Child-Safe Colouring

[Saint Simon]

I am making a small wooden train set for my grandson and would like some advice on safe wood colouring please.
Can anyone advise me what wood colouring dyes there are out that are safe for toys. This train will doubtless spend more time in my grandson's mouth than on the carpet so I want to be sure I am not going to poison him. I want to colour the wood, red, blue, green etc rather than make it a specific wood tone, oak, mahogany. Will probably use some beech I have to hand but please tell me if any other wood is particularly good for colouring. Any other advice gratefully received.
thanks
Simon

 

[CHJ]

I would say go for the Chestnut Spirit Stains,their trial size multi pack should last you ages.

They are not child safe tested but this is an extract from their FAQ's

Q. Are the Chestnut Products' Spirit Stains safe for use on toys?

A. We have not had the Spirit Stains toy-tested as we have been advised that provided they are completely enclosed within a toy-tested finish it is not necessary for them to comply with these regulations. The following products from our range have been independently tested and passed the relevant part of the EN-71 Regulations:

Acrylic Lacquer
Acrylic Sanding Sealer (both types)
Cellulose Sanding Sealer (both types)
Hard Wax Oil
Melamine Lacquer
Melamine Gloss Lacquer
Finishing Oil
WoodWax 22 Clear
Shellac Sanding Sealer
Finishing Oil
Acrylic Gloss Lacquer
Acrylic Satin Lacquer

 

[nimu]

I use Stockmar watercolours to stain. Beautiful inter mixable colours. Pricey, but you would only need red, blue & yellow & the application of some colour theory. They are incredibly concentrated to a little goes a long way. I finish with a coat of home made polish - beeswax & olive oil melted together. The paint is non toxic & the polish is edible.

 

[marcros]

I use Stockmar watercolours to stain. Beautiful inter mixable colours. Pricey, but you would only need red, blue & yellow & the application of some colour theory. They are incredibly concentrated to a little goes a long way. I finish with a coat of home made polish - beeswax & olive oil melted together. The paint is non toxic & the polish is edible.

Indeed- the polish at the right consistancy is what i have used to make lip balms. The only addition was a vitamin a tablet. Selling home made cosmetics is a minefield, but family and friends liked them as free gifts.