Photo by lindsayshaver
While browsing in Gymboree yesterday, I noticed a sparse selection of holiday dresses for little girls, so I approached the manager: “Are you expecting to get more stock before Christmas?”
“Oh, no,” she apologized, sorry to break the news. “You’ve gotta get in here early.” Like before Halloween early? Are you kidding me? I’m still coping with the fact that it’s time to put away my flip flops.
I guess it’s also time to start holiday shopping. Many of you know how I feel about the toy industry. With this in mind, I wanted to share some of my favorite toy makers (all toys are made in the USA):
1. Green Toys:
What I love about Green Toys is that this California-based company uses recycled milk containers as the main ingredient in their toys. That’s right! Recycled plastic milk jugs are reprocessed into clean fresh plastic (or HDPE) to create a line of classic children’s toys that includes trucks, tool sets, and kitchen accessories.
2. Maple Landmark Woodcraft:
This is a wonderful resource for award-winning wooden toys and gifts crafted right in Vermont. They use the best local materials from native species- rock maple, pine, and cherry. I love the NameTrains Wooden Railway System, the Made By Me toys that nurture creativity and construction, and the socially responsible Schoolhouse Naturals line.
3. Elves and Angels:
This true family-owned and operated business from Maine manufactures children’s kitchens, castles, dollhouses, and playstands. Head Elf David Smalley has been hard at work for 20 years creating timeless wooden classics that can be passed down from generation to generation. Santa will be bringing my daughter one of these kitchens for Christmas! You can check them out at Nova Natural.
4. Roy Toy:
Remember Lincoln Logs? Take a trip down memory lane with the Original Roy Toy Building Sets, crafted from pine trees grown in the U.S. These building sets encourage coordination and imaginative play, and they provide endless fun for kids of all ages.
5. Keva Planks:
These maple wooden planks are guaranteed to nurture the scientist and artist in all of us. All pieces are the same, so when you are finished, it’s easy clean-up! You’ll be amazed by the original masterpieces that children construct right on the family room coffee table. Constructing with Keva Planks is a great family fun night activity . . .and the destruction is part of the fun!
6. Beka:
Beka’s Minnesota-made natural wood products are eco-friendly and simple. Aside from wonderful wooden toys and blocks, Beka offers puppet theatres, tables, easels, and more for the home and classroom! If you have a budding artist, storyteller, or architect, Beka is one-stop shopping.
Okay, I could go on and on. Please join me in supporting our U.S. toy manufacturers this holiday season. Transportation accounts for a big portion of our greenhouse gas emissions, and when we eliminate shipping from overseas, we’re contributing to a happier, healthier planet. Happy Shopping! Happy Earth!
Which U.S. toy manufacturers are your favorite? Please share!
Mrs. Not the Jet Set says:
Great post! Thanks for sharing your favorite toy companies. We always try to buy all USA made toys for our kids.
You might like a series we ran about products made in the USA. It might help you with your adult Christmas list as well as your daily shopping.
And just to let you know. We had the same thing happen to us with our first born daughter. Who knew you had to buy your Christmas dress so early! Good thing I could sew
Mrs. Not the Jet Set´s last blog ..French Memo Board Made Easy
October 14, 2009 at 4:51 pm
Wild About Wild Dill (Giveaway) | Turnitupmom says:
[...] Wild Dill offers a wonderful collection of toys made in the USA, including three of my favorite manufacturers, Green Toys, Maple Landmark, and Roy Toy. [...]
October 16, 2009 at 2:51 pm