Safe Toys for Girls this Holiday: Gifts Not Made in China

When Chinese toys were first recalled, I wasn't concerned. My children had little of the toys listed and were well past the stage when they'd put the toys in their mouths. The next recalls - same thing. I had little concern that we needed to worry. Of course, it helps that my 5-year-old daughter much prefers to waste a ream of paper for coloring each day and rarely plays with her toys.

Two weeks ago, in an attempt to get a head start on my Christmas shopping, I headed to Toys R Us and threw a few items in my cart. I was focusing on the 5-year-old because the 10-year-old boy is so much harder to shop for. She has been begging for Aqua Dots, and after reading some reviews, I decided the toy might actually be fun, so I threw a box of Aqua Dots in the cart as well.

You know the rest. Aqua Dots were recalled recently because some of the beads were found to be laced with the date rape drug. Ok, I thought, it's time to take this seriously. As I dug around in the rafters last night for the box so I can return it this weekend, I started thinking of all the creative and fun gifts I could give her that wouldn't put her in any danger. Herewith, then, is my list of safe, not-from-China, gifts for young girls.

1. Art stuff. Most girls between 4 and 8 are quite happy to be creating art of some sort - pictures, necklaces, paintings, clay figures. You name it, they want to create it. If you purchase a large inexpensive plastic storage unit at Wal-Mart or the Container Store, you can fill the drawers or cubbies with paper, colored pencils, markers, crayons, staplers, scissors, tape and stickers. Add some paint, or a bead kid and you have a gift any girl would love.

2. Outdoor toys. If you live in a fairly temperate climate, a new bike is always welcome as are new balls, jump ropes and sidewalk chalk. If you live in a cold or snowy climate, what about a snowman decorating kit or other snow toys (a new toboggan or sled, perhaps?). Think ahead to sunnier days and add an outdoor game to the mix or a tree swing.

3. Not clothes, but accessories, dahling. Girls love their pretty extras. You can give a box full of new dress-up clothes, or you can go for the accessories. You can certainly provide dress-up accessories like boas, jewelry and pretty shoes, but you can also provide accessories she'll wear to school and for play. How about a new raincoat, with matching boots and umbrella? A furry hat with a puffy topper with matching scarf and gloves? Most girls love furry boots with pom pom ties.

4. Music. Purchase your girl a boombox and some Cds to go with it. You might even encourage active play by providing a new tutu or a pretend microphone.

5. Get back to the basics. Consider wood blocks that are made in America, the ever-popular Slinky and wood kitchen toys. You'll pay more for the American-made wood products, to be sure, but they will be safe (first and foremost) and will usually stay in good shape longer than their Chinese counterparts. You can pass the wood toys down through your kids, or your kids' kids. Consider it an investment not only in the overall safety and health of your child, but in the playtime of future children.