A Special Set of ABC Blocks

Last month our son’s Godmother was visiting from Australia.  She has a one year old and we wanted to send a special toy home for him. After asking his mother what she would want for him, she said “a really good set of alphabet blocks.” Seeing that we are on a budget and trying not to buy too many products made in China, I went on one of my “researching sprees” to look for alphabet blocks made in the USA. I am pleased to say that she took home for her son a set of Uncle Goose ABC Blocks in a Canvas Bag. These blocks are produced in the good old USA out of non-toxic materials and sustainable basswood by Lindewood in Michigan. They are quite reasonable for the quality of item, and they are like a good old-fashioned toy, but they are even better because of the way (and place) they are produced.

These Really Are the Sweetest Gifts for Baby

At Mom’s Favorite, we are always on the look-out for good, wholesome, organic, sustainable companies. We recently stumbled upon My Sweetest Muffin, which boasts “The Sweetest Gifts For Baby” and after lots of research and perusing, we agree. This company has tons of items made in Europe & the USA, and what is amazing, is although they are more of “boutique” company, they really have reasonable prices. So when you are looking for that special “perfect” gift or item – check out My Sweetest Muffin.

A Wagon Full of Blocks and a Day Full of Fun

I recently wrote about three great companies that are producing quality American made toys, and lucky for us we have very generous grandparents who went ahead and sent us one of these toys. It is the Mega Bloks Fill & Dump Wagon and honestly has to be one of biggest hits in our household. This mom is all about “multli-functional” toys – and this one truly is – it is a wagon, dump truck, platform for building blocks, and a bin for any toy needing a place to be stored. I am not too proud to say even I have found myself enjoying it…

One of Mom’s Favorite Old Fashioned Toys

After my last post, I had quite a few comments about my “wild goose chase” for toys not made in China. Yes, there are tons of companies out there that specialize in good old fashioned toys made in the USA or elsewhere. One company that I have recently become aware of is OLOZOO- a company on the internet which specializes in “green toys” as well as products that promote a “green environment for kids.” They have a great selection of wooden toys, eco-friendly toys, and learning toys. Recently we sent the wood castle (a nice “old fashioned’ toy) to our best friend’s baby in Australia – and she was thrilled that the blocks were made in Germany. This mom will keep you posted on more of her favorite, reasonable, durable, toys made in a local, sustainable, & safe way.

More Great American Made Toys

After writing about my Wild Goose Chase for Toys not made in China, I have been very happy to find three companies that seem to produce many of their products in America:

Step 2 is a great toy company that manufactures many large outdoor toys in their plant in Ohio. Their website boasts “We are proud of our U.S. manufacturing heritage” and at Step 2 they make it clear what products are, and are not, made in the USA.

Little Tikes is another classic American toy company that is still making most of their toys in the USA. Their website explains that “We are proud to say that over 70% of Little Tikes products are made in the U.S.A. at our Ohio facility, and all Little Tikes products are subject to rigorous testing standards at each stage of production, which meet and often exceed Federal guidelines.”

And finally, our favorite – Mega Bloks are mostly made in Canada and the Mega Brand profile states that “MEGA Brands provides stimulating creative experiences for children and families through innovative, well-designed, affordable and high-quality products that are marketed worldwide.”

For these reasons and more these are three winners in this mom’s eyes!

A Cool Store for Very ‘Kool Kids’

After reading about my “Wild Goose Chase for Toys Not Made in China” a friend referred me to a great online toy company called Oompa Toys. Most of their toys are made in the USA or Europe and have been strictly tested and the company tag-line reads “NO BATTERIES. NO BLINKING LIGHTS. NO CARTOON-THEMED TOYS. PERIOD.” They produce quality toys that are meant to stand the test of time and are especially concerned that toys should be of the highest quality, natural and safe. We applaud this sort of “counter-cultural” toy company for their efforts and we will be sure to add this company as one of mom’s favorites.

A Wild Goose Chase for Toys Not Made in China

It all started with one of those conversations that we have when we get older (with other people that are getting older):

“Do you remember those old wood castles we used to play with?”
“I loved my old rocking horse.”
“I loved my Raggedy Ann doll.”
“Remember when the Fisher Price Garage was made of wood not plastic?”
“Remember when toys were made in the USA?”

That was the discussion that led me on a proverbial wild goose chase. A close friend and I decided to go on a mission to find “old fashioned” toys made in the USA or Europe. We went to five large toy stores in the course of a week only to discover what we pretty much knew already – almost everything was made in China. And boy, do I mean everything. Given the recent toy recalls, this didn’t fill us with much confidence.

So, did we find any toys not made in China? Drum roll please – here is the sum total of what we found (yes, it is possible we didn’t get to everything): One Children’s Book made in Thailand. Yes ONE!

I am really not kidding. That was it – in five stores. We looked at stuffed animals, books, dvds, trucks, cars, seats, dolls, blocks, ducks, boats, push toys, plush toys, infant toys, toddler toys, and “big kid toys” and that was it – one book made in Thailand.

So what is the big deal? Again, see the above comment about toy recalls, but also think about the trade deficit with China. According to the US Census Bureau, in April 2008, the United States exported 5.68 billion dollars in goods to China and imported 29.5 billion dollars of goods. The upshot is – we send the raw materials of cotton, leather, and paper to China and they send us back our products. The real upshot is, there are good companies in America & Europe trying to compete with these cheaper products and finding that big “name-brand” stores don’t want to carry their products because they cost more.

What is the moral of this wild goose chase? Although we realize that some of our favorite toys and products are made in China, and that is the nature of the global economy, we also understand that it is important to seek out companies and products that are made locally or independently. Yes, they might cost a bit more, but that money is well spent – as it helps to buy the safety of the toy & those that manufacture it, it helps to  support local economies, and it helps to curb the trade deficit.

So this mom hopes that some of her favorite toys, and her kids’ favorite toys, will be good old fashioned toys not necessarily made in China.

A Darling Toy With a Not So “PC” Name

We recently received a lovely, plush, unique toy from Blue Tulip. It was an immediate hit in our house, as it is multi-functional. It seems to act as a ball, cuddly toy, and punching bag all at the same time. I never really knew what the toy was called, so when I saw it in a store, I went up to the clerk and asked “Excuse me, does this toy have a name?” She laughed “Yes, it is called “Chubby Wubby.” Our toddler was with me during this exchange and since then screams “CHUBBY, CHUBBY, CHUBBY” every time he sees his new found friend. We can’t help cringing in horror that he might say this about anything (or anyone) this shape. We have tried re-branding the toy, “Fuzzy Wuzzy” or “Bubba Bear” – but to no avail. I am sorry to say Chubby Wubby it is and ever shall be. Great toy, maybe not so great a name.