Tiny but fun, Silly Putty makes a great stocking stuffer and it's labeled "Made in the USA". Silly Putty is manufactured and distributed by Binney-Smith, also known as Crayola, as of January 2007.
Friday, August 31, 2007
Thursday, August 30, 2007
Playmobil- Made in Germany (downgraded as of 9/20/2007)
We are so disappointed to be downgrading Playmobil to a "brand to check carefully." After searching nearly 200 different Playmobil toys, we were positive that the Playmobil website was accurate when stating that 99% were made in Europe. We discovered some boxes with Made in Mexico and assumed that the other 1% was non-Chinese sourced. However, we have learned this week that the Take-Along toys from Playmobil all carry the Made in China label. Please check Playmobil packages carefully. We still feel very confident in the manufacturing standards and lead-paint check system that Playmobil uses.
Many, many Playmobil toys are made in Germany and outside of China. We have checked the toys listed below and nearly 200 others. We only recommend avoiding the Take-Along Playmobil line.
The little girls in your life will love:
Boys will be delighted to play with:
And for the collector in your family:
Many, many Playmobil toys are made in Germany and outside of China. We have checked the toys listed below and nearly 200 others. We only recommend avoiding the Take-Along Playmobil line.
The little girls in your life will love:
Boys will be delighted to play with:
And for the collector in your family:
Selected products from Barbie, K'nex, Crayola and MegaBloks
Certain products made by Barbie (Mattel), K'Nex, Crayola and MegaBlocks are not "Made in China." These brands have a variety of manufacturing plants so you must use caution and check each individual box to ensure that you have chosen a product you can rely on.
For Barbie, the City Style and Ballet lines appear to be made entirely in Indonesia. The Island Princess line dolls are made in Indonesia as well, EXCEPT for the actual Barbie doll. All accessories and gadgets with the lines are from Chinese manufacturers.
For K'Nex, most pieces of the K'Nex sets are made in the USA. However, package labeling says that "special components are made in China." We searched several products to find that only the K'Nex Value Tubs do not have the "special components" label. Other sites have said that K'Nex is made in the USA, however for us to consider a product China-free, it must not have any parts or pieces made in China. In general, we found that any K'Nex product that had a motor or electronic pieces had the "special components" label.
Crayola is largely considered a US manufacturer. However, the company also has processing plants in Brazil and China. Check each product carefully, particularly sets with mixed products. In general, the Crayola Color Wonder and Color Explosion lines and Silly Scents line as well as regular crayons are recommended. We have checked the following products and they are either Made in the USA or Brazil:
Many toys by Megabloks are made in the USA but have packaging or bags labeled "Made in China". While there may be other selections, we found the following MegaBloks to be labeled only "Made in the USA."
For Barbie, the City Style and Ballet lines appear to be made entirely in Indonesia. The Island Princess line dolls are made in Indonesia as well, EXCEPT for the actual Barbie doll. All accessories and gadgets with the lines are from Chinese manufacturers.
For K'Nex, most pieces of the K'Nex sets are made in the USA. However, package labeling says that "special components are made in China." We searched several products to find that only the K'Nex Value Tubs do not have the "special components" label. Other sites have said that K'Nex is made in the USA, however for us to consider a product China-free, it must not have any parts or pieces made in China. In general, we found that any K'Nex product that had a motor or electronic pieces had the "special components" label.
Crayola is largely considered a US manufacturer. However, the company also has processing plants in Brazil and China. Check each product carefully, particularly sets with mixed products. In general, the Crayola Color Wonder and Color Explosion lines and Silly Scents line as well as regular crayons are recommended. We have checked the following products and they are either Made in the USA or Brazil:
Many toys by Megabloks are made in the USA but have packaging or bags labeled "Made in China". While there may be other selections, we found the following MegaBloks to be labeled only "Made in the USA."
Kapla Blocks- Made in France and Morocco
One of our big finds in research was the Kapla Blocks company. All blocks are certified safe, nontoxic and from renewable pine forests. Your children can build till their hearts are content with these amazing creations. We were most interested in:
Wednesday, August 29, 2007
Briarpatch Games Made in USA
Briarpatch Games are entirely "Made in the USA". You can feel confident purchasing any of Briarpatch's fun family games for your family to enjoy this holiday season! We particularly enjoy the I Spy Series but with licensed characters like Spiderman, Thomas the Tank Engine, Nemo and Disney Princesses, you are sure to find something for everyone.
Colorforms, Milton Bradley, University Games
In our quest for products NOT Made in China, we have discovered that many brands have pieces or components made in China and other parts and pieces made in the USA or other countries. We have carefully scrutinized several brands including Colorforms, Milton Bradley, University Games to determine which products are entirely made outside of China. Products made in the USA are noted when found.
For Colorforms, the individual playsets are all labeled Made in the USA. We found that most Colorforms products are Made in the USA, but cannot recommend the entire brand because a few components in some of the larger games and sets are made in China. We recommend the products listed below:
University Games is also the manufacturer of Colorforms and most of their board games are manufactured in the USA. However, some games contain parts (like the plastic pieces or mat) that are made in China. The products we recommend are entirely made in the USA.
Milton Bradley also manufactures most of its board games in the USA. Like University Games, we did find some components in certain games were not made in the USA and therefore cannot recommend the entire brand. However, almost all of the children's classics like Hungry Hungry Hippos and Guess Who and the products listed below, have been checked and will be safe for your family.
For Colorforms, the individual playsets are all labeled Made in the USA. We found that most Colorforms products are Made in the USA, but cannot recommend the entire brand because a few components in some of the larger games and sets are made in China. We recommend the products listed below:
University Games is also the manufacturer of Colorforms and most of their board games are manufactured in the USA. However, some games contain parts (like the plastic pieces or mat) that are made in China. The products we recommend are entirely made in the USA.
Milton Bradley also manufactures most of its board games in the USA. Like University Games, we did find some components in certain games were not made in the USA and therefore cannot recommend the entire brand. However, almost all of the children's classics like Hungry Hungry Hippos and Guess Who and the products listed below, have been checked and will be safe for your family.
Roy Toy and Vermont Teddy Bear
You can feel confident when purchasing products from Roy Toy that you will get a safe, classic and collectible toy your children and family will love. Roy Toy has been making classic American toys for more than 60 years and will surely meet your standards. We recommend the following Roy Toy product:
Vermont Teddy Bear is not only Made in the USA but guaranteed for life! They make a huge variety of adorable bears that your family will cuddle and snuggle for a long, long time. You can feel confident knowing that the bears are NOT made with Chinese paint or Chinese parts. The website also offers virtual bear gram cards, a fun additionand free too!
Vermont Teddy Bear is not only Made in the USA but guaranteed for life! They make a huge variety of adorable bears that your family will cuddle and snuggle for a long, long time. You can feel confident knowing that the bears are NOT made with Chinese paint or Chinese parts. The website also offers virtual bear gram cards, a fun additionand free too!
Monday, August 27, 2007
Legos are(mostly) NOT Made in China
We have changed our recommendation on Legos as of September 3rd. After extensive research, we have discovered that Lego manufactures "special components" (generally computer parts) in China. However, all Lego blocks are manufactured outside of China.
Legos blocks are manufactured in the USA and Europe with blocks made from plastics that are extensively tested in Switzerland and Denmark and meet both EU and USA standards. Lego toys come in a variety of ages, stages and patterns. All Lego, Quatro and Duplo Blocks are made under Lego's strict manufacturing guidelines. We highly recommend the following products as an excellent addition to your Lego collection.
Legos blocks are manufactured in the USA and Europe with blocks made from plastics that are extensively tested in Switzerland and Denmark and meet both EU and USA standards. Lego toys come in a variety of ages, stages and patterns. All Lego, Quatro and Duplo Blocks are made under Lego's strict manufacturing guidelines. We highly recommend the following products as an excellent addition to your Lego collection.
Stay tuned for a comprehensive listing of safe products!
We are working quickly to compile a list of products and toys for your family. Check back in a few days to find lists and links to products manufactured outside of China, including a specific listing of Made in the USA toys only. Our goal is to help you make decisions about products that are lead-free and family friendly!
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