Spring Break
Safe Gifts Can Be Fun Gifts Too
Madeline Ward
Issue date: 12/10/07 Section: Finals Extra
With all the toy recalls, it can be hard for students to know what to give their younger siblings or relatives. Major companies like Hasbro have received fines after toys needed to be recalled. The toys had problems as serious as being tainted with lead paint and as minor as missing parts. The notions of toy companies choosing cheap parts over quality has caused many to wonder if despite the recalls, children will still be safe.
In hopes of putting some of these fears to rest, here is a guide to buying safer toys this holiday season:
Made in … America?
Although few toys continue to actually be made in America, this doesn't mean that buying locally is impossible. On the contrary, there is as thriving a toy industry as there has ever been, and all of it generally free from safety recalls.
Web sites like toysmadeinamerica.com, usmadetoys.com and roytoy.com have capitalized on the fear of imported toys by showcasing their wares. Most of the toys are wooden, such as toy trains, cards or Lincoln Logs. Others include dolls and stuffed animals, like Vermont teddy bears. The prices are generally less than $20.
Though items like handmade toys can command a higher price, they are more durable and longer lasting than their cheaper counterparts.
Surprisingly, most Crayola crayons are still made in America and can be very exciting to any young artist. The average box of 96 crayons retails for around $6, so it's a cheap gift. Not all of them are made in America, so it's just a matter of checking the label. Play Doh is a good choice as well. Both encourage creativity and don't confine children to a pre-packaged way of play.
"About 10 years ago I was a toy designer," said Peter Millman, who is now a real estate agent with the ERA Covenant Realty group. He gave his perspective on the changing landscape of the industry. "I invented Touch Toons with a partner and worked on several other things. I added the ribbon to the Skip-It about 12 years ago and my toy agent sold it to Hasbro. I left the business because the age at which children stopped playing with toys got lower and lower. [Pre-teens] only want to play their tech gadgets now. That's why I'm in real estate now."
In hopes of putting some of these fears to rest, here is a guide to buying safer toys this holiday season:
Made in … America?
Although few toys continue to actually be made in America, this doesn't mean that buying locally is impossible. On the contrary, there is as thriving a toy industry as there has ever been, and all of it generally free from safety recalls.
Web sites like toysmadeinamerica.com, usmadetoys.com and roytoy.com have capitalized on the fear of imported toys by showcasing their wares. Most of the toys are wooden, such as toy trains, cards or Lincoln Logs. Others include dolls and stuffed animals, like Vermont teddy bears. The prices are generally less than $20.
Though items like handmade toys can command a higher price, they are more durable and longer lasting than their cheaper counterparts.
Surprisingly, most Crayola crayons are still made in America and can be very exciting to any young artist. The average box of 96 crayons retails for around $6, so it's a cheap gift. Not all of them are made in America, so it's just a matter of checking the label. Play Doh is a good choice as well. Both encourage creativity and don't confine children to a pre-packaged way of play.
"About 10 years ago I was a toy designer," said Peter Millman, who is now a real estate agent with the ERA Covenant Realty group. He gave his perspective on the changing landscape of the industry. "I invented Touch Toons with a partner and worked on several other things. I added the ribbon to the Skip-It about 12 years ago and my toy agent sold it to Hasbro. I left the business because the age at which children stopped playing with toys got lower and lower. [Pre-teens] only want to play their tech gadgets now. That's why I'm in real estate now."
Viewing Comments 1 - 1 of 1
Jeanine
posted 1/08/08 @ 12:36 PM EST
I thought this article was very informative and important. I will forward the information I learned about locating toys made in the USA to my sister and other concerned friends/parents that I know. (Continued…)
Post a Comment