Christmas Shopping: Avoiding Made in China Toys

For caring parents, Christmas shopping will prove to be a challenge this year. Toy recalls have affected some major toy companies and cast suspicion on any products that have the "Made in China" label. Unfortunately, it can be challenging to find toys that are not made in China. Here are some safe Christmas toy alternatives.

LEGOs

LEGO products are still a good choice for children. This is good news for the families who have serious LEGO builders in their midst. LEGO products are manufactured in Eastern Europe and Mexico. The LEGO Group extensively tests each toy for safety and quality. The materials used to make LEGO toys are also extensively researched for safety. For more information on LEGO, read "Are LEGO Building Toys Safe?"

A Toy Garden

A Toy Garden is a web store that offers a wide range of children's toys, including wooden kitchens, toy food, handcrafted dolls and silk dress-up clothes. These toys are mostly for the younger set, but they focus on natural materials and toys that nurture creativity. While it is unclear where some of the products on the website are made, many of the products have a "Made in USA" icon. For parents who have vowed to buy toys only made in the USA, this website is a good starting point. A Toy Garden also has an icon to let the buyer know which toys are made by a Fair Trade Federation group. Fair trade groups ensure that the employees are earning a living wage.

TAG Toys

TAG is an acronym for "think and grow". It is a business that focuses on making toys for children ages one to six that help develop sensory motor skills and thinking abilities. TAG offers a wide variety of wooden toys, such as lock boxes, puzzles and creative games. All TAG toys are made in the USA.

Playmobil

Playmobil is a German company that sells detailed, themed play sets and accessories for children. For children that like action figures and dolls, this is a good place to look. The themes include fairy tales, knights, pirates, Romans, dollhouses and many more. Playmobil's toy production is based in Europe. However, the company does state that less than 2% of products are made with Chinese production partners. The consumer can rest assured that Playmobil does extensive testing on all materials. All raw materials, including paint, are tested according to U.S. and European safety standards. Playmobil ensures that their Chinese manufacturers are held to the same high standards that the European manufacturers uphold.

Christmas shopping doesn't have to be filled with suspicion and fear this year. LEGO, A Toy Garden, TAG Toys and Playmobil are all reputable toys makers and sellers. Shop smart and keep Christmas safe and fun.