The Children's Factory Info

    Kirkwood, MO   

The Children's Factory® was born in the attic of Mike and Barb Richter's home in Kirkwood, Missouri in early 1982. Mike had a dream...to create soft play environments in which children could safely romp and play. At the time, soft gross motor play didn't exist. Mike started with single geometric foam shapes sized for preschoolers, encased them in easily cleanable hygienic covers and used Velcro® to attach them together. The first two years in business, sewing was done in the back of an old tavern by a women's quilting group.

Experimenting with different sizes, shapes and textures, Children's Factory's business grew rapidly. Focusing on the preschool institutional market the product mix grew and expanded, and today is sold by distributors throughout the United States and all around the World. Ten years ago Barbara holding a Masters Degree in Social Work, joined the management team to handle Human Resources. She had raised 5 children and currently has 5 grandchildren so she certainly can handle the children at Children's Factory. They share management responsibilities and employ over 100 people. They currently manufacture all of their products in a technologically advanced plant that encompasses over 100,000 square feet. All of their products meet or exceed current safety standards. Quality control is a byproduct of their computer cutting and rigid inspection procedures. Their product line has expanded exponentially as each year they add new and improved products. Play is a child's most important work and Children's Factory® continues to be the World Leader in Soft Play. Innovation and a passion for safe successful play continue to fuel their growth.

What is the warranty?

They guarantee their products for one year on all materials and workmanship.

What types of materials are used on Childrens Factory products?

Childrens Factory® uses only the best materials available and manufactures all of the products in their catalog in their plant in Missouri except our Adult and Childs Apron. All of their products meet California TB117 Fire Retardant Standards. NO lead or latex is used in our products. We use virgin materials to ensure top quality.

What is used to manufacture their Soft Play Products?

Their outside hygenic covers use three different materials depending on use, preference, or abuse circumstances.
1) 14oz Nylon Reinforced Vinyl
2) Expanded Vinyl materials including Naugahyde?
3) Cotton Chintz

What is vinyl?

Vinyl is a laminate product manufactured with a top and bottom layer sandwiched around a high tensile strength nylon scrim. It is cleanable with a bleach/water solution and is highly resistant to tearing.

What is expanded vinyl?

This is a puffier, thicker one-sided piece of vinyl fabric supported underneath with a cotton scrim. It is also easily cleanable and has more softness than a laminate but is less resistant to tears than our regular vinyl.

What is cotton chintz?

This material is used as an outside cover on all of our Cuddle-Ups®. This material is treated with a stain resistant finish and can be surfaced cleaned or the cover zipped off and thrown in the washing machine/dryer using very low heat.

What goes on the inside of their Soft Play Products?

Inside core of virgin (not previously used) urethane foam that meets all environmental and California Fire Code Requirements. Childrens Factory buys this material in large buns and fabricates all sizes and shapes and configurations in our own plant under exacting quality control standards.

Do you use the same material for the Cuddle-Ups?

Inner core for the Cuddle-Ups® uses the same virgin foam except it is shredded to make for nesting and changing surfaces.

Could you please describe your Mirrors?

They are featured throughout their catalog. They engender every kind of play and no room should be without as many as possible. Our mirrors are manufactured out of a material called PET. They are flexible and bendable and highly shatter resistant. Type in ?mirror? in our search in the upper left corner and visit all of the shapes, sizes and configurations available? To clean their mirrors is simple. Use Pledge® furniture cleaner and a soft cloth. DO NOT use ammonia based sprays or other cleaners. Pledge® cleans, polishes and prolongs the life of the mirror.