We own a lot of Haba play food, and expected small when ordering this set. The 8 carrots are indeed the size of the small Haba carrots set, which we also own, but the peas are way off. In Haba play food land, they'd be at least the size of grapes, though they look more like gumballs. Furthermore, the size and shape combined make my throat close off just looking at them. They really just scream choking hazard. I think the danger they pose would warrant extra caution even with a child older than the recommended age.
We put them away for for awhile. Even though my 3-year old's play food is only allowed out when her younger sister isn't around, I can only imagine the catastrophe if just 1 of the 11 peas escaped scrutiny during clean up.
I'm sure my 3 year old will enjoy them in a few years when we do decide to add them to her set of play food. Chances are she won't put much stock in the scale being off, or she'll just decide they're grapes or something.
The tin does have a lovely print, and like all Haba play food, the peas and carrots are pleasantly smooth to the touch and vibrantly colored.
UPDATE:
After deciding that these items would pose a choking risk to any age child who would appreciate them as a plaything, thus making them ungiftable to my children in their current form, I decided to be proactive and fix the darn things so they'd be safe. I drilled holes in each with a 1/8th in. bit. The pieces held up surprisingly well to this; none of them broke and there was only minimal splintering at the exit hole of a few pieces that needed a little sanding(these were a bit more difficult to put holes in than the Haba stew mix because all the pieces are rounded) The wood is so dense that I had a drill bit break during the process. Definitely high-quality wood.
I strung them on heavy duty nylon cord, knotting between each piece, and closing them in a bracelet-like loop. I used a 2mm diameter string made by Pepperell Braiding in the USA called "Amy" which comes in a variety of colors, and can be found at Michael's or Hobby Lobby. I made two of these for this tin, leaving out 2 of the peas so that they would fit back in the tin afterward with the extra bulk of the nylon cord. The peas & carrots bracelets look really cool, better than I'd imagined. No worries about the inevitable losing of pieces, easier clean up, and the 2 'servings' are perfect for small bowls , and will fit in their cooking pans simultaneously. Best of all, with a cord that has high tensile strength (I can't break these things and I'm using just about all my strength), you really don't have to worry about the choking issue, even for a child under the recommended age.
So, if you've already bought these and are freaking about the choking issue, don't toss them out or put them away until your kids are in high school, just pull out the drill and in an hour you'll have a very cool, safe toy!
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Tin Peas And CarrotsProduct Description: Peas and carrots to add to any dish for kitchen or market play. European beech painted with non-toxic paint. Tin measures 2.5" x 2.2" diameter.Recommended for 3 years and up. Made in Germany.
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This toy is elegant in its simplicity.Teaches the child patience while building their coordination.Adults could use it as a stress reliever.
