Our FAQs

Here you can find frequently asked questions and interesting facts about our products:

RIWI® at a Glance

What RIWI® Is

RIWI® makes giant soft-foam building blocks for kids from 3 years (36 months) up, including the RIWI® Giant Building Blocks, the RIWI® 2-in-1 Play Couch & Storage Kit, and RIWI® Velours Covers. Every RIWI® product is made in our own plant in Szentgotthárd, Hungary.

Safety & Material

RIWI® Giant Building Blocks are tested to EN 71 by TÜV Austria and to ASTM F963 by an accredited laboratory, and hold up to 110 kg (242 lbs). The velour covers are washable. Because the foam ships compressed to save space, allow up to 48 hours after unboxing for blocks to regain their full size.

Ordering & Shipping

riwi-buildit.us ships via USPS Ground from our Houston, TX warehouse:

  • Contiguous US: 2–5 business days, free over $99, $19.95 below $99
  • Alaska: 5–8 days, $149.95
  • Canada, Mexico, Brazil, Argentina: air freight from Europe, 5–21 days, $19.95

Customers in the European Union should order from riwi-buildit.com or riwi-buildit.ch instead.

Service & Contact

For questions about orders, sizing, or care, contact our US support team at support@riwi-buildit.us. Multiple RIWI® sets can be combined into a single package on request.

How do RIWI® blocks hold together?

RIWI® Giant Building Blocks are made from a specially developed foam with high surface friction.
This natural grip helps the blocks stick together without any connectors, making it easy to build sturdy and creative structures – no velcro, no magnets, just smart design!

RIWI blocks in official kindergarten soft foam blocks xxl

How can I order without VAT (tax exempt)?

Please use our contact form for a tax exempt order. We will prepare an online checkout for you and email you the link to complete and pay the order online.

In order for us to prepare your order, we need:

  • your billing and shipping address
  • Email and phone number
  • the desired item including quantity

Unfortunately, we can only offer this to tax exempt companies. Please send us the exempt certificate as well.

XXL Building blocks tower kids fur colours green red blue yellow creative giant play

Why We Use Foam for Our RIWI® Blocks

After testing many materials, we found the perfect one for our XXL building blocks: high-quality polyurethane foam – soft, safe, and perfect for kids.

We developed our own custom foam formula!: RIWI® was the first to use PU foam without coating for children’s toys.
Our foam is independently tested to meet strict US toy safety standards (ASTM).

✔️ Certified safe material
✔️Machine-Washable
✔️ Durable and long-lasting fun

RIWI building blocks with covers big tower soft foam blocks xxl giant bricks for kids creative play

Protective Covers for Heavy-Duty Play

Some of our customers – like schools, daycares, and therapy centers – need extra durability. That’s why we created our protective velour covers.

They add just the right weight and grip for better building, even with active use. Plus, the soft velour makes every block feel extra cozy and inviting.

RIWI play couch building blocks inside playgroups kindergarten soft foam blocks xxl

The Smart Storage for Giant Building Blocks

Giant foam blocks are fun — until they take over the living room.
That’s where the RIWI® Couch Cover comes in!

Each cover fits 24 RIWI® Giant Building Blocks, turning your pile of play into a neat and tidy play couch.
Perfect for easy storage and on-the-go transport.

RIWI Founders Roland and Nicola Building Block

How was RIWI® born?

As engineers, building has always been part of who we are.
Growing up, we spent hours creating forts out of couch cushions and stacking block towers as high as we could — just to knock them down with joy.

But as adults (and parents), we noticed something:
There wasn’t a single toy that was big, versatile, and safe — yet still affordable enough for families at home.

So we set out to build it ourselves.
That’s how RIWI® was born: giant foam building blocks designed for endless creativity, active play, and real-world durability — all at a price families can love.

Are the Building Blocks safe?

All of our products are tested to the latest toy safety regulations and guidelines. And of course they meet all applicable criteria.

The most important standards are ASTM F 963 (USA standard) and EN71 (European standard).

How are these Giant Foam Blocks shipped?

We vacuum-pack our RIWI® giant foam blocks using a special machine — reducing their volume by 60–80%.
This way, we can ship your order quickly and affordably via standard parcel service.

Even our largest box fits up to 48 Giant Building Blocks, making delivery efficient and storage easy!

deformed RIWI blocks after unpacking

My RIWI® Blocks Look Crushed After Unpacking — Is That Normal?

Don’t worry—this is totally normal! 🧱✨

Since we vacuum-seal our blocks to save on shipping space (and the environment!), the foam needs a little "breathing room" to bounce back to its original shape.

  • 🕒 The Quick Fix: Most blocks expand in less than 20 minutes.
  • ⏳ The Deep Breath: Depending on temperature and humidity, some blocks may take up to 72 hours to fully firm up.

Want to speed things up? 💨 If you’re in a hurry to start building, here are two pro-tips to get them to full size instantly:

  1. The Quick Rinse: Toss them in the washing machine or give them a quick soak in the bathtub. Water makes the foam pop into its final form immediately.
  2. The Steam Treatment: Gently apply steam from a garment steamer or iron (using the steam function only—don't touch the foam with the hot plate!) to help the cells expand faster.

👉 Here is a video of it

RIWI construction toy XXL Building blocks soft washing label instructions

How Do I Wash the Giant Building Blocks?

To keep your RIWI® blocks looking great for years, you can wash both the foam blocks and protective covers by hand or in the washing machine (max. 30 °C / 80 °F).

✅ Use a mild, child-friendly detergent
🚫 No fabric softener, bleach, or dry cleaning
🚫 Do not iron or tumble dry
💧 Gently squeeze out water and let air dry in the shade

Want to see it in action? -> Here is a video about it

RIWI construction toy XXL Building blocks soft giant soft play

Kids love RIWI®

Since 2017, RIWI® has brought joy to over 50,000 children in more than 30 countries — and we’re just getting started!
It’s amazing to see how much kids love this creative and empowering gift.

✨ Over 95% of families in our surveys say that RIWI® blocks are their #1 favorite toy and the highlight of every play session.

The RIWI® building blocks

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