not built through perfect marketing texts, but through transparency, continuous development and honest listening.

RIWI® is designed to accompany children for many years – and to give parents the confidence that they have chosen a durable, safe and thoughtfully designed play concept.

Why foam quality matters in children’s toys

Not all foam is the same – especially when it is used daily by children. XXL foam blocks must meet very different requirements than conventional seating or upholstery foam. They come into direct contact with children’s skin and are used intensively: stacked, climbed on, thrown, turned into dens or used in imaginative role play.

In everyday family life and childcare settings, this means high stress, frequent use and cleaning. Here, material quality determines whether a toy brings long-term joy or quickly loses shape, stability or surface quality.

That is why we fundamentally redeveloped the foam quality of our RIWI® XXL blocks. With RIWI® ActiveCore™, we optimise durability, surface quality and shape stability, even under intensive use.

For parents, this means fewer compromises. The blocks unfold reliably after unpacking, feel pleasantly high-quality and remain stable even after months and years of play.

For families who consciously invest in long-lasting toys, material quality is a decisive factor. RIWI® ActiveCore™ was developed so the blocks not only look good today, but continue to meet the demands of children’s everyday play in the long term.

Why RIWI® foam cannot be compared to low-cost alternatives

Foam blocks come into contact with children’s skin every day. They are touched, climbed on, hugged, slept on and used for active play. That is why material selection for children’s toys is particularly sensitive and directly related to safety.

At RIWI®, we consciously avoid low-cost standard solutions and instead use a specially developed foam quality that meets the needs of children, parents and educational institutions.

Certified safety – no compromises

RIWI® ActiveCore™ foam is not only developed internally, but also independently tested. Our blocks meet the following standards, among others:

• TÜV Austria certified
• EN71 – European toy safety standard
• ASTM F963 – international toy safety standard
• OEKO-TEX® certified raw material

These certifications ensure that our foam is safe even with long-term skin contact, intensive use and daily play.

Why low-cost manufacturers often cannot meet these standards

Many inexpensive foam blocks are based on standard furniture foams, commonly used for sofas, seating or mattresses. These materials are not specifically developed for children and often do not meet toy safety requirements.

To achieve very low retail prices, manufacturers must cut costs – on raw material quality, testing or long-term durability.

Such standard foams lack the properties needed for children’s play: reliable rebound, shape stability and certified safety for skin contact.

RIWI®: designed for children – not for furniture

RIWI® ActiveCore™ was developed specifically for play: for movement, body contact, stress and years of use. Our blocks are not a by-product of the furniture industry, but a dedicated play concept with clear safety goals.

For parents, this means more safety, more trust and the assurance that the material their children play with every day has been consciously selected and tested.

RIWI® stands for joyful play – without compromises on safety or quality.

Note: Safety, material quality and independent testing are among the main reasons why many families consciously choose RIWI®.