Grapat Fancy Nins
by Grapat
This purchase helps provide 2 meals to
Indigenous Canadian children in need. Learn More
Description
Twelve little characters, and every hat comes off! Fancy Nins arrive with interchangeable hats and bodies, so your child can mix, swap, and stack them into brand new characters over and over — no two the same twice, and no two the same height once the hats go on.
Grapat sends these out without a single instruction, and that's entirely deliberate. A Nin can be a family member, a shopkeeper, a forest creature, a counting piece, or a passenger in a wooden boat. Whatever your child decides today, it can be something else tomorrow.
They're hand-dyed rather than painted, which means the colour soaks deep into the beech and birch and the wood grain still shows through. Each one is finished by hand in a countryside workshop in Spain, so small variations in tone are part of what you're getting.
Why we love the Grapat Fancy Nins:
- Hats and Bodies That Swap: Twelve figures that come apart and recombine, making new characters at every play session.
- No Rules, No Instructions: Open-ended by design, so the Nins become whatever the story needs from age three onward.
- Hand-Dyed, Not Painted: Water-based dyes sink into the wood rather than sitting on top, so the colour won't chip off when dropped.
- Beautifully Imperfect: Each piece is finished by hand, and slight variations in colour and tone are part of their character.
What can children actually do with Nins?
Rather a lot, because nothing is decided for them. Younger children sort them by colour, stack them, and line them up. Older ones give them names and roles, build them into small worlds with play silks and wooden animals, or use them for counting and pattern work. The same twelve pieces get used completely differently at three and at seven.
Why does the colour vary between pieces?
Because they're hand-dyed in a workshop out in the countryside, and humidity and airflow affect how the dye takes to the wood. Grapat treats that variation as a feature rather than a fault, so the set you receive may differ slightly in tone from the photos — which is rather the point of something handmade.
Twelve little characters, twelve hats, and endless ways to put them together.
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Features
• SET includes: 12 Nins with interchangeable hats and bodies
• Nins are approx 65mm in height -
Materials
• Made using European-sourced wood from sustainable forests
• The dyes are water-based and non-toxic. The colours and their appearance might vary slightly, like nature itself.
• The finishes are made with wax and oils of vegetable origin.
• All of Grapat's packaging is 100% plastic-free. They also produce the boxes with heavyweight cardboard that ensures the life of the box for approximately 5 years.
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Age/Safety
• Suitable for ages 36 months +
• All Grapat products are manufactured and tested in accordance with the safety requirements of the European (EN71 1–2-3), American (ASTM) Toy Safety Standards, and ISO8124. -
Care/Cleaning
• Toys should be stored in a cool and dry place.
• They can be cleaned with a damp cloth and dried immediately.
• We do not recommend immersing parts in water, nor using disinfectants. -
About the Brand
Grapat is a family-founded brand that emerged from the simple yet profound realization that children thrive on open-ended play. Established in the serene countryside after the founders observed their own children's imaginative play, Grapat has dedicated itself to creating wooden toys that encourage creativity, freedom, and interaction with the natural world. Their philosophy is deeply rooted in respect for childhood, believing in the power of simple, unstructured play to foster development and imagination.
Handcrafting each piece with care and attention to detail, Grapat uses sustainable materials sourced within the EU, emphasizing eco-friendliness and safety. The toys are brought to life with natural dyes and finished with vegetable-based waxes and oils, highlighting the wood's inherent beauty and ensuring each item is unique and safe for children. This commitment to quality and sustainability reflects Grapat's values of environmental stewardship and the promotion of a slower, more intentional way of life.
At the heart of Grapat's ethos is the belief that toys should serve as tools for play, not dictate it. By offering materials without instructions or imposed limitations, they invite children to create their own stories and games, nurturing their innate ability to innovate. Grapat stands as a testament to the belief that through play, children can explore the world, understand their place within it, and express their individuality freely and creatively. -
Shipping & Delivery
• FREE Canada-wide shipping over $150
• FREE local pickup from our 59 Boardwalk Toronto address
• Flat rate same day local delivery within Toronto/GTA (free for orders over $300) — order by 9am, get it by 5pm
• For more information, check out our full shipping policy