New article: What the first six months of sight tell us about toys — Published this week
The LYKKEH Journal

Science, play, and parenthood.

We write when we have something worth saying. About infant development, material science, the thinking behind our toys, and the questions we're still working to answer.

Read the article →
PLA
Materials

The difference between biodegradable and compostable — and why it matters for infant toys

Biodegradable is not compostable. Industrial compostable is not home compostable. These distinctions are not marketing — they're chemistry. Here's exactly what LYKKEH uses and why.

6 min · March 15, 2026 Read →
BIS
Safety

BIS IS 9873 explained: what India's toy safety standard actually tests for

The BIS IS 9873 standard is mandatory — but few parents know what it covers. We read the standard so you don't have to. Mechanical properties, migration limits, flammability: here's the breakdown.

9 min · March 10, 2026 Read →
Grip
Design

Why we designed the Ring Stacker at 280g — the science of infant grip strength

At 6 months, an infant can exert approximately 0.7–1.2 kgf of grip force with one hand. This number shaped every dimension of the LYKKEH Ring Stacker. Design is not intuition. It's applied science.

7 min · March 5, 2026 Read →
Lead
Safety · Materials

Lead in toy paint: why the Indian market still has a problem and how to check

Surface-applied lead paint on toys was globally phased out decades ago. In the Indian market, enforcement remains inconsistent. Here's what to look for and what test to ask for.

5 min · March 1, 2026 Read →
18M
Development

The 18-month leap: why children at this age need construction, not entertainment

At 18 months, a child crosses from symbolic to representational play. The shift from stacking to building is a cognitive marker, not a toy recommendation. What this means for the toys you choose.

10 min · Feb 24, 2026 Read →
NR
Materials

Natural rubber vs silicone in infant toys: a complete comparison

Silicone has dominated the premium infant toy market for a decade. But natural rubber has better flex, lower toxin potential, and a genuine biodegradation pathway. The trade-offs, honestly stated.

8 min · Feb 18, 2026 Read →
AZO
Safety

AZO dyes in children's products: how to identify them and why they're prohibited

AZO dyes release carcinogenic aromatic amines under reducing conditions — like the acidic environment of an infant's gut. The EU banned 22 specific amines decades ago. The Indian standard permits them under limits. LYKKEH uses none.

6 min · Feb 10, 2026 Read →
Colour
Design · Development

Why we chose muted blues over primary reds — the neurological case for restrained toy colour

Primary red has dominated infant toy design since Mattel. The colour exists because it sells on shelves, not because it's developmentally correct. We chose differently. The research behind the decision.

7 min · Feb 3, 2026 Read →
4.5cm
Safety · Design

The choking hazard rule: what 4.5cm means and how it is actually tested

The small-parts cylinder is 4.5cm diameter × 6.0cm depth. Any part that fits entirely inside it is a choking hazard. This is not a guideline — it is a hard design rule. LYKKEH's minimum part dimension is 48mm.

4 min · Jan 28, 2026 Read →