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

We listened closely – and improved with intention.

Your feedback on the RIWI® XXL foam blocks was the starting point for further development. From 2026 onward, material performance has been purposefully enhanced so the blocks expand faster and more consistently after unpacking, while offering an even smoother, higher-quality surface.

Beginning in 2026, we use our proprietary RIWI® ActiveCore™ foam – a specially developed foam technology based on in-house material testing, customer feedback and independent laboratory analysis. It was engineered specifically for everyday family use, preschools, daycare centers and playrooms.

What has been improved:

• smoother and more uniform surface
• noticeably improved expansion after unpacking
• greater shape stability & long-term durability
• extended lifespan for years of active play

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

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

Why we further developed RIWI® – and what parents benefit from

RIWI® is not a product designed once and left unchanged for years. Our XXL foam blocks are used daily by children – at home, in playrooms, daycare centers and early learning environments. That’s exactly why we take real-world feedback seriously.

Over the years, many families have shared honest feedback with us – including constructive criticism of earlier versions, for example regarding expansion after unpacking or surface feel.

For us, that feedback wasn’t a problem – it was the foundation for meaningful improvement.

From parent feedback to material innovation

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

The outcome of this process is our new RIWI® ActiveCore™ foam – a material purpose-built for daily family life.

ActiveCore™ withstands exactly what kids do every day: building, climbing, tossing, stacking, balancing and energetic play – day after day.

What changed with RIWI® ActiveCore™

• blocks expand faster and more evenly after unpacking
• resilience remains stable even with intensive use
• surface feels smoother, denser and more refined
• blocks stay stable – even in taller constructions

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

An honest note on reviews & experiences

If you search online for RIWI® experiences, RIWI® reviews or RIWI® feedback, you will find a range of opinions.

Some of these refer to material versions from before 2026. That feedback directly informed our 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 isn’t built through perfect marketing language, but through transparency, continuous improvement and honest listening.

RIWI® is designed to grow with children over many years – and to give parents confidence that they’ve chosen a durable, safe and thoughtfully engineered play system.

Why foam quality matters in children’s toys

Not all foam is created equal – especially when it’s used by children every day. XXL foam blocks must meet very different requirements than standard seating or upholstery foam. They come into direct contact with children’s skin and are used intensively: stacked, climbed on, tossed, turned into forts or used in imaginative role play.

In everyday family life and early education settings, this means constant stress, frequent use and cleaning. Material quality determines whether a toy delivers long-term enjoyment or quickly loses shape, stability or surface quality.

That’s why we fundamentally re-engineered the foam used in our RIWI® XXL blocks. With RIWI® ActiveCore™, we optimize durability, surface integrity and shape retention, even under heavy use.

For parents, this means fewer compromises. The blocks expand reliably after unpacking, feel premium to the touch and remain stable even after months and years of play.

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

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

Foam blocks come into daily contact with children’s skin. They are touched, climbed on, hugged, rested on and used for active play. That makes material selection especially sensitive and directly linked to safety.

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

Certified safety – no compromises

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

• TÜV Austria certified
• ASTM F963 – U.S. toy safety standard
• CPSIA compliant – Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act
• OEKO-TEX® certified raw materials

These certifications ensure our foam is safe for long-term skin contact, intensive use and everyday play.

Why low-cost manufacturers often fall short

Many inexpensive foam blocks are made from standard furniture foams commonly used for sofas or seating. These materials are not designed specifically for children and often fail to meet toy safety requirements.

To reach very low price points, manufacturers often reduce costs in raw materials, testing or long-term durability.

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

RIWI®: engineered for play – not furniture

RIWI® ActiveCore™ was developed specifically for play: for movement, body contact, load, and years of use. Our blocks are not a byproduct of the furniture industry, but a dedicated play system with clear safety and quality goals.

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

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

Note: Safety, material quality and independent testing are key reasons why many U.S. families consciously choose RIWI®.