Recalls for excessive amounts of lead used on toys continues to be an issue. Most recent recalls include Easter toys from Hobby Lobby Stores, Inc. of Oklahoma City, toy puzzle sets sold exclusively by QVC and toy airplanes cars and motorcycles from S.U. Wholesale of Vernon Calif., are all on the recent list of recalls.Legislation has been brought to both the House and the Senate, but the heart of the problem remains that products are inadequately tested before they reach the market. And, until pre-market testing is mandated, problems will continue. What is needed is a strong U.S. Consumer Products Safety Commission that has the power – and the money – to oversee product safety.
On March 6, 2008, the Senate passed CPSC reforms. A committee will now work to synchronize current House (H.R. 4040) and Senate (S 2663) versions of the reforms before being sent to the President. The reforms are meant to establish consumer product safety standards and other safety requirements for children’s products and to reauthorize and modernize the Consumer Product Safety Commission. If this is an important issue to you, you are encouraged to write your Senator and ask him/her to pass the strongest bill possible to protect your children.
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Tuesday, March 25, 2008
Wednesday, March 5, 2008
Easter Basket Ideas
Easter is upon us and many of us are looking for basket ideas other than chocolate. Of course, one or two high quality chocolates are always appreciated! But, to fill that Easter basket with gifts that your child will enjoy long after the chocolate has melted, we’ve perused the web site to give you a few ideas.
Monkey Bean Toys has a variety of Easter gift ideas for your children. The ever-adorable Jellycat Bunnies are perfect for all ages. Also for the younger ones, the Furnis Mix Bunny Hand Puppet – three bunnies in a basket. As always Monkey Bean Toys has a $5.95 flat shipping rate, and free shipping for orders over $75.
Craftsbury Kids sells a felt ball set. The balls, which are 3” and 2.75” in size, are handmade using Fair Trade practices, and are easy to grasp for small children – they’re great for indoor play!
For the tiny ones, Tiddley Widdley features the Anne Claire petit Baby rattle $28
KangarooBoo has several different Vilac cars on sale, along with a wooden yo yo and fun frog and ladybug spin tops.
Finally for some truly adorable stuffed animals – bunnies galore – check out StuffedAnimals.com
There is no need to worry about filling those baskets – there are lots and lots of creative gift ideas on all the web sites
Sunday, February 10, 2008
TIA Statement Regarding HealthyToys.org
A quick Google search of safe and healthy toys may land you at a web site HealthyToys.org. Upon investigating the site, I found that the Toy Industry Association (TIA) views the report from HealthyToys.org as misleading. According to the press release, the TIA states that, “the mere presence of inaccessible substances in trace amounts does not mean a product is harmful.”
While the toy industry is committed to ensuring the highest standards are met during production of toys, how can we, as parents, not be a bit skeptical? While I truly believe that their intentions are in the right place, how swiftly are they acting to this current crisis? How diligent are they (really) to ensuring the toys they produce are free of harmful chemicals? Up until recently, I assumed they were taking those precautions.
So, what does all this mean to parents? We just have to be that much more diligent in our choices. I don’t think we have to be paranoid, but we have to make better choices. And if that means taking the time to search for toys that are truly made with the child in mind (those made using strict safety standards, along with those that inspire imagination rather than serve as a marketing tool to promote well-known TV characters) then I will definitely find the time.
Yes, that may mean fewer toys in the house, but we can’t we all benefit from a bit less clutter (in our homes and in landfills)? And, won’t our kids benefit as their imaginations are at hard at work when playing with a doll, car, or game that isn’t in some way connected to a television character or fast food chain?
To read the full release, and to find out what the toy industry is doing to ensure the safety of toys, you can visit the TIA web site.
ebean stalk
eBeanstalk is dedicated to providing the learning toys and educational toys that promote a child's development...and we go far beyond just toys. Our mission at eBeanstalk is to "plant the seeds that help children grow" while making gift-giving easy and special.
http://www.eBeanStalk.com
http://www.eBeanStalk.com
OOMPA Toys
Oompa Toys carries a wonderful, ever expanding mix of wooden toys, baby toys, soft dolls, play food, ball tracks, play mats and other beautiful, high quality wooden toys. We offer fair and competitive prices and strive for 100% customer satisfaction.
http://www.OOMPAToys.com
Heirloom Wooden Toys
We warmly welcome you to Heirloom Wooden Toys, just as if you have stepped through the door of a delightful wooden toy store! High quality wooden toys are our specialty, along with other enduring wooden creations meant to stimulate imaginations and create happy, comfortable environments for little ones.
http://www.HeirloomWoodenToys.com
Craftsbury Kids
Here at Craftsbury Kids let your senses revel in the smooth feel of real wood toys, the fine hand of natural fiber baby knits, the beauty of a hand-embroidered piece. In an industry that is over-run with shoddily-made gizmos and gadgets your child doesn't need, take comfort in our carefully handcrafted classic wooden toys, natural fiber dolls, cozy knits, and thoughtful books. A large toy room and nursery full of things may seem impressive, but a small collection of truly useful and beautiful possessions will see far more use, and prove worthy enough to be handed down to the next generation.
http://www.Craftsbury Kids.com
Our Green House
Our Green House offers all organic and natural baby products. As parents, we are aware of the health impact of our environments on our babies. Our baby line includes organic baby clothes, organic baby bedding, organic crib mattresses (both innerspring and natural rubber), organic toys, natural toys made in the usa, and many wonderful organic baby gifts.
Our goal is to inspire clean, natural living by providing healthy homes to families, As parents, we are committed to finding the best new products to enhance lives while protecting our environment.
http://www.Our Green House.com
Dimples and Dandelions
Dimples and Dandelions is a Chic Children's Boutique that offers the latest fashion in children's clothes from newborn to 4T. In addition, we offer unique baby gifts, designer furniture, and room decor. We offer over 1000 products in categories such as bedding, bibs, blankets, clothing, cribs, diaper bags, frames, jewelry, rugs, toys, wall decor, and much more!
http://www.Dimples and Dandelions.com
Monkey Bean Toys
MonkeyBean Toys is a specialty toy store dedicated to researching, finding and selling only the highest quality wooden, plush and educational toys around. The toys that we chose come from a diverse background, crafted in the US, Germany, Russia, Czechoslovakia, Thailand, and England. We hope you'll enjoy our selection as much as we do. Free shipping on all orders of $75.00 and up.
http://www.MonkeyBeanToys.com
Giggling Toys
Welcome to Giggling Toys! We are proud to be here for you with our fantastic selection of award winning toys for the outstanding kids in your life.
We are parents, uncles and aunts, cousins, and friends just like you that were always in the search for that one toy that was not only fun and colorful, but designed with the care and vision that will give the children in our lives, the stimulation they deserve.
http://www.GigglingToys.com
Tiddley Widdley Toys
We offer an expansive selection of toys, books, apparel and room accesories all in one store providing you the ability to buy a complete range of children's gifts at one time. Our toys include wooden toys, baby toys, educational toys, puzzles & games, pretend play, exclusive European toys and soft & plush. We have hundreds of children's books (in stock), children's furniture and accessories, as well as clothing from exciting new designers. We make every effort to communicate with our vendors to ensure all of the toys are tested safe and meet or exceed safety requirements.
http://www.TiddleyWiddleyToys.com
Pink Taffy Designs
Pink Taffy Designs Children's Boutique and Unique Baby Gifts was created with an inspiration to design magical nurseries and bedrooms for the little ones that we love.
http://www.PinkTaffyDesigns.com
Stuffed Animals.com
StuffedAnimals.com is more than a website. It's an incredible place to explore and discover all of the wonderful stuffed animals that live and play here. From stuffed animals and teddy bears, to characters, dolls and puppets, they're all waiting at StuffedAnimals.com to meet you. So come inside and visit them today! You never know what new friends you're going to make!
http://www.StuffedAnimals.com™
Oh Toys!
We at Oh Toy see playtime as essential time for children for it encourages and stimulates children to be creative and express themselves. The extensive inventory of toys we offer are simply ideal for the world of playtime, for they offer children opportunities to seek out adventures lurking within their imagination.
http://www.ohtoy.com
Go To Baby.com
Baby Gifts come in all shapes and sizes and at GoToBaby we try to provide unique baby gift selections whether your purchase is for yourself, a family member, client or good friend.
http://www.GoToBaby.com
2 Blockheads
Personalized Award winning Children's Gifts and Baby Birthday Gifts, Baby Christmas Gifts. Great selection of Name Trains, personalized children's books, personalized children's music baby birthday gifts and kids clocks are all designed to improve a child's learning abilities, build excitement and to have a ton of FUN with! Every product we make is handcrafted, unique and personal.
http://www.2Blockheads.com
Baby Wise
Where parents can find quality iteams for Gear, Nursery, Clothing, Bath, Feeding, Health, Safety, Playtime, Learning and Gifts.
http://www.baby-Wise.com
Madallie - A Children"s Travel Store
Turn your kids into happy, patient travelers with
a children’s online travel store. We've hunted down the most creative toys, books, games, backpacks and more to keep your kids occupied, and keep you sane, whenever you're on the road. Even if it is only to soccer practice.
It's not the destination...it's the journey!
http://www.Madallie.com
Educational Toys Planet
The main goal of Educational Toys Planet is to become your partners in raising intelligent children. We offer our unique, innovative, learning and fun toys that develop essential skills for the children from 1 day to 100 years old.
http://www.Educational Toys Planet.com
Baby Classroom.com
BabyClassroom.com is a mom-owned corporation. The site was inspired by a desire to find the best educational products for our children. Our goal is to provide high quality and rewarding educational baby videos, toys, and books for your little one - in one convenient place. We continue to personally review the products we carry in our store and are always looking for more high-quality products to add to our collection. We sincerely hope you enjoy your visit and find something you like.
http://www.BabyClassroom.com
Corner Stork Baby
The arrival of a new child is perhaps the ultimate reason to celebrate. It's a time that loving parents, siblings, and friends of the growing family will want to commemorate with a gift that speaks warm volumes of love and devotion. At Corner Stork Baby Gifts, we provide our customers with hundreds of choices, so that each gift reflects exactly what the giver had in mind.
We carefully handpicked the best of bath toys to room decor, personalized gifts to clothing, searching out the best vendors all around the world. Then we road-tested these products on our own babies. We also made sure that the price you pay here is the absolutely the most competitive. (If you find a gift online for a lower price, just tell us. We'll match it!) We sell only the best possible baby gifts, at the best possible price.
http://www.Corner Stork Baby.com
Family Travel Gear
Welcome to Family Travel Gear,
Specializing in products to assist families traveling with kids. So whether you're heading out on a road trip, or sight seeing abroad, let Family Travel Gear help make your next family vacation easier, safer, and a lot more fun!
http://www.Family Travel Gear.com
KangarooBoo
At KangarooBoo we pride ourselves in offering unique, exceptional quality wooden toys, handmade and handcrafted toys and smart children’s products. Children learn best while they are playing. Our toys inspire creativity and offer open-ended play, encourage imagination and intellect. The toys that our children experience today will have a deep impact on the adults they become tomorrow. We are parents to a 2-year-old and a 4-year-old. Our philosophy is such that we only carry toys/products we would let our own children play with and have.
Our toys are made in various countries. Most are made in Europe. Each toy’s detail page lists where the toy is manufactured. On our website, you can browse toys by country of origin (where it was manufactured) as well as category or age group. If you feel strongly about China-made toys, then you might find the Not Made In China filtering to be very helpful as it does not display any China-made toys.
http://www.KangarooBoo.com
Kite and Wind.com
KiteandWind.com is the online store that puts the "fun" in every day of the year. We feature in our kite shop, the top brands of kites, windtoys, garden spinners as well as flags and banners to decorate your home, garden or business. Make your surroundings come alive with motion, color and interesting decorations.
Decorative Windsocks, House Flags, Garden Spinners and more!
http://www.Kite And Wind.com
Pokkadots.com
At pokkadots.com we offer a large selection of designer diaper bags, unique baby gifts, designer baby clothing, cool baby clothes, toddler clothes, plus gifts and baby diaper bags for the new and expecting Mom.
http://www.Pokkadots.com
Krafty Kids
Our mission at Krafty Kids is to help families spend more time together engaging in craft activities that are fun, educational, and easy. We do this by providing affordable arts and crafts projects directly to your door with easy to read instructions.
http://www.KraftyKid.com