With the holidays coming up and all of these recalls behind us (and more to come ahead, for sure), what’s a parent to do? Well, don’t go to Wal-Mart or Toys ‘r Us, for Christ Sakes!!!
There are plenty of alternatives if you shop around and know where to look.
Nova Toys (based in Vermont) has a great selection of toys and clothes that are all natural-crafted of wood and natural fibers. One of the reasons I love this company is because of this Lap Loom and these amazing kitchens. More info here. You can order directly from their site, or grab one of their catalogs.
Vermont Wooden Toys company. Also based in Vermont (obviously). From their site:
Vermont Wooden Toys offers 125 varieties of fine wooden toys. We feature wooden toy trucks, wooden toy trains, rocking horses, wooden building blocks, riding toys, wooden toy boats & airplanes, wooden pull toys, doll furniture, doll cradles & doll carriages, wooden Noah’s arks, unit block sets, and much more.
Maple Landmark Woodcraft. These people have it going on and are serious. Everything-from rattles, to ornaments to building blocks, games and housewares- is handcrafted in Vermont, they have a guarantee you probably won’t see at Wal-mart or any other store. They are also one of the few companies I have run across with a statement on China as well as a ‘No China’ symbol blatantly displayed on the front page.
There is, of course, Cool Mom Picks Safer Toy Guide, The Toy Action Guide from TRUCE, as well as Miguelina’s China-Free Christmas: A Resource List (I noticed Maple Landmark Woodcraft made it on her list as well!) to peruse.
A slightly expanded list appears over at MotherVerseBlog: Mothering Out LoudÂ
